HUNTED

The Alpha King or Queen's coronation was a massive event among the world of werewolves, but it only required a ball for the Alphas and Lunas to meet and congratulate them. For the last few weeks, the 'grand hall' of the mansion was prepared for such an occasion and even had two thrones placed to the right side of the room. Aila and Damon made sure security was tight; it wasn't just their pack they needed to protect for the night but other pack leaders. 

At 7pm, Aila could hear cars approaching the packhouse and chatter among new guests entering the packhouse. The house and estate were lit up along with a red carpet falling down the steps to the front doors, and the pack members on patrol closest to the house were dressed up in black suits. Guests entered in their suits and gowns, grabbing their champagne glasses as they entered.

While the guests were arriving, Damon was lying on his bed, mind-linking with other pack members, sending out orders for security while he waited on Aila. She was in the room next door getting ready with Nairi and Chiara; their giggles and excitement could be heard through the walls, making the Alpha smile. After the night before, he had been worried about his mate, but luckily, she did not become ill after spending quite a bit of time in the water. Aila relayed the Moon Goddess' words to him, the pair kept it between them, but he could feel the fear creeping into her occasionally when she was not distracted. Nonetheless, her mood had significantly improved from the removal of her scar and being in the company of Nairi and Chiara.

Finally, after hours of getting ready, Aila emerged from the bedroom, instantly taking Damon's arm.. The pair eyed each other appreciatively.  Damon looked dashing in a tuxedo, and Aila wore an off the shoulder champagne evening gown with her hair pulled back into a low bun.  Her make-up was done, showing off her jewel-like blue eyes.

Damon leaned forwards to kiss her-

"No!" Nairi burst in front of them. "I did not do her hair and make up for you to mess it up, mister!" She pointed her gloved hand at Damon, making Aila burst into a fit of giggles, leaning away from her mate. She was right; it was tiresome looking 'perfect', and Nairi would scold her for messing up her masterpiece.

"Fine," Damon grumbled, glaring at Nairi before leading Aila away.

"Have fun, kids!" Nairi called from behind them. Aila looked at her and Chiara, who were dressed in their own ball gowns, in her favourite colour. The girls smiled warmly at her, Nairi clapping her hands excitedly and Chiara holding her thumbs up, cheering her on.

"You'll be fine. And after tonight, you can put your hoodie and leggings back on," Damon mind-linked her with a smirk.

Aila pouted as they descended the stairs. "Hmm, but you prefer me in a skirt.." She replied, fluttering her eyelashes.

"I prefer you in nothing," Damon purred in her mind causing her to slap his arm playfully.

"I don't think you'd allow me to walk around naked." She smirked back. Damon's face dropped, and she could tell he was picturing just that and everyone 'fawning' over her.

Aila found herself relaxing. She smiled gratefully to him and took a deep breath in as they approached the double doors to the hall where music from the band could be heard. The doors opened, and the room full of people stilled to the grand entrance of the Alpha King and Queen. Aila stared at the new faces she was yet to meet and rule over. These were the men and women, Alphas and Lunas in charge of packs around the country along with their guards.

Damon's hand pressed into her lower back, a small comforting gesture that spurred her to life and guided her through the path of people. All eyes were on them, or more specifically on her. But Aila kept her gaze ahead, staring at the two thrones meant for them. To one side of them, she could see Alpha King Magnus and Alpha Queen Lilian, who bowed their heads towards them. Aila gulped, looking at Magnus' stern face, but when her gaze landed on Damon's mum, she relaxed, seeing her kind smile.

She had fond memories of both Magnus and Lilian as a child, but many years had passed since then. She wondered if they were happy with their son with someone who seemed to lure anything dangerous near her and the pack.

"Stop worrying. My parents love you," Damon murmured through the mind-link.

"That should be the last thing on your mind right now," Malia piped in, "You're in a room full of the country's leaders."

That was true. Aila stopped thinking about such 'minor things' in comparison to proving herself to a bunch of Alphas and Lunas. From glancing at a few faces, she was certain that they weren't happy with such a young couple as their King and Queen. But, if they were the strongest among the northern territories, then they couldn't complain. If they were so unhappy, then they could always challenge them. Now, she felt confident more than ever that she could take on anyone and defend her throne.

Aila and Damon sat down on their thrones, and the hall erupted into applause of clapping and yelling. After they settled down, each Alpha and Luna lined up to greet the new Alpha Queen, introducing themselves and the pack they control. It was a lengthy task, but it needed to be done. Aila found herself enjoying some introductions more than others, most likely due to their hostility and arrogant personas.

By the time they finished, Aila felt her butt cheeks were numb and her back aching from keeping such a stiff posture for a few hours. More champagne was poured and passed along to everyone, including Aila, who took a sip before stepping away from the throne. With one hand holding the crystal champagne flute and the other resting in Damon's outstretched hand, they walked towards the centre of the room. Damon retrieved her glass and passed it onto a waiter's tray who was passing by swiftly, making Aila follow the drink longingly with her gaze.

The band started to play once more, and Aila looked back at her mate while others in the room began to back away from them. Damon bowed, followed by outstretching his hand once more in which she placed her hand in and curtsied. The pair stepped towards each other like they rehearsed and began to waltz across the floor. Aila's gaze was locked with Damon's, and she found herself relaxing in his arms, letting him lead the way and forgetting about the others in the room.

The dance flew by so quickly that it took Aila a moment to realise they had stopped, and the sounds of her surroundings became clearer once more. Everyone was clapping to them and others who had joined them in their dance. Damon winked and kissed her on the cheek, taking his time as he leaned away from her. As soon as they parted from each other, Aila found herself surrounded by people.

After much chatting, it was apparent that Aila and Damon each had their own duties of entertaining their guests. The pair were slowly separated from each other, but Aila kept checking in on him through the mind-link or their bond. He occasionally would 'come to her rescue' pulling her away from people that took too much of her time and energy.

But now, she was in the middle of a group of Alphas she really felt like slapping. Unfortunately, Damon was in the midst of a deep discussion with his mother and father and was led away outside of the room for privacy. Aila tried to tune in on the bond, but he blocked it!

"Maybe you should be concerned that they don't like you," Malia snickered. Aila sighed, then covered her mouth. The men were staring at her intently. Did they ask her a question? In the last ten minutes, they had been in a discussion she felt no need to partake in, but it seems she should have been paying attention.

Aila tilted her head to the side, "I'm sorry I missed what you said."

"Is it true that you worked together with vampires to take down the hunters?" Said one of the Alphas whose name she had already forgotten. She would call him Alpha A for now.

"Yes, it is true. Gabriel-"

"That cannot be correct. The hunters are still running about killing creatures," Said another Alpha, interrupting her. Hmm, Alpha B? For rude bastard?

"We did not take down all of the hunters just-"

"I think it's quite extraordinary that you managed to get the king of all vampires to help you," Alpha C interrupted. He eyed her from head to toe, making her seethe and grit her teeth together. "Did you use your feminine wiles? You are quite the beauty; even a vampire would be.."

Aila stepped forwards, straightening her shoulders, and glared at him. She did not say anything, but she watched as the Alpha shrunk, struggling to keep his head up. She raised a brow at his insolence, but his shaking form soon bared his neck to her.

"Why are they so rude?" Malia growled.

"Because they are testing me," Aila replied with a sigh. It was so tiring. What was the point? Were they seeing what sort of a leader she would be?

"Then why did you say you took them down?" Said another Alpha, who stepped forwards, moving Alpha C back and continued the discussion.

"Why would you work with vampires? Are werewolves not enough? It must have been awful working with such creatures-" Alpha A rambled on.

"I only agreed that we worked together with vampires. I never said that we took down the Hunter's Association." Aila interrupted and glared at all of them, unknowingly revealing her golden eyes. "If you had not been so rude in interrupting what I spoke, then you would have heard the correct information. And I completely disagree; working with the vampires was very beneficial. It showed that we could work together towards a common goal, which I believe you would all agree can help in the future for all creatures if we took down the Hunters Association."

The Alpha's instantly bared their necks, unable to respond. Aila watched them, her eyes still a golden colour. "You should do well to remember who your Queen is," She said firmly before turning her back on them and walking away. Power coursed through her body, making her feel invincible as the guest's parted way for her, baring their necks to her.