The Gold Queen (Prequel)

Sept 6, 1997

***Karina***

The field smells of iron, the grass drenched in the essence of warrior b***d. All around me, the pained g****s and the ragged final breaths of the many wolves drum against my ears. Before me, I see a body, smaller than the rest with its back to me so that I can’t make out their face. I rush towards it, the small whimpers escaping it’s bruised lips shattering my spirit.

The body belongs to a small girl, no more than thirteen. Her chest rises slowly and with great difficulty, each breath requiring energy she was quickly running low on. I drop down on my knees, carefully rolling the child onto their back to face me. I nearly burst into tears when I realize it’s Penelope, her jagged breaths just barely entering her dry parted lips. Her entire body shakes uncontrollably, b***d spilling from the ribbons of her torn flesh.

I look around frantically for a medic but my own tears blur my vision.

“It’s okay, Lele,” I soothe, swallowing the lump in my throat as I brush away her hair. “I’m right here. You’re going to be okay.”

She bursts into laughter, flashing her b***d stained teeth as she smirks at me. “No I’m not,” she giggles, her green eyes dull and emotionless. “I’m going to die,” she adds. “And it’ll be all her fault.”

I stare at her in stunned silence as she laughs hysterically. She coughs up more b***d, her bloody grin burning into my brain. She reaches for my head and pulls me down so that her breath brushes up against my ears.

“Avenge me, Rina… kill her,” Penelope whispers, taking her last breath before stilling.

I shake her shoulders, screaming at her to wake up, but no matter how hard I try, Penelope’s eyes do not open again.

“Lele!” I scream. “No Lele, don’t leave me! I-I don’t know what to do! Don’t leave! No!”

“No!!!”

The sound of my own screams wakes me up and I find myself curled up in bed, the sun peaking over the horizon through my bedroom window.

Safe in the confines of my room, I wipe the sweat off my forehead and stretch, mentally preparing myself for a new day.

It was just another nightmare, I tell myself, slowly climbing out of bed.

I grab my gear for training and head downstairs, finding my father still passed out in the same spot I had left him in three hours ago when he showed up drunk. If I thought he was violent sober, then he was a monster while drunk. He hit me in his stupor but I had managed to defend myself and knocked him out cold before he could do more damage to me. I knew I would be in a lot of trouble if he remembered so I prayed with all my might that he wouldn’t.

Still in his grip was my mother’s locket, the same one he had given to her on the day of their wedding.

I tiptoe quietly out to the house, knowing if I woke him up in this state, I would unleash an unforgiving beast. Shifting into my wolf form, I make the 20 minute run to the training grounds, hoping to squeeze in a few hours of training before the ceremony today.

It was coronation day for the Princess and her mate; all their royal subjects were required to attend. I dread the ceremony but I had no choice; The Princess was taking over Sol de Oro from her father.

My hatred for her hadn’t waned and how could it? It was her fault the Vampires attacked in the first place! I lost my family that night and Sofia? She gained a gamma! And not just any gamma. She got Emiliano.

That jerk! I mutter to myself as I race toward the grounds. Can’t he see how awful the Princess is?

I reach the grounds, my emotions ripping apart my every thought. In the boxing rings, I hear the ragged breathing of someone training.

That’s odd… I think to myself as I approach the rings. The grounds should be empty today for the ceremony.

Sniffing the air, I catch the whiff of a familiar scent and follow it until Emiliano comes into view. Sweat clings to his bare chest as he attacks the punching bags over and over again.

I shift into my human and quickly change into my gear before racing back to the rings. I watch Emiliano’s form as he strikes the punching bag. He performs a series of perfect combinations, just like I taught him and I feel my chest fill with pride.

“That was excellent form, soldier,” I call out, my voice apparently startling him.

His flushed cheeks grow darker as he turns to look at me.

“Lieutenant Colonel!” He almost shrieks, fumbling to grab the punching bag. “What are you doing here?” he blushes, removing his gloves.

“I could be asking you the same question,” I shrug, keeping my emotions in check. “Training grounds are closed and shouldn’t you be getting ready to take the title?” I snort, crossing my arms over my chest and rolling my eyes.

He stares at his feet as he speaks.

“I just wanted to get in a little training so I could be good enough for her,” he sighs.

“Of course you’re good enough!” I snap, stomping my foot. “I trained you! And if Princess Sofia doesn’t see that, then she’s blind and doesn’t deserve you as Gamma!”

His face lights up instantly, his warm chocolate eyes glistening with hope and admiration.

“Do you really think I’m good?” He asks sheepishly.

“Whatever,” I mutter under my breath as I push past him to grab a pair of focus mitts. “Let’s go-“

Sept 6, 1997

***Karina***

The field smells of iron, the grass drenched in the essence of warrior b***d. All around me, the pained g****s and the ragged final breaths of the many wolves drum against my ears. Before me, I see a body, smaller than the rest with its back to me so that I can’t make out their face. I rush towards it, the small whimpers escaping it’s bruised lips shattering my spirit.

He wraps his hand around my wrist and pulls me to him. For some unknown reason, I don’t fight him off, letting him pull me closer.

He brushes a strand of loose hairs away from my face and gently tucks it behind my ear. I shiver as his fingers brush up against my lower jaw, last night’s bruise still lingering beneath the surface.

I expected his gaze to turn cold with anger but am surprised when they do not. Emiliano despised my father, although he never expressed his hatred in words and yet despite this, Emi’s eyes are as warm as ever.

I hold his gaze, taking the time to explore his features. I had never noticed there were little flecks of scarlet in his irises. His eyes were unlike any other.

Emiliano takes my cheeks in his hands, a jolt of energy filling my body. The tingling sensation felt so good, I couldn’t help but feel sad when it was over.

His fingers still linger on my face long after he heals me but I could not find the strength to push them away. Those kind eyes of his gave me a warmth I had not felt in a long time and I wanted to savor this moment a bit longer.

He was the only person who made me feel seen.

Emiliano wipes my eyes with his thumbs.

Had I been crying?

His lips curve into a smile to match the warmth of his eyes and he k****s my forehead.

“You’re going to be okay, Kari,” he murmurs, his voice soft and soothing as if what he said was doctrine. “I’ll always be here for you.”

———

***Sofia***

“Mamá, please look at me,” I whisper.

She hadn’t spoken to me all morning and I’m just a few minutes away from taking over as Queen.

“Why? So I can watch you throw your life away!?” She huffs, her back still to me as she looks out onto the Hacienda.

“Mamá,” I sigh, placing my hand on her shoulder. “When will you see that this is my life and my decision? It’s been two years!”

“And how many attacks have happened since then, Sofia?” My mother snaps. “How many people will suffer because of this decision?” She turns to look at me, tears welling up in her eyes as she caresses my cheeks. “How long before I lose you?”

“You’re not going to lose me!”

“You don’t know that!” she cries. “You don’t know the horrors that could lie ahead,” she whimpers. “I’m just trying to protect you.”

I cup her cheeks and k**s her forehead.

“That’s not your job anymore,” I murmur. “I don’t know what Moon Goddess has in store for us, but I am not afraid and I will certainly not live in fear.”

A little silence falls between us as I straighten out my back.

“Please Mamá. I’m becoming Queen today and I would like to know that my mother believes I will lead my people well.”

“I’m so scared for you, Sofia,” she says, wiping her tears.

“I know,” I smile back at her. “But everything that is meant to be will be. I have faith in Moon Goddess. She has plans for us. I know she does.”

My mother falls quiet again, collecting herself and fixing her crown.

“Okay,” she exhales slowly. “Okay, Sofia.”

She forces a tiny smile on her face as she takes my hand. I know she wasn’t happy but it meant more to me that she was still willing to lead me down for my coronation.

I take a step back for her to see me completely and fresh tears well up in her eyes.

“How do I look Mama?”

My dress was white with gold trim and embroidery, its thick fabric exuding royal glory. On my shoulders hung a white cloak that was several feet long and my head bore no crown as I would soon be taking that of my father’s.

“You look beautiful,” she says quietly. “Absolutely beautiful.”

She calls in Valentina and her mother Luna Valeria, my grandmother and my aunt, Queen Mercedes, to help walk me down stairs. Together we make our way outside of the house and towards the Hacienda garden entrance where we wait to be announced by the trumpets.

My heart was desperately seeking freedom from my chest, almost beating against my ribs with a loud thump I swear everyone can hear. Someone grabs hold of my hand and squeezes it tightly and I look up to see it was my mother.

“Just breathe,” she soothes, the trumpets blaring, announcing my arrival.

The gates to the garden open, an aisle carved down the middle leading to an altar where 15 Alphas await with their pack tablets. Also at the altar, Elder Porfirio stands patiently with a smile on his face. He would be leading the ceremony. In front of the Elder is a golden throne. To its right, my father awaits, his crown glistening in the sunlight. To its left, Mateo and Emiliano beams proudly at me. Mateo would be the first to pledge allegiance to me.

I walk slowly down the aisle, grateful my dress covered my shaking legs. I prayed to both the Moon and Sun that I did not fall flat on my face, my heels suddenly very difficult to walk on.

Arriving at the throne, my entourage steps away while I sit down, careful not to tear my dress. I look beside me to my father. He was staring out at his Kingdom one last time as King.

Elder Porfirio’s voice booms over the crowd gathered, quieting the sound of my own thumping heart.

“People of the Kingdom of Sol de Oro, the Moon and Sun smile upon us today as we welcome a new era with a new Queen,” he announces, turning to my father. “Your Majesty, you have led us with a grace and strength we had for years thought would never return to the Crown. You brought peace unto your people and you have been a leader unlike your father before you. We humbly thank you for your service to Sol de Oro, but now it is time for you to rest and give the torch to a new ruler.”

Everyone’s attention turns to me.

“Your Highness, Sofia. Are you ready?”

“Yes, I am.”

My father kneels before the elder and Porfirio slowly lifts the crown above his head for the Kingdom to see. My heart races again but my father gives me a reassuring smile.

“Do you, Sofia Isabel Reyes-Altamirano, solemnly swear to govern the wolves of Orozco Clan, Hernández clan, the Altamirano clan and the remaining Sol de Oro packs according to their respective laws and traditions? To preserve, to protect and to serve every member of the Kingdom of Sol de Oro?”

“I solemnly swear so to do,” I smile, trying my best to keep my voice from trembling.

“Will you uphold the values of this kingdom and execute your judgement by way of the law and with justice. Will you lead with strength, grace, and mercy to the best of my abilities?”

“I will.”

“Do you swear to guide your Alphas in times of hardship and in prosperity. Do you swear to never abandon your people and to lead intelligently from this day forward?”.

“I solemnly swear so to do until my final breath.”

At this point, my father stands, removing the royal sash with the Sol de Oro emblem on it from his shoulder and places it on mine. A second and third Elder approach the throne, bringing a dagger and the Kingdom tablet in front of me.

The second elder hands the dagger to my father who then makes a cut on his palm while the third holds the tablet face up. My father then carefully places his bloody hand on the Sol de Oro Tablet. The kingdom tablet was made of solid gold with beautiful wolf carvings on its face and a tiny basin in the center. The second Elder injects my venom inside the basin as my father hands me the dagger for me to make a similar slice across my palm. B***d spills from the small wound and I hang my hand over the tablet so that my b***d spills and mixes with my venom in the little basin.

A rush of cool air washes over me as the power of the King transfers to me. It feels as though every cell in my body is vibrating with power and I drink it all in.

The Elder then slowly places the crown on my head, my kingdom kneeling before me in reverence. I take a few seconds to let the magnitude of my new found responsibility sink in.

At long last, I was Queen. I was finally Queen of Sol de Oro.

Elder Porfirio turns to Mateo. “Mateo Salvador Altamirano. Do you swear to lead by her Majesty’s side, to help her in times of conflict and in times of peace, to guide and lead her down the right path should she ever stray from it? Do you swear to preserve, to protect and to serve the members of the Kingdom of Sol De Oro, to put the needs of this Kingdom before your own? Do you swear to share your knowledge and wisdom so that you may both lead this Kingdom into glory?”

Mateo kneels, bowing his head. “I solemnly swear so to do until my final breath.”

My father removes his Alpha King ring from his finger and hands it to Mateo, leaning into his ear and whispering words of advice and encouragement. Mateo slips the ring on, still on his knees. My father descends down the altar, no longer King of Sol de Oro, but my royal subject. He takes his place beside my mother, both of them now kneeling.

“Your Majesty, you may now make your oath to her Majesty, the Queen.”

“I, Mateo Salvador Altamirano, King of Sol de Oro and future Alpha of the Altamirano Pack, do solemnly swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty, Queen Sofia, her heirs and successors, according to laws which govern the Kingdom of the Sol de Oro. So help me Moon Goddess and Sun God.”

One by one, the Alphas make the same oath and seal it in b***d until all 15 Alphas kneel before me. Emiliano is then asked to kneel before me. The Elder carefully makes a small cut, enough to get b***d to pool in his hand but without hurting him too much.

“Repeat after me,” Elder Porfirio instructs him.

“I, Emiliano Jose Altamirano, do solemnly swear to serve and protect my Queen, to prioritize her safety and her life above my own. I swear to uphold my duties as her guardian and gamma to the best of my abilities, until my final breath.”

Both he and his wolf, Estevan, repeat the oath eagerly and I have to stop myself from giggling. He was so cute. I place my sliced palm on his to accept him as gamma, our bond materializing in the form of a pinch at our temples. My little gamma smiles at me, my heart fluttering. I knew I had chosen well.

The sound of trumpets echo in the distance as I rise from my throne.

“Presenting Her Majesty, Sofia Isabel Reyes, the Gold Queen. May the Moon and Sun watch over her always!”