Alpha's STOLEN Mate (by Abigail Hayes) novel Chapter 229

Chapter 229

Elowen

I stepped into the Lunar Sanctuary, and the sight stole my breath.

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The space was impossibly grand-carved into a natural amphitheater with a massive pool at its center. Rising from the water stood an

enormous statue of the Moon Goddess herself, easily thirty feet tall, rendered in pale stone that seemed to glow from within. Behind her,

the full moon hung in the sky, its light almost entirely blocked by the statue’s broad back, casting the Goddess’s face and front in deep

shadow.

Before the statue, elevated on a stone platform, sat two thrones. Two magnificent seats of power.

Kaius occupied one of them, waiting. Even from this distance, I could see his silhouette-regal, commanding, perfectly still.

The thrones were positioned at the top of a grand staircase, elevated above an expansive audience area. A path embedded with precious stones-sapphires, moonstones, diamonds-created a glittering walkway from the entrance straight to the thrones. The audience areas were darker, lit by torches that created dancing shadows and pools of warm light where hundreds of supernatural dignitaries sat in

carefully arranged order of importance.

I took it all in-the scale, the drama, the sheer theatrical magnificence-and felt my nervousness transform into something else entirely.

God. A smile spread across my face. This is it. This is where I belong.

How could anything less than this-this spectacular, awe-inspiring display-be worthy of my coronation as Queen?

I straightened my spine, lifted my chin, and began to walk.

Each step sent light cascading across my dress-the torchlight caught in the crystals embedded in the pathway, reflecting upward, making my white gown shimmer and glow as if I were walking through starlight itself.

The audience reacted immediately.

“My God,” someone breathed, the words carrying in the sudden hush. “She looks like the Moon Goddess incarnate!*

‘I had doubts about her choice of dress,” another voice admitted. “All that talk about wearing a human wedding gown instead of traditional robes-I thought it was disrespectful. But now… I take it all back. She’s absolutely radiant!*

“We are blessed,” an elderly voice proclaimed. “To witness such a Queen in our lifetime-what an honor!”

The praise washed over me like warm honey. I let it fuel my steps, my confidence building with each word of admiration.

Frost guided me up the stairs with perfect ceremony, his movements precise and elegant. When we reached the top, I finally got a clear

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Chapter 229

view of the two thrones.

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They were completely different from each other.

Kaius’s throne was carved from black obsidian-dark, imposing, all sharp angles and commanding presence. A king’s seat, unmistakably.

The throne beside it-my throne-was crafted entirely from moonstone. Silver-white and luminous even in the dim light, with curves and

flowing lines that suggested both grace and strength. A Queen’s seat.

They were perfect. Complementary opposites. Equal in grandeur but distinctly their own.

Kaius stood as I approached, offering me a small nod and an encouraging smile. His eyes held pride, affection, and something that looked

like relief.

I smiled back, grateful. I misjudged you, I thought. This whole production—it really is made for me.

Frost descended back to the audience, leaving me standing beside Kaius in front of the Chief Elder Faelan, who had taken position at the

center of the platform.

Faelan cleared his throat, his voice projecting with surprising strength across the sanctuary.

“The Queen and King stand before the sacred thrones-symbols of our kingdom’s eternal legacy! They will ascend these seats together and

receive your blessings!”

Applause erupted—genuine, thunderous approval from hundreds of voices.

I felt myself relaxing. The ceremony, the grandeur, the obvious reverence-it was all coming together perfectly.

Faelan raised his hands for silence. “But before that sacred moment, we must complete the Queen’s coronation trial!”

My stomach dropped slightly.

“King Kaius-please step aside. This stage belongs to Queen Elowen alone.”

Kaius gave me a quick thumbs-up gesture, mouthed “you’ve got this,” and descended the stairs, disappearing into the audience.

Suddenly, I felt very exposed.

Faelan turned to me, his expression kind but formal. “Queen Elowen, please proceed to the center of the pool and receive the Moon

Goddess’s blessing.”

He pointed toward a spot in the middle of the water-directly in front of the statue, in the deepest shadow.

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