Prologue
Noelle Remington lay on her side, staring at the wall across the room. Pictures of her family stared back at her. How much her life had changed over the last several years, but she loved it. Loved her little family, and loved her big family.
Today, though, everything would again change, and she was both excited and nervous about it. Today, she would take over as the head. She would become the Alpha of Regal Eclipse and the Alpha Queen of all Werewolves. The stodgy old Alphas wouldn’t approve.
“You need a distraction, Darling?”
His voice still affected her in all the right ways. His accent was still prominent, and it sent shivers down her spine. Even after all of this time, it didn’t take much for him to arouse her, for him to make her do whatever he wanted. She may be his Alpha, but she had no problem submitting to him.
“Always,” she whispered. She wasn’t facing him, and she felt him scoot up against her back, his bare, muscled chest that she knew so well pressed up against her.
His hands crept around her and closed around her bare breasts, rhythmically stroking them, and arousing her more. He knew exactly how to please her, and she would enjoy every second of it. Nick could distract her at any second of the day, and she welcomed every one of those distractions.
Soon, he was over her and in her, moving at an even pace as they locked eyes with each other. He picked up his speed, slamming into her much harder and causing her to gasp at the intensity, before she tipped over the edge, pulling him with her.
He collapsed on top of her for a brief moment. “I love you so much, Noelle.”
“I love you,” she whispered back.
He kissed her deeply with all of his love, then rolled off of her.
She lay still for a moment, then sighed. “I guess I need to get up and start getting ready.”
“It’s just one day. Tonight, we’ll be back here alone, and I’ll bury myself inside your sweet body again,” Nick promised.
She looked at him with a smile. “I’m holding you to that.”
He smiled. “Hope so.”
Noelle climbed out of bed and headed into the bathroom to shower. This whole entire ceremony had been in the works for months, everything meticulously planned down to the last detail.
Guests had been arriving for the last few days, using the housing that had been built for the last crowning ceremony. Her mother’s ceremony. It had all been fully updated and made to look brand new.
Another ceremony wouldn’t be held until her own heir was crowned. Who knew when that would be, though Noelle highly doubted she’d rule as long as her own father had. Of course, he’d been much older when he’d found his mate and she’d given birth to Noelle, his heir.
Noelle had been in her forties when she’d given birth, her heir now twenty-five. Her father had been over three hundred years old when she was born.
She finished up her shower and threw on some sweats and a T-shirt before heading back out into her bedroom. Nick was up and dressed as well, in something similar to what she was wearing.
“I’m going to take Natalia with me down to hang out for a bit in the gaming room. I’ll bring her to you later,” Nick said.
Noelle nodded and took a deep breath. She could feel the nerves creeping back up.
Nick crossed the room to her and pulled her into his arms. “Relax.”
She felt herself calm down at his touch and sighed. “I may need you to come do this periodically so I don’t freak.”
He laughed. “If that’s what you need, let me know.”
“Why aren’t you nervous?” He was perfectly calm. She could feel it through their bond.
“I’m not going to be the center of attention,” he said.
“You sort of are,” she told him with a laugh.
“This is my third crowning ceremony, too,” he said.
“Yeah, but you weren’t on stage.”
“Nope. But I’ll gladly be up there with you,” he responded, kissing her softly. “You need to get going.”
“Ugh. Don’t remind me,” she muttered. She followed him out of their bedroom and down to Natalia’s room, where she was lying on her bed, reading a book.
Noelle smiled at her daughter. Natalia was only eleven, but she had already developed a major love for books, and always had her nose in one.
She looked up. “Today’s the day.”
“Yes, it is,” Noelle agreed.
“Are you nervous?” Natalia asked her.
Noelle glanced at Nick. “A little. But it’s just one day.”
“Come on, Nat. You and I are going down to the game room for a while to blow off some steam while Mom goes to start to get ready,” Nick said.
She smiled happily. “You and me?”
“Of course, Princess,” Nick smiled at her as she walked over and took his hand.
Noelle smiled as she watched the two of them go. Natalia had Nick wrapped around her little finger. She was most definitely a daddy’s girl, kind of like Noelle was herself.
She followed them out of their apartment and headed down to her father’s. She stepped inside and looked around. No one lived here anymore except her father and mother. Dad?
Hey! Where are you?
In your living room.
The door opened a moment later, and Daniel walked down the hall. She could tell he’d just showered.
“Don’t ask me if I’m ready for this. Everyone else will. Is Mom here?”
He smirked at her. “No. She’s down helping them get ready for you.”
Of course, she was. Jenna had been heavily involved in helping plan this entire thing, which Noelle had really appreciated. She was better at it, planning events, and enjoyed ironing out the details.
“Where’s Nick and Natalia?”
“He took her down to the game room to hang out until it’s time for them to get ready,” Noelle said, a little jealous. She’d much rather be doing that.
“And Kai?”
“I haven’t talked to him today,” she admitted.
“You haven’t?” Daniel frowned at her.
“Not a priority, Dad.”
“Go find your mother, and I’ll worry about Kai. I’ll see you soon.” He stepped forward and kissed her cheek.
“Am I really ready for this?” she whispered.
“More than ready. You know you are.” He smiled at her.
Noelle nodded. “Sometimes I wish I were still just your little girl, oblivious of all of this.”
He smiled. “No, you don’t. You’re too much in love with Nick for that.”
She laughed. “You’re right. Okay, I’ll see you later.” She left the apartment and headed down to where her mother was. Down to get ready for the moment she’d be in the spotlight of the entire werewolf community.
Hours passed as she sat while her hair was styled, her nails done, and then she was dressed. Nick had showed up a few times to check on her and help with her nerves. He’d finally dropped off Natalia, leaving her with Jenna and Charlotte who would dress her for the ceremony. He had to get ready himself.
Finally, she stood in front of the full length mirror, staring at herself, barely recognizing the female staring back at her. She looked like a Queen in the gold dress, the tiara sitting on her head. It would only remain for a short time though, before It would eventually be replaced with the beautiful crown her father had made just for her.
Funny thing was, she would probably only ever wear it one more time in her life and that was when she crowned her own heir. Not that she really cared.
“You look beautiful, Momma,” Natalia said, looking her over.
Noelle smiled at her. “So do you, baby girl.”
Everything began to move quickly after that, and before she knew it, she was on stage with Nick, on her knees before her father as he placed the crown on her head.
She stood and watched as every Alpha bowed before her, pledging themselves to their new Alpha. From here on out, a female would rule.
