87: Emma

When we reached the ballroom's massive double doors, the two guards ahead of us stepped forward in perfect synchronization. They grasped the handles and pulled the doors wide, then bowed deeply, bending at the waist with practiced precision.

As we walked past, I smiled at each of them, unable to suppress my natural tendency toward warmth despite the formality of the moment. To my surprise, both returned my smile with a subtle tilt of their lips and a respectful nod – a small breach of protocol that felt like victory.

From inside, a voice announced: "Presenting Their Majesties, King Theodore and Queen Emeline Lykoudis."

My fingers tightened around Theo's arm, digging into the fabric. He covered my hand with his, a silent reassurance as we stepped into the ballroom. The massive space fell instantly silent, hundreds of faces turning toward us in unison. Lycans in formal attire and werewolves in their pack finery all bowed their heads as we passed, a ripple of deference flowing through the crowd like wind through tall grass.

The ballroom of The Golden Compass hotel had been transformed for the evening. Crystal chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling, casting prismatic light across the marble floors. Arrangements of white flowers and gold-dipped leaves adorned every table, their scent subtle but pervasive. The room was divided by an invisible line – Lycans predominantly to one side, werewolves to the other, with only a brave few mingling at the borders. Evidence of how much work remained to be done.

We reached the front of the room, where a small dais had been prepared. Theo led me up the two shallow steps, then we turned to face the assembled crowd together. My heart hammered against my ribs, but I kept my chin up, my shoulders back – channeling the queen I was still learning to become.

Theo raised a hand, and the low murmur of conversation ceased completely.

"Distinguished ministers, honoured alphas, esteemed guests," he began, his voice carrying effortlessly through the vast space. "Thank you for joining us this evening."

His hand found mine, our fingers intertwining in full view of the assembly.

"As many of you know, recent events have accelerated changes that were already underway in our kingdom. The woman beside me entered my life as Gamma Maxwell of the Blood Moon Pack. She stands before you now as Queen Emeline Lykoudis, my mate, my equal, and your queen."

A murmur rippled through the crowd – approval from some, shock from others, calculation from many. I kept my expression composed, though my pulse fluttered at my throat like a trapped bird.

"Our union represents more than a traditional royal mating," Theo continued. "It embodies the future we envision for our kingdom – a realm where Lycans and werewolves stand together as equals, where ancient divisions give way to newfound unity, where strength comes not from dominance but from cooperation."

I watched the faces in the crowd. Christian stood near the front, pride evident in his usually controlled expression. Scattered among the guests were members of my pack, their familiar faces a welcome sight. But there were others whose tight lips and narrowed eyes spoke of resistance, of traditions clutched too tightly to relinquish.

"The path forward will not be simple," Theo acknowledged, as though reading my thoughts. "Centuries of division cannot be undone in days or even years. But Queen Emeline and I are committed to walking this path together, step by difficult step."

He turned slightly toward me, his eyes conveying a silent question. We had discussed this moment, whether I would speak or simply stand beside him. I gave him an almost imperceptible nod, and his lips curved slightly in response.

"My queen," he said, stepping back slightly, ceding the space to me.

I stepped forward, feeling the weight of hundreds of gazes. The crown felt suddenly heavier, the dress tighter. But Theo's warmth remained at my side, his presence a bulwark against the scrutiny.

"Thank you, my king," I said, finding strength in the formal address. "And thank you all for your welcome."

My voice sounded steadier than I felt, carrying clearly through the hushed room.

"I stand before you as living proof that change is possible. That the barriers between our kinds can be crossed. That what makes us different need not divide us."

I paused, looking out at the sea of faces – some hopeful, some doubtful, all attentive.

"I was born a werewolf. I will always honour those roots, that heritage, those traditions. But I now also carry the mark and gifts of a Lycan mate. I straddle both worlds, understanding both perspectives, appreciating both strengths."

My hand found Theo's again, drawing strength from his solid presence.

"This unique position is not just my personal journey – it's a metaphor for the kingdom we hope to build together. One where difference doesn't mean division. Where tradition coexists with progress. Where the past informs but doesn't imprison our future."

A smattering of applause broke out, led by Christian and expanding outward like ripples in still water. Theo squeezed my hand gently, pride evident in his posture.

"Tonight," I concluded, "we celebrate not just our mating, but possibility. I invite you all to join us in making that possibility a reality."

The applause grew stronger as Theo stepped forward again, his shoulder touching mine in solidarity.

"And now," he said with a smile that transformed his regal features into something warmer, more approachable, "I believe it's customary for the king and queen to open the dancing."

As the orchestra struck up a waltz and Theo led me toward the centre of the floor, I felt the weight of the crown settle more comfortably on my head. The stars on my dress twinkled with each movement, as though responding to my growing confidence. Becoming queen would be a challenge – perhaps the greatest of my life – but with Theo's hand in mine and our shared vision guiding us, it felt increasingly possible.

His arm encircled my waist as we took our position, his smile private now, meant only for me.

"Ready, my queen?" he whispered.

I nodded, returning his smile with one of my own. "Ready, my king."

As we began to move in perfect synchronization, the crowd around us faded to a blur of colour and light. For this moment, at least, there were no divisions, no politics, no centuries of prejudice to overcome.

There was only Theo and me, dancing toward our future, one careful step at a time.

Theo's hand pressed against the small of my back as we moved across the dance floor, our steps in perfect harmony despite the newness of everything between us. The weight of the crown I'd soon wear hung in the air around us, invisible yet palpable, its presence changing the very way people looked at me. Their gazes followed our movements—reverent, calculating, curious—a constant reminder that this dance was more than just a dance, that we were more than just a couple in love. We were a statement, a declaration, a new chapter in an ancient story.

"You look beautiful when you're thinking too hard," Theo whispered, his breath warm against my ear.

I smiled up at him, my fingers tightening slightly where they rested on his shoulder. "Is it that obvious?"

"Only to me." His amber eyes caught the light from the crystal chandeliers overhead, turning them molten. "Care to share what's occupying that mind of yours, my queen?"

The title still sent a shiver down my spine—part thrill, part terror. "Just... processing. Yesterday I was just Emma. Today I'm..."

"Still just Emma," he finished for me, spinning me gracefully beneath the soaring ceilings of the ballroom. "The same woman who captured my heart. The rest is just titles and formalities."

But it wasn't, not really. The marking had changed everything. I could feel it in the way ministers bowed deeper, in how conversation hushed when I passed. The silver-white marble floors beneath us seemed to whisper "your majesty" with each step of our dance.

Other couples began to join us on the floor, a slow migration of silk and jewels, of careful movements and strategic placements. Lycan nobility moved with practiced grace, their tall forms gliding across the marble. A few werewolf couples joined as well, though they clustered near the edges, as if uncertain of their welcome despite Theo's explicit invitation.