Filed To Story: Chasing the Rejected Luna's Heart (Clara & Liam) Book PDF Free
By the end of the night, I was thoroughly exhausted and my feet ached more than they ever had, so I didn’t protest when Alexander insisted on carrying me back to our chambers.
One benefit of having an entire palace to serve as home base was the fact that I could actually have a bedroom big enough for all four of my mates and me to share. They each had their own room to retreat to when they were getting on each other’s nerves, and I tried to make one-on-one time with each of them when we could, but for tonight, and this special occasion, I was grateful to have them all by my side.
While I had fully planned on celebrating the evening in a way that was only fit for private, as soon as Alexander placed me down on the bed and I closed my eyes, the exhaustion completely took over. The moment my head hit the pillow and I told myself I was just going to close my eyes for a minute, I drifted off.
LAVINIA
While Joram and the royal aides had done their best to prepare me for the duties of queen, I couldn’t have fully imagined exactly what the first few months of my reign was going to entail. Between the constant meetings, the diplomatic negotiations, and the occasional ball or banquet, there was never a dull moment.
It was on one of these special occasions that I decided to host a royal banquet in honor of my loyal subjects. The great hall had been adorned with beautiful tapestries that depicted scenes from the wars fought by my ancestors and the grand chandelier shone brightly as if it were made of pure gold. Tables were arranged in the center of the hall and each one was decorated with lavish dishes that would satisfy even the most discerning palate.
The guests started to arrive shortly after nightfall, dressed in their finest gowns and suits. With soft music playing through the ballroom, it felt even more like a magical world than usual. And of course, I had invited Sam-and even Jax and Damon-along with a few of my other former packmates as a gesture of goodwill.
With my swollen belly making it hard to get out of a damn chair without a whole drama, it was probably about the last time I was going to be able to gather everyone in one place for a while, and now that the last vestiges of the emperor’s resistance were finally burning out across the realm, it felt like a good time to celebrate our victory. And more importantly, to thank everyone who had made it possible.
As I walked into the ballroom with my four mates at my side, wearing a golden gown that had been custom made and tailored just for me, I still felt like it was all surreal. It was hard to believe we had really gotten to this place, all together, and that I not only had my mates with me, but my long lost father as well.”You look beautiful,” Alexander leaned down to whisper in my ear as the guests in the room rose and bowed to welcome us.
I smiled, leaning in to nuzzle him. “I look like a disco ball, but thank you.””You do not. But even if you did, you would be the most beautiful disco ball in all the world,” he countered.
I couldn’t help but snicker as I walked over to the head of one of the many grand tables everyone was gathered around. I let Cole pull out my chair, but before I sat down, I raised my glass of the sparkling purple juice the fae were all wild over. I had to admit, when I was having a three-in-the-morning soda craving, it more than hit the spot.”Welcome, my friends,” I said, taking the time to look around the room and study all those who had gathered. “I want to thank you all for coming here tonight to celebrate all that we’ve achieved. When I first came to this realm by a twist of fate, I knew I had found something truly special. Something magical. And while there’s still plenty of darkness, corruption, and injustice that we have to-and will-overcome, everything we’ve already accomplished gives me hope that we’re more than capable of building a better future. One that grants opportunity, peace, and freedom to each and every one of us.””Damn right!” Damon bellowed, his drunken booming voice echoing through the room. He shot me a sheepish grin as the elegant fae turned to stare at him. “Sorry.”
I pursed my lips, trying not to laugh at the way they were looking at him, before I continued. “I’m grateful for all your support and enthusiasm. You’ve all stood with me in a way I couldn’t have imagined, and it’s truly an honor to be your queen. I hope you’ll continue to support me as we move forward to a better, brighter future the way we arrived at this one. Together.”
The room erupted in applause and celebration as I sank into my chair and took a sip of my nonalcoholic drink, feeling a bit overwhelmed but relieved.”You’re becoming quite a politician,” Cole said, leaning in to me as the others dug into the gourmet banquet that had been laid out before us. The long table was covered with a variety of delicious dishes-roasted ducks, steamed vegetables, an abundance of creamy sauces, and plenty of fruits I’d never heard of or seen in my life. And while I wasn’t able to partake in the alcohol that was flowing freely throughout the room, I enjoyed watching my guests indulge.
Except when they yelled during my speech, but hey, I’d take it.
I snorted. “Well, my speech writer is talented.”
He just smirked. “Sounds so much better coming from you,” he said, kissing right below my ear.”Cole,” I breathed half-heartedly. No matter how long we’d been together, each of my mates was still capable of stirring a flutter of excitement within me.
As the evening progressed and I indulged in the sumptuous food the palace kitchen had prepared, surrounded by the people I loved and the lively chatter of the dinner guests, I found myself reflecting on all the blessings that had found their way to me up until this point. And I felt a swift kick in my belly as if to remind me of another that was just on the horizon.
After dinner, musicians began playing upbeat music which prompted many of the inebriated guests to start dancing. I wasn’t planning on joining in, considering I was working up the energy to get out of my chair, but Liam insisted, and then Marcus wanted to cut in, which caused a domino effect.
I was still dancing to a gentle waltz with Alexander when I felt another twinge in my stomach and grimaced. I thought I’d just had too much of that juice, considering it was heavily carbonated, but now I wasn’t so sure.”What’s wrong?” Alexander asked, immediately on edge as he looked down at me. It didn’t take much to trigger apprehension in my mates these days, and if it were possible to label one of them the most overprotective, he definitely would have taken that role. Although Cole would give him a run for his money.”Nothing, I think I just had too much juice,” I said, putting a hand on my side. “I keep having this pain.””
Keep?” Alexander echoed in dismay. “How often?”
I hesitated. “Most of the night. But it’s not severe or anything.””Leave it to you to go into labor and say it’s nothing,” he muttered.”Labor?” Marcus echoed, appearing out of nowhere with a jumbo shrimp in hand as if he’d stopped with it halfway to his mouth. I thought it was a shrimp, at least. It had two tails, though. “Did you say she’s in labor?””I’m not in labor,” I groaned as I followed them away from the party so we wouldn’t get stampeded by the revelers.”She’s been having pains on and off all night,” said Alexander.”Yeah, I dunno, that sounds like labor to me,” Marcus said, looking me up and down.”What’s going on?” Cole asked, wandering over with Liam. “Did I hear someone say labor?”