Chapter 80 Hostility
Addison immediately pouted at her father’s teasing remark, shooting him a sharp glare. It felt so natural—like a familiar dance they’d shared countless times before. Her father often teased her this way, and seeing her reaction brought a nostalgic smile to both the Alpha King and Queen.
At that moment, they are reminded of the peaceful life they once had before Addison’s disappearance years ago. A bittersweet mix of happiness and sadness washed over them, a tender ache beneath the joy of her return.
The store owner felt genuinely pleased to hear about the upcoming Homecoming Banquet, where Addison would be formally introduced to all the werewolves. When that day arrived and Addison assumed her role as heir to the throne, she would officially begin her duties—attending court, traveling to neighboring werewolf territories to resolve disputes, and visiting other species’ lands for diplomatic negotiations. This meant she would need to hone her skills in wielding power and leadership, preparing to rule their realm with wisdom and strength.
Although Addison’s strength had long been proven, as she was already a formidable warrior and well-versed in military strategy, she had yet to apply much of that knowledge beyond occasional skirmishes with rogues. Now, the real test of her abilities as a future ruler was just beginning.
For some reason, the thought of going through a crowning ceremony and taking on official roles made Addison’s stomach flutter with a mix of nerves and excitement. Her eyelashes fluttered with anticipation. After all, she had been raised for this very purpose. Even though she couldn’t remember all the details, she felt a deep, instinctive knowing of what she was meant to do.
Perhaps it was the foundation ingrained in her that she learned within these very walls that had prepared her—allowing her to lead the Midnight River Pack back from hardship in just three years, despite many pack members refusing to acknowledge her and the odds stacked against her.
Now that she thought about it, it all made sense why she had such strong managerial skills. She had learned how to manage a pack, studied politics and economics, and been taught by the best tutors in their domain.
Looking back, none of it was surprising anymore—it all fit together perfectly.
Addison didn’t respond to her father’s teasing. Instead, she simply smiled, feeling oddly comforted and welcomed by the thought of returning to her role.