A sharp cry of pain grabbed their attention. On the other side of the clearing where the two pack alphas had been fighting, one lay motionless and whimpering on the ground.
It was the black wolf.
The fighting stopped. Every wolf, friend and foe, stared at the defeated alpha laying limp in the dirt. King Whitewood had lost the battle.
Killian was frozen. He stared wide-eyed at his father, scanning for any signs of movement — a twitch of his ear, the rising of his chest. Time seemed to stop.
The king was not moving.
Warren threw his head back and let out a victorious howl. "That's what happens when you cross me!" he roared. "Let this be a lesson to anyone who challenges Warren Silvercreek!"
"No..." Scout whimpered.
Kyle was shaking. "He can't be—!"
The alpha guards dropped their own battles and ran towards their king. The Silvercreek shifters let them go with sneers of satisfaction.
Amy was at the front of the guard, her voice cracking. "Sir!"
But Warren snapped his slathering jaws to prevent anyone from getting too close. "Stay away unless you want to end up like this sorry old man!"
The Whitewood wolves could only watch with horror as Warren stepped over their king's form. "Now, Prince Killian," Warren called. "Make your choice."
Killian slowly lifted his head. His expression was unreadable.
"You can hand over your pregnant omega peacefully and I'll let you live," Warren yelled. "Or... I'll kill you like I killed your father and take him myself!"
Cries of horror and rage erupted from the royal guard. They looked ready to leap onto Warren and tear him to shreds with their last breaths when a voice called out, "Wait!"
A weak Stark limped to Killian's side. He was ragged and exhausted, but he lifted his head with pride as he began. "Royal guard," he called. He spoken solemnly. "If the king truly has passed... then Killian is our new leader. We do not attack unless given his signal."
An uneasy pause settled on the royal guard. Warren raised a lip in disdain as he watched the situation unfold. Every single face in the guard turned to Killian, who had not spoken a word. He stood firmly in place and his fierce yellow eyes were colder than ice.
"What will it be, your highness?" Stark asked.
Scout stared at his mate, who had not moved a muscle. He was overwhelmed with emotion — pain and suffering and grief, and now concern for Killian.
"Killian," Scout murmured. He pressed closer to his mate. Their shoulders brushed together. "Whatever happens, I'm here with you."
Killian raised his head. He glanced at his omega, who he loved more than anything in the world. "I know." He exhaled. "Scout. There's something I need to do."
But Scout already understood. "I know. Go."
Killian raised his voice now, addressing all the Whitewood wolves that were gathered around him. "Royal guard," he announced. Everyone’s focus was trained on him with intense concentration. The Whitewood guard tensed, ready to fight and to die at their leader's command.
"Do not attack Warren."
A shocked silence fell on the clearing. Stark turned wide eyed to his leader. "Sir?"
Amy was too stunned to speak. She stared at Killian as if she hadn't heard him properly. Only Scout did not look confused. He stood proudly next to his mate, with shining, determined eyes and an unwavering heart.
"Oh?" Warren said with a laugh. "Good choice, little Prince. I knew you were smarter than your father. Maybe you'll make a good pack alpha after all. After you find yourself a new mate, of course!"
"I'm not done," Killian growled. "My guard will not attack you — because I'm going to kill you myself."
