Hades~
The rest of the Lunar Gala continued without a hitch. She didn't return moments before her name was announced.
"I introduce my new queen, Ellen Valmont of the Silverpine pack."
Applause rang out through the entire hall as Ellen walked up the dais to me. I wrapped my hand around her waist and felt her stiffen.
This would be quite fun—what I had in store for her. Kael had advised that I could be kinder and gentler with her, asking mundane things about how she was doing and whatnot. It wasn't my style, and that one moment I attempted it when I saw her visibly upset yesterday... it, at least in my opinion, backfired. I even patted her head. Nerve-racking, sweet gestures were not my forté. It was mortifying, to say the least.