It was honestly like a phoenix rising from the ashes for Myranda. Everything suddenly 'clicked' into place, and she was ready to lead her kind into the future with bright eyes and hope.
Metas loved her, and she loved him. He wasn't going to abandon or leave her, and neither would she leave him. Her brother was resilient - able to weather the worst storms and come out the other side smiling. Her friends were real, and they were here to help her, protect her, and guide her together.
What more could anyone need?
Proudly, she dragged Lobos by his other ankle, to where the male was dragged down the halls on his back, with his face fully displayed for all to look. That way, no one could doubt Metas and Myranda's ability to rule ever again -- and if they did, this was what awaited them.
Ajax walked at his brother's side with his head high and a fierce look on his face (even though inside he was practically dancing). Secretly, he was glad Lobos did this, because now the asshole would be out of his life forever - no more platitudes or pretending to "love" his pack-father merely because the Prince married his daughter.
Behind them, Jyriah, Joss, and Veltar walked as a pack, with Jyriah at the front of their little triangle, and with his mate, and Veltar also dragging a body by its ankles. Unfortunately for that body, it was still alive, and it was slowly regaining consciousness.
Gerald groaned in agony and attempted to sputter apologies to Metas, but each time he attempted to, both Joss and Veltar would shake him vigorously as though they were fighting over a toy.
They took their sweet, slow time as a pack and didn't need to stray an eye to look at anyone - because no one wanted to give them any direct eye contact. Some wolves sat out and watched, some mortal forms peeked out their windows in curiosity - a few even leaned in satisfaction to see Lobos and Gerald getting their just desserts.
Even though her jaw hurt, she kept it clenched around his ankle bone like it was the only thing stopping her from plummeting into a dark pit. It didn't take a royal to know that any weakness shown puts a bad reputation on the rulers who displayed it. Plus, it felt good to have control over the male who had just had complete dominion over her.
When she saw a female or two looking on in awe, she merely held her head strongly, and ignored their whispers and giggles. Who cared what they thought? Myranda was complete in every way. Laughter bounced off of her like pebbles thrown against a steel wall.
Metas was hers, and she was his - and that was that.
The further they went up, the more wolves and those in mortal skins came out to gawk at the scene. A few cheered who had been moved up into the upper caves, and the tunnel dwellers sat up erect in respect for their King, Queen, and the heroes of the revolution.
Once they reached the palace gates, the two rulers dropped Lobos just outside the royal realm, where he would have wanted to be. They turned and sat to gaze out at all the eyes watching them, and although they said nothing - their expression screamed everything they had wanted to convey.
'We are unshakeable'.
They turned together again, and then walked inside the haven of the palace. Ajax, Jyriah, Joss and Veltar followed behind them - still with Gerald trailing on the ground moaning, and groaning here and there.
There was a certain mood when the Alpha and Luna walked in. One so deadly, that no one dared to ask what work needed to be done, or if either of them were okay. Just like the crowd outside, they had been left transfixed at their walk that was in unison each time their paws hit the ground.
They kept this up until they returned to their bedroom, where they let their walls drop. They still said nothing. There was no need to.
Both mates took to their skins and immediately went into the embrace of the other. Metas pulled his clothes off in order to match his wife, and as soon as their bare skin touched, he scooped her up and walked her into their attached bathroom.
His strength being as massive as it was, he easily held Myranda in one hand as he activated stones and jeweled knobs to turn the water on. He only checked the temperature briefly before submerging them both in the water that was still a bit cool.
Once comfortable, he pulled her on top of his strong, wide chest and began to kiss her to 'reclaim' her as his own.
It wasn't something that was necessary - for really no one had taken her in the first place. However, his wife was naked, and he was in the mood to further put his dominance on display.