Page 142 of Fawn

The day room of my quarters has been commandeered as a dressing room. My mates have been sent to prepare themselves elsewhere.

Maids bustle around me under the direction of Seven’s indomitable sisters.

Blue, my old hound, lies in the shade on the balcony, watching proceedings with curiosity.

“Doesn’t she look beautiful?” Estelle gushes.

“Magical,” Luna agrees.

“Simply stunning,” Petunia says.

“Resplendent! The perfect queen,” Persa agrees, smiling, even as she reaches to rub her lower back.

“Oh, are you sure you’ll be alright, Persa?” I ask. She is at the late stage of pregnancy. The birth is imminent. Even before my state of pregnancy, I was excited to meet the babe. Now I am with child myself, the arrival of a babe and everything about it holds a new, much more personal curiosity and thrill.

Persa waves a dismissive hand. “I’ve had words with the baby. It is assuredly not coming until after the ceremony.”

“Do you think it might be twins,” I blurt out.

Estelle chuckles. “I’ve had bets on it with Gideon,” she says. “He believes it might be triplets.”

Persa huffs a little breath and pouts, but I see a twinkle of amusement. “My mates also think it might be twins. But we shall find out soon enough… after the ceremony and not before.”

The ceremony.

The all-important ceremony.

The one where I become queen.

My best friend Luna, her mate and son, along with her dear mother, Petunia, have traveled all this way to witness the happy event—with a bit of help from Seven’s fae allies and their magic portal, no less.

I have been primped and prepared, bathed, and treated with sweet lotions. My hair has been carefully curled and hangs long down my back, studded with tiny white flowers and sparkling gemstones.

“Now all that is missing is a crown,” Estelle says, clapping her hands together.

“I cannot wait to see it,” Luna says, her smile broad.

I have seen the crown. Seven showed it to me yesterday, wanting me to be familiar with it before the ceremony. Only I don’t think I will ever be familiar with it or the concept of becoming a queen. It all feels unreal, like I might pinch myself and discover this is a dream.

“With five such lusty mates,” Luna continues. “The after-party in your nest is sure to be wild.”

“Luna!” her mother shakes her head even as she laughs.

Luna grins and hugs me… carefully, for my golden gown, like my hair, is studded with gemstones. “I’m so happy for you, Fawn. So happy you got your Wolf.” She winks. “And the noble stags are a definite bonus.”

As I share a look with the four women, some I have known long and some I have met recently, I experience gratitude.

I think back to my fateful fifth birthday when I snuck away from home and met Seven in the ruin of the old mill. Little did I know he was a prince who would one day claim me as a queen.

I move onward to the cottage on the outskirts of Blackrock Pack and the happy times I had with my Mama and Papa before they left me to join the Goddess. It was here I met and fell in love with the handsome wolf shifter who would become my first mate: Wolf.

I think, too, of my dear friend Luna and her mother Petunia, here with me today, and all the neighbors and friends I knew among the pack.

My arrival here, meeting Nox and Eiden, and finally, Gideon.

And, of course, Persa and Estelle have already claimed me as their sister.

“I think it is time for the grand reveal,” Persa says.

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