Chapter 156

Carol’s POV

I couldn’t stop the tears as soon as I was in the hallway. I was surprised that the growing crowd was starting to calm, and I wondered if it was calm outside as well. I decided to walk towards the back door and pushed my way onto the back porch. It was peaceful outside except for the light chattering of the onlookers and paparazzi in the front of the building, but thankfully they couldn’t see me from here.

I leaned against the white paneling of the porch, staring up at the night sky. The stars were so bright and there were so many of them. The moon hung over my head; it wasn’t quite full, but I could feel the strengthening power of it already. I closed my eyes, taking in the cool autumn breeze, feeling it relax my every fiber despite the tears that still flowed from my eyes.

Now that everyone knew the truth about me, they were going to treat me differently. They were going to fear that I would go to tell my biological father about everything they did. They would only respect me because I was some type of princess, not because I was their Luna. They weren’t going to see me as Carol Miller…

I was so wrapped up in my own thoughts about the future and my disappointments I didn’t realize the second presence on the porch until I felt his warm arms wrapped around my waist.

I sighed contently as Aiden buried his face in the nape of my neck and inhaled my scent deeply.

“Are you okay?” He asked without lifting his head from my neck. “I know that was overwhelming. I’m sorry that whole thing happened.”

“It’s okay,” I told him softly. I turned to look at him. “They are never going to truly respect me.”

He shook his head and pressed his forehead to mine.

“Most of the pack, except for Katrina and her followers, gave you their support before they knew the truth,” he whispered. “They might respect you a bit more now because they know the truth, but they will follow you because I know you’ll prove yourself to them as their true Luna. You are what his pack needs, Carol, and soon enough they will know it too.”

I sighed and nodded as his lips found mine.

“It’s going to be okay. I’ll make sure of it,” he said in his mind, making me relax into him.

I loved this man so much and I was going to prove to him that fact every single day for the rest of our lives. He pulled me closer to his body and deepened the kiss; his tongue invading my mouth and searching me curiously. I couldn’t help the moan that escaped my throat but then we heard a throat clearing from behind us, making me nearly jump away from Aiden.

However, his arms remained tightly around me, even as I struggled to get away.

“Get a room,” I heard a familiar, and very amused, voice.

I froze and then relaxed when I saw that it was only Oliver and a very flushed face Fiona. I could tell they were probably getting some alone time too from her red lips and flushed cheeks.

“Carol!” Fiona said, shoving her way past Oliver and running towards me. Aiden finally released me as Fiona wrapped her arms around me. “You ran away so fast, we were looking for you and kind of got distracted.”

I smiled as I hugged her back.

“It’s okay,” I assured her.

“But are you okay?” She asked, pulling away and staring at my face.

I nodded, wiping the remaining tears off my cheeks.

“Yeah, just a bit overwhelmed,” I admitted. “I’ll be fine.”

“I think the King actually feels badly about what happened,” Oliver said, running his fingers through his brown shaggy hair. “He’s getting ready to leave soon if you’d like to say goodbye.”

I nodded and smiled my thanks to him. I took hold of Aiden’s hand and pulled him away with me. Went into the front room of the packhouse to see the King and his family speaking with Aiden’s parents and my parents.

My mother smiled eagerly when she saw me and ran towards me, wrapping her arms around me.

“Oh, Carol, sweetheart. I’m so proud of you. That ceremony was beautiful and powerful. How are you feeling?”

“Somehow older,” I admitted. I couldn’t really explain it, but that felt right. I did feel older and more in charge. I also felt a bit more powerful, but I chose to keep that to myself.

“Dad, what’s going on?” Aiden asked, stepping towards his parents who were still speaking with the King.

“We were just sincerely apologizing to the King and his family,” his father answered.

“Yes, the disrespect wasn’t necessary. Whatever you need to do to punish Katrina will be supported by the Cruz family,” his mother surprised me by saying, glancing between the King and Aiden.

My biological father straightened his back and squared his shoulders as he glanced at the former Alpha. Then he looked at Aiden, giving him a stoic look.

“I think the new Alpha can take charge of whatever punishments she may deserve,” the Alpha King said firmly.

Aiden nodded.

“Yes, your majesty,” he answered.

The King then looked at me and his expression softened.

“Carol, we will be leaving now. I appreciate the time you’ve spent with me these last few days and thank you for allowing us to come to your mating ceremony,” he surprised me by saying. “You make a beautiful bride and Luna. I am very proud of the woman you have become.”

I couldn’t help but smile as I wrapped my arm around my mother and then gave my father an adoring look before glancing back at the King.

“I had some pretty good role models,” I told him honestly. “I appreciate you for coming here.”

He nodded.

“I’m sorry for the fuss I’ve caused. But I couldn’t stand by and listen to that woman disrespect you. You deserve better than that, Carol, and I hope you don’t take that level of disrespect again.”

I nodded thoughtfully, not sure what to say in response.

“We should go, darling,” the Queen said, putting her hand on her husband, and giving me a look that sent an icy chill down my spine. “It was lovely seeing you again, Carol,” she said, speaking my name like it was a bad taste on her tongue.

I gave her a very fake smile, hoping that it looked real in the eyes of others.

We all bowed to the royal family before they were escorted outside; I could hear the paparazzi going nuts at the sound of them as the doors opened and shut behind them.

“We should head back into the ballroom. I believe the food is being served as we speak,” Aiden’s father said.

His mother wheeled the wheelchair towards the ballroom, and I walked behind them with my parents and Aiden. By the time we returned to the ballroom, the scent of delicious foods filled my senses, and my mouth was practically watering.

We made our way to our table in the front of the room and food was placed in front of us. We ate and watched as the packmates ate, drank, and mingled upon themselves. Some of them were giving me glances and I felt my cheeks flushing, knowing what they were thinking. Aiden nudged me from beside me and winked at me when I looked up at him.

I smiled adoringly at him, and we continued to eat and drink.

Once the meals concluded, the music grew louder, and everyone danced on the dance floor. Then they announced that it was time for our first dance. A beautiful lull began to play, and Aiden offered me his hand.

I smiled up at him, taking his hand and letting him pull me to the dance floor. He wrapped his arms around my waist, and I wrapped mine around his neck. I stared up at him, smiling so wide that my cheeks hurt.

The music was soft, and I found myself lost in the rhythm, swaying side to side with each beat. At one point, Aiden took my hand and twirled me around, only to pull me close again.

He dipped me and I nearly lost my footing, but he kept his hold on me and when he lifted me back up to the standing position, he peppered kisses along my lips, making everyone cheer in delight.

I smiled into his kiss as we continued to sway around the dance floor.

I couldn’t help but look into my husband’s eyes, feeling all the love that he was feeling for me. My heart was practically beating out of my chest.

In the eyes of my mate, I could see my entire future and I liked what I saw. I was eager to begin my work as the Luna of this pack and I hoped more than anything that I could prove myself as more than the heir of the King… but as Carol Miller, Luna of the Capitol.