Chapter 83: Promise Fulfilment

TESSA’S POV

Lucian’s dick was drenched.

We’d had a nice fuck, and he was too tired and too intoxicated from the spiked water to do anything but sleep it off. Just like that, he was out cold. He’d wake up the next day to face the reality of what happened ... and I was ready for whatever came with it.

I hoped to get pregnant from that night’s encounter.

I had prepared myself, opened myself up so I could carry his child and provide the king with an heir. A male child. That was the plan and I was sticking to it.

Yes, I’d been cruel in the past. I’d done a lot of bad things. But I’d begged the goddess to forgive me so I could move forward. The hatred I held for Selene was still very personal ... but I was willing to let it sit for now while I focused on becoming pregnant for Lucian.

The next morning hit different. I could already feel it the moment I opened my eyes. Like something had shifted in the air around me.

I woke before Lucian and cleaned myself up. By the time I returned, he had opened his eyes. The confusion on his face was almost laughable. He checked his pants, saw that he was drenched in cum, then looked at me ... then at himself ... then back at me again.

"Good morning, my king," I said.

"What happened last night?" he asked.

"What do you mean, what happened last night?" I wanted him to be specific.

"You... we..." He paused. "What happened between us last night?"

"What should happen between a married couple on their wedding night," I replied simply.

"So you tricked me into going to bed with you?" he asked.

"I didn’t trick you. I only made sure my husband got what he’d been craving ... and what I had been craving too. I’m here to please you, my..."

"Shut up!" he yelled.

I understood the gravity of what I’d done. But I held onto the fact that he was my husband. That was my anchor.

He got up and came toward me. My heart did something strange as he closed the distance, morning breath and all.

"This is your last warning," he said. "Don’t you ever pull that nonsense again, or you’ll face my wrath."

He turned to head into the bathroom.

"And what do I do when I need to get fucked?" I asked.

Lucian stopped. He turned back slowly and came to me. "So you think I’m just supposed to fuck you every time you’re horny? Am I a sex machine?" he asked, his voice dangerously low.

I knew he didn’t mean for me to go looking elsewhere for what he wasn’t giving me ... but that would start becoming an option if my needs weren’t being met.

"I love you, Lucian."

He didn’t answer me. Just walked into the bathroom and closed the door.

Fuck.

So if it hadn’t been for that spiked water, I would have spent my wedding night alone. That stung in ways I wasn’t willing to admit.

But the strategies stored in my brain box weren’t finished. I was only just beginning to execute them. Lucian hadn’t seen anything yet.

In the next two weeks, I’d be watching for signs of pregnancy. And when they came, I’d know I’d fully claimed him.

Until then, I planned to keep him fucking me until that day arrived.

Luna duties came calling.

Vera, my makeup artist, and Felicia, my fashion designer, were both on time. I was in such a good mood I considered giving them raises on the spot.

Not that the work was what was making me happy. The memory of the previous night was what I was living in ... that was where my joy was stored.

Vera got to work on my face. I had a meeting, so I had to look my absolute best. She knew exactly which spots to touch, where to cover and where to let shine.

Felicia brought out a dress and the moment I saw it, I knew it wasn’t the one.

"I want something simple. A gown that won’t feel heavy. Do you understand?"

She nodded and went back into the wardrobe. A moment later, she found it.

A peach two-piece ... a flowing blouse paired with tailored trousers.

"Yes. I love this, Felicia. Thank you."

It looked like royalty. Which was exactly the point. It hadn’t been easy getting to where I was. Nothing about my journey had been easy. So yes, I was going to brag. I was going to flaunt. I’d suffered, failed, and fought ... and I hadn’t just passed through it. I’d conquered it. If that wasn’t worth celebrating, I didn’t know what was.

Vera finished my makeup while Felicia helped me lock the outfit in place. When I looked in the mirror, something about the combination gave me an extra layer of confidence. It made me feel like the royalty I’d fought to become. Not borrowed. Not pretend. Earned.

I stepped outside and the ladies were already gathered and waiting.

I was there to fulfill my duties and the promise I’d made the day of my speech.

"I trust the officials have already taken down your details and you’ve all written the exam?" I asked.

They all shouted yes in unison.

With the permission of the Alpha and the elders, I was moving the young, talented she-wolves to the front. Kael had successfully drafted a hundred names ... the first set to work within government parastatals and parliament. There hadn’t been enough women in those spaces. That was about to change.

I took the paper from Kael.

"When I call your name, please come forward and collect your employment letter from my right. Know that this is only the first draft ... there will be three rounds in total, so everyone will be reached."

The ladies erupted. Cheering, hailing, screaming.

"Our Luna!" someone shouted from the crowd.

The rest picked it up. It became a chant that rolled through the gathering like a wave.

Kael moved to quiet them down. I stopped him with a look.

Let them continue. I let it wash over me. I had said I would do this and I had done it. That feeling ... I wore it like a crown.

I called the names quickly and each woman came forward to collect her letter, details of her placement already laid out inside. One hundred names. One hundred doors opened. And the crowd never stopped singing.

Then the chant shifted.

Alpha.

I turned. Lucian had walked in.

I walked up the steps toward him and took his hand.

My love. I want the entire world to see us like this.

I waved to the crowd and smiled. He stood beside me and the people went wild.

The government house and vital industries were about to be transformed. Ladies, everywhere. What an innovation. What an evolution.

We entered our chambers together.

"Welcome, Lucian. How was your meeting?" I asked.

"Good," he answered flatly.

A pause.

"What you did out there today was nice. Keep it up," he added ... same flat tone.

I studied his face. His countenance was cold. Distant. It irritated me more than I let show.

"What can I get you?" I asked.

"Nothing. Thank you," he said.

He had to be joking.

"Is this still about last night? I’m sorry."

"Sorry for yourself," he said sharply. "I said I don’t want anything."

I moved toward him anyway and began to help him remove his shirt and shoes.

He could have snapped at me. He could have pushed me away. But I was his wife ... and that meant he’d have to bear me. Forever.

He didn’t have a choice in that. Neither did I.