Page 63 of A Crown of Fates

And I’m going to make sure that doesn’t happen by first taking back my life. Estee deserves all of me, and no matter what it takes, that’s what she’s going to get.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

ESTEE

My skin hums with electricity, a live wire I want to hold onto for as long as possible. The bonding ceremony was exactly what I didn’t know I needed. The original plan had been to tell the pack first, but this was so much better, and I know they’ll understand. If we’d waited, allowed those around us to make a spectacle of the whole thing, it wouldn’t have been for me and Theo.

But beneath the ancient tree, just the two of us with Sloane, who held no judgement nor expectations, it was as if the universe was in perfect alignment. Energy flowed freely between us, reaching and pulling for one another, and wrapped around me like the world’s greatest comforts.

For the first time in my life, I felt utterly connected—to Theo, to Lunara, and to myself.

Now, standing in our royal suite, the storm of emotions within me has settled into something calm and grounding, yet powerful. A force ready to be unleashed when the time is right.

Theo places my hand over his heart, his warmth radiating through my palm. His eyes—those deep grey pools flecked with silver—are filled with something I can only describe as reverence. “I thought I could feel you before,” he murmurs, hisvoice low and intimate. “From the moment your ship docked, there was a pull, a draw to find you, to understand you. But I was wrong. I’ve only ever felt a fraction of what was possible between us. This,” he presses my hand tighter against his chest, where his heart beats steadily beneath my fingers, “this is what I’ve been waiting for.”

I rise onto my toes, my lips brushing over his as I whisper, “Wrong has never felt better.”

The kiss starts soft, tender, but even the slightest connection sends a jolt of power through me, sparking a need that pulls us closer. My hands glide over his chest, savoring the strength beneath his clothes. His chest vibrates with a deep growl, the sound moving through me and waking my wolf.

But before we can get carried away, there’s a knock at the door.

“Jerome’s back already,” Theo says, his tone a mixture of amusement and resignation. “The pack meeting has been brought forward. Everyone’s eager to see the two of us together and hear what’s going on.”

I squeeze his hand, offering him a confident smile. “Then let’s go.”

Jerome enters with Cecil beside him. They both bow respectfully, but Jerome speaks first. “Your Majesty. Your Highness. I know I was told to go home, but you also assured me that I would be made aware of anything significant happening. I believe the two of you bonding qualifies as such an event.”

Even though it’s been less than half a day since we sent Jerome home, he already looks better. There are no dark circles beneath his eyes and exhaustion no longer surrounds him.

“We only told Cecil,” Theo assures Jerome, “and we would’ve said something to you, but there were only minutes to prepare. Plus, we wanted it to be private and wouldn’t have been talked out of that.”

I expect Jerome to show some sort of disappointment, but he surprises me when he smiles. “Just as it should be, Sire. There is no discord about your decision. Not from me or even the pack. Only curiosity. Everyone is merely pleased to know that the princess is one step closer to becoming queen.”

Relief washes over me, and for the first time, the mention of me “becoming queen” doesn’t make my stomach twist with nerves.

Cecil steps forward, his hands clasped in front of him. His emerald-green eyes meet Theo’s with quiet respect. “The hall is prepared for your announcement. Every member of the pack, young and old, has a seat, and there’s a staging area for you, the princess, and Jerome.”

Theo nods then pauses as an idea seems to strike him. “Add another chair next to his,” he instructs, motioning toward Jerome. “Cecil, I want you to join the advisory council. It’s something I should’ve made happen long ago and one of the more immediate changes I plan to implement. The people deserve to know that their voices are being heard by more than just their alpha.”

He’s right. The advisory council wasn’t just created as a resource for the king. It was first meant for the people. A group of non-royals who would ensure that the pack was always treated fairly. Something tells me that even if King Airik had his own council before, the shifters weren’t at the top of their priority list, but they will be now.

Cecil drops to a knee in front of his alpha and lowers his head. “I would be honored to serve you in this role, my king.”

When he stands back up, Theo shakes his hand and grins. “Then consider it done. We’ll meet tomorrow and make a list of who else might be qualified to join until we have five of you. Does that sound fair?”

“Yes, Sire.”

Jerome lightly clears his throat. “Shall I give permission for the pack to be let into the hall, Your Majesty?”

“Please.” Theo looks over at me and interlaces our fingers. “Officially introducing my mate to the pack and having a pack run sounds like the perfect way to spend the rest of our evening.”

My wolf hums in response, rising to the surface as my gaze stays locked on our mate.

“I see you, little wolf,”Theo’s voice whispers through my mind.“You’ll be free soon.”

If it was physically possible for me to melt into a puddle where I stand, that’s exactly what I’d be doing as Theo looks at me, managing to see past who I am, going deeper towhatI am, offering my wolf a sense of peace I’ve never had the opportunity to give her. A sense of home that not even Polaris nor my own family has been able to provide us.

Not until him.

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