Page 70 of A Crown of Fates

Before we can say more, Jerome appears at Theo’s side, his expression carefully neutral but his eyes sharp. “Your Majesty, Princess Estee, everything is proceeding as planned. Everyone’s in position, and Cecil’s overseeing the final security checks.”

Theo nods. “And how is the pack feeling?”

“United,” Jerome says, his voice low but firm. “The tension is there, but they trust you. They’re ready for whatever comes.”

As Jerome steps back, Theo and I move further into the room. We need our people to know we’re here for them and that spending this time with them isn’t just for show or a trap. We greet everyone we pass, exchanging pleasantries, and the more we do this, the calmer the room becomes.

The music shifts to a slower melody, and Theo pulls me into his arms, guiding me effortlessly onto the dance floor. The pack clears a space for us, watching as we move in perfect harmony.

“You’re quiet,” Theo murmurs, his hand warm against the small of my back.

“Just thinking,” I admit, scanning the room. “Do you thinkshe’llshow?”

“Aurora?” He sighs. “With that goddess, who knows? But if she doesn’t, we’ll manage. We have each other, the pack, and,” he pats his suitcoat, gesturing to his inner pocket, “the scepter.”

I nod, but the uncertainty remains. As we pass near the edge of the room, I spot Elyn, her rejuvenated form standing out among the crowd. She sips champagne, her lavender eyes sharp and observant.

Briefly, I consider asking her about Aurora, but I can already hear the snarky wolf’s response. Something along the lines of“She’s a goddess. She doesn’t answer to you.”

“Do you think the kids in the bunker are scared?” I ask as the song we’re dancing to ends and rolls into another.

Theo presses his lips to my temple, and I feel his smile over my heated skin. “I took you there earlier so that you would quit worrying. They have more than enough distractions to entertain them for the night. I promise, they’ll be fine.”

Keera said the same thing when I visited them. I told her as much of the truth necessary to keep her from being taken by surprise. She’s been a parent to the younger ones, and I hate thatshe is still, but after this is over, my focus will return to finding them proper homes. At least everyone’s been happy in the castle so far.

Mostly, I’m just ready to know what the fallout might be, to be done fearing the unknown. The life I never thought I’d have is right there at my fingertips, and facing Orix, ending his threat over us is the only thing that stands in the way of happiness for so many.

Waiting for this fight feels like an eternity passing at a snail’s pace.

Still, I manage to keep calm, being the mate to the king and strong for the people. Theo and I rotate between dancing, speaking with the members of the pack, and communicating with Jerome, who oversees the pack on Theo’s behalf.

While everyone smiles and seems to enjoy themselves, I’m not the only one who’s eager. The overall tension within the room never quite dissipates as the night continues. The more time passes, the more I begin to fear we’ve built this evening up only for Orix not to show.

It’s nearly midnight, time for our closing speech to the people. Hand in hand, Theo and I make our way to the dais at the front of the hall. The crowd quiets as we step forward, their eyes full of hope and expectation and maybe even relief that, without incident, the evening is almost over.

Theo’s voice is strong and steady as he begins. “Tonight, we celebrate not just our victories but our unity. While Selaris has faced its share of challenges, we’ve survived and even begun to thrive, despite those who wish otherwise. Most importantly, we’ve learned that together, we are stronger than any force that seeks to divide us.”

He looks at me, his gaze softening. “I found my strength the day Estee came into my life. With her as my mate, we’re forging a new future for Selaris, one built on trust and hope.”

I step forward, my voice clear. “This ball is a reminder of all we’ve overcome and all we stand to gain. This pack is not just our kingdom—it’s our family. And together, we’ll face whatever comes with courage and determination. As you know, a god recently held me captive, but even his strength was no match for that of our Alpha King. That alone is worth celebrating tonight, wouldn’t you agree?”

The crowd erupts in applause, the sound echoing off the high ceilings. The louder their cheers grow, the more the tension leaves my body. As much as I wished for this to be over, maybe a night without drama is exactly what we all needed.

As the pack begins to quiet, the hope radiating through the room settles over me. Theo intertwines his fingers with mine and lifts our joined hands in the air. The movement reignites the cheers, and I find myself grinning from ear-to-ear at my mate.

“I love you,” I whisper beneath the applause.

But as he opens his mouth to respond, the air shifts. A sudden chill sweeps through the room, extinguishing the warmth of the chandeliers. The pack’s euphoria shatters into silence as a deep, sinister voice echoes through the hall.

“Well, isn’t this a charming display?”

Orix’s presence is suffocating, pressing down on the room as he materializes at the far end of the hall. His dark eyes glint with malice, and a twisted smile spreads across his face.

“Did you really think you could outmaneuver me?” he sneers, his voice dripping with contempt. “That you could celebrate a win you have no right to claim? How about we show your people just how pathetic you really are, Theodore?”

A tear forms in the now-dark ceiling, a portal of some sort, black as the night sky on the other side and flooded with evil intent. Shadows come through, swarming the ballroom and plunging the place into chaos. Our pack scrambles, some of themrunning for the exits, others looking to us for instruction as Orix’s power fills the space.

We knew there’d be a fight, but these shadow creatures… We didn’t prepare for this, and I haven’t the first clue how to fight them.

---