Chapter 67
Chapter 67
The carriage creaks as it crosses the border stones.
I feel it before I see it–the faint shift in the air, the way my chest tightens like something old just woke up and stretched. The Woodridge Pack doesn’t announce itself with horns or magic. It never did. It just exists, quiet and familiar, though it’s always assumed it owns you.
I sit beside Alaric, angled toward the narrow window, my veil hiding everything I refuse to show. Trees slide past in slow procession. Oaks. Pines. The same crooked stone marker with the faded wolf crest that I helped repaint years ago. The road dips left where it always floods during heavy rain. My fingers curl in my lap, leather gloves creasing softly.
I don’t blink.
I don’t let myself linger.
Recognition is dangerous.
The carriage smells like polished wood and steel and Alaric–warm, sharp, unmistakably him. His thigh presses against mine with the carriage’s sway, grounding and territorial at the same time. He’s been quiet since we crossed into Woodridge land, like he’s coiled something inside himself and locked it down.
I keep staring out the window anyway.
His hand reaches past me without warning and snaps the curtain shut.
The sudden dimness makes my eyes ache.
“We’re almost there,” he says calmly, as though he’s telling me the weather.
There’s another meaning layered under it. I hear it. You don’t need to look. I’ve got you. Stop hurting yourself.
I exhale through my nose and finally turn toward him. The corner of my mouth lifts, just barely. Contro Polite. Something I practiced while bleeding quietly in places no one bothered to look.
“I wasn’t,” I say, because lying is second nature now.
His amber gaze drags over my veiled face, slow and deliberate. He doesn’t argue. He just nods once and sh closer, his arm settling behind me, not touching–just there. A warning. A promise. A line no one crosses unless they want to die creatively.
The carriage slows.
I feel the change in rhythm through the seat, through my bones. Wheels grinding against packed gr Voices outside. Boots snapping into formation.
Then-
10:32 Fri, Jan 16
Chapter 67
65 vouchers
“The Alpha King of the Imperial Pack,” a voice booms, formal and rehearsed, “arrives with his consort p>
Consort.
Not Luna.
Yet.
The door opens.
Cassian steps down first, smooth and ceremonial, his expression carefully blank. He glances back once–just once–like he’s learned his lesson about offering hands where they don’t belong.
Alaric exits next.
The air shifts immediately.
You can feel him even without looking. The crowd does. The guards stiffen. Spines straighten. Wolves tuck tails they didn’t even realize were loose. Alaric stands at full height, broad shoulders squared, dressed in dark formal wear that somehow still looks like armor on him. Power hums off his skin, low and dangerous.
Then he turns back toward me.
He offers his hand.
No hesitation. No question.
I place my gloved fingers in his palm.
to
His grip is warm, firm, steady. He helps me down slowly, deliberately, like he wants everyone w understand exactly how this works. I land beside him without faltering, skirts settling around my boots. I lift my head.
And there they are.
The Woodridge Pack courtyard stretches before me, crowded and overdressed, banners hanging a little to heavy, flowers arranged a little too thick. It’s ceremonial, loud in all the wrong ways. Like someone tried to bury rot under silk and hoped no one would smell it.
Wade stands near the front.
I’d recognize him anywhere. Broader than he used to be. Harder around the eyes. His posture is i controlled, like he’s holding himself back from lunging toward something he can’t name.
Ariel is beside him.
Her hand rests on her swollen belly, fingers splayed possessively. She’s glowing in that curated way–ca dressed, hair perfect, face arranged into something soft and pious. Her eyes flick to me and narrow, just fraction.
She doesn’t know why.
10:32 Fri, Jan 16
Chapter 67
That almost makes me smile. We move forward.
55 vouchers
Alaric sets the pace, unhurried, dominant. I stay half a step behind him, exactly where I want to be. Eyes follow us everywhere. Whispers coil and slide through the crowd like smoke.
Who is she?
Where did he find her?
Why does she walk like that?
I don’t rush. I don’t look around too much. I keep my chin level, my spine straight, my movements measured. This place knows me. My body remembers every stone even if they don’t.
The packhouse doors loom ahead, taller than I remember, carved with the same old insignia. Inside, the banquet hall opens up in a wash of light and noise. Too many banners. Too much gold. Flowers layered over flowers, thick enough to choke on the scent.
They tried too hard.
I clock it instantly. The imbalance. The strain. It’s like watching someone wear a crown that doesn’t quite fit.
Eyes track me as we cross the floor. Curiosity sharpens into speculation. Speculation curdles into tension. I feel it prickling along my skin under the veil.
Then-
“Luna p>
The voice is small and… unmistakable.
My foot halts before my mind catches up and gasps ripple through the hall.
A child breaks free from the side crowd, clutching a wooden wolf toy with one ear chewed half off. He runs straight toward me, feet slapping against stone, eyes wide and bright.
“I knew it!” he shouts. “I knew you’d come back p>
He trips.
The sound of his fall snaps through the room.
Elders surge forward immediately, voices sharp, already forming reprimands. Guards tense. Someone calls for restraint.
I move before any of them finish breathing.
I crouch, skirts pooling around me, and take the boy gently by the arms. He’s shaking–not scared, just overwhelmed. Dust clings to his sleeves. I brush it off without thinking. Straighten his collar. My hand se briefly on his head.
10:32 Fri, Jan 16
Chapter 67
75
chers
He’s warm and familiar. He’s one of the kids who would visit me back then in the pack house en Wade was always at war.
His
eyes lock onto mine through the veil, like he can see me anyway and I say nothing. The silence around all of us stretches.
The elders freeze. I stand smoothly and continue forward, not looking back.
Behind me, the boy’s voice rings out again. “That’s her! That’s our Luna p>
Someone laughs nervously. Someone else snaps that Sorin Carter is dead. The child is guided away, confused but stubborn.
Dead.
Sure.
I’ve been gone for long enough.
I don’t react or slow down as I continue walking on.
I feel Wade’s gaze burning into my back now and alongside that,. Ariel’s irritation spikes beside him, her fingers tightening over her belly like she’s trying to anchor herself.
We reach the raised platform and I inhale as two thrones wait.
Alaric sits first, sprawling just enough to remind everyone exactly who he is. Then he pulls me down beside him, hand firm at my waist, whatever this possession is, is definitely clear and unapologetic.
From here, the entire hall spreads below us.
Every lie.
Every secret.
Every familiar face pretending not to recognize a ghost.
I fold my hands in my lap and stare straight ahead.
Let them look.
I’ve waited long enough.
The music swells and dies in practiced waves. Servers move like clockwork, silver trays flashing under chandeliers. Everyone pretends this is normal. A feast. A celebration. No one breathes too loud.
Alaric leans back in his throne, one arm draped over the carved armrest like he owns the air. Because he does. His knee brushes mine, a quiet check–in. Still here?
I am.
10:32 Fri, Jan 16
Chapter 67
“You’re holding up,” he murmurs, mouth barely moving.
I glance down at the goblet in my hands. Don’t drink it. Learned that lesson the hard way. “Try surviving a dungeon and then tell me this is stressful p>
His mouth twitches. “I meant… you look unbothered p>
“That’s because I am.” I tilt my head, veil shifting. “They can choke on their curiosity p>
A low huff of laughter escapes him. It’s gone just as fast. The room tightens again.
675
Movement at the edge of my vision. I feel it before I see it–Wade’s presence has always been loud to me. Like a bad memory you can’t quite drown out.
He and Ariel approach the platform together, steps measured, faces arranged. Ariel’s hand is still on her belly. Always on display. Always reminding everyone what she thinks she’s won.
They stop at the base of the dais and bow.
“Your Majesty,” Wade says, voice steady but stretched thin. “We’re honored by your visit p>
Alaric doesn’t bother leaning forward. “Are you p>
A pause. Someone coughs. This bastard can’t pretend to care to save his life.
Ariel smiles, her face as always, is soft edges and sugar. “The Woodridge Pack prepared this banquet with great care. We hope it pleases you… and your consort p>
Her eyes flick to me and I stay still.
Wade’s gaze doesn’t leave my face. Or the veil. His jaw works. “If I may,” he says, too the royal consort to remain veiled during formal proceedings p>
There it is.
it’s unusual for
The air shifts. Alaric’s body goes rigid beside me. His hand tightens on the throne, wood creaking under his grip.
I move before he can.
I rise just enough to turn, then settle sideways onto his lap.
The reaction is immediate. A sharp inhale ripples through the crowd. Wade’s eyes flare. Ariel stiffens as though she’s been slapped.
Alaric freezes, clearly not expecting it. I feel his breath hitch under me.
I lift my hand and trace my fingers along his cheek, slow and familiar. The faint scrape of stubble. The heat of him. I’ve always liked touching him here. It reminds everyone that this monster kneels for me. And only me alone.
10:32 Fri, Jan 16
Chapter 67
He exhales and lets it happen as if no one is watching. That’s it, good boy.
“The King,” I say calmly, voice carrying just enough, “will introduce me when the time is right p>
My fingers trail down his jaw. I feel his pulse jump.
75
Vouchers
“I’ve noticed,” I add, tilting my head toward Wade without looking at him, “that the Alpha of Woodridge has always been a curious man p>
Wade’s jaw clenches hard enough I hear it.
“Don’t worry,” I continue. “Your curiosity will be satisfied soon p>
Ariel’s smile cracks. Just a little.
“That won’t be necessary,” Wade snaps, then catches himself. He bows stiffly. “Enjoy the evening, Your Majesty p>
He turns and leaves. Ariel hesitates half a second longer, eyes burning into me, then follows.
The tension doesn’t leave with them. It lingers. Thick. Expectant.
“Well,” a voice beside the thrones says lightly, “that was… something p>
The envoy glances between us. “Are you sure it’s wise to leave the Alpha of Woodridge in such a state p>
Alaric recovers fully then. His arm slides around my waist, pulling me closer as it’s instinct. Possession without apology. He dips his head and presses a kiss to my neck, right below the veil. Deliberate. Unrestrained.
I look down at him, run my fingers through his hair, then kiss his forehead.
“Don’t worry,” I tell the envoy softly. “He’ll get what he wants p>
Alaric’s eyes gleam.
I face forward again, seated high above them all, heart steady, timing perfect.
The reveal is coming.
And none of them are ready for it.
What are you gonna do if you know I was alive, Wade?
Adminj