LOGINRHYSâ POV.After the meeting, Brayden and I left the throne room with two Beta guards flanking us. I was walking right next to him, shoulder to shoulder, without knowing where we were heading but I knew for sure that he was not going to rip my head off my neck. So I kept mute. And so did he. We had spoken in the throne room. But right now, it feels like we are strangersânot especially after what happened last night. And I still canât believe that I got an aching cock and was almost reaching for his belt so he could fuck me. What a shame on myself! Just then, he stopped and turned to me.My heart almost skipped a bit. âRhys, I have something important to take care of, so one of the guards will take you to see Remus, okay?âI nodded in response.The two guards behind me moved forward and acknowledged his words. âYes, Alpha King.â He turned toward them sharply. âPlease, keep an eye on my Luna.â My Luna? This must be a joke.I tried to crack my brain to see if he read the term
THIRD PERSONâS POV.âIf you want to kill yourself, why waste any more time?â Rhys snarled, letting out a bitter laugh.Mia scoffed gently as she stepped backward, not believing what she just heard. âAnd Iâm going to kill myself!ââWhatâs stopping you?â He said, his gaze hardening. âJust press the pin harder into your neck and youâll stop breathing. Mission accomplished.â âAfter taking my position to be the Luna of this pack, you still want me dead?â She asked, her voice almost cracking. The room dropped silent. Rhysâs jaw tightened.He knew he hadn't taken anything from her. At least, not yet. And he wonât let her die before he ruins her.He chose his next words carefully.âYour elder brother disappeared years ago. And your mother died sixteen years ago while trying to save him.âTylerâs head tilted slightly, while Mia stared at Rhys as though she hadnât expected him to know.âYour family had already lost two important people,â Rhys continued. âYour father has spent years carrying
THIRD PERSONâS POV.A displeased rumble rose from Braydenâs chest. His eyes flashed darkly.âEnough!â Mia flinched. Tyler hurried toward his daughter. âMia, come back to your seat. Youâre upsetting yourself.ââDonât touch me!âMia jerked away. Her hand flew to her hair, and she pulled out a long, slender hairpin.Before Tyler could reach her, she pressed its sharp end against her neck.A collective gasp swept through the room.âMia!â Tyler cried.The ministers surged to their feet. Victorâs earlier satisfaction vanished. Cedric stared in alarm, while Roland pushed back his chair and glanced toward the guards.Miaâs hand trembled, but she kept the pin against herself, her gaze locking onto the Alpha King.âIf you donât accept me, Iâll die right here!âBrayden struck his fist against the armrest and the sharp crack silenced the room. His wolf surged beneath his skin, his eyes burning a gold flame as he stepped down from the throne. Several ministers instinctively lowered their heads
THIRD PERSONâS POV.The elderly womanâs voice cut through the throne room.âAlpha, how can you decide on something like that by yourself?!âThree people stood by the entrance before they started walking into the room.Elder Selene Ashwood walked at the center, her silver hair neatly arranged and her expression stern. Beside her was Elder Magnus Thornheart, the High Elder and Chairman of the Council, leaning on his polished wooden staff. Elder Orion Blackmoor followed, his sharp eyes surveying the room.The ministers bowed.âHigh Elders.âThe three acknowledged their greetings before approaching further. Brayden inclined his head.âElders.ââAlpha King,â Magnus replied.Brayden gestured toward the seats. âPlease, be seated.â His eyes roamed the room. âAnd everyone else.â The elders settled down, followed by the ministers. Yet the tension remained. Victorâs jaw was clenched, Cedric wore a deep frown, and Roland watched Rhys with undisguised displeasure.Rhys noticed every expression.
THIRD PERSONâS POV.Cedricâs lips tightened. âThere are matters that do not need to be written into law to be understood.ââThen perhaps it is time we stopped treating assumptions as laws,â Beatrice replied. âThe Alpha Kingâs choice deserves the same respect we expect from the people of Crownfang.âGareth Stonehelm, Minister of Infrastructure and Public Works, planted both hands on the table in front of him.âI support the Alpha Kingâs decision. The throne belongs to him, and he has the right to choose the person who will stand beside him. We cannot demand that he lead this pack while denying him authority over his own life.âHe turned toward Cedric and Victor. âIf the court can accept the Alpha Kingâs decisions when they benefit us, then it must also respect his decisions when they challenge our expectations.âRoland Ironhart rose with a scowl.âThis is precisely why the court must intervene. The Alpha Kingâs personal choices cannot be allowed to threaten the stability of the royal f
THIRD PERSONâS POV.Cedric swallowed hard as his gaze remained fixed on the royal mating mark exposed on Rhysâ shoulder. The color had drained from his face, but he quickly composed himself, straightening his coat as though that small gesture could restore his authority.âHow did he get that mark?â he demanded, pointing at Rhys. âAlpha King, I want to know how a man who has never been part of the royal family carries the royal mating mark.âBraydenâs fingers tightened around Rhysâ hand.âI marked him six years ago, when we spent a night together in the forest. He is my fated mate. Did you expect me to leave him unmarked?âA ripple of whispers swept through the throne room.Victor stepped forward, his expression hardening. âThis cannot be accepted so easily. A royal bloodline is not meant to be raised outside the palace. The heir belongs here, under the protection and supervision of the royal family. How are we so sure that this man you brought in isnât lying?â Braydenâs eyes narrowed







