Page 87 of Knocked Up By My Fated Alpha
“First, I have dissembled the council, ridding it of all the elders who conspired with you to usurp my right as alpha heir. They have all been exiled. And as for you. For your crimes, which include the brutal murder of my parents, Alpha Marcus and Luna Serena Nightbane, and your conspiracy to usurp my rightful position as alpha heir of the Ivory Moon Pack, you are hereby sentenced to death.”
A shiver moved through the crowd. Tiffany sobbed. Dawson stepped forward.
“We raised you,” he said. “We protected you… ”
“You betrayed blood,” I replied. “You murdered the leaders of your pack in cold blood. You manipulated our people. And you would’ve done it again.”
Guards grabbed them, dragging them out. Their screams faded behind the stone gates. And then the crowd rose. Cheers erupted with stomping and howling.
Damien stood, lifting a hand. The crowd quieted instantly. His voice carried, deep and steady. “Today marks the end of the past and the beginning of something new. From this day forward, the Shadow Thorn Pack and the Ivory Moon Pack shall embark on an era of a strong, unified alliance.”
Another wave of shock moved through the crowd. Then, slowly, there was applause. Then there was cheering, and then roaring, until the entire coliseum shook with it.
“The Shadow Thorn Pack will stand by the Ivory Moon Pack in every way. And together, we will build a strong and prosperous future for both packs. A future built not on fear, but fairness. Not on power, but peace.”
He turned toward me. His voice softened, but it still echoed across the stones. “With Raven by my side, we will lead with justice, strength, and compassion. We will create a home where every wolf has value.”
He looked at me like I was the only thing in the world that mattered. “I love you,” he said. Then he pulled me close and kissed me. And the crowd roared again, wilder this time, unified in their joy.
His lips were warm, steady, and sure. And this time, there were no threats looming or ghosts behind our backs. Only us.
In what felt like a flash, the coliseum had transformed. Where moments ago there was fury and justice, now there was celebration. Music rose in the air, a wild rhythm of drums and strings. Wolves shifted back and forth, laughing, dancing, and hugging one another in pure, unrestrained joy.
It felt like something sacred had been lifted from their shoulders. Damien kept my hand in his as we slipped away from the noise, weaving quietly through the pack house until we reached the stairs that led to our private quarters. The door clicked shut behind us, sealing the world out.
For a moment, we stood there in the quiet, no crowd, no noise. Just us. I turned to him slowly, reaching up to brush my fingers along his jaw. His skin was warm, his stubble rough beneath my thumb. I looked into those dark eyes and saw the flicker of something heavy beneath the calm.
“You okay?” I asked softly. He didn’t answer right away. “I know sentencing Elias must’ve been hard. He’s your nephew.”
Damien exhaled. “Yeah,” he admitted. “A part of me felt like I was betraying Natasha, my sister. She’s gone, and Elias is all that’s left of her.”
He ran a hand down his face and looked away for a moment. “But he made his choices. He’s a grown man, and he tried to kill you. Tried to take our baby. That’s not something I can ever look past.”
He looked back at me, and his voice turned fierce again. “You andNala, you’re what matters. My only concern is protecting you both. Always.”
My heart clenched. I leaned in and kissed the corner of his mouth, gently.
“Well,” I murmured, pulling back just enough to meet his eyes again, “the hard part’s over. No more trials. No more blood.”
A small smile tugged at my lips. “Now all we have to worry about is our mating ceremony.”
Damien raised a brow. “Don’t let the council hear you call it worry. They’re already planning like it’s a royal coronation.”
I laughed. “It is.”
He stared at me. I stared right back. Then he shook his head and grinned. “You drive me insane.”
I leaned in, smirking. “I know.”
He kissed me before I could say another word. Deep, full, claiming. My arms slid around his neck, and his hands framed my face. His kiss deepened, with a deep, hungry edge to it, Damien’s scent enveloping me as his hands slid from my face to my waist, pulling me flush against him.
My fingers tangled in his hair, the heat of his body igniting mine, a wildfire spreading through my veins. My wolf purred, its power pulsing, alive since the duel, craving his touch as much as I did.
Damien growled low, breaking the kiss, his lips trailing fire down my jaw, my neck, teeth grazing my pulse point. I gasped, my body arching, the fabric of my dress bunching as his hands roamed with a possessive yet reverent edge, mapping every curve.
“Raven,” he murmured, his voice rough, “I’ve been thinking about getting you out of this dress all day.” My heart raced, the mate bond humming and tightening between us, urging me closer, deeper.
I tugged at his shirt, sending his buttons scattering, my hands greedy for his skin. His mouth claimed mine again with breathtaking urgency, as he lifted me, my legs wrapping around his hips, the wall cool against my back.
