Heart and Crown
Williams’ POV
It has been two torturous weeks since I last laid eyes on Cleopatra, but every night since, my dreams have been plagued by the memories of our shared passion. It was like an ache that refused to fade, reminding me of her betrayal, of the chaos she had unleashed on my pack.
I still couldn't wrap my head around how she could be my second-chance mate. Why didn't I notice all along? Why now?
The question haunted me constantly. I should have seen it before. I should have known. My wolf had been restless around her, yet I had dismissed the pull as merely attraction to her body. Now, I'm stuck between two desires: to claim her as my mate and to punish her for her treachery.
When I stormed into my suite at the hotel that fateful evening, I met only a cold, empty bed. I had wanted to finally confront her, to let her explain why she did what she did. But instead, I found a neatly folded piece of paper on the bed. She dared propose a rejection?
No, she is not getting out of this that easily. I'll make her pay and then when I'm done, I'll be the one rejecting her.
My temper flared as I recalled the moment. My wolf growled slowly, pinning for her, but the weight of her betrayal hung over me like a dark cloud. My men had died. My pack had suffered. How could I ever bring her back and make her Luna?
Renee's voice broke the storm of emotions swirling inside me. “Williams, we're all set for the trip to the Alpha King.”
I turned towards her, my eyes narrowing slightly as I saw the concern etched into her face. Isn't this what she always wanted? To get Cleopatra out of my life. And now she found her own mate. Fate is really cruel.
She offered me a small smile, trying to ease the tension between us.
“This is the third time the message is coming. The Alpha King wouldn't have called you for a meeting if it wasn't important,” she added, stepping closer. “I know that you're this way because of Cleopatra. I agree that I was angry, still angry but Alex had made me see things from a different perspective. We can't blame her entirely, Williams…she was,”
I turned to her shapely, cutting her off. “No need for the prep talk, Renee. Let's go.” She merely nodded but didn't push the conversation further.
The trip to the palace was silent. Renee and his mate who she takes along on every trip attempted to make a conversation, but I was too lost in my thoughts to engage.
Cleopatra's face loomed large in my mind, her lips pressed in a thin line, her eyes filled with guilt. The bond was undeniable. She is my mate, and yet, she has caused my pack to bleed. But that didn't stop my heart from bleeding at the reality that she's not in my arms every night.
As the car pulled into the grand entrance of the palace, I straightened in my seat, pushing my feelings aside. I stepped out of the car, my gaze sweeping across the grand facade of the palace. A strange sense of foreboding settled over me as I made my way inside.
The scent hit me before I could take more than a few steps into the massive hall.
Cleopatra.
My senses sharpened immediately, my wolf rising to attention. I inhaled deeply, the intoxicating aroma of my mate flooding my system. My heart pounded in my chest as my wolf stirred, claws scratching at the surface, desperate to seek her out.
Why is she here? The question gnawed at me. Has the Alpha king finally decided to pass his judgment on her or hand her over to Kane? The thoughts of Cleopatra going back to Kane made my jaws clench angrily.
A voice boomed from the top of the stairs, interrupting my thoughts.
“Williams!” The deep, commanding tone of my uncle echoed through the hall, pulling my focus away from Cleopatra's scent. Dressed in regal black robes, my uncle stood tall despite the weight of his years.
His gray hair was neatly combed back, but there was a weariness to his eyes that hadn't been there before.
“Uncle,” I said, my voice steady as I ascended the stairs to greet him.
“Do I really need to pray to the moon goddess for you to honor my invitations?” he said with a heavy sigh. I got to where he stood and hugged him briefly.
He gestured for me to follow him into the grand study, a large room filled with leather-bound books and rich mahogany furniture.
I could feel the weight of my uncle's words before he even sat down. He wasn't one for idle talks, and whatever he had called me here for is serious. I just hope it's not some dumb marriage proposal from Alpha Othello.
“I've watched you grow, Williams,” he began, lowering himself into a chair with a grunt. “From the time you were a boy, I've known you had the strength of an Alpha and you've proven yourself over the years. Williams, I'm tired now.”
I stiffened at the unexpected admission. My dear uncle was never one to show weakness, not even in private. But now, his expression was resigned, his shoulders slumped in a way that made him seem older than I had ever seen him.
“Tired?” I echoed, aware of where this was leading.
He nodded, leaning back in his chair with a sigh. “I've ruled far longer than I should have. My body is failing me, Williams. I've kept it hidden from others, but you, you should know this. Like I told you during the meeting of the Alphas, it's time for me to step down.”
I felt my throat tighten. “You're asking me to take your place,” I stated, though it wasn't really a question. I had known that this day would come. But it still hit me like a punch to the gut. Can I handle the entire realm right now?
“I'm not asking you to take my place. I'm giving you back what was rightfully yours,” he replied simply. “It's time for you to become Alpha King.”
I remained still, my eyes locked onto the Alpha King. I am not sure if I am ready for this responsibility. The burden of ruling, of making decisions that could affect the entire realm, weighed heavily on my shoulders. And then, there was Cleopatra.
“You think I'm capable of leading the entire realm with all that has happened in my pack?” I finally said, my voice rough.
The Alpha king leaned forward, his eyes sharp despite his weariness. “Being Alpha king means making difficult choices. It's not about what's easy or what feels right—it's about what is necessary. Do you understand what I'm saying?”
I swallowed hard, the reality of what he meant striking me like lightning.
Can I really do that?
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