Chains to Crowns

Marc approached the door to leave the underground jail, Derrek’s screams still lingering unpleasantly in his ears. Blinking at the bright light as he pushed on the heavy door. “Get the Alpha to accept the crown, any means necessary,” Marc commanded. “Kill the rest.”

“Yes my King… If he doesn’t accept?”

“There will be no survivors of his pack. Tell him if he accepts he’ll be able to leave with his daughter.” He saw the confused looks on all the guards' faces. “Did I say it’s the truth?” Instantly the guards looked down, realising they had questioned him.

“Of course, my King.”

As he passed the guard training ground, he saw them all assembled, Jesse bellowing at them. Marc strode over. “Gamma, I need a word.”

“Of course, my King.” Marc gestured with his head to walk away from the group, walking until they were out of earshot. “Who beat the Alpha?”

“I…” he started, looking like he'd been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

“Jesse!”

“He hurt his daughter, your mate,” Jesse reasoned.

Marc closed his eyes for a moment, breathing deeply. “I understand your motives, but you had no right. Wolfsbane… fine. But beating him up?”

“Wasn’t just me,” he mumbled.

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”

“Sorry, Marc… I just… When I heard about him… you know… I thought about Adelaide with that psycho and…”

“He didn’t rape her. His wolves did. But he did allow it… I get it Jess… I do. But you can’t take it into your own hands. I need to be aware, I need to give the order.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’ll let it slide. This once. We’re all prickly.”

“Yes, my King.”

“No more rumours about your Queen, you hear anything, you shut them up.”

“Understood.”

“Have you found out how they managed to get on our lands undetected?” Marc asked, changing the subject.

“No, I’m trying to work out where they snuck in and who was on that section.”

“I want all guards that were on rotation yesterday, and the night shift in the throne room in two hours. I need their reports on my desk within the hour.”

“You’re not suspecting foul play?” Jesse asked with a mixture of surprise and intrigue.

“I hope not, I’m hoping it’s a lacks in judgment or an ill-timed piss break. I need to be thorough, they endangered us all.”

“Is she alright?” Jesse asked lowly, asking as a friend.

“Shaken, but fine. I want this mess sorted so I can get back to her.”

“We’ll get to the bottom of it. I’ll get those reports. I trust the prisoners told you something?” Jesse asked, gesturing to the blood splatters on Marc’s shirt.

Marc took a breath, he couldn’t admit that asking how they’d got onto his land had slipped his mind. “They said nothing.”

“Understandable, I can’t imagine they would, they know they’ve lost.”

“Get on those reports, I shall see you in the throne room with all on shift at the times of attack.” Jesse nodded before turning back, walking back to the group of guards.

Marc nipped to his office, pulling out a t-shirt, “You all right, bud?” Wade stepped in as Marc slipped off his bloody shirt. “Yeah, heard what happened last night?”

Wade gave a curt nod, “She OK?” Wade asked, sitting in his usual chair. Marc slipped on the t-shirt, sliding behind his desk. “Yes, she was shaken.” Marc smiled to himself, pulling a stack of paper towards him. “I need to organise the coronation ceremony.” He grinned to his beta like a buffoon. Allowing himself to relish in the memory.

Wade didn’t clock at first as he looked over the books mindlessly for the coronation information. His hand stopped midway as he reached for it. “Hold up!” He spun to look at his friend. “What?” his deep voice squeaking.

“Well… after he attacked her. She asked… so I obliged like the submissive pup I am apparently,” despite his words there was no shame in them.

Wade gaped, “You certain it wasn’t her wolf?”

“No, her wolf has demanded many times. She reasoned she’d be able to alert me through the link if anything happened again. But it was her saying it.”

“Is she OK now?” Wade gave Marc a slightly too hard glare.

“Yeah, I made sure… quite a few times. Are you ever handing me the coronation documents?” Wade finally reached and plucked the leather-bound book, careful for no loose pages to slip out.

Wade and Marc got to work. “Marc?” Klara’s voice crackled into his head.

“Everything OK?” He was surprised she’d contacted him, and worried something was wrong.

“Just wanted to check it worked.”

He chuckled, “It did, I’m just looking into the coronation want to join?” Five minutes later there was a hesitant knock on the door.

“Come in,” Marc stated, glad when Klara pushed it open. “Wade you can go.” He nodded and slipped past Klara as she walked in.

“What do you mean the coronation?”

“For you to be Queen, my darling.” She nibbled on her lip while he gestured for her to sit in the chair Wade had vacated. “I don’t know how to be Queen,” she mumbled.

“You can start having lessons with mother, she’ll help you with your duties.”

“What will they be?” she asked, her wolf fluffing out her fur feeling important.

“Taking time to get to know the kingdom, listening to problems and offering advice. Mother still holds the people’s court on the Queen’s behalf twice a week. You’re in charge of the pups and mothers.”

“How can I give advice when I know nothing?” her concern was clear.

“That’s what mother will teach. Don’t worry, the ceremony won’t be for a little while, and she’ll help after you’re crowned.”

Klara nodded and sat mulling over what he had said. Marc stood and plucked a book from the shelf. “I’ve got work to do today, here’s the pack’s history, well some of it. Will you stay here and read?” Klara nodded, clasping the book in her hands.

“What if I’m not good?”

“Of course you will, you’re made for me, therefore, you’re made to be Queen.” He could see and feel her concern. He understood, it was a big undertaking but she’d never be alone, she had him to support her, and his family.

She’d never be alone again.

An hour on the dot since he spoke to Jesse, there was a knock on the door. “Come in.” Jesse entered and immediately placed a pile of papers on the desk. “I’ve gathered the reports, there were four guards on both rotations, I’ve placed them on the top. I’ve sniffed out they entered from the South East and West, meaning they had to skirt around the land from the North, possibly in two teams. I couldn’t sniff out the intruder from the early hours, however. Either he masked his scent or came in with the teams and hid.”

“Thank you, Jesse.” Marc started glancing over the reports, flicking through and scanning.

He dismissed Jesse and read them, absorbing the information. He glanced at Klara every now and then. She was focusing on the book he’d given her. He hoped she wouldn’t become too overwhelmed taking on the responsibility of his Queen… but he couldn’t deny he was ecstatic, he’d waited a long time for her and she was becoming everything he ever wanted.