E very injured ally manages to join us for Noah’s King Alpha ceremony. Standing before a crowd of delighted faces, my heart softens just a bit more; despite all we’ve been through at this year’s Alpha Summit, we not only made it through, but we survived, smiling.

Although our bond courses with both of our nerves, Noah’s chest remains high, his embroidered suit catching the banquet hall’s chandelier light with silvery threads. Moon cycle patterns grace his arms and back, streamlining his broad form until he appears even taller. Celestia from Celestia Couture designed a coordinated silver, embroidered dress for me, thousands of finite stitches elevating me to queen status by merely slipping the handmade fabric over my head. Together, we stand as a united force—until it’s finally time for Noah to receive his crown.

As Viktor lifts a golden circlet off his head, my heart races. Noah briefly catches my eyes before turning to the crowd, ducking his head low for Viktor to reach. Noah’s wide form obscures his back in shadow, but as Viktor hovers the circlet over Noah’s head, it catches the light in just the right way to steal my breath; Viktor fits Noah with a wire-wrapped circlet, pristine gold braided in an intricate weave that dips into a curved point against his forehead, illuminating Noah’s dark hair in a crowning glow.

Noah flushes from the eruption of howling cheers.

I clutch my hands to my chest, unable to contain my gushing smile. You deserve it, my love. Soak it in.

Turning over his shoulder, Noah breaks into a wide smile. My heart lifts with his—until it drops to the floor.

“I have an important announcement.” Noah speaks to the crowd, but he holds his hand out for me.

The crowd falls silent, but Noah’s smile doesn’t waver. He gazes deep into my eyes as my heart hammers, urging me to glance around the room for answers. When no one seems surprised, their smiles only growing, I tame my expression; maybe I got the order of events wrong?

I’m supposed to stay back with every other wolf on the stage, giving Noah his moment until Annika steps forward with her circlet to entrust her Queen Luna title to me. But when I glance at Annika, she’s not holding her circlet at all—it’s not even on her head.

Instead, Noah guides me to his side, placing me at equal footing.

My heart lurches into my throat. Everyone important in the Lycan world watches me step forward, abandoning the process we rehearsed this afternoon. Is this really okay?

Leaning in to nuzzle my cheek, Noah wraps me in his embrace. When I turn to him with wide eyes, he presses our foreheads together, softening his voice. “It’s all okay, Luna.”

“What’s happening?” I whisper, struggling to stabilize my rocky stomach.

Noah smiles. “Keep breathing, and try your best to be open to what I’m about to say.”

As he releases me, I can’t help it; I’m confused beyond belief, and my warped forehead announces it.

But with Noah’s softening eyes, I trust it will all be okay. He glances at the crowd, but he doesn’t keep his eyes trained on them when he extends his voice for everyone to hear; his stare lands back on me, warming by the second.

Taking my hands, Noah speaks. “Everyone here agrees, Queen Luna Aliya of Greenfield Pack, that your role in protecting the life of all Lycans at this Summit was unparalleled. You may not have been a competitor, but it doesn’t feel right to me to crown you as ‘Queen Luna,’ alone.”

I can hardly breathe, looking around the room—anticipating someone to protest. But our world’s leaders continue to smile back. Turning back to Noah, I grip him tighter. “W-what?”

Undeterred by my anxiety, Noah’s grin reaches his eyes, his teal irises gleaming as brightly as his joy in our bond.

Johannes approaches Noah’s side, presenting a royal blue velvet pillow. An elegant, woven gold circlet perches atop it, designed similarly to the King Alpha’s crown.

Except this circlet has a dangling, iridescent moonstone in the center, resting above the third eye.

Noah’s fingers quiver as he lifts the crown from its velvet pillow, turning to me. “Unlike King Alphas having to fight for their title, our Queen was voted in to hold a new, never-held title—which our allies agreed upon, unanimously. While she does possess every quality of Queen Luna, I believe she also embodies a Lycan ‘King,’ at heart, fighting valiantly for the sake of our safety and love, no matter how terrifying those may be who attempt to strip that safety from us. She not only embodies this title, but she’s achieved it of her own accord. And for that, we wish to honor you, our dear Luna.”

Sharp, wracking breaths interrupt my breathing, forcing me to stoop over as my knees shake. “Noah, what? This is too—”

My voice peters out, struck by the genuine smile on Noah’s face. The tranquility in his eyes allows me to believe it; maybe I can accept this. Maybe it’s okay to stretch outside of my comfort zone, allowing myself to be thanked too.

Noah straightens, raising the circlet above my head. “As this year’s King Alpha, it’s my honor to grant an honorary title to Aliya Matsuoka of Greenfield Pack, the world’s first King Luna.”

As Noah drapes the circlet over my head, balancing it perfectly over the braids Annika and Waimārie weaved for me, howls erupt around us. The top Lycans create such a gorgeous, authentic song of gratitude that goosebumps erupt across my whole body, coating me in touched awe. With the world of Lycans cheering for me, I’m left frozen before them, unable to process my new status.

Gazing up at Noah, my voice shakes. “This is so— This is the biggest— What am I supposed to say that’s good enough, Noah?”

Gathering my face in his big hands, Noah plants soft kisses over my cheeks, smiling wider as I grip him like a lifeline. “You don’t have to do or say anything. You’re our very first King Luna, so there are no traditions to uphold. Just keep being you.”