Chapter 261
Chapter 261
The bond flared softly, not painfully. Not insistently.
Just warm.
Later, when the packhouse had settled and the boys slept soundly down the hall, Nolan and I retreated into the quiet of our shared space. There were no grand declarations no frantic urgency.
Just hands, warmth, and the steady reassurance of being held by someone who finally understood how to hold me without breaking either of us.
The world beyond the walls could wait.
For tonight, this was enough.
Third Person POV
Elder Rowan had never liked waiting.
Not to say that he was an impatient man, rather he was a man of action. Sitting around and doing nothing wasn’t in his nature. He didn’t allow others to solve his problems for him.
He paced the length of his private chamber in Pine Ridge with sharp, restless strides, fingers flexing as if he were gripping an invisible blade. The walls were adorned with the history of the pack-banners, relics, portraits of alphas long dead- but none of it soothed him.
Nolan’s face haunted every report.
Every poll.
Every whisper of public support.
The cursed alpha of Silver Fang had turned tragedy into triumph. He had taken injury, scandal, and hidden heirs and spun them into a narrative of sacrifice and devotion that the kingdom was devouring eagerly.
Rowan seethed.
This was not how it was supposed to go.
Kieran was meant to ascend. Groomed, polished, controlled A king shaped carefully by those who understood
power.
Not this brute. This manipulator hiding behind children and a goddess-touched woman.
Rowan stopped pacing and turned sharply as a servant announced the arrival of the Silver Fang envoy.
Rowan didn’t wait for others to solve his problems. He took the direct approach. It was better that way. Better not to leave anything to chance. Especially when it came to deliate matters.
“Send them in,” he said curtly.
The representatives entered cautiously-two council members and a political liaison, their expressions carefully neutral. Rowan studied them with a predator’s patience.
“You’ve seen the polls,” Rowan began without preamble. Silver Fang’s influence is swelling. Your alpha’s popularity threatens to destabilize the balance of power p>
One of the envoys shifted. “Nolan’s campaign has broad support.” He said it as an acknowledgement devoid of endorsement. Cautious. Too cautious.
1/4
+25 Bonus
“Support built on illusion,” Rowan snapped. “And illusions can be shattered p>
He moved closer, lowering his voice.
“Kieran is the rightful choice,” Rowan continued. “He offers stability. Predictability. And Pine Ridge offers a reward to those wise enough to align themselves early p>
The words were suspended in the air between them. The implication clear, but indirect.
The liaison frowned, deep and uncertain. “You’re asking us to undermine our own alpha p>
“I’m offering you influence,” Rowan corrected. “Trade routes. Council weight. A future where Silver Fang’s voice still matters-without placing a volatile, cursed alpha on the throne p>
Silence stretched.
Rowan smiled thinly. “Public support matters. A single fracture in Silver Fang’s unity would be… illuminating p>
The envoys exchanged uneasy glances.
They knew, as everyone else did, that Nolan’s public persona had fractured over the past year. He was losing his control over the way others saw him. His frantic search for Ellie, the rumors swirling about Felicity, all weakened him.
That was a weakness that couldn’t be allowed on the throne
“Does Kieran know about this offer?” one of them asked carefully.
Rowan waved the concern aside. “Kieran doesn’t need to know. This is about safeguarding the kingdom from a mistake it will regret p>
He leaned back, satisfied as hesitation flickered across their faces.
Hatred burned bright and focused in his chest-not just for Nolan, but for the way the kingdom had begun to forgive him.
Rowan would not allow it.
Not now.
Not ever.
And if Kieran proved too hesitant to strike first p>
Rowan was more than willing to act in his stead.
This election was too important to let Kieran’s ego or Nolan’s arrogance sway it. It was too important to leave to the fickle whims of the common people and their arbitrary popularity measures.
The polls showed that people liked Nolan. Found him relatable.
Kings should not be relatable. They should be inscrutable, powerful. They should be ruthless. Kieran had been groomed for power and he had the most important factor of his side.
He had trained advisors who would work behind the scenes to ensure that the kingdom ran like a well oiled machine.
And that included Rowan.
214