The Princess’s Broken Alpha
Chapter 78

The mating ceremony was always traditionally done on the day of the full moon. It was the best time to keep the celebration party as when the moonlight shone on wolves it increased their mood and strength. The historic occasion was to happen on the expansive open ground of the palace with so many guests the palace staff were constantly running around trying to make arrangements for the hundreds of guests that would be arriving to watch and celebrate. It was a grand affair. The finest royal orchestra had been invited and the entire council was there front and center. If you had any importance as a Lycan you were sent an invitation. It was for the powerful.

Kiarra's guards had doubled. She wanted to laugh at the stupidity of walking around with twenty guards following after her. Her father had declared that since she couldn't stay put she would bear the consequences of twenty pairs of eyes following her every step. It didn't faze her. She proudly walked with her entourage following behind her.

The door to her mother's mausoleum was opened. She didn't have to guess who was inside. She would know him anywhere as he gave off power. With his hair slicked back the tall imposing well built frame stepped out, looking her over and she guessed he had personally delivered her mother's fresh orchids this morning.

Today was a beautiful day. The skies were clear, and the sun was shining bright. The weather was being cooperative today. She was happy for that. He signaled for the guards to leave them be and they were alone locked in silence.

Her father stood grim with his usual hard gaze. She didn't know which side of him she was going to get today.

The last time they were there together was when they were burying her. They had never appeared here at the same time after that but here they were today. Maybe somewhere beyond the grave it was her mother's doing. She didn't know what to say to the man who raised her for all her life.

"Today is a beautiful day", Kiarra started.

All she got was a nod, but his eyes were still studying her. He reached out his hand to her and she hesitated but fearfully took it as he led her inside. She took comfort that this was her mother's burial ground and he had seemed to respect everything about her mother still if he didn't respect anything else. He wouldn't hurt her there and if not that she had a mating ceremony to attend. It didn't stop her heart from starting to race and her hand to shift nervously in his. She couldn't help but notice how small her hand was in his large ones. She'd felt and seen all the bruises those hands had left on her.

"I remember your mother's and I mating ceremony." he started, his voice filling and echoing in the room as they stared at her tomb. He never spoke of his mate, her mother. It was an unspoken rule. Kiarra remembered the day she had found her. Her father had held her for hours until she had no more tears to cry. He had brushed away the hair that had stuck to her tears on her face and promised her it would be alright.

She had felt everything would be alright then when he gently hushed her in his arms until she had fallen asleep. Vivienne had done all she could in helping to take care of a grieving niece the best she could but it was also a struggle for her because Vivienne was also grieving her sister's death.

Then he left for months leaving her in the care of her aunt and she didn't know how to grieve. It was as if she lost two parents that day. That's what it felt like in those months. She was alone as ever. When he came back he was colder than ever and everything got worse because she looked like her mother. She would always remind him of her, she felt. She remembered when the beatings started and he first broke her leg, she was twelve. Her fragile body was battered and bruised. She had hid under her bed praying for her mother to wake up.

He treated her harshly and she rarely saw him except when it was needed or she sought him out. As she got older she understood. There was no one to talk to. Jackson had left her all alone and when she tried to tell him with her chipped tooth, her busted lip and dislocated arm barely hopping because he was the help she needed he had shunned her that she was being ridiculous and to blatantly leave him alone.

Karra tried to push the agonizing memories away. They walked further into the cool building where the white orchids laid, fresh and pristine.

"Out of the two of us believe it or not I was the impatient one. I couldn't wait. It was destiny. I had wanted to get it over with from the jump but I would be lying if I said I didn't want the entire beast kingdom to see what I was so proud of. The real treasure I owned. The moon goddess never made a better match. She was beautiful, graceful and kind."

It was a burden he had to bear. To know you are the most powerful man in the beast kingdom and maybe the world but it still didn't help when it mattered most. It didn't save the one he loved.

"You never talk of her. " Kiarra replied. They about both reminiscing about her. "It's not fair to her or me."

"You look so much like her and behave a little too much like me. Sometimes I think you believe you're the king of the beast kingdom." he studied her and she shook her head.

"No, thank you. I just want to be queen."

Kiarra smiled at his jest and since he was being her father today she did what she hadn't done in years. She hugged him tight, as tight as she possibly could so she could have this one moment with her father forever to store against all the horrors. He stiffened against her for awhile and then he relaxed, hugging her back.

"You'll be a fantastic queen some day and if he steps out of line I'll break him."

She knew he was serious, he would break him. She pulled back from him. He held her chin firmly making himself clear.

"You will be good to him."

Kiarra nodded in silent agreement, swallowing the lump in her throat and her stomach was tight.

"I'm proud of you, never forget that." he told her and kissed her forehead. She knew he would be proud of her today. She didn't feel like staying any longer so she headed back to get ready for her ceremony.

Her long hair was curled in waves to the side. Her dress was a satin dress with tiny intricate flower designs on it that felt like it was melted on her. It was modest and beautiful. Perfect for the occasion. Glistening diamond hairclips pinned her flowing hair to match the diamond earrings she sported and her family's diamond rings. She looked etheral. The sun was just starting to dip below the horizon and almost all the guests were there.

Everything had to be absolutely perfect for her and Castor's ceremony. Castor didn't care what she did as long as he was sinking his teeth into the crook of her neck by the end of the night and other parts of him into her later that night.

She caressed the spot reflexively thinking of another blonde wolf seductively teasing and nipping her neck instead and headed out the door. It was time. She stealthily walked downstairs and made her way across to Vivienne's quarters. The Lycan guards in the palace were straining not to stare at her as she waltzed through the hallways.

Her aunt should be getting ready and so she opened the door walking in to see her putting in her earrings.

"Dear not because you are practically queen doesn't mean you shouldn't knock" she smiled, chastising her and Kiarra walked over to her, looking at their frames in the large mirror.

"Either way I'm not knocking." Kiarra smiled back at her. "Careful, they're gonna think it's your mating ceremony."

"Nonsense, you look like the moon goddess herself. Are you ready for Castor or is he ready for you?"

"I think I'm more than ready for Castor." Kiarra replied, smoothing down the stomach of her dress. Vivienne raised an eyebrow giving her a tell me all look and Kiarra smiled not giving in to her aunt.

"That man has been pining and following after you since forever. I'm glad you're finally taking him out of his misery. Make him happy. You two are so cute together."

"Aren't we?" Kiarra cooed.

Vivienne was dressed in a nice turquoise dress with her pearls.

"You look amazing." Kiarra complimented her and went to sit on her bed scrutinizing her. There was still some time before they were to head downstairs. She was awfully quiet and she seemed deep in thoughts as she waited for her aunt to finish. Vivienne paused to look at her niece.

"Is everything alright?"

Kiarra didn't look up from the spot beside the mirror she was fixated on, crossing her legs.

"You know I spoke to father earlier today. We visited mother's tomb together. The last time we did that together was when she died." "That must have been hard for you both."

"No, it was actually one of the best moments I've had with him in forever. He seemed warmer."

"Really?" Vivienne stilled and came to carefully sit beside her, her eyes were watery just thinking of her sister.

"Yeah. For the first time in the longest. You know he still talks about her like she is alive and well. It's like not a day has passed."

"

"It doesn't feel like it most times." Vivienne shook her head and her blonde curls moved with it. She blinked fast and swiped at the tears threatening to ruin her makeup. "He has to be given props though. To run a kingdom when your mate has passed and be left with a daughter to care for. It takes a lot of strength. I'm afraid there aren't many men like your father."

"No there aren't." Kiarra agreed.

"What was she like on her day?" she asked curiously.

There was a silence as Vivienne laughed lightly.

"She was so happy, the happiest she'd ever been except when she had you of course. She forgot to even put on her shoes due to her excitement. She was half way there when I stopped her. She was madly in love with him and he was the same with her." "When was the last time you visited her?"

Her aunt shook her head.

"A long while now, too long. I've been consumed by this place and you." she placed a hand on Kiarra's head. "So much that I haven't much time for anything else, but I will make it my duty to see her more often. She deserves that"

She rested her head on her aunt's shoulder and stared into the mirror. Her aunt was still flawless thanks to being a Lycan.

"I don't think I should keep my mate waiting any longer, especially after all these years. " Kiarra added as she helped her aunt to stand up.

The set up was magical, the music had changed and all eyes were on her. There was a gold path she was to walk on until she reached her destination. To the man waiting for her on the stage. The entire crowd bowed slightly to her as she made her way up the path. She was standing taller than ever with her back straight and her steps confident. Their eyes glimmered appreciatively as they marveled at her.

The most important of officials, of course the council was up front and her father stood before them all, a proud king. She remembered their conversation from earlier. Waiting for her on the stage was Castor. He was impeccably dressed with the royal coat lined with gold and deep blue. His eyes held pride for her as his eyes wandered over her appreciatively.

Castor looked on as his mate made her way towards him. She would be giving him everything today. She was a flower ready to plucked. His eyes were riveted on her. He hadn't found the witch exhausting every lead he had but she wouldn't dare try anything. He was already basking in his newfound power but his biggest achievement wasn't conquering the kingdom, it was conquering her.

Kiarra took her rightful place by Castor's side as he smiled at her. She could smell his deep cologne as he stood beside her. Her best friend, the blue eyed man beside her whose eyes were glinting as if he'd devour her right there. "You look so beautiful" he mouthed to her and she smiled at him.

It was his time to make a speech. Though it was for his mate that all the eyes were on him; it was also judgement of all before him what he should be like as their next upcoming king, judging his worthiness and how he carried himself.

"Behind every powerful man is a woman and I couldn't have picked better." he stared at Kiarra passionately and the place was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. " It was always destiny to me that she be mated to me. Many tried and failed but they didn't have what it takes. To take this rare flower."

He brushed his hand along her soft hair. He couldn't help but gloat. He'd made it fucking happen.

"Our kind souls were attracted to each other. Out of all the good men, I am forever stunned she chose me. I promise to love you endlessly, protect you and never take you for granted. Here I am today about to mate with the most beautiful woman in the beast kingdom. I love you."

The crowd clapped and smiled brightly. It was her turn before they marked each other. He kissed her forehead and whispered

"It's your turn baby"

As they both looked out over the crowd.

The place was dead silent as everyone focused on her beaming. She could feel her father's grey eyes on her and a gentle breeze stirred. It was a wind of change. She confidently walked forward further looking at them all.

"I, Kiarra Reviere, Princess of the Beast Kingdom under the laws of our kingdom sentence Castor Whitlock to death for treason."