“You… I remember you,” my eyes sparkled with recognition as I took in the seer’s serene smile.
“Yes, Luna. It is me again,” the seer replied, her voice calm and knowing. “I told you that your belief would lead you out of this dark fog and reveal the truth. And you truly have changed fate because you believed in your love.”
Her words seemed to weave a spell around us, and in that moment, memories of our first meeting came rushing back to me. I was struck by how deeply meaningful her words had been. Everything she said was true.
Though every sign had pointed me toward Damon, my unwavering belief in my love for Zander had broken the curse and led me to my true mate. Fate was altered by the power of belief. I was awestruck by the realization that such a small word held such immense power, capable of averting the inevitable.
“Thank you for warning me and for your loyalty to the pack. The Moonglow pack will always be indebted to you for your loyal services,” I said, my voice filled with gratitude and respect.
Zander wrapped an arm around my shoulders.
“That’s true, Alethea. We are grateful to you,” he affirmed. Then, turning to his warriors and Maddox, he added, “I am grateful to each and every one of you, my warriors and pack members, for your loyalty to the Moonglow pack.”
His words were sincere, echoing through the atmosphere with a profound sense of unity and gratitude.
My heart bloomed with pride for my alpha mate. He was born to be a king who thought about everyone.
“We need to attack Damon’s castle and take him into custody before he runs away,” I muttered with anger and hate as these two emotions overtook every other feeling in my heart.
“He won’t be there. As I know that coward, he must have already escaped. But we will take his kingdom under the council’s control and free it from his rulership. The council will choose a new king,” Zander announced thoughtfully.
I watched in awe at my mate. He was so kind and considerate, even thinking about the citizens of his enemy’s kingdom.
“Maddox, inform the council immediately. We’re taking over the castle. Let the citizens of the vampire kingdom know that their king has fled,” Zander declared with authority.
Maddox nodded, quickly pulling out his phone to make the necessary calls.
“We all need to head toward the castle,” Zander instructed, his voice calm but firm. We hurried towards the vampire stronghold.
When we arrived, the atmosphere was charged with panic. Commanders and ministers of the vampire king were visibly anxious, their eyes darting around in fear. Zander wasted no time.
“Secure the area and place everyone under arrest until further notice. Search the entire castle and the kingdom,” he ordered. But as Zander had predicted earlier, there was no trace of Damon. The coward had fled.
As news of the king’s fall spread, citizens began gathering around the castle. The panic among the vampires, witches, and warlocks was palpable. Zander stepped forward, his presence commanding attention.
“Citizens of the vampire kingdom,” he began, his voice carrying a mix of strength and compassion, “your king has abandoned you. But fear not, we are here to restore order. You will not be harmed. We seek only peace and justice.”
The crowd murmured, uncertainty etched on their faces. Yet, Zander’s demeanor seemed to instill a sense of calm. Unlike other shifter leaders who might have massacred the entire kingdom in a show of power, Zander chose mercy.
My mate never ceases to amaze me. Everything about him screams that he was destined to lead the shifters, to rule not only werewolves but every kind of shifter. They couldn’t find a better ruler than him. It wasn’t just his power that made him a great leader; it was his heart. And that made all the difference.
The crowd buzzed with a mix of apprehension and curiosity as I spotted Harper. Her gaze was fixed on me, a silent accusation that I was to blame for the fall of the vampire kingdom. I wanted to reach out to her and explain everything, but before I could make a move, she vanished into the sea of people. Desperately, I searched for her, but she was nowhere to be seen. The Moonglow pack warriors stopped me from leaving the safety zone, wary of the crowd’s anxious and fearful state.
Moments later, the council sent two representatives to oversee our actions. No shifter could take control of a community without their permission. This was crucial to maintain harmony among the shifters and the broader paranormal community. Without such regulation, endless wars for power and land would ensue.
As we proceeded with the formalities, one of Damon’s former ministers stepped forward, ready to present the paperwork and introduce the court’s key members. Zander instructed the scribe to take notes and summon everyone. Our goal was clear: ensure peace and stability in the kingdom.
Suddenly, the doors burst open, and a figure stormed in. His presence emanated a dark, mystical aura. There was no doubt-he was a vampire.
“Wait a minute,” the vampire interrupted, dressed in a blue robe with a black cloak. “What’s going on here?”
“Who are you, and how did you get in here? The castle is locked down by the council,” Zander growled, glaring at the intruder with a warning.
“I am Jasper Shadowborne, the son of the late vampire king Silas Shadowborne from his second wife,” the man declared, his voice resonating with authority.