Adams’ POV
I leaned back in my chair trying to understand the importance of Elder Aurelius’s words.
His stare was intense and was filled with expectation and I could feel Ronan tense and ready behind me, clearly aware of how important this meeting was. I raised an eyebrow with my unasked question lingering in the air.
“So Elder Aurelius,” I said while trying to stay calm even though my mind was confused. “Are you saying I’m the final hope for the werewolf community?”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Aurelius said strongly. “Our future depends on you.”
I waved for him to sit down, and I gave a quick nod for Ronan to back down before I took a seat in front of the elder.
“Please just say it clearly,” I said while leaning in closer, wanting to understand. “What’s bothering you?”
Aurelius didn’t wait, with his face becoming serious. “The Green Forest Pack is broken. Alpha Raider’s wife Cassandra is teamed up with her dad-the Alpha of the Silver Crest Pack. They’ve plotted to take power away from Raider and now Cassandra, with her real mate, Rax Moore, has taken charge of the Green Forest Pack.”
My stomach turned at what that meant. “I already know this Aurelius. Cut the drama. What’s really happening at Green Forest?”
He frowned and spoke quietly. “It’s more than just wanting power. Cassandra and Rax didn’t just betray Raider, they locked him up because her dad told them to. That man made a deal with Augustus-the rogue king. Now Augustus can use the Green Forest Pack’s resources.”
“The rogue king?” I asked with a wave of anger swelling in my chest. “You want me to believe that?”
“I promise you, Your Highness, I’m telling the truth.” Aurelius looked at me intensely. “Only two days ago your brother Ben came to the Green Forest Pack for Augustus’ sake. He checked our soldiers and confirmed our supplies. This isn’t just talk, it’s a sign of what’s ahead. The big war is coming and things are starting to happen.”
Ben? It felt like a hard blow to my stomach. I was dizzy with feelings of betrayal and sadness. “He’s working with Augustus…” I repeated.
Ronan moved behind me, getting tense. “Your Highness-”
“Quiet!” I said with my frustration spilling out. I took a deep breath while trying to hold back my anger.
“I need to think about this craziness, Aurelius. And you say I’m the only one who can help? That’s a lot to expect from one person.”
“The elders and many of our kin depend on you, your Highness,” Aurelius said strongly.
“With chaos starting, fear is spreading in our community. Many are thinking about joining Augustus, tempted by offers of power and safety. But you-only you can bring the packs together and lead the fighters against this coming danger.”
I leaned back and rubbed my head as stress piled up. “You need to see how hard it is for me to do that. I already have too much with my own brothers plotting against me! How can you expect me to change things?”
“Because you’re the Alpha King,” Aurelius insisted with his eyes full of determination.
“You have the bloodline and the strength. People will support you-only if you decide to lead this battle against Augustus before he comes for us all.”
The tension hung in the air as I thought about what he said. I felt Ronan watching me, but doubt slipped in like an unwanted shadow.
“We will confront that challenge side by side,” Aurelius said firmly, while making it clear how important it was.
“However, we won’t have any options available to us unless you take action soon. Every single day, Augustus is becoming more powerful. If you hesitate and do nothing in response, it could lead to disastrous results for us.”
I let out a big sigh while struggling to understand how rumors have become real. “This is too hard to handle, Aurelius. You want me to do something, but I can’t hurry into something so unpredictable without thinking about what might happen.”
Aurelius nodded firmly while looking steady. “That’s a smart way to think, but keep this in mind: the longer you wait, the more lives are at risk. If you believe in our strength as a group, others will believe it too. But waiting too long might be when we lose it all.”
I saw a quick look of doubt on Ronan’s face before he hid it behind the usual seriousness of a Beta. “We can plan Your Highness. There’s no reason to panic right now.”
“Thanks for believing in me, Ronan,” I said, while feeling thankful but also annoyed, “but I need a plan, not just strong support. I need to get ready for what’s coming.”
“Sure,” Aurelius said with his voice getting gentler. “Just keep in mind we have to decide fast. I need to be back before anyone notices that I’m missing, but know that your strength brings hope to us, Your Highness.”
With a tired sigh, I nodded. “Alright. We’ll take back control by being strong and assertive, but I need more than talking. I need to know my position against this threat.”
As I got ready to lead them ahead, the door opened suddenly. Lilith walked in with her eyes locking onto Aurelius with a growing frown. “What’s he doing here?” she asked, while standing tall and serious.
Aurelius lowered his head while keeping calm, even with the pressure. “Your Highness, I send my greetings-”
“Stop being formal!” she interrupted with her voice harsh and firm. “What are you doing in this palace? Why should I believe you after you let my parents be blamed and killed?”
Aurelius’s expression changed and showed true sadness. “I’m sorry, my Queen. I couldn’t do anything-I didn’t step up when it counted. I think about that regret every day.”
“You should!” she shouted with her fists tight at her sides. “Don’t act nice now just because I’m the Luna Queen! You could have done something, anything! But you just watched them die!”
“Lilith, don’t blame the messenger,” I said softly while moving closer. My voice was soothing and reassuring. “Elder Aurelius has important news and I think he wants to help.”
She looked at me fiercely without backing down. “Help? This is the same man who watched while my family was destroyed! When do we stop being nice to him?”
Aurelius lowered his head, clearly hurt by her sadness. “I can’t justify my mistakes, Your Highness. I am here to tell you something that might change everything.”
Before he could finish, a loud scream rang out from the far side of the palace, breaking the stillness in the room. My instincts took over right away, changing from being protective to needing to act quickly. I was alert and ready and set to face whatever threat was near….