The Gold Queen (Prequel)

3 weeks later

***Emiliano***

A faint beeping in my ears wakes me up, my eyes fluttering open to find its source. A bright light enters my irises, the burning sensation forcing them closed again. Panic sets in as I drift back into consciousness only to realize I can’t breathe. I suck in air, frantically swinging my arms around in fear. The beeping sound escalates, growing louder and more erratic.

“Emi calm down!” A voice cries out, a pair of hands caressing my face.

I want to scream that I can’t breathe but there’s something lodged in my throat, blocking the air from entering my burning lungs. Blinking hard, I try to focus on the faceless voice as I continue to seek air. A loud bangs echoes through the room, sending a surge of pain up my temples. I’m forced into a sitting position as a pair of hands cup my face and my eyes open to see a team of nurses and doctors staring back at me.

“Emiliano, I need you to take a big breath for me,” the person touching me instructs.

I do what she asks, sucking inward as she pulls a tube out of my mouth. A nurse wipes at my face as I start to cough, thankful to finally have air fill my lungs. The nurse takes a suction tube and sucks at the saliva that pours out of my mouth.

I take several deep breaths, the heart monitor finally descending to a normal rhythm. It didn’t take long for me to realize I was in a hospital room, several machines beeping to the tune of my heart.

I try to move but a surge of pain ripples from my side, forcing me to sit still.

“W-what happened?” I ask, confused as I scan my hospital room.

“You’re in the hospital,” the doctor answers. “You’ve been in a coma for three weeks.”

Three weeks?

The doctor explains the surgery I underwent to keep me alive, but I don’t pay attention, too busy looking at my worried family. They had sat by my side for three weeks, hoping and praying that I would somehow make it through.

They must have been so worried…

My mother weeps as the doctors describe my dire conditions when I first arrived, most likely reliving the hellish nightmare. I had almost died on more than one occasion, each time the doctors doing everything they could to keep me from slipping away. I almost break down crying when my mother smiles at me through tears as my father consoles her. Valentina and Mateo stand beside them, a pair of thick bags under their eyes as they force a smile for me. Valentina looked like she hadn’t slept in years. I frown at her.

I didn’t like when she didn’t take care of herself.

Stretching my hand out for her, she hurries over to my side to take it. I pull her closer to me so that she can lean her forehead against mine and we take a moment to just be. We had done this since infancy. Our mother always said that even as newborns, Valentina and I shared an inexplicable bond, one in which being in the other’s presence brought us both comfort.

“Why is that I’m the one in the hospital, but you’re the one who looks like s**t?” I chuckle before going into a coughing fit.

“Don’t you ever scare me like that again,” She scolds, narrowing her eyes to slits at me. “I would have never forgiven you for leaving me.”

“Well too bad,” I laugh through the pain. “We’re going to grow old and cranky and I’ll still be there to annoy you.”

She rolls her eyes but I could tell she was glad I was alright. The doctors run a few diagnostics on me and check on my wounds before stepping out to give us our privacy.

Mom sits on the bed beside me, showering me with k****s and scolding me for scaring the daylights out of her. As usual, Dad is fairly quiet, but I knew in his silence he was thanking Moon Goddess for protecting me.

“What exactly happened?” I ask when we all settle down. “I don’t remember much. H-how did I end up in the hospital?”

Mom and Dad exchange glances and I can tell they’d rather not talk about it. I steal a glance at my sister, begging her with my eyes to tell me the truth, no matter how ugly it was.

“We were attacked,” she finally replies.

Memories of a thousand nightcrawlers invading the training field and the silver arrow aimed at Sofia come racing towards me, the pounding in my head reaching a crescendo as I strain to process my thoughts. The heart monitor beeps into a frenzy again, my heart threatening to beat out of my chest. I search the room frantically for Sofia, but she was nowhere to be found.

The Princess! Where is the Princess? Had I failed? Had those bastards gotten to her?

“Emi, look at me,” Valentina snaps, cupping my face and forcing me to meet her gaze. “It’s okay.”

3 weeks later

***Emiliano***

A faint beeping in my ears wakes me up, my eyes fluttering open to find its source. A bright light enters my irises, the burning sensation forcing them closed again. Panic sets in as I drift back into consciousness only to realize I can’t breathe. I suck in air, frantically swinging my arms around in fear. The beeping sound escalates, growing louder and more erratic.

“But the Princess! Where is …”

“She’s fine,” Mateo interrupts, offering me a warm smile. “She just had to step out for a bit, but she’s fine thanks to you.” Tears line his eyes as he takes me hand, his voice shaking a little. “She’s fine.”

I know he has a million things to say to me, but I don’t press him for more and just let him be.

Almost as if on cue, her Highness walks in, a worried look on her face. When our eyes meet, she breathes out a sigh of relief as she rushes to my side.

“Oh thank Moon Goddess you’re awake!” she smiles, brushing back my hair with her fingers. “How are you feeling?”

“I’ve seen better days,” I shrug, attempting to appear nonchalant. “I’m glad you’re alright though.”

The Princess forces a smile before clearing her throat and avoiding my gaze.

“E-emi, there is actually something I wanted to discuss with you,” Sofia says after a long pause.

My ears perk up with intrigue but I feel my hands clamming up with nerves.

Am I in trouble? I wonder.

“Well…. Ahem…” She clears her throat again, stealing a glance at my brother who nods in approval

She’s nervous… Estevan muses. I don’t like it.

“Over the years,” she starts, wringing her hands nervously. “I’ve had the privilege of working with many soldiers of all shapes and sizes.” She fiddles with her thumbs. “All of them quite good…”

My heart drops. My fighting skills must have paled in comparison to the warriors she’s trained. Beads of sweat form across my forehead as I wait for her to critique my form and skill… but the critique never comes.

“But none of them could make me feel as safe as you did that night,” she adds, looking up at me with sincerity. “And after a lot of thinking, I realized, it’s not the first time you’ve gone out of your way to make me feel safe. You did not hesitate to heal me on that rooftop the night of my 18th birthday. You did not hesitate to step in and defend me when Julian disrespected me despite knowing how badly he could hurt you. And you did not hesitate to step in to protect me from a silver arrow knowing it could have easily taken your life. I don’t believe I’ve done anything to merit your kindness but I will forever be grateful for it.”

My cheeks flush at her praise. I did not feel any braver than anyone else nor did I think I did anything extraordinary to deserve such remarks. I was just a healer doing what any other healer would have done. Before I can protest however, she silences me with her next question.

“Emiliano Jose Altamirano… will you be my Gamma?” she asks timidly.

I’m floored.

There was no way in hell my future Queen was asking me, a 15 year old boy who had but one chest hair, to be her Royal Gamma. The Royal Gamma. As in the most respected wolf rank in any werewolf kingdom. Not only would I be protecting a Luna, the heart of the pack, but a pureblood monarch. A Gold Queen.

It was a huge honor and an even greater responsibility. One I thought a far more experienced and qualified wolf should bear.

“I’m honored, you Highness,” I sigh. “But I’m not worthy of such a title. I’m just a healer. Nothing more.”

Sofia shakes her head in disagreement. “You don’t have a clue just how incredible you are.”

I purse my lips, preparing for an argument when she once again interrupts me into silence.

“47.”

I raise an eyebrow in confusion. “47 what?”

“47 wolves, Emi. You saved 47 wolves the night of the battle, including your recruits,” she snaps, a few tears lining her eyes. “47 wolves got to go home to their families… because of you.”

Mateo is on his feet in a flash, wiping her tears with his sleeve.

“47. We lost so many … But you.. you made sure those 47 wolves got home safely without any regard for yourself,” she smiles. “Anyone can be a soldier, but it takes courage to be a warrior for your people. I can think of no wolf more deserving of the Gamma title than you. Please Emi, I trust no one else with this responsibility.”

She takes my hand in hers, her eyes pleading with me to accept her offer. I steal a glance at my brother; he chews on his l*p nervously.

This is a huge honor, Estevan says.

But did I deserve it?

She wouldn’t be asking if you didn’t, My wolf replies.

The sound of my heavy sigh fills the silence of the room as everyone waits for my answer, and after mulling it over for a few minutes, I nod my head at the Princess.

“Alright, your highness. I’ll be your gamma.”

I don’t even finish my sentence as the room fills with excitement, Valentina bouncing on her toes beside me and squealing. For the first time in my life, my father’s eyes fill with tears and he leans down to k**s my forehead.

“I’m so proud of you, mijo,” he murmurs, wiping at his eyes and clearing his throat. “So proud of the man you’ve become.”

I stare at my hands, afraid if I met his gaze, I would burst into tears.

For the next few hours, Sofia walks me through the ceremony and the expectations of the title. My birthday was just a few days before the ceremony, making me the youngest Gamma in the history of the Kingdom. I had big shoes to fill but I would not let Sofia down. Once I finished healing properly, I would begin training under Gamma Roberto from now until Sofia’s coronation in September.

After much discussion, Sofia and Mateo’s presence is requested by the King and they leave, both practically skipping off to their destination. Mom and Dad soon follow; they hadn’t slept much in weeks and after a bit of scolding on my part, I send them home to rest with Valentina.

Despite weeks of sleep, I was exhausted, settling as comfortably as I could back into bed when I suddenly hear the door creak open. Standing in the doorway, Karina’s green orbs pool with tears as she looks at me. Seeing that I was settling down for the night, she mutters a quick apology and turns on her heel.

“No, wait!” I call out, Karina freezing in place. “You can come in,” I laugh. “I have some news to tell you!”

She hesitates, remaining still in the doorway with her back facing me.

“Please,” I beg, softening my voice in hopes she’ll choose to stay. None of this would be happening to me if I didn’t have such an incredible teacher. “Please, I have to thank you.”

“Thank me?” She asks, turning to face me. “Thank me for what?”

“Well, I’ll tell ya if ya sit next to me,” I bargain, hoping her curiosity would get the best of her.

It seems I was in luck because after a bit more hesitation, Karina finally gives in and sits on the edge of my bed. The light of the hospital room makes her pale skin look even paler and despite the heavy makeup she wore, I could still make out the bruises on her face; wonderful mementos from her father.

I could not stand the general for what he put his daughters through in training but it was the bruises that made my wolf go feral with rage. A man who beats his wife and children was no man in my book and I grew to hate the man she called father.

But I would never tell her that. All Karina ever sought was his approval and no matter how many bruises he gave her, she would always love her father. There was no point in trying to reason with her about the subject. I learned that the hard way.

“Nice to see you,” I tease her, knowing she hated small talk.

“What did you want to tell me?” she g****s, plopping down on my bed with her arms crossed over her chest.

I stare at her green eyes, trying to make sense of her. She was sadder than usual.

Hopefully, my news would cheer her up.

“A little red lipstick,” I say, pointing to my cheek. She c***s an eyebrow at me and I elaborate further. “For the bruise. The red cancels out the black,” I sigh.

Her hand flies instinctively to her cheek, her skin burning with embarrassment .

“My mother taught me that trick,” I laugh, hoping to ease the tension. “I get beat up a lot, remember? I’ve learned how to hide the marks well. I can show you-“

“If I wanted your advice on makeup, I would have asked,” she snaps. “Now what did you want to thank me for?”

“Nothing,” I shrug nonchalantly, interlocking my fingers and placing them behind my head as I lay down. “Just that you’re looking at the next Royal Gamma.” I could hardly contain my excitement. “And it’s all thanks to you! I would have never been considered had you not trained me so well.”

My excitement dies down as when she doesn’t say anything, her face white with horror.

“Please tell me you’re joking,” she snaps, her hands balled up in fists.

That was not the reaction I was hoping for.

Unsure what to say, I shake my head. “N-no. Sofia just asked me early today and I accepted.”

Her green eyes glare at me in disbelief. “You’re a f*****g i***t,” she snarls before getting to her feet and storming out of the room, leaving me to wonder what the hell I did wrong.