Chapter 44: The Luna Queen

The Rolls-Royce pulled to a smooth stop outside the Astral Dome.

Through the tinted windows, Alyssa stared openly at the enormous building, which was shaped like a massive, overturned eggshell. Bright lights glittered all around the structure, and a full moon was slowly peeking out from behind the clouds.

Through the wide-open double doors, she could see the interior of the Dome, packed to the brim with guests who had traveled from far and wide.

Just then, Jake hurried over to the car. He knocked on the passenger window, and Anthony quickly lowered it.

"It’s time," Jake said. "The Alpha is waiting for her."

"Copy that," Anthony nodded. He pressed a button, and the privacy partition slowly rolled down. He flashed a smile at Pandora before turning around to face Alyssa. "It’s time, Alyssa. Dorian is waiting."

Alyssa’s heart lurched in her chest, but she expertly masked her sudden anxiety with a bright smile.

"Okay," she said. "I’m ready."

Pandora helped her out of the vehicle, carefully holding the hem of her dress and the long veil so she wouldn’t trip on the fabric. The walk from the car to the front doors took only a few seconds, and before Alyssa knew it, she was standing at the threshold of a long, grand aisle.

From across the distance, she immediately spotted Dorian waiting at the far end. His silver tux gleamed brilliantly under the light of the chandeliers. His lips curled slightly, and that single smile was enough to instantly put her mind at ease.

Pandora drew close and whispered, "I’ll see you right after it’s over."

Alyssa smiled in response, squared her shoulders, and took a deep breath. The moment the song, ’A Thousand Years’ by Christina Perri, started playing softly from hidden overhead speakers, the guests rose to their feet in unison.

That was her cue.

She clasped her hands tightly together and began her walk down the aisle, following the timely beat of the song, her gaze locked entirely on Dorian.

The guests faded away. The Dome faded away. All she could see was him, the soft fondness burning in his eyes and the way his lips curled into that breathtaking smile.

Watching from his seat, Fabian almost choked on his wine the moment Alyssa stepped into the Dome. He shot to his feet, his face turning bright red from a sudden lack of air and immense shock.

Beside him, Melinda had gone completely pale. Her hands curled into tight fists at her sides, her eyes wide with astonishment.

"Alyssa is alive?" she hissed viciously under her breath. "She’s the one marrying the Alpha King?"

Fabian couldn’t speak; his entire body had gone rigid. For the past three years, he had assumed Alyssa died back at Gerald’s estate. He never once thought he would see her again, looking so beautiful and perfect, and about to marry his own cousin, the King.

He didn’t know how to react, or how to control the sudden, suffocating wave of envy that surged within him. Turning around abruptly, he stormed out of the main hall to catch his breath.

Melinda followed immediately, calling out his name as she ran after him.

Oblivious to the commotion her presence had caused near the back, Alyssa reached the end of the aisle and gently placed her hand into Dorian’s open palm.

He pulled her flush against him, his hand slipping firmly around her waist. His gaze softened completely as Shadow purred in absolute contentment inside his mind.

Slowly, Dorian leaned down and whispered in her ear, "You are so beautiful, my little lamb."

Alyssa smiled up at him, her blue eyes twinkling happily. "Thank you. You look so handsome."

Dorian chuckled softly, lifting a hand to gently brush a stray strand of hair away from her eyes.

As the High Priest began to recite the sacred wedding rites, Alyssa couldn’t tear her gaze away from Dorian’s face. She recognized the familiar, powerful stirring in her chest; she was falling for him.

The thought terrified her. She couldn’t fall in love with Dorian. She knew nothing about his past, and she had only been with him for a few weeks, yet her heart had completely melted under his constant care and devotion.

The vows came next, spoken clearly and without hesitation. Afterward, Dorian slipped a flawless diamond ring onto her finger, vowing to cherish her for the rest of his life.

He then took off one of the golden signet rings from his forefinger and slid it onto her thumb.

"Tonight," he murmured, his voice echoing softly through the microphone. "In the presence of all these witnesses, I crown you my Luna."

The sudden, deafening cheer from the crowd made Alyssa flinch in surprise. She pressed a hand to her heart, laughing in pure relief as the entire audience applauded and cheered loudly.

Dorian cupped her face in his hands and kissed her deeply, holding her until she turned breathless. Keeping his arm tightened securely around her waist, he turned to face the crowd with her.

"People of the shifter clan, I give you your Luna Queen."

The cheering turned thunderous as everyone clapped. Alyssa’s cheeks hurt from smiling so much, but she was happier in this moment than she had ever been in her entire life.

Afterward, Dorian led her to the grand throne that had been prepared for them. As the reception ceremony continued, a few of the guests moved to the center of the floor to dance, while the majority of the crowd waited eagerly for a chance to greet the newly crowned Luna.

Dorian leaned closer to her, bringing their joined hands to his lips to press a soft kiss against her skin. "Are you okay, my love?" he asked softly.

"I’m okay. I’m just glad the first part is all over."

"Do you feel up to meeting a few guests? A lot of them are dying to meet you."

"Oh," Alyssa murmured, looking out at the crowd. "Well, I guess so. As long as I don’t..."

She trailed off suddenly, her eyes growing wide as she noticed Fabian back in the hall. He had forced himself to return with Melinda hovering right beside him. Her stepsister’s eyes practically bore holes into her.

"Oh goddess," Alyssa gasped, her chest heaving heavily as panic flared. "What is he doing here? What are they doing here?"

Dorian followed her line of sight, his expression instantly turning dark and dangerous as he caught sight of Fabian. He had completely forgotten to tell her that Fabian was his cousin.

"I was going to tell you," he murmured, squeezing her hands softly to ground her. "But I didn’t know how you would take the information."

"Tell me what?"

"Fabian is a cousin of mine, from my mother’s side."

Alyssa’s eyes widened in sheer disbelief. Fabian and Dorian were related? How was she supposed to digest that kind of information?

"I... I don’t know what to say," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I don’t want to see him. I can’t."

​"Of course, my love. The guards will keep him far away from the throne."

He pulled her close and kissed her temple, whispering soothing words intended only for her ears. "You don’t have to be afraid of him anymore. You’re the Luna Queen now. He answers to you. They all do."

It took a long moment to calm her down, but Dorian eventually succeeded. She took a deep breath and softly exhaled, trying to relax against him.

"Do you want something to drink?" Dorian asked warmly, wanting to distract her.

She nodded with a faint smile. "Yes, please."

Dorian snapped his fingers, signaling to one of the catering servants standing nearest to the stage. The servant hurried over, holding a silver tray lined with glasses of champagne, and bowed deeply.

As Dorian lifted his hand to take a glass, Joffrey’s loud voice suddenly cut through the air from afar.

"Congratulations on your wedding, little cousin!"

Dorian’s expression changed in a split second, shifting from relaxed to pure, unbridled fury.

Alyssa turned her head, her brows knitting into an unpleasant frown as she spotted Joffrey confidently striding up to the throne with his date. She still vividly remembered the incident at the mall.

Distracted by Joffrey’s sudden approach, she silently accepted the glass of champagne Dorian handed her.

She lifted it to her mouth, completely unaware of the strange, brownish liquid swirling and dissolving at the bottom of the glass.