King Magnus took the plate from my trembling hands, his large frame moving with a quiet grace that seemed at odds with his size. I watched as he carefully helped me dish out food onto my plate, his movements calm and deliberate. It was strange seeing someone like him, the Lycan King, doing something so ordinary. He wasn't just a king; he was a legend in our world. And yet, here he was, serving me food like it was the most natural thing in the world.
I stood awkwardly behind him, unsure of what to say or do. I didn't even know what to call him yet. *Magnus?* That felt too personal. *Your Majesty?* That felt too formal. All I knew was that he was the Lycan King... and twice my age. The thought still made my head spin.
While I was lost in thought, I noticed the Old Alpha and his Luna approaching us. Magnus must have sensed them too, because he straightened up and nodded at them respectfully. I stood there, feeling small and out of place as the Old Alpha greeted him.
"King Magnus," the Old Alpha said with a nod, his tone respectful but warm. "It's been a long time since we've had the honor of your presence."
Magnus nodded back. "It has. But tonight is a special night."
The Old Alpha's eyes flicked toward me, his expression unreadable. I felt my stomach twist. Did he think I wasn't good enough to be mated to someone like Magnus? I couldn't help but feel insecure, knowing how everyone else saw me—just a poor girl from the lowest family in the pack.
Magnus handed me the plate of food he had prepared and gave me a small smile. "Go find a quiet place to sit and eat," he said gently. "I'll join you shortly."
I nodded, grateful for the chance to escape the intense stares of the pack members. "Thank you," I whispered, taking the plate and heading toward a corner of the hall. I found a small, hidden spot near the edge of the room where I could sit and breathe without feeling everyone's eyes on me.
From where I sat, I watched as Magnus spoke quietly with the Old Alpha and Luna. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but whatever it was, it seemed important. The Old Alpha's face grew serious, and the Luna nodded solemnly. My heart pounded as I wondered what they could be discussing.
Suddenly, the Old Alpha turned toward the crowd and clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention. My stomach dropped. I had a bad feeling about this.
"Everyone, may I have your attention, please," the Old Alpha announced, his voice booming across the room.
The entire hall fell silent, and every pair of eyes turned toward him. I shrank back into my corner, wishing I could disappear. I wasn't used to being the center of attention, and the last thing I wanted was for everyone to look at me.
"I have an important announcement to make," the Old Alpha continued. He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "Tonight, we have witnessed something rare and special. Our Lycan King, Magnus, has found his mate."
A murmur spread through the crowd, and I could feel their eyes shifting in my direction. My heart raced, and I gripped the edge of the table, hoping the floor would open up and swallow me whole.
"The woman standing by his side is Aria Winters," the Old Alpha said, his voice strong and clear. "She is mated to the King, and from this day forward, she will be shown the respect and honor that comes with that title."
I felt my breath catch in my throat. *Respect? Honor?* Those words had never been associated with me before. I was always just the poor girl, the one who worked too hard and had too little. And now... I was supposed to be something more?
The crowd erupted into whispers, and I could feel the weight of their judgment pressing down on me. Some looked at me with curiosity, others with disbelief. And then there were the ones who glared at me with open hostility. The girls who had bullied me earlier were among them, their faces twisted with anger and jealousy.
I looked down at my plate, my appetite gone. This wasn't the kind of attention I wanted. I had spent my whole life trying to blend in, to stay unnoticed. And now, thanks to Magnus, I was in the spotlight, whether I liked it or not.
From across the room, I saw Magnus glance in my direction, his silver eyes softening when they met mine. He gave me a small nod, as if to reassure me that everything would be okay. But I wasn't so sure. How could I handle all of this? How could I possibly fit into his world when I didn't even feel like I belonged in my own pack?
The Old Alpha continued to speak, but I barely heard his words. My mind was spinning, and all I could think about was how much my life had changed in just a few short hours. This morning, I was just Aria Winters, the poor girl who worked to support her sick mother and little brother. Now... I was the mate of the Lycan King.
As the Old Alpha finished his speech, I felt the crowd's attention shift back to their conversations. Slowly, the hall filled with chatter once again, but the air was different now. I could feel the weight of their expectations pressing down on me, and it was suffocating.
Before I could even take a breath, Magnus was by my side again. His presence was comforting, and I felt some of the tension in my chest ease.
"Are you alright?" he asked quietly, his hand resting gently on my shoulder.
I nodded, though I wasn't sure if I was telling the truth. "I... I don't know what to say," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
He smiled softly. "You don't have to say anything right now," he said. "Just breathe. Take things one step at a time."
I looked up at him, feeling a strange sense of calm wash over me. He seemed so sure of everything, so certain that things would work out. And maybe, just maybe, I could trust that too.
"Come," he said, holding out his hand to me. "Let's get some air."
I took his hand, the warmth of his touch soothing my frayed nerves. As we stepped outside into the cool night air, I couldn't help but wonder if this was all just a dream. If it was, I wasn't sure I wanted to wake up.