21 21. CORONATION
Years went by but she never came back to see him. He was very bitter and everyone had tried to help him out of his depressed state.
After a while, he gave up on her. Though she still communicated with Connery, asking after him and when she requested to speak with him, he always refused.
The damage had already been done and he despised her and blamed her for everything so it would make him feel better but it didn't.
The hurt was too much and that was when he began to notice Amelia.
Amelia saved him and brought him out of the darkness and he fell in love with her on the way.
.
"I waited for you mother…I waited."
Tears pooled around his eyes and this time around he didn't hold back. The tears fell from his eyes. Pain filled his voice and it broke Valeria so much that she couldn't even speak or turn to face him.
When he had left the pack with Amelia and Spencer at their teen ages, his mother later returned back to the pack in hopes of reuniting with him only to find out from Connery that he had gone to the city to start a new life.
And when Connery told him his mother came, it came as a blow to his face and enraged him.
He went back to the pack and faced her and he said a lot of hurtful things to her that none of them really recovered from.
That was where mother and son parted ways.
But here they were again, together in one room.
Valeria faced him and he glared at her but his heart pitied her. Her lashes were wet and her face was stained with tears.
"I'm sorry for hurting you."
He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth as he tried to control himself.
He wanted to hate her so much to want to get rid of her but something in him still warmed up at her words.
He shared a very deep bond with her that ran deeper than blood and it always wanted to pull them closer.
It was her angelic side that he inherited, that part of him was what made him sane as he grew up.
"Just leave. Seeing you hurts me mother…just let me be."
"Please Reginald, I want to bond with my son." Her heart was racing and she tried to cover the distance when he glared dangerously at her with tears in his eyes.
"I rather confide in Luna Philomena or Connery than in you."
His words pierced her heart like a bullet and she blinked at him.
They stared at each other for a very long time before she turned around and walked up to the door.
When she reached the door, she halted and spoke.
"I didn't hurt you intentionally, Reginald. There was a reason why I didn't come back to you."
What she said infuriated him the more and he turned away from her and faced the window.
"I hope you confide in me Reginald because I also want to confide in you. I…need you my son, more than anything or anyone," with that, she opened the door and left.
As Reginald quietly stared out the window, he felt conflicted and totally lost on what to do.
The bitter truth was that he still needed his mother no matter what. Philomena was a mother figure all his life but the painful truth was that she wasn't his mother.
Valeria was, and that had been embedded in his heart and mind since when he was little.
*
The manor was beautified in a way that left guests speechless as they all found their way to the holy tower where the coronation would be taking place.
The holy tower was located right behind the manor and people marched in groups as they went through the entrance and took their seats.
Two armored guards were positioned on either side of the entrance all the way inside.
Inside the holy tower, there were many rows of pews and people sat comfortably on them.
However, there were galleries above, strictly kept for Alphas from other packs and family members.
Valeria sat in a separate gallery with Everand, Amelia, Aaron, Japheth and Rehab.
And in the opposite gallery was where Connery sat with Sonia, Radolf, Phoebe, Reginald and Spencer.
Their gallery was directly facing Valeria's and Valeria was able to see her son clearly.
Soon the hall of the holy tower was filled with people as they sat on the pews, excitedly waiting for the Alpha and Luna.
On the altar stood a priest and some errand boys as they prepared the rites for the coronation.
Lewis had a strong belief in God and so did his parents, that was why they decided to do his coronation in the holy tower.
Reginald was raised by Philomena so he believed there was a God above. What made him even more convinced was because his mother was an angel sent to earth by him to carry on a task.
Since there were demons, angels, witches, mermaids, vampires, and werewolves, why wouldn't there be a God? Reginald had wondered that to himself once.
Little children arranged themselves on the lower part of the altar and waited for the priest to pray.
The priest stood before all on the altar and ordered with a loud voice;
"May we all rise!"
Everyone stood up and soon after, he began to pray. Once he was done, they all did the sign of the cross before sitting down.
Silence filled the place as the priest went to take his seat so the little children clad in white garments would begin to sing.
A mature lady stood before them and raised her hand, giving them a signal before they began;
.
"Whither, pilgrim, are you going
Going each with staff in hands?
'We are going on a journey,
Going at our king's command;
Over hills and plains and valleys,
We are going to his palace,
Going to the better land'."...
.
As they kept singing, Reginald's eyes moved to the gallery across from them and his gaze rested on Amelia who had a content smile as she listened to the melodious voices of the children.
His eyes lingered on her throughout the singing till they announced the Alpha and Luna's presence.
Everyone stood up and from above, Reginald and his family with the other important guests and Alphas looked below as they watched Alpha Lewis enter the holy tower, hand in hand with his Luna.
Kareen wore a lovely white long ball gown which had touches of white roses all around.
Her hair was styled and plaited like a crown and pinned with white rose clips. She wore an expensive pearl necklace and light makeup.
A sweet and friendly smile was glued to her lips as she smiled at everyone while walking ahead.
On the other hand, Lewis wore a royal blue suit and his hair was neatly combed and styled, making some strands fall on his forehead.
His smile wasn't as broad as Kareen's but it warmed hearts.
They walked along the long red carpet in the midst of people standing on either side with smiles.
It took some time before they finally reached the altar and faced everyone.
In no time, the coronation ceremony began and everyone sat down.
Reginald smiled genuinely as he paid great attention to everything they did, from the oath taking to wearing of regalia and other prayers that were offered.
It happened so fast and exciting.
Once everything was completed, the priest finally announced what they had all been waiting for after placing both crowns on Lewis and Kareen's head.
"I hereby pronounce to you all your Alpha and Luna."
Joyous shouts and screams filled the place as the people showed how happy they were.
Ernouf and Philomena who had been sitting close to the priest smiled with happiness and were teary.
Kareen was the happiest as she exposed her beautiful white set of teeth when Lewis leaned in to kiss her on the cheek and whispered;
"Congratulations, Luna Kareen."
When he pulled away, she faced him with tearful eyes and said the same words back.
"Congratulations, Alpha Lewis."
Japheth and Rehab were overwhelmed and Phoebe even cried.
"They really make a great couple." Spencer said for only Reginald's ears and he couldn't agree more.
Without saying a word, Reginald left his seat and stepped out of the gallery. Connery didn't stop him and Spencer decided to let him be.
Away from the noise, Reginald ran his fingers through his long hair. Some strands fell to his face and he didn't bother tucking them behind his ear.
He buried his hands in his trouser pocket and walked along the quiet passageway.
