Chapter 93

Phoenix

"Ready?" My father's gruff voice cuts through the tension as we stand right behind the curtain that, in a few moments, we will walk through and see his entire kingdom.

"I was born for this," I reply, my voice and cold. "Despite what you believed when you sent me to training camp."

I have nothing to prove to him now, because honestly, fuck him and his opinion, but I realized that I've been waiting for this for a long time. I knew since I was a child that the Nightfang pack would be mine someday, and that day has finally arrived.

His eyes darken. "I never doubted that you'd be a good Alpha one day. Just that at the time, you didn't have the discipline to be a leader," he retorts.

I raise a brow. "And now?"

"I'm stepping down, aren't I?"

It doesn't count. He lied. It had nothing to do with the Council and everything to do with the wolves closing in on him. He's only stepping down because everything he has built is at risk, and Uncle Luke and I came to the realization that there's a slight possibility he could pin his crimes on me when shit finally hits the fan.

What a great fucking father I have.

"Let's get this shit over with," I mutter under my breath.

He nods curtly. "I agree."

When he steps past the large red curtain, I follow behind him, both of us standing on the balcony above around a thousand other werewolves. Considering most packs have a maximum of twenty wolves, our numbers are the most they've ever been in recorded werewolf history.

My eyes dart around the crowd, making sure that everyone that is here was invited.

Last night, I'd handled a few members of the Devils. Jamie tipped me off to them planning an attack during the ceremony, against Jagger's (the leader of the group) orders. Loki and I paid them a visit, made it clear that if they so much as thought about acting on their little pathetic plan, I'd consider it a declaration of war and make wiping them out my first official mission as Alpha. The message was received. Loud and clear.

Now, as I stand here, the only thing I need to worry about is maintaining control. Control of the ceremony, control of the power surging through me, and most of all, control of myself. Because next to me, in a dress that clings to every curve, is my little wolf. She's dressed in white, angelic, but the fire in her eyes tells me everything but. And right now, all I want to do is drag her away and fuck her in the most primal way possible. But I can't. Not yet, at least.

I just have to get through this ceremony first.

When I spot Uncle Luke at the front of the crowd, he nods, pride evident on his face.

I'm glad he's proud of me. He's the only man who's approval means the world to me. Unlike my father's, whose fake smile is irritating the shit out of me. But I remind myself that he has to put on a show for everyone else that he's some great, proud father.

My father's voice drones on, going through the ceremonial vows of the Alpha transition, his words a distant hum as I stare out into the crowd. I repeat each phrase, each declaration of loyalty to the pack, but my mind is elsewhere.

My senses are on high alert, both my wolf and I fearing that we've somehow missed a threat. I can't tell if I'm just being paranoid, or the prickling feeling on the back of my neck is an indication that something isn't right.

As we complete the vows, I finally turn my full attention to my father. His fangs sink into my wrist, and I feel the surge—his power fusing into me, lighting up every nerve in my body with raw, uncontrollable power. It's like fire and ice in my veins, and for a moment, my vison blurs.

Suddenly, I'm connected by an invisible network of strings to each member of the pack. I can feel every single bond, like I can physically touch them with my mind. I can sever bonds, create more, and send the strength of my aura through the bond to make any werewolf under me bend to my will.

Holy shit. This is more intense than I thought it would be.

It's not like I ever imagined being Alpha would be easy, but I'm honestly overwhelmed by everything I'm feeling at once. How the fuck can my father handle this—being connected to an entire kingdom? I almost have a newfound resp-

Yeah, nevermind. Fuck that.

With Selene being my mate and being marked, the power automatically transfers to her through the bond. Most Lunas choose not to carry the full weight of the power, but my little wolf was made for it. She'll stand beside me, not beneath me.

"I now present to you the new Alpha and Luna of the Nightfang pack," my father announces, his voice booming through the crowd. The cheers follow, but all I can think about is the power humming beneath my skin and the way Selene's hand slides into mine.

Loki and Makayla join us on the balcony, both of them also wearing white a white suit and dress. Loki looks fucking ridiculous, considering he's always dressed in dark colors, but I guess so do I.

We're ushered back inside by the royal guards to be brought down to the dining hall for the feast. Members of my father's kingdom line up to congratulate Loki and me, including the Alphas and Betas of the other packs. I take note of each one, considering which ones I would consider creating new alliances with, and ones I should watch closely.

Selene and Makayla stand near with their own line of congratulators. They look way happier than we do, my mate as beautiful and radiant as ever. Power looks fucking good on her.

Meanwhile, Loki looks like he wants this night to be over with as soon as possible, but I don't blame him. I feel the same way.

Just a little while longer.

Suddenly, one of the Alphas, Alpha Nathan, slips a small piece of paper into my hand, looking straight into my eyes, his expression unreadable, before walking off.

When I finally excuse myself to open it, it reads: Things are not what they seem. Your father is being set up. If you want to learn more, meet me at Growlers at 2100 tomorrow.