Luna Queens Fated Mate

Chapter 8

The curtains are drawn back, and the doors are pushed open.

We stride out together, waves of excitement hit me from our people.

It takes me a minute to grasp their feelings.

Happy to have their Queen speak before them.

The chap in front addressing each and every one of us to the crowd below.

People fill the court yard, big enough to hold those who reside with in the palace walls.

As this was a meeting I called, it would be me who does all the talking.

I step forward, thanking the chap. He bows "our queen and luna." he steps back, allowing me to take the front.

I smile down at my people.

All eyes were on me.

"My people," I address them. My voice even as I speak.

"I come forward today with an announcement," I pause, letting everyone slowly rise back up as they bowed and bared their necks in submission.

Everyone still, not a single movement.

"With the passing of my late mate, I wish to thank each and every one of you for allowing me time away in such a time" I struggle to hold back the unshead tears, keeping my composure.

"My gratitude to each and every single person. I thank you all. But"

I stop even as a queen. I still get nervous, I have to push them back down.

"I wish to leave the palace and return to my former pack," I say with authority, letting my aurora flex through the pack.

Not a single noise was heard.

I could feel those behind me, shock evident. But they would not let our people see this. It would be a sign of a rifted between the royals, one I would not let the people see.

Ryder jerked, I felt his Wolf present at that moment at my words.

Stunned and shocked.

The crowd still quite too scared to speak.

I continue on, "I will not be gone forever, that I assure you of" I let out before our people become scared.

Relief washes over some, others still unsure of my motive.

"With my husband gone, I have felt a void, a longing, those of you who are mated would understand the most."

There was no time to waste now, and my people needed reassuring.

"I have not healed in the way I wish to heal. The memories of being back here are too much for me to bear."

I have always been honest with our people, our pack, so this was no different. I would not stop now.

"How long I will be gone, I do not know, I wish to heal my broken heart, so I, as your queen can continue to do right by you, our people" I wave my hands around from the royals behind then back to the crowd.

Murmurs were beginning to flow through the crowd.

Ryder let out a low growl to silence the crowd.

"I do not want to let use down. That is not my intention here, and I do hope you'll see this from my point."

This was now more aimed at Ryder standing behind me, I do not wish to engage in this mate bond that we have been going on, not yet, not until I have healed from Ajay.

The wound of losing him is too raw still.

Mate bonds are finicky things, and I know this will send his wolf into a desire to keep me around.