Chapter 11: Warmth of his hand
Ren had been savoring the fresh air, but the moment the crowd swelled around them, Males and females alike, it turned stifling. She halted beside Kai, her fingers twitching with unease before instinctively gripping the fabric of his sleeve. A cold shiver crawled down her spine as her gaze swept over the faces surrounding them.
The females, in particular, were anything but welcoming.
No matter how desperately she tried to push away the gnawing, ominous sense of dread, it clung to her, suffocating and inescapable. The weight of countless furious eyes bore down on her, and whether she voiced it or not, everyone could feel it, her fear. Words traveled fast, and they knew who she was.
She was sinking into a void of anxiety when, suddenly, his hand closed around hers. It was warm, steady, and unyielding. His touch anchored her, silently urging her to endure the crushing weight of the unsatisfied eyes fixed upon her.
Kai's voice cut through the tension, firm and unwavering.
"My dear people, as you all see, this is Princess Reneira Dorient—my wife. From this day forward, we are at peace with Alvonia and their king. They are our brothers, and I expect you to honor this union."
For a brief, chilling moment, silence blanketed the grand courtyard. The weight of countless unspoken words pressed down on Ren, so heavy that she scarcely registered the beauty of her surroundings. This was far graver than she had anticipated. The air itself felt charged, thick with restrained hostility.
The females' eyes burned, not with mere curiosity, but with fury. Their gazes were scorching embers of resentment, and Ren knew why. Her husband was not only powerful but beloved. Admired. Desired. And now, he belonged to her. The man they dreamed of having.
Suddenly, the suffocating silence shattered into hushed, biting whispers.
"A human as our Luna?"
Luna? The word struck her like a sharp gust of wind. Their queen, perhaps? Ren had her guesses, but she knew little of the shifters' customs; not that she had ever cared to learn.