Chapter 4: Preparing to Welcome the Lycan King

[Margaret's POV] The following morning, I relayed the news to Elizabeth regarding the imminent arrival of the Lycan King. She was seated at the dining table, wearing a rather revealing outfit, her attention seemingly occupied by the simple task of spreading butter onto a slice of bread. Her absentminded demeanor indicated she was hardly paying attention to what I was saying. Observing her exposed flat stomach and pale, unblemished skin, I felt compelled to repeat myself. "The Lycan King is visiting our pack next week. A welcome ceremony must be arranged, and as the Luna of this pack, it is your responsibility to oversee it. Are you even listening, Elizabeth?" Her expression changed slightly, but her priorities remained elsewhere. "Next week? What about my succession ceremony?" I had to resist the urge to roll my eyes. This was typical of Elizabeth. She had always been self-centered, a trait undoubtedly nurtured by our indulgent parents. "Perhaps it can be scheduled after we receive the werewolf royal family and host the Lycan King. That should be our primary focus right now. Moreover, Armstrong should return by then, and I’m sure he will be glad to attend your Luna inauguration ceremony." It took considerable restraint to maintain a composed tone while saying this. Elizabeth’s interest visibly peaked at the mention of the royal family. "The werewolf royal family? They are coming? Will they attend my Luna inauguration ceremony?" "Perhaps," I answered noncommittally. She leaned in, eyes alight with excitement. "What about the Lycan King? Will he attend too?" Recalling Armstrong’s words, I nodded. "I believe so." Elizabeth’s face flushed, her excitement intensifying. "Oh my goodness! The Lycan King! I've heard that the royal family members are not only tall and powerful but also incredibly skilled in… well, let’s just say they are every woman's fantasy. It is said that pure-blooded members of the royal family possess unique abilities. The Lycan King himself is rumored to be extraordinary! And he’s going to be at my inauguration!" I refrained from responding. I had little interest in such frivolous notions. All I hoped for was that her enthusiasm would translate into her taking the welcome ceremony seriously. "That settles it! I need to find the perfect attire for my inauguration. The moment he lays eyes on me, I want to make an impression!" Elizabeth exclaimed before hurrying out of the room, leaving her breakfast forgotten. I sighed, attempting to call after her. "Elizabeth…" It was pointless. She was gone. I clenched my fists in frustration. "So that’s it? You’re leaving everything to me? I am not the Luna of this pack!" Annoyance simmered within me. She had completely dismissed the conversation, showing no inclination to take responsibility. A few moments later, to my surprise, Elizabeth re-entered the room. For a fleeting second, I thought she had reconsidered. She ran a hand through her thick, golden locks, an undeniably seductive gesture. Any man watching would be enraptured by the sight. The possibility that Armstrong might be one of them only deepened my irritation. "Oh, I almost forgot. You and Anthony should take care of the arrangements for the Lycan King’s reception." I stiffened. "What? I do not agree with this, Elizabeth." She simply waved a hand dismissively. "Armstrong is away, and Anthony is his Beta. I am the Luna, and I have the authority to delegate responsibilities as I see fit." I could hardly believe her audacity. "If you have any concerns, feel free to discuss them with him," she added before turning on her heel and leaving without a second glance. I was left seething in her wake. Despite my frustration, I had no choice but to proceed with the preparations. Anthony and I sat together at the long dining table, meticulously discussing every detail of the reception. The problem was that Armstrong had only informed us that the Lycan King would arrive next week but had not provided a specific date or time. This meant we had to remain vigilant and prepared at all times. To accommodate this uncertainty, we devised a plan to keep meals ready throughout the day. Lunch, dinner, and even afternoon tea, along with an assortment of desserts, would be readily available. We arranged for rooms to be prepared in advance, reserving the grandest and most luxurious chamber for the Lycan King himself. Additionally, we selected a team of skilled cooks and attendants to cater exclusively to the royal family. Anthony also proposed reinforcing security. He suggested extending the perimeter patrols and increasing surveillance to ensure a seamless and secure reception. These tasks were neither simple nor easy. Both of us were utterly exhausted, our rest reduced to mere fragments of sleep. Elizabeth, on the other hand, contributed nothing constructive. Instead, she continuously bombarded us with fanciful suggestions that disrupted our workflow. Each time, I had to painstakingly explain why her ideas were impractical, why her inauguration and the Lycan King’s reception could not take place simultaneously, and why her desire to wear an excessively short dress to the event was inappropriate. Dealing with Elizabeth was draining, but amidst all this, Anthony proved to be an invaluable partner. He was, without a doubt, the most competent Beta in our tribe. Our teamwork allowed us to progress swiftly, and for that, I was grateful. Yet, I could not ignore the way his eyes always seemed to linger on Elizabeth whenever she appeared. There was a spark in his gaze, one that was hard to miss. I had a feeling that Elizabeth was not entirely truthful about her intentions. It felt less like Anthony was vying for my attention and more like Elizabeth was deliberately trying to incite his interest in me. Every time she entered the room, Anthony would entertain her ridiculous ideas without hesitation. It was as if her mere presence rendered him incapable of rational thought. I pushed these distractions aside and focused on the task at hand. The Lycan King’s arrival was of utmost importance, and I had no time to be drawn into Elizabeth’s games. No matter how much work lay ahead, I was determined to ensure that everything was executed flawlessly. The Lycan King would be welcomed with the honor and respect befitting his title. Even if I had to do it all myself.