Chapter 658 – Fury and claws
Seraphine expected Voren to be busier due to his new position, the weight of the crown, the endless responsibilities, the constant demands on his time. But something sat heavy in her chest, a cold knot of unease that refused to loosen.
She whispered back, her voice barely audible over the hum of the chopper blades. "Are you going against Alpha Jaron? Shouldn’t we inform Liah first?"
Voren cared for Liah’s feelings. He truly did. But he couldn’t bring himself to feel guilty about what he was about to do. Alpha Jaron was more of a threat than an asset to their race and needed to be taught a lesson, the kind of lesson that would echo through the generations.
"Please do so on my behalf, my queen." His voice was soft but firm. "I’m using wolf form and will not have a phone with me."
The moment Seraphine nodded, Voren texted the outlanders, his fingers moving quickly across the screen. ’Get me clothes. I’m coming.’
Then he handed the phone to Seraphine, got down from the chopper, and instructed the pilot to take off. The rotors spun faster, the machine lifting into the air, and Voren watched it disappear into the clouds before turning and walking into the darkness.
In the chopper, Seraphine took deep breaths, steadying herself. She mind linked Corvine, her thoughts clear and calm. ’Can we exchange seats?’
Feeling that Seraphine wanted to have a girls’ chat, Corvine readily agreed. ’Sure.’ He rose from his seat and moved to the back, settling beside Vladimir’s empty chair.
As soon as Seraphine sat beside Liah, she pressed the hand of the latter comfortingly, her touch warm and reassuring. "I hope you understand that your new position robs you of thinking with your heart but rather your brain and logic."
Liah was not dumb. She knew Seraphine was up to something. The tension in her shoulders, the careful way she chose her words. "I admit I’ll need a lot of training for this position." Her voice was steady but quiet. "The Grimroot pack is huge, blessed with highly intelligent and strong warriors."
Knowing your weakness was the only way of being better, so Seraphine had hopes. "Alright. Your father has become a threat to—"
"Don’t." Liah’s voice was low, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. "Voren already gave me a chance when I pleaded for him, and even I could not stop my father from going the wrong way." She swallowed hard, her throat tight.
"One bad nut must be removed for the safety of many. Yeah, it hurts." Her voice cracked, but she steadied it. "But the right thing should be done. I’ll have my brother look out for my mom."
Seraphine heaved a sigh of relief. Liah seemed to be adjusting to her role fast enough, and Seraphine could tell it all stemmed from her earlier meeting with all the Lunas.
"I’m glad you are open-minded. There is no need for me to be here anymore. I will give Corvine back his seat."
Liah pressed her hand to hers, her grip firm. "No need. Please stay here." Her voice dropped, almost a whisper. "Honestly, I’m nervous."
She brought Seraphine’s hand to her chest, and Seraphine frowned, feeling the rapid flutter of Liah’s heartbeat beneath her palm. "Why are you nervous?"
Liah turned to face her, her eyes searching. "As Co-Luna, I knew I’ll only be supporting you. But now, the pack is going to be on my shoulders, and I can’t expect you to be there for me all the time because these Lunas are a handful." She took a shaky breath. "Sera, I’m really nervous."
Seraphine chuckled dryly, the sound warm and reassuring. "Don’t worry. No matter what, our pack will always be put first, so I will make sure you are capable before I begin my trips around the packs." She squeezed Liah’s hand. "You’ll get a hang on everything. I promise."
✾❀✾
In the outlands, Voren put on the clothes the leaders of the outlanders brought—simple, dark, unassuming. Voren had casually removed his royal apparel and had it delivered to the Grimroot pack before the shift, not wanting any trace of his former grandeur to follow him here.
The fabric was rough against his skin, a welcome contrast to the silk and velvet of the coronation.
"What is the situation?" Voren asked, his voice low and commanding.
The leader of the outlanders explained, his voice hushed. "They are in the conference room, but everything was booked by the Lycans, so we can’t get in. They have their own security, their own people. We can’t touch them."
Voren did not speak as he walked to the reception, his footsteps silent on the marble floor. "Alpha Voren." The lady at the front desk quickly lowered her head in respect, her eyes wide with recognition and fear.
Voren did not bother to correct her. The news about the coronation would soon spread across the packs. He didn’t have to say it. They would know soon enough.
"Alpha Jaron. I want to see him." Voren said calmly, his voice carrying a quiet authority.
The receptionist was confused, her brow furrowing. "You mean the Alpha King? I’m afraid his authority is higher. I can’t let you in unless he agrees to it."
She was about to pick up the intercom to send the information when Voren grabbed it, his hand closing around her wrist with gentle but unyielding firmness.
"There have been changes." His voice was ice. "I am the new Alpha King, and you are not to inform Alpha Jaron of my arrival."
The receptionist paled instantly, her face draining of all color. Even when Jaron was the Alpha King, it was rumored that Alpha Voren was more powerful. Now, Alpha Voren was the Alpha King? Her mind reeled, the implications crashing over her like a wave.
She was so eager to check the news, to confirm what he had said, but Voren had already made his way to the conference room. His stride was purposeful, his expression unreadable.
And she was even more eager to know what was going to happen in there, the Alpha King walking into a room full of Lycans, alone, with nothing but his fury and his claws.