The next morning, Elora sat in front of the mirror as the maids prepared her for the morning.
This was the first time she was going to have breakfast with the king since she got to the crimson sky pack.
When the month ends, breakfast in the palace is almost a pack event, ministers and reputable pack members usually joins the king every end of the month, and unfortunately, today was one of those days that they would come to the palace.
It seems like Azazeal plans to formally reveal her to the inner palace ministers
She stared at her reflection in the mirror intensely
Blue crystal eyes, red flushed cheeks, white dewy skin, plump red lips, and a stunning face that would undoubtedly make people stop and stare.
The maid picked up a bit of makeup from her dresser, applying some to her face,
A subtle sweep of highlighter dusted her cheekbones, and a red lip stain covered her full lips. Her makeup was little, but it transformed her usually innocent face and enhanced her beauty even further.
The stormy night didn't ruin her mood. In fact, she was too anxious to be bothered about the weather.
Images of last night filled her mind, and the words the king had spoken to her with conviction.
Her eyes trailed down to the light redness in her wrist, and how he'd tended to the wound in the middle of the night.
He seemed so different from the tales she'd heard about him.
Nothing like the cruel overheating king she came prepared to be married to.
The only time she'd sensed his anger was when she proposed the marriage of convenience
Elora wanted to hate him, to hate him for how he had dismissed her suggestion, but deep down, she felt an emotion like never before.
Acceptance.
He had firmly told her that he wanted to have a real bond with his mate, that she was free to go anywhere and not cage herself in the castle like a prisoner.
Unlike the withdrawn life she was used to living in her father's kingdom.
His words had unwittingly placed hope in her heart.
Hope that freedom wasn't a myth after all, and she could have it in this lifetime, just as she wished for.
How lovely would that be?
" You are ready for the day my lady." the maid spoke jolting Elora from her thoughts.
" Oh, thank you. What's your name?" she asked as she stared at the new unfamiliar maid who was helping her.
"Lenora my lady." the girl said bowing lower.
" Okay, Lenora." Elora nodded still watching the very stunning female with awe.
These werewolves have really amazing features.
The maid blushed further under Elora's stare.
Irene walked into the chamber to get Elora.
" This way my queen," she said with a gleeful smile and Elora rolled her eyes.
Ever since her maids heard that the king had invited her for breakfast, which in turn means he was going to formally introduce her to the council members this morning.
That had been bustling around excitedly, Irene most especially gave orders and supervised every arrangement like a mother hen.
Drawing a shaky breath, Elora stood and began to follow Irene through the castle's endless hallways of stone.
By the time they approached the heavy double doors of the Great Hall, her heart beat became a frantic rhythm against her ribs.
As the doors opened to reveal the large hall, a deep-voiced servant called out her name.
"Her Highness, Queen Elora."
Her eyes found his almost immediately.
The bright light of the crystal lights that surrounded the grand hall lent a golden hue to the air,
The wolf king sat domineeringly at the head of the hall, his familiar icy grey eyes locked into her, keen and unwavering
And for some reason, Elora found it hard to look away from him.
Today he wore a red robe embroidered with golden ancient markings. The robe fell elegantly around the dark chair where he was seated, his familiar, menacing presence exuding nothing short of intimidation.
He looked sinfully beautiful in the clothes, how could a man look this good?
A slight frown marred his stoic face, and his aura seemed to be much colder and intimidating in the presence of poo there, unlike last night when he was calm and soft.
Elora inhaled deeply, Irene's familiar soothing presence grounded her as she forced herself to walk further into the room.
All conversations that were ongoing before had stopped as everyone turned to look at the Wolf king's human mate.
There were at least about forty ministers in the room, both male and female.
Irene already informed her that everyone was to sit according to their ranks.
She noticed that on the other side of Azazeal was seated Vael. His Beta. The one who almost killed Kennan during the marriage ceremony.
They all sat around a large crystal that shimmered under the golden lights, it looked so beautiful and she stared at it barely noticing that all eyes were on her.
When she got to the end of the table, she realized that there were two seats unoccupied.
One was next to Kimg Azazeal and the other…
Her eyes met a female minister's who sat at the end of the long table smiling kindly at Elora, her violet eyes twinkling with mirth and curiosity.
Elora smiled back thinking to herself, I'd rather sit with her than the brooding demon over there, i would like to happily digest my food and not make it go down the wrong pipe out of fear.
She lifted her skirts and made her way over to the seat near the minister, whose eyes had widened with alarm including everyone in the room who noticed what the queen was bout to do
Just as she was about to pull the chair next to the minister.
A low growl reverberated, and the temperature in the room dropped.
Elora looked up to the glinting eyes trained on her at the end of the long table. His expression was inscrutable, but his stare left her frozen in place.
"Come here Elora," he commanded.
An unnerving silence covered the room, and the weight of his voice echoed through everyone in attendance.
She shot him a stony glare ignoring the shocked looks the people in the room threw her.
Her fist clenched at his commanding tone and she fought every biting refusal that she wanted to utter, down her throat.
If she dared to anger him in this state, he might actually show her his true colors.
And she could see Irene's desperate stares from the corner of her eyes.
She eventually moved forward to the seat next to him, her steps slow and reluctant.
When she got there, he stood up and pulled out the seat for her and Ellra stiffly sat with a straight back and hands folded tightly in her lap.
Before she could exhale the breath she had been holding, Azazeal's hand reached out to hold her arm.
She clenched at his touch, but she didn't let her pull away.
When his thumb glided across the skin of her wrist, stroking the faintly red skin slowly, she dared to look up at him, her crystal blue eyes fluttering up to meet his for a split second.
She was surprised to see him focused on inspecting her wrist and as if he felt her stare, his gaze collided with hers in an innocent but untamed kind of way.
My Elora.
Her cheeks heated as she remembered the way he leaned towards her and whispered in her ears in the midnight.
They stared at each other , unaware of the silence around them, till they heard someone clear their throat loudly, instantly breaking the spell.
Azazeal reluctantly dropped her arm, his features returning impassive as ever.
His eyes snapped back to the people in the room,- and a cruel snare curled on his lips as he spoke in a deadly voice that made shiver run down her spine.
" It seems like my ministers have lost their manners, since no one stood up to bow to their queen."
They all stood up quaking in fear, they had been so stunned to see the infamous human mate and her obvious defiance of the king as soon as she entered the room.
It made them lose their bearings.
Not to mention the unforeseen display of affection that was thrown right at their faces earlier.
Too many things happened in a span of twenty minutes!
They bowed their heads and greeted harmoniously " Good morning your highness."
Elora stared at them all in shock and her eyes met Azazeal's in panic.
What was she supposed to do, she hadn't prepared for this at all.
He only stared back at her blankly, but his eyes seemed to encourage her.
" G-good morning, you all can have your seats."
They sat back and Elora could feel Azazeal's approving gaze on her.
"Have something to eat," he said, a low rumble in his voice.
While she ate, Elora kept her head down, her movements quiet and gentle.
The ministers spoke as they ate, fawning over the king their animated voices and tones alternately seeking favours and flattery.
She watched as they catered to him, poured food into his bowl, and laughed happily at his infrequent, clipped replies.
She almost clicked her tongue in annoyance.
He won't even look at you all for more than one second and you keep behaving like he's placing the world in your palms.
The sound of Azazeal serving a mound of deshelled prawns into her food bowl stopped her thoughts and refocused her attention.
Surprised, she murmured her thanks and kept eating, not thinking much of his actions until a strange silence blanketed the room.
When she looked up, she saw the ministers gaping at her, their cutlery suspended in mid-air.