Page 91 of The Alpha King’s Hidden Mute Mate

"Zane's busy," I said, trying to keep my voice casual. "He's the king. He has a lot to do."

"Oh," Lily responded, a hint of disappointment in her tone, but she was quickly distracted by a deer passing outside the window.

I leaned back in my seat and closed my eyes. The carriage lurched forward, the sound of wheels crushing gravel mingling with hoofbeats like a lullaby. Lily's warmth seeped through the fabric, warm like a little hot water bottle pressed against my ribs.

I didn't know what I'd face when I returned to that place. Didn't know what that man would do next.

But I knew one thing—

I wasn't the same helpless mute orphan from five years ago.

If he tried to hurt me again, he'd find I'd grown thorns.

The journey took three full days.

When we finally saw Moonhowl Kingdom's gates, I had to admit my heart was beating faster than usual.

The royal city gleamed golden in the afternoon sun. The walls were built from pale gray stone, covered in climbing ivy, with an enormous silver wolf carved above the gates, head thrown back toward the sky as if howling at the moon.

Exactly as I remembered.

But also not quite the same.

A sea of people crowded the gates—at least several hundred, lining both sides of the road, holding flowers and streamers. When they saw our convoy, they erupted in deafening cheers.

"Vela! Vela! Vela!"

I froze.

"Is this..." I turned to Ethan uncertainly. "A welcome ceremony?"

Ethan pulled his gaze from the window and raised an eyebrow. "Looks like more than a welcome ceremony. Looks like a national celebration."

The carriage stopped at the gates. A servant opened the door and respectfully extended his hand to me.

I took a deep breath and stepped down.

The sunlight made me squint. The cheers crashed over me like waves, nearly drowning me. People waved bouquets and banners, some so moved they were crying. I heard someone shouting "Long live Vela!" Someone shouting "Welcome home!" And more people—so many more—shouting a title I hadn't expected to hear.

"Luna! Luna! Luna!"

My steps halted.

I turned to look at Zane standing on the gate steps.

He wore a deep blue formal outfit, a silver wolf crest pinned to his collar, his hair neatly combed back. He looked—damn it, he still looked so handsome.

He walked toward me and, under everyone's gaze, stopped in front of me.

Then he did something that no one—including me—expected.

He dropped to one knee.

The entire place went silent.

Hundreds of voices cut off in an instant, so quiet you could hear the wind rustling the flags. Everyone stared wide-eyed as their king—the Alpha of Moonhowl Kingdom, the man who'd never bowed his head even on the battlefield—knelt before a woman.

"Mia Turner." His voice was low and clear, echoing across the silent square, each word landing on my heart like a stone. "Five years ago, I made the biggest mistake of my life. I didn't believe you. I hurt you. I drove you to the edge. I'm here, in front of everyone, to apologize to you."