Page 167 of Chased By My Grumpy Alpha
The power rages against my decision, fighting to remain in control. But I’m stronger than it expects, and I have something it doesn’t understand: a reason to choose restraint over dominance.
I look down at Lucian, at the man who has become my anchor in a world that has turned completely upside down. His blue eyes are warm with pride and love, and through our bond, I can feel his absolute faith in my ability to control this terrifying gift.
“I choose to stop,” I tell the ancient thing definitively. “My mate is hurt. That’s what matters now.”
Reluctantly, gradually, the Eclipse Born power retreats back into the depths of my soul. The crushing weight of all those wolves’ minds disappears, leaving me feeling strangely empty and utterly exhausted.
I start to sway sideways, and Seth catches me before I can hit the stone floor.
“I’ve got you,” he says, his earlier wariness replaced by something that might be respect. “You did good, Your Highness.”
Your Highness. The title should feel wrong, should be too much, too fast. But as I look around at the destruction I’ve caused—the enemies I’ve defeated, the mate I’ve saved—I realize that maybe I’m stronger than I ever imagined.
Maybe I can learn to be what this kingdom needs.
And maybe, just maybe, I’m worthy of the fierce love burning in Lucian’s blue eyes.
Through our completed bond, I feel his agreement wrap around me like a warm embrace.
My queen, he whispers in my mind. My fierce, beautiful queen.
The aftermath is like a storm that refuses to pass.
I wake two days later to find Lucian’s side of the bed empty, though I can feel through our bond that he is somewhere in the palace, tense and frustrated. A day of unconsciousness healed his wounds, but mine—the emotional ones—feel raw and exposed in the morning light.
When he returns to our chambers, his jaw is tight with barely controlled anger.
“How was the Council meeting?” I ask, though I already know from his expression that it didn’t go well.
“Draven wants you dead.” His words are blunt, with no cushioning. For the first time since I’ve known him, Lucian isn’t trying to shield me from political realities. “He has convinced half the Council that you’re too dangerous to live. Says an Eclipse Born who can kill wolves at will is a threat to the natural order.”
I process this calmly, surprised by my own lack of fear. “And the other half?”
“Split between those who think you could be trained to be a useful weapon in wartime and those who want to send you straight to the battlefield to test your abilities.” Lucian’s eyes flash with protective fury. “They’re talking about you like you’re a tool instead of a person.”
“What about Lord Vance?” I ask, thinking about Zari’s father. “Surely he has opinions after what happened to his daughter.”
Zari’s screams are still fresh in my memory. When Lucian told me she’d lost her mind completely, just like every other shifter whose wolf I’d destroyed, I felt...nothing. No guilt, no satisfaction. Just empty recognition that some prices can’t remain unpaid.
Lucian’s expression grows darker. “Mysteriously absent from all proceedings. Claims he is too grief-stricken over Zari’s condition to participate in court business.”
I lean back against the headboard, anger simmering in my chest. “He’s lying.”
“Of course he’s lying.” Lucian sits on the edge of the bed, his hand finding mine. “But we can’t prove he knew what Zari was planning. He covered his tracks well.”
“We can’t win every fight,” I murmur, echoing something that feels like wisdom learned too young.
“No,” he agrees quietly. “We can’t. But the Council has lost some of its power now, so they’re merely posturing. They can’t touch you, and they know it.”
“What about Harper and Gareth?” I ask, changing the subject to something more immediate. “They’re alive?”
“Alive and back in the dungeons.” Lucian confirms. “Although we nearly lost them completely. It turns out Zari bribed a guard to find and bring Harper to her after I had set her free. Harper then helped Gareth escape from his cell—that’s how they both ended up in that chamber with you.”
I nod as the chronology lines up in my head. “So, Harper wasn’t a victim who was dragged into this. She was part of it from the beginning.”
“Exactly. The guard who took Zari’s bribe has been executed,” Lucian says grimly, “and Harper and Gareth are in the deepest cells, under constant watch.”
“Good.” The satisfaction in my voice surprises even me.
