I pivot just in time to see Ronan lunging toward me, his face contorted with hatred, a silver blade aimed straight for my heart.
Too fast. Too close.
14
Rylan’s POV
The blade catches the light as Ronan lunges toward Selena, his face contorted in murderous rage. Time slows. My body moves before my mind can process, instinct takes over.
I intercept him mid-air, my hand clamping around his wrist with crushing force. The silver blade clatters to the stone floor as bones snap beneath my grip. In the same fluid motion, I slam him to the ground, driving him into the ancient stone with enough force that the floor cracks beneath his body.
The impact echoes through the chamber like thunder. Dust rises from fractured stone. My hand closes around his throat, pinning him as he gasps for breath.
KILL HIM. TEAR OUT HIS THROAT.
My wolf surges with homicidal fury, claws extending, fangs pressing against my gums. The beast inside me demands blood, demands retribution for what this snake tried to do to our mate.
I could end him right now. It would be so easy. Just a flick of my wrist, a tightening of my fingers. No one would question it, he attacked with murderous intent in front of the entire council.
But I look up and catch Selena’s eyes. Despite everything, there’s compassion. Not for him, but for me, for what killing my little brother would do to me. For his blood would be on my hands.
For her and me, I rein in the beast.
“You’re not worth it,” I growl, voice barely human as I lean close enough that only he can hear my next. “But if you ever look in her direction again, I will peel the skin from your body while you watch.”
I rise to my feet, dragging him up by his throat before shoving him toward the council guards. He stumbles, coughing, clutching his shattered wrist to his chest.
“The accused has attempted murder in front of this council,” Elder Miriam announces, her voice carrying through the stunned silence. “This act, combined with the evidence presented, leaves no room for leniency.”
Elder Darius steps forward, his expression grave. “Ronan, son of Marcus, you are hereby stripped of your rank as Alpha heir. The power bestowed upon you by birthright is revoked.”
The chamber fills with gasps. Stripping Alpha power is rare, sacred power isn’t easily taken. But as Elder Darius places his hand on Ronan’s forehead, the magic builds in the air, thick and oppressive. Ronan screams, a sound more animal than human, as golden light forcibly extracts from his body, coalescing above him before dissipating into nothingness.
When it’s done, he collapses to his knees, diminished. Ordinary. His eyes no longer carry that Alpha glow, his presence no longercommanding. He’s just an omega wolf now, a disgraced one, and something he always looked down on.
“And Candice,” Elder Miriam continues, turning her attention to the trembling female. “For your part in these crimes, you are sentenced to exile. You will leave these territories by nightfall and never return.”
Candice’s face contorts with rage and desperation. “You’re making a mistake,” she spits, looking around wildly. “The rogues are already coming! They’re already at our borders! We made deals to keep them at bay, but without us, they’ll destroy everything!”
The council exchanges glances, weighing her words. “Your warnings change nothing,” Elder Darius states firmly. “Your crimes remain. Guards, escort them out.”
As the warriors drag them away, Candice’s voice rises to a shriek: “You’ll see! You’ll all see! They’re coming, and your precious Lycan bitch won’t save you!”
The chamber door slams behind them, leaving a charged silence in their wake. I move to Selena’s side, my hand finding the small of her back, a gesture of support, of protection.
“The pack cannot stand without leadership,” Elder Miriam announces, addressing the assembly. “With the Alpha heir deposed and there is only one successor left of Alpha blood.”
All eyes turn to me. The expectation in the air is palpable, heavy with history, with what was taken from me, with what I walked away from.
“Rylan,” Elder Darius says, his voice carrying through the chamber. “You were once Alpha heir; it was a mistake to remove you. Pleaseaccept our humble apologies. Will you now step forward to lead this pack?”
The murmurs grow, voices rising in agreement, in plea. “Rylan!” someone calls from the back. Then another voice joins, and another, until my name echoes through the chamber like a chant, like a prayer.
I feel Selena stiffen beside me, uncertainty flowing through our strengthening bond. She thinks I might refuse, that after everything, I’d walk away again. She doesn’t understand yet what I’d do for her, what I’d become for her.
I step forward, drawing her with me, my arm around her waist. The chamber quiets.
“I’ll accept the position,” I state, my voice clear and firm. The wolves begin to cheer, but I raise my hand for silence. “But understand this, I do not take this mantle for power or position. I take it to protect what’s mine.”
