Daniel’s POV.
My father didn’t move at first, his sharp blue eyes fixed on me as if he were trying to dissect my every word, to peel back the layers of my confidence and find the weakness buried underneath. He leaned back in his chair, his hands clasped in front of him, the flickering firelight casting shadows across his face. “Take what’s yours, you say?” he repeated slowly, his tone both skeptical and taunting. “And what exactly do you believe is still yours, Daniel? You left this pack years ago. You turned your back on your duty, on your people, and on me. Do you honestly think you can waltz back in here now and reclaim the position you abandoned? The council will never allow it.”
I took a step closer, my boots clicking against the polished wooden floor with a deliberate rhythm, each step radiating the authority I had come to reclaim. “I didn’t turn my back on the pack,” I countered, my voice sharp and unwavering, cutting through the tension like a blade. “I left because I had a vision, a plan that required me to step away. And now that plan has come to fruition. Everything I’ve done, everything I’ve sacrificed, has been for this moment. I didn’t abandon my duty, Father-I was preparing to fulfill it on a scale you could never imagine.”
He raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched deeply into his expression, though I could see a flicker of something else-curiosity, perhaps, or the faintest hint of unease. “And what plan is that, exactly?” he asked, his tone laced with mockery. “What grand scheme have you concocted that you think will erase the years of absence, the years of failure? What could possibly outweigh the damage you’ve done to your name and your standing in this pack?”
I allowed myself a small smirk, the kind that I knew would irk him, the kind that hinted at the truth he couldn’t yet see. “I’ve secured my Luna,” I said, each word deliberate, each syllable carrying the weight of the game-changing move I had just made. “Aria Nightshade. The daughter of Alpha Xavier. A woman with royal bloodlines, respected and admired across every pack in the region. She’s agreed to be my mate, to stand by my side as my Luna. With her, I have the alliances, the influence, and the strength to claim not just my position as Alpha-but so much more.”
For the first time, his composure faltered. It was subtle-a flicker of surprise in his eyes, a slight tightening of his jaw-but I caught it. I had struck a nerve. His confidence in his own authority, in his ability to control this conversation, had been shaken. “You’re lying,” he said, though his voice lacked the conviction it usually carried. “Aria Nightshade would never agree to something like that. She’s too smart to align herself with someone like you. What did you do to force her into this?”
I let out a low chuckle, folding my arms across my chest as I leaned against the edge of his desk, the picture of calm confidence. “You underestimate me, Father,” I said, my tone almost mocking. “Aria agreed to the arrangement because she understands the value of what we can achieve together. The scandal may have pushed her into a corner, but it also gave her clarity. She knows that with me, she has a chance to salvage her reputation, to turn the narrative in her favor. And in return, I gain the leverage I need to solidify my position-not just here, but across all the packs.”
His eyes narrowed further, his expression hardening as he processed what I had just said. He stood slowly, his movements deliberate, his gaze never leaving mine. “And what happens when the council learns about the scandal?” he asked, his voice low and dangerous. “What happens when they uncover the truth about the video, about how it was spread? Do you really believe they’ll accept you as Alpha when they see the lengths you’ve gone to manipulate this situation? You may have Aria as your Luna, but trust me, Daniel, the council won’t be so easily swayed.”
I straightened, meeting his gaze with a steadiness that I knew would irritate him. “The council will see exactly what I want them to see,” I replied, my voice calm but firm, each word calculated. “They’ll see two powerful figures, united in strength and purpose, overcoming a smear campaign designed to bring us down. They’ll see a scandal that tried and failed to destroy us. And once Aria and I are officially mated, the whispers and doubts will fade. The packs will respect us as a united front, and anyone who dares to question our integrity will be silenced-one way or another.”
He studied me for a long moment, his piercing gaze searching mine for any sign of weakness, any crack in the armor I had carefully constructed. I could see the wheels turning in his mind, the calculations and considerations playing out behind his eyes. Finally, he let out a low, exasperated sigh, shaking his head as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “You always were ambitious,” he said, his tone a mixture of frustration and something that almost sounded like grudging admiration. “Even as a boy, you were always reaching for something bigger, something beyond your grasp. But ambition, Daniel, is a double-edged sword. It can elevate you-or it can destroy you.”
“Ambition is exactly what this pack needs,” I shot back, my voice rising slightly as I stepped closer to him. “It’s what will pull us out of the rut you’ve let us fall into. It’s what will rebuild our alliances, restore our reputation, and position us as the strongest pack in the region. With Aria as my Luna, we’ll have the strength to dominate the council, to lead the other packs, and to ensure our place at the top. And when the time comes, I’ll claim the title of Alpha King. That’s the future I’m building, whether you like it or not.”
His eyes widened slightly at that, the boldness of my declaration catching him off guard. But he recovered quickly, his expression hardening once more. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Daniel,” he said, his voice low and steady. “You may think you’ve covered every angle, but power like this comes at a cost. And if you’re not careful, that cost may be more than you’re willing to pay.”
“Dangerous games are the only ones worth playing,” I replied, my smirk widening into a full grin. “And I’ve never been afraid of the stakes.”
Before he could respond, there was a knock at the door. The sound cut through the tension between us like a blade, and a moment later, one of the council members stepped inside. He bowed slightly, his expression neutral but respectful. “The council is assembled, Alpha Daniel,” he said, his voice steady but deferential.
Alpha Daniel.
The title sent a surge of satisfaction through me, a powerful reminder of how close I was to achieving everything I had worked for. I glanced back at my father, whose jaw tightened ever so slightly at the sound of the title. He didn’t speak, but the tension in his posture said everything.
“Good,” I said, turning toward the door with a confident stride. “Let’s get started.”
As I made my way to the council chamber, a sense of purpose filled me, every step fueled by the knowledge that everything was falling into place. Aria was mine. The pack would soon be mine. And the title of Alpha King was no longer a distant dream-it was within my grasp.
All I had to do now was make sure the pieces stayed exactly where I needed them.