273

(THESE CHAPTERS ARE FREE!!!)

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DIANE

Two days passed like a long, dream.

The sun rose bright and warm over the central square of the Delta Pack. The sky was a clear, brilliant blue, but inside my chest, everything remained cold.

Thousands of people gathered in the grand court square. Elders, pack members, warriors, and leaders from neighboring lands stood shoulder-to-shoulder. Flags hung down from the tall pillars. The crowd was silent, waiting for this… this historic moment.

The coronation of the Furmond royal heir.

Dom passed the test. Even if somehow, I wanted all these to be a joke, he did pass the test..

I stood near the front row of the elevated stage, dressed in a simple dark gown. My hands were folded together in front of me.

The chief priest stepped up to the stone altar, holding a golden velvet cushion. Sitting on top of that cushion was the ancient Seal of the Delta Pack—a heavy, polished gold crest that held authority over every piece of land, every law, and every life in this territory.

A low horn sounded through the air.

And there he was…

Dom.

Since two days I hadn't seen him. He didn't even near me. Not even a sneak.

He looked taller, broader, and more imposing than I had ever seen him.

He walked straight to the center of the altar.

The chief priest lifted the golden crown, placing it slowly onto Dom’s head.

"By the ancient rights of blood and land," the head judge’s voice boomed across the silent square, "I present to you the true bloodline heir of the Furmond realm... Alpha Dominic!"

The entire crowd dropped to their knees in unison. The noise of thousands of people shifting together echoed off the high stone walls.

The chief priest picked up the cushion, holding out the heavy Seal of the Delta Pack. "Alpha, take the seal of governance. The pack, the laws, and the territory are yours to command."

Dom reached out with his large hand. His fingers closed firmly around the seal.

Then,

Dom turned his body away from the elders. His sharp, dark eyes swept across the sea of bowed heads, searching until they landed directly on me. Who had refused to bow and was just watching.

My breath hitched in my throat. My heart gave a tight, painful throb against my ribs.

He took slow steps across the raised platform, walking straight toward the spot where I stood. Then He stopped in front of me.

Dom raised his right hand, extending the Seal of the Delta Pack directly toward my chest.

"Here… take it," Dom said, his deep voice smooth, calm, and clear enough for the elders in the front row to hear.

I stared at the gleaming gold seal, then looked up into his dark face. My lips trembled slightly.

"What are you doing?" I whispered, my voice barely above a breath.

"I am giving you what belongs to you," Dom replied, his gaze unwavering. "These… these people… I can't. I'm hot tempered. I'm a dirty man with rough works. I don't have patience. You…. You are the one who knows how to lead these people. You are the one with a heart good enough to carry this burden. I am not a ruler, Diane. You are."

Murmurs immediately broke out among the elders nearby. The priest stepped forward, his face pale with panic.

"My Lord!" the head judge stammered, raising his hands. "You cannot do this! The pack laws state that a suspended Luna cannot hold the seal! The rules of governance—"

Dom didn't even turn his head. He just lifted his left hand slightly, shutting the head judge up instantly.

"Hello… do I need to remind you? That. This. is. my. land?” Dom said, his voice dropping into a dangerous, "This is my bloodline territory. Whatever rules, whatever laws, and whatever suspensions existed under the old council are null and void. They do not exist anymore. My land does not answer to your old traditions. This is your Delta. This my pack. My own Delta."

Silence.

He turned his full attention back to me, holding the seal out further.

"Take it, Diane."

I shook my head, taking one slow step backward. Cold sweat broke out across the back of my neck.

"No," I whispered, tears stinging the backs of my eyes. "No, Dom... I can't. I won't take anything from you. You lied to me. You used me to get to this point. I won't sit on a throne given to me out of pity. No."

A tiny, faint smile touched the corner of Dom’s lips. It wasn't a cruel smile. It was full of quiet, emotions.

"Do you remember the favor you owe me?" Dom asked softly, his dark eyes locking onto mine with absolute intensity.

My breath caught in my chest. "Dom..."

"You swore you would grant me one favor when all of this was over," Dom murmured, his voice thick and rough. "I am asking for my favor right now."

He took one step closer, closing the small space between us, but he kept his hands strictly on the golden seal, offering it to me like a sacred sacrifice.

"This is my favor, Diane," Dom whispered, his tone dropping so low that only I could hear the raw truth in it. "I'm not asking for you to forgive me for the deceit. Or to forgive me for hiding who I was. I just… I just….” He breathes. “I want you to take this seal. Rule this pack the way it was meant to be ruled. They are your people. I don't want them. I have no business with them."

Tears spilled over my lower eyelashes, running hot down my cold cheeks. My hands trembled violently as I looked at the gold crest.

"Why...?" I choked out, a soft sob escaping my lips. "Why would you do all of this just to hand it away?"