After breakfast, Grayson was giving me a tour of the huge castle, which was just getting even more beautiful. My favourite part had to be the huge ballroom, he did tell me when I first arrived that I'd love it. It has huge with murals on the ceiling, it had gold statues it was beautiful. The last part of the tour was the garden, he said he thinks I'll also like this part too. The doors open my mouth also hanging open, I couldn't believe my eyes! I stop at the door just staring at the beautiful garden in front of me, I think this might have topped the ballroom.

"The garden was always my mothers favourite, so my father would add more and more to make her love it more" he smiles standing beside me "I confess I have let it go a little, the gardeners make it look great but I've just forgotten about it since she left" he sighs looking down at the ground, I don't know what's happened to his mother or father for that matter, but it to seems make him sad.

I reach over taking his hand in mine causing him to look up, I send him a sympathetic smile which he soon returns but also places a kiss on my hand. The sparks that erupted felt as though fireworks were dancing over my skin, I send him another smile as he looks at the garden once more.

"As you also like it so much, I think I'm going to take a leaf out my fathers book and start adding things, with your help of course" he smiles looking to the side at me, I just nod agreeing with him "my mother loved this bench up here, she would spend hours just looking at the flowers" he explains as a brown bench comes into view, a circle of rose bushes well circled it.

He leads me to the little bench both of us sitting down, we sat silent for a few minutes the only sounds were the birds chirping in the trees. This garden reminded me of a similar garden at the first pack I was in, wasn't as beautiful through. When I was really little my mum used to take me and Kyle for walks around, we'd sit and have picnics on the hotter days. That's what made me fall in love with nature I think, when we would go out with our mum on that day she would be a completely different person. When she was around other people in our family, she would just blank our existence. I didn't know why then but I also don't know why now, I thought when I got older I would start to understand why my parents made the decisions they did, but I still don't understand them. They acted as though they didn't have kids or when we were around them, it was as though we were just an inconvenience. Why have children if you're just gonna treat them like that?

Kyle always tells me that we don't have any parents, we used to but they're long gone now that's why we need to stay together. I should ask when is it okay to speak to Kyle, I hope he's not too annoyed that I haven't spoke to him yet, I mean it hasn't even been 24 hours if I'm honest.

"Yesterday, I spoke with your old Alpha and he proceeded to tell me-" Grayson starts to speak but is cut off by his phone, he sighs apologising before quickly answering the phone "I told you not to disturb me today, I couldn't care less what those delinquents think, I'm spending the day with my mate" he says into the phone, I didn't want to make it seem like I was earwigging so I look to the side.

He soon hangs up the phone with a sigh looking at me, he sends me a soft smile slipping his phone into his pocket.

"My love, as much as it pains me to say I have to work for a few hours, I apologise that we can't spend the whole day together but I promise I'll make it up to you" he sighs looking at me with sad eyes , I take his hands in mine sending him a smile.

"It's okay, you're king your work is so important that sometimes you can't help but get pulled away, anyway we have a whole lifetime to spend time together" I smile which immediately makes a huge smile fill his face.

"You don't understand how incredible it is to hear you say that, this won't be a regular occurrence after today I'm telling them delinquents when I'm with my mate, nothing is pulling me away" he smiles pulling me closer to him, which meant our faces were now inches from each other "you won't be alone my love, my Beta Josh's mate Daisy will be here with you" he smiles our faces even closer than before, a tiny piece of fear makes it way through me at first but I shake it off, I need to try and push this whole afraid to talk thing to the side, I'm queen now I need to start acting like one.

"Oh that's gonna be nice, try not take too long though please" I smile, I was gonna be strong and try my hardest but I still didn't want him away for too long.

"I promise I'll be as quickly as I can" he smiles leaning forward placing a single kiss on my head, he places his hand on my cheek rubbing his thumb over it for a few seconds before rising to his feet walking away.

I sit at the bench watching him leave as the other side of me a feel a persons presence, I turn my head to see a young girl, maybe a little older than me stood there. She looks nervous playing with her hands, I'm gonna take a guess and say this must be Daisy.

"Daisy?" I ask having built up the courage to speak, she immediately looks up nodding her head but looks back to the ground "you can come sit with me if you like, I promise I don't bite" I smile a part of me wanting her to feel as welcoming as possible, I didn't know how I was getting this much courage to speak so freely.

"Thank you your majesty, I'm sorry I'm so nervous I'm not that good around a new people, I'm sorry I'm talking too much I'll stop" she rambles taking a seat beside me, she's acting how I act around new people!

"Okay first off, call me Clara your majesty is very formal and second, you don't have to be nervous trust me I know what that's like, you're looking at one of the pro nervous people" I laugh making her look up, she nods looking kind of surprised at me "I'm not really much of a talker, honestly I never start a conversation or keep a very good one with new people, so it just shows what kind of person you must be if I'm comfortable talking with you like this" I smile at Daisy who was just smiling from ear to ear, it seemed she was getting more comfortable with me.

"I'm the same! It's like I just freeze when I'm around people I don't know, I have no idea why but I can't help it!" She exclaims turning to actually look at me, before she would look at me but her eyes would soon dart to the floor "I thought I was the only one that gets like this, it's so great to hear other people go through the same thing as me!" She says happily, I just nod understanding exactly where she was coming from.

"This last day I've learnt you've just got to try and jump in the deep end, yes it's hard but look at us, we're here having a full conversation" I smile she nods sitting back on the bench "I can see that you and me are gonna friends" I smile which makes her sit up with hopeful eyes.

"That would be amazing! I had a few friends back at my old pack but once I met Josh I had to leave, no one here is my age and I'm too afraid to talk to the men who are so you saying that is actually great!" She smiles happily but looks at me worried for a second, I shake my head smiling.

"I agree fully" I smile which makes her wrap her arms around me in a tight hug thanking me.

I made a true life long friend that day.

Daisy and I sat there and chatted for awhile, she was actually super nice and told me what to expect when living here. She also told me about her family and where she comes from, she was born in America but moved to the uk when she was 5. Her family quickly settled into a pack a few hours away, she doesn't get to see her family much now she's with Josh. As Josh is Grayson's beta he can't be away from this place for very long, but Josh doesn't want Daisy to be away from him so she just has so wait until he can get a few days off.

She was actually being so open with me, she told me how lonely she's felt since she moved here. She said she's so happy that she's found Josh and wouldn't change it for the world, but as he's always working here she's alone as she doesn't have any friends. I told her how that's all changing now I'm here, honestly she would be helping me because I'd be just like her if she wasn't here.

She was just telling me what happened the first time she arrived here, apparently she was so nervous to meet Grayson she tripped over air and busted her face up. It did prevent her meeting Grayson for awhile as her face needed to heal, when she went to meet him again it was fine at first until they sat down for food. She once again was so nervous that she nearly choked on her food, she said she's not that nervous around Grayson anymore. We were both laughing at her story as I feel people walking over.

"I see you two are getting on" a male voice says, I look over and see Grayson with another man standing there, I'm gonna guess this is Josh.

"Yeah it's been really fun, it's the first time in ages that I've enjoyed myself here" Daisy says as we both get up walking over to the guys, Grayson was just smiling at me as I get closer.

"Ouch" Josh says holding his heart, Daisy just hits his arm saying you know what I mean, while Grayson puts his arm around my shoulders pulling me to stand next to him "we best be getting off anyway Das, it's been lovely meeting you Clara" Josh smiles at me, wait did we actually meet cause we didn't even speak to each other?

I send him a smile and a wave before he and Daisy begin to walk away, Grayson looks down at me smiling which I return.

"On with the tour!" He smiles pulling me towards the castle, I laugh shaking my head at him as I'm taken into the castle.

The next few hours were just full of tours of the different places around the castle, I've seen the huge kitchen which I'm not kidding, around hundred people were busy cooking. There was also a huge library which had thousands of books, I do love reading so this is probably where I'm gonna spend a majority of my time.

We were now walking down a long hallway of paintings, the ones at the start of the hall seemed to be really old. I take a glance to the little plaque hanging on one of them, it was dated to 1789! They were all of what looked families, obviously royal families as they all wore crowns or tiaras. We come to a stop on the final photo, checking the date it was dated back to 1999, well that's a huge jump from the one I saw down the hall.

"These are the family portraits, every generation of king and queen are here with their children" he explains pointing down the hall, aww it's like a family tradition "this is my parents and I" he says turning to look at the last photo from the hall, I turn looking at the little boy who I now know is Grayson.

He wore a little blue suit and a little crown on his head, he was adorable. I glance up to his mother who was very pretty, she wore a white dress with a tiara, she looked like she would be a really kind person. Than my eyes drift to his father, he didn't look that nice it was his eyes, he wore a black suit with a big crown on the top of his head. My eyes soon go back down to little Grayson but then I notice something, his fathers hand on his shoulder but the way the suit was under his hand, made it seem like he was literally holding him there, not in a nice way either.

"When we get married and have children, our portrait will go here" he smiles pointing to a blank space beside his family's one, this immediately makes me gulp just thinking about having children, I don't think I'm ready yet.

Grayson looks over at me staring at the blank wall, I think something clicks in his mind as he reaches over taking my hand, which actually snaps me out of whatever trance I was in.

"Hey, we won't do any of that until you are completely ready, take as much time as you need" he says rubbing his thumb over my hand "when we eventually do those things, we don't have to have children for years so do not worry, also I'm not ready to become a father yet either" he says looking at me, I smile placing a kiss on his forehead as a thank you.

"I think it's time for dinner, don't you?" He asks with a smile, before I could answer my stomach rumbling answers for me "I'll take that as a yes" he smiles holding his arm out, I shake my head taking his arm as he led me out the long hallway and away from his dads scary eyes. Which I came to find out, I'd be seeing and hearing about more of those scary eyes.

We had just finished dinner and were talking at the table, when the door knocks a man walks in quickly followed by Josh, who looked rather annoyed.

"Sorry to disturb you sir, but we have an important matter to discus that you were putting off back at the meeting" the man says bowing his head a little at the start.

"Sorry Gray, I tried telling him that you wanted to wait until Clara was ready to face crowds" Josh joins the conversation pushing the dude to the side, whoa it seems they don't really like each other.

I look to Grayson sending him a questioning look, but before he could answer my question I asked with my eyes the dude spoke up again.

"It's tradition, you can't just bypass that and do your own thing, your father would want you to-" the dude starts to say, but Grayson is quick to cut the dude off mid-sentence.

"My father isn't here!" He shouts causing everyone to jump in shock, especially me, I so wanted to speak and ask what was going on but that dude being here was causing me to not want to speak.

Gray looks over at my face, somehow knowing I wanted to speak but also not wanting to in front of the men.

"Give us a moment" he says turning to the two men, the dude bows his head walking out the door while Josh mouths sorry following him out "You wanted to speak my love" he asks with a little smile, I just nod waiting until the door was fully closed.

"What are they talking about?" I ask knowing I could have easily asked that question with those men in here, but I just wasn't ready for that.

"It's tradition as he said, for when a king finds his mate he is to present her to his people on the main balcony of the castle, in most cases the king presents his mate to his people today, but I do not want to rush into anything you are not comfortable with doing" he tells me which was sweet, the people he had a meeting with earlier probably kept going on about the matter and he held out for me.

"Would I have to speak to anyone?" I ask getting an idea, he shakes his head giving me a look "then why not do it tonight, I mean it'll get that weird man off your back and it will be keeping with the tradition" I suggest wanting to help him out, his face lights up where he reaches across the table taking my hand.

"Are you sure you are ready my love?" He asks, I nod my head with a smile as he places a kiss on my head while calling the two men back in "we have decided we will do the presenting of the queen tonight, I can trust you'll do what you need to set it up" he says the annoying man nodding beginning to walk backwards.

"Of course sir, the queen will have to go and get fitted for the dress she will wear" the man says looking over at me, Gray looks at me while Josh speaks up.

"Daisy will go with you Clara, she asked to help when she heard what needs to happen" he says which makes me smile, at least I'll be with someone I'm comfortable with.

I smile sending a nod to Grayson who agrees and tells everyone to get it all done, the next few hours were rather hectic.

For the next few hours, I was stood up straight on a little platform thing with two woman poking and prodding me. Daisy was there the whole time though keeping me company, I felt I could have a full conversation with her as the two woman were wrapped up discussing sizes and poking me!

The two woman leave for awhile telling us not to leave the room, this gave me and Daisy time to do our hair and makeup, which wasn't a lot as she said I didn't need to wear any. They return with a full dress where they asked who would help me put it on. I immediately look at Daisy who nods causing the two woman to leave, I sincerely didn't want one of them poking me again.

"You're gonna look amazing Clara" Daisy smiles going back to do the back up, I mean it was absolutely beautiful, probably the nicest thing I've ever worn.

It was light blue with a kind of corset top, it was short at the front but longer at the back. The detailing was also beautiful, it had pink roses over the whole thing, again it was beautiful.

"This whole thing is really technical, the king having to present his mate to his people" I say as she continues to do my dress up and the back.

"Yeah I know, but Josh told me it was tradition and people around here love their traditions" she laughs eventually managing to do the dress up "but it will be nice so everyone can see who their queen is" she tells me while handing me a pair of high heels.

"My old pack knows, they probably told people who told other people" I start to say but she shakes her head, also handing me a pair of earrings.

"Nope, they were told they aren't allowed to tell anyone that you're queen, all communications to other packs have been cut off until this happens" she tells me, now handing me a bracelet while putting a necklace on me.

That's probably why Kyle hasn't contacted me yet, he physically can't! I thought he was just mad at me or something, well he probably is that too. I turn to look at myself in the mirror but I didn't recognise myself, I don't think I've ever looked this good before!

"Now let's show your people who their new queen is" Daisy smiles behind me placing her hands on my shoulders, I send her a smile through the mirror nodding.

We begin to make our way out the room and down the hall, Daisy knew where she was going so I just followed her. I wasn't as nervous as I thought I'd be, the whole nation is gonna be looking and judging me but I didn't care, I knew Grayson would be by my side so nothing else mattered. We turn down a corridor that I actually hadn't been down, Grayson must have forgotten to take me down here. There were double doors which I think led out to the balcony Grayson was talking about, there's probably thousands of people stood out there waiting. Grayson stood talking with Josh but somehow senses we're here, he turns his head where his eyes just go wide looking at me. I mean he looked amazing in a black suit, actually I don't think I've seen him in anything but a suit. Daisy and I make our way over to the guys, Grayson didn't look away from me until I was stood in front of him.

"My love, you look incredible" he tells me looking me up and down, I smile thanking him while he still stood there somewhat gobsmacked.

"You look amazing too" I tell him smiling, he went to speak but a short man wearing a grey suit walks over behind him speaks before he could.

"When you're ready sir," he says bowing his head at the start, everyone but Josh and Daisy bow their heads when they talk to Grayson, I think it's to show him some kind of respect.

Gray just nods to the man who walks away, I take a look at the closed double doors. When I walk through them all eyes are gonna be on me, that's not intimating at all! Gray takes my hand causing me to look away from the doors.

"I'll be right beside you" he smiles, I nod with a smile feeling the tiniest better "now you need to wait here until I say your name, then all you need to do is put that smile on your beautiful face and stand beside me, okay?" He asks placing his hands on my shoulders, I nod going over the steps in my head so I didn't mess up.

He smiles walking towards the two doors which were soon opened, immediately loud cheers and claps erupted from outside. I didn't focus on that but on the steps he told me, I couldn't mess this up.

"Good evening everyone, thank you for coming today to witness this tremendous occasion, I will presenting my incredible mate to you all as your new queen" he starts his speak, I didn't know how he has the courage to talk to all of them people, but I guess it's his job.

The man from before smiles at me, he directs me to walk up the few steps outside the door, this meant I was about to walk out. All I need to do is smile and stand beside Grayson, that's easy and impossible to mess up.

"Now with no further or do, I would like to present my mate, your queen, Queen Clara Jacobs" his voice says, I look to the man who nods telling me to go.

I put the smile on my face beginning to walk out to the balcony, immediately the cheers and claps erupt from the thousands of people down there. In no time I arrive to stand beside Grayson, who was just smiling from ear to ear. Once I stop he places his arm around my waist pulling me towards him, this actually helped being close to him. I look down at the people clapping and cheering, little children were at the bottom waving up at me. I start to wave at them with a smile which makes them jump up and down, aww how cute.

"You're doing incredible my love" Gray whispers leaning down to my ear, I look up at him smiling but soon turn back to the crowd which hadn't even got a bit quieter "once again thank you for coming, now the queen and I must be going, goodbye" he smiles before turning around, he holds his arm up that I take as he leads me back into the double doors.

The cheers and claps didn't end even when the doors where closed, they were just more drowned out but you could still hear them. Once we walk down the stairs I relax but was so happy with myself that I actually did that, I can't believe I managed to stand out on the balcony with all those people looking at me but I'm glad I did.

"Well done Clara! You did amazing" Daisy smiles wrapping me in a hug, I thank her hugging back as Josh walks up.

"Yep you're a natural, now this is when the real work starts" he smiles looking up at Grayson, I look over sending him a questioning look.

"Yes, this is where I will come in" the guy from before smiles bowing his head and Gray and I.

"My love, this is your royal advisor, Mason Thomas" Gray smiles pointing to the guy, I can stop calling him the guy from before now.

"My job is to assist you on all your jobs as queen, I'll keep you moving and sort your schedule, we're going to be spending most days together" he smiles bowing his head once again, wait I'm gonna be spending most of my time with him! Well he seems nice enough.

Gray is pulled away a little by Josh, which meant Mason and I were alone talking. Come on Clara you're queen, start acting like one.

"I didn't even know I'd get an advisor, what kind of work and schedule will I have?" I ask actually speaking, yes girl!

"You'll have your royal duties as queen, as like the king you have duties you must do, yours are more for the people" he explains smiling, that's means talking to even more people but it's okay I can do it....I think "I'd take the rest of this week easy ma'am, after your coronation at the end of the week, you'll be rushed off your feet for awhile" he smiles which was new information for me, I have to have a coronation?

"By the look on your face I can assume you knew none of this" he smiles while I just nod my head "it's quite a simple ceremony, you'll be crowed as queen by the king beside you and that's it" he smiles making it sound simple, but I knew not many things in this place were simple.

"And after my coronation is when my duties will start as queen?" I ask which he nods to smiling "gosh this is all very technical" I laugh a little, he nods smiling looking to the ground.

"That's why I'm here ma'am, now if I may, I suggest you were clothes that will cover your neck just until you're marked" he smiles placing his hands behind his back, I send him a questioning look not understand why "well you'll be the centre of attention ma'am, the press will have a field day with the small matter of you not being marked and not at the important visits you'll be making" he explains which totally makes sense, let's hope I can find some nice things to cover my neck with.

"Well I guess I'll need to invest in some turtle necks and scarfs for the time being" I laugh which also makes him laugh too "well I can already tell it's going to be a pleasure to work with you" I smile as I see Gray start to make his way back over.

"The pleasure will be all mine ma'am, have a lovely rest of your evening" he smiles bowing his head before walking way.

Gray walks over smiling down at me, I can't believe I just did all that. Daisy shouts something about a party before I'm pulled away by Gray, to an apparent party.

~~~

•Minutes before Clara is presented as Queen•

"This thing will be on in a minute, hurry up!" Cyrus screams through the room, his voice so loud that a few things shook.

Cyrus was the kind of man you wouldn't want to mess with, he's very old school in his ways in more ways than others. He had let himself go in his old age, he had a round beer like belly and a shabby beard, with a temper that could scare anyone.

"We were just making snacks, why is this so important anyway?" His wife Alison asks walking in with a plate of stuff.

She on the other hand was completely different to her husband, while he let himself go she took pride in herself. She always wore the latest clothes and never went out the house looking nothing less of perfect.

"They're about to present the new queen, it's something everyone should watch speaking of everyone, where's Wes and Melissa?" He asks opening another can of beer, as he gulped the liquor down most of it feel on his chest.

"Right here calm it" Wes says walking beside his wife Melissa, Melissa like always not making eye contact with Cyrus.

She was one of the many people scared of Cyrus, she had to deal with him though as Cyrus was Wes's older brother. She also knew what his temper was like and didn't want to test him, remembering what happened last time she attempted that very thing. Her husband Wes was an out going man, he was always considered as a people person. While she was was completely different, she was more reserved and only spoke when she was spoken to.

"Alright shut its on!" Cyrus shouts throwing the empty can of beer at the wall, he knew someone was going to pick that up for him.

"Good evening everyone-" the king began to speak as Cyrus spoke up again interrupting the others from hearing.

"Ha just imagine it's your daughter haha" he laughs shoving food in his cake hole, like always most of it falling in his went top.

Melissa looks to the floor on hearing about her daughter, there isn't a day that goes by that she doesn't think of her children. Her and Wes have two children, a boy and a girl, Cyrus wasn't happy when they came along, he would tell them how their kids were just distractions from what was really important. One day when her kids were still young Cyrus gave them a choice, either he kill their children or they abandon them. Obviously they chose to leave them so he wouldn't try to hurt their kids, it was the hardest thing they've ever had to do.

The king speaking once again catches everyone's attention, he was about to announce who was to be the new queen.

"Now with no further or do, I would like to present my mate, your queen, Queen Clara Jacobs" the king says with a smile, beer immediately spills from Cyrus's mouth as the new queen began to walk out the doors.

"My baby" Melissa whispers tears pricking her eyes, she looks to Wes who also looked as though he was going to cry.

The king and queen stand there for a few minutes waving at some people, Melissa couldn't take her eyes off Clara, she looked so grown up. Eventually they wave goodbye and make their way back into the doors, which were closed behind them.

The room was silent, just the sound of the cheers from the tv fill the room. Cyrus rising from his seat looking back at Melissa and Wes.

"You need to get in contact with her, this could be incredible just the thing we need to boost the business!" He cheers happily, this immediately makes something change in Melissa.

"No, we won't be doing anything of the sort! You made us send her and her brother away because they got in your way! But now you find out she's queen you want to act like a devoting uncle! Screw you! You can stay away from my children!" She screams at him, he like everyone else on the room was taken back from her outburst "before you tell me you'll write to her, she probably remembers you and as soon as she sees your name she rip the letter up! I haven't gone through years of hell being away from my children, for you to try and worm your way into her life again! Over my dead body!" She once again screams before walking out the room, leaving everyone in there frozen from shock.