Page 35 of A Reign of Malice (Wolves of Lunara #3)

Theo’s voice cuts in, firm and sure. “That’s not enough.

You can’t hide in her shadow. I tried to do something similar in my pack, and it failed.

People don’t need perfection, they need the truth and for you to show that you care.

If you’re here to fight for your people, they need to see you, they need to hear you.

Not as a ghost from their past, but as the king you were always meant to be. ”

Hiding wasn’t what I had in mind, but I can see his point. If Garron has been able to convince even part of the pack that my return is a good thing, I have to find a way to be the leader I never thought I would be.

“Sloane should still act as the Alpha Queen in charge,” I say, knowing my lack of connection to the wolves will be a problem regardless. “But I’ll do my part by her side.”

She offers me a gentle smile, but there’s a tightness in her voice.

“I can do that, but your speech to them is what’s going to bring everyone together.

Aeson has convinced most people that he’s the epitome of kindness and strength.

” Her eyes darken, and I hate that she’s been caught in all this.

“From the outside looking in, Aeson’s done everything right for this kingdom, even for mine by inviting us here.

His ulterior motives have either been overlooked or well-hidden.

They need to hear what he did from you and decide for themselves what they want to believe. ”

“I can do that,” I say. “I’ll share my story, but as Garron pointed out, I no longer have ties to the pack. Nothing I say will change the fact that I’m not an Alpha King.”

“Not yet,” Asher cuts in, his tone calm but unwavering.

“But you will be. We all sense it.” His eyes lock with mine, filled with something between challenge and belief.

“I can’t imagine what you endured down there, Julian, but at some point, you need to realize this was always meant to be yours.

You didn’t lose it. It was taken. And now, it’s yours to reclaim.

This kingdom, these wolves, they’re all waiting for someone to fight for them, even if some of them don’t realize it yet. ”

His words land with an unexpected force. I feel them dig past the scars and silence I’ve lived in, right down to the marrow. He’s right. I was born to lead—not because of blood or title, but because I never stopped fighting, not even when I had nothing left.

I know I have a long way to go, but I can’t allow the past to dictate the future.

Long ago, I let Aeson convince me that this wasn’t the path I wanted, but I’m not the same man I was before.

I can’t be. Especially not when so many people are relying on me.

I’m the rightful Alpha King, and I’m Sloane’s mate.

I want to be better for her. For all of them, but mostly her.

She needs someone strong by her side. I need to hold on to the fight I had in that cave, to remember that giving up was never an option before, and once I kill Aeson, my job here is far from over.

My wolf rises to the surface, his strength pulsing through me with approval. This is where we were always meant to be. With our mate, surrounded by other alphas, doing whatever it takes to keep our kingdom from falling.

Clara leans forward, her voice cutting through the silence. “Then I suggest you speak to the pack soon. We’ll need them unified before we strike. Tonight, if we can. Every day Aeson rules, the darkness spreads. Whatever he’s doing back at the castle isn’t just tyranny. It’s something worse.”

“He’s killing his wolf,” Estee says softly, startling the room with her first unprompted words since returning to life.

Everyone turns toward her.

Her voice is calm, but her eyes are still shadowed.

“When Theo and I were…gone, we weren’t together.

But I wasn’t alone. I spoke with my ancestors.

My great-grandmother—an Alpha Queen from the time when dark magic was wielded freely—told me that what Aeson’s doing by using those runes is unnatural.

He’s sacrificing his wolf to remain in control.

He needed a strong mate, one as powerful, or even more than himself, to balance out the dark energy he’s absorbed.

Sloane was the only one known in Lunara without a mate that could do that.

An Alpha Queen. She was the perfect choice to balance out the monster he’s becoming.

Without her, even if we don’t kill him, he’ll eventually destroy himself. ”

A sharp gasp escapes Isla, and she moves instinctively to her sister’s side.

They share a glance, silent but full of understanding. When Estee continues, her voice wavers. “The more desperate he becomes, the more reckless. Aeson’s aware that his time is running out. And that makes him even more dangerous.”

I clench my fists. “That doesn’t change the outcome. There’s only one ending for Aeson, and I’ll be the one to give it to him.”

Estee nods solemnly. “Just remember, we all have something to lose. He doesn’t. That makes him unpredictable. We need to end this quickly. Cleanly.”

Looking at Sloane, I know Estee is right. My vengeance isn’t worth losing my mate, but that doesn’t mean we can wait him out, either.

“Then we use all our resources.” I look at Garron again. “You said you still have wolves within the castle?”

“I do. Soldiers in line to protect Aeson.”

Sloane turns toward him. “What about Dasha?”

He raises both brows and shakes his head. “I’m not sure what you heard, but she’s Aeson’s advisor. She’s the last person we want.”

“No, she’s the first if you can convince her that the risk is worth the consequences.

It would be worth reaching out to her through your pack connection and at least trying,” Sloane explains.

“Her brother is being used as a pawn, but Dasha wants free of Aeson just as much as all of you. I promise you that.”

Garron strokes his jaw. “If she’s truly an ally, that changes things. I’ll send word—quietly. If we can get her, and a few guards on the inside, we stand a real chance.”

“How do you plan to take the castle?” Isla asks, arms crossed. “Because we’re not walking through the front gates like we’re expected.”

Garron’s smile is thin. “I thought we’d bring him to us.”

But when his gaze lingers on Sloane, something primal rises within me. I step between them with a low growl, chest rumbling. “You will not use my mate as bait.”

“Yes, he will.” Sloane’s words slice through the air like steel.

I turn to her, stunned.

Her expression is unflinching, fierce. “If it’s the only way to draw him out, I’ll do it. This isn’t just your war, Julian. It’s ours .”

Her bravery both guts me and strengthens me.

Because she’s right.

But that doesn’t make it easier to accept.