She met my eyes reluctantly.

    “You ran ten miles to be at my coronation. You destroyed a priceless heirloom and probably scared the shit out of a lot of people, all because you wanted to be there for me.” I couldn’t help but smile. “That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.”

    E blinked owlishly. “Alexander, I wandered into your coronation barefoot.”

    “Which ispletely insane,” I pointed out, “and pretty memorable, if you ask me.”

    That got a smallugh out of her. She shook her head and looked away. “You’re just trying to tter me.”

    “No, seriously. Everyone’s going to be talking about this for years. The Luna who ran through the forest to make it to her mate’s coronation. You just gave them the best story they’ve had in decades.”

    E wiped her eyes, smearing her mascara even more. “You think so?”

    “I know so.” I stood up and held out my hand. “Come on.

    “Where are we going?”

    “We’re starting over.” I pulled her to her feet. “Wait here.”

    I left her in the bathroom and went to find one of the event coordinators. It took some convincing and a few phone calls, but twenty minutester I had what I needed.

    When I returned to the bathroom, E was trying to fix her hair in the mirror.

    “I brought you something.” I held up a garment bag.

    “What is it?”

    “Open it and see.”

    E unzipped the bag and her mouth fell open. Inside was a midnight blue dress, simpler than the

    ceremonial gown but elegant. The fabric was soft and flowing–the best I could figure out right now

    considering that she had a pregnant belly to amodate.

    “It’s beautiful,” she murmured.

    “Try it on. I’ll wait outside.”

    Five minutester, E emerged from the bathroom, and I nearly forgot how to breathe. The dress fit her perfectly, the deep blue bringing out her eyes and the soft fabric draping gracefully over her curves.

    “Betterb?/bb” /bshe asked.

    Chapter b198 /b

    “Perfect.”

    We walked back into the cathedral together, and this time when people turned to look, it was with curiosity rather than shock. A few people even smiled and nodded approvingly.

    The High Priest was waiting patiently at the altar, crown still in hand. Gabriel looked like he wanted to murder me, but he stepped back into position withoutment.

    This time, when the crown was ced on my head and I was officially dered Alpha King, my mate was standing beside me.

    Right where she belonged.

    E

    The rest of the coronation went smoothly. I stood beside Alexander as he took his oath, my hand in his, wearing a borrowed dress that fit me better than the original gown ever had. When the High Priest dered him Alpha King, the cathedral erupted into cheers, and Alexander turned to me with the biggest

    smile I’d ever seen.

    The reception afterwards was held in the cathedral’s grand ballroom. Hundreds of people were already milling around when we entered, eating fancy food and drinking champagne and congratting

    Alexander on his victory.

    As we made our way toward our table at the head of the room, Alexander’s hand firmly nted on my lower back, my heart felt soft and warm in a way it hadn’t before. Alexander hade through for me in

    the end.

    That had to mean something, right?

    Alexander pulled my seat out for me, and I smiled, sinking gratefully into my chair. But something caught my eye, peeking out from beneath my te–a small piece of paper.

    Curious, I unfolded it and found a note in Lilith’s handwriting.

    “E–I need to speak with you urgently. Meet me in the women’s bathroom near the main lobby bat /b9:30.

    It’s important. – L′′

    2/