My Alpha Stepbrother's Dirty Secret novel Chapter 100

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED

KILLIAN’S POV

It had already been about twenty minutes since I ordered the lockdown, and I swear to God, it was the longest twenty minutes of my life. I was pacing nonstop in the open field just in front of the skating area while Liana stood nearby, looking like she could pass out any second from how anxious she was. She kept wringing her hands and looking around as if Ryan might just appear out of nowhere. I didn’t blame her. I felt the same. My body was burning with tension, my wolf was growling inside me, and I was trying not to completely lose my mind.

Mr. Sinclair, the owner of the amusement park and a member of our Dark Moon pack, was standing near the security guards, his arms folded, brows creased with worry. The man was wealthy and well–connected, which was exactly why I called him the second we realized Ryan was gone. I knew he’d make shit move fast. And he did.

Then his phone rang. I stopped pacing immediately and turned to him, watching as he picked it up.

“Really?” he said, and there was this pause. Then his face broke into this massive smile. “Oh, thank goodness.”

My chest tightened so hard it was almost painful.

“They’ve found him,” he said, his voice shaking just a little, but the huge smile spreading across his face said it

all.

I let out a long, shaky breath I hadn’t even realized I was holding.

Liana rushed to him. “They’ve found my son? Is it true? Did you say they found Ryan?”

Mr. Sinclair nodded fast. “Yes, yes. He was in the black car we tracked leaving just after the alarm went off. They intercepted it. He’s safe. They’re bringing him now.”

Liana gasped and put both hands over her mouth. I could see the tears already forming in her eyes, but this time, they were tears of relief.

I walked up to Sinclair, clapped a hand on his shoulder and gave it a tight pat. “Thank you,” I muttered, my voice low, but every inch of me breathing again for the first time since Ryan went missing.

Then a few minutes later, a commotion started coming from the entrance area, and I turned sharply. Two security guards were dragging two grown–ass men, both of them shouting things like “Let go of me!” and “We didn’t do anything!” while another guard, this one with a strong build, was carrying a little boy in his arms.

Ryan.

“RYAN!” Liana screamed, already sprinting before I could say a word.

“Mommy! Daddy!” Ryan’s voice cracked in the air as the guard dropped him gently to his feet, and our boy ran like his life depended on it.

Liana dropped to her knees and pulled him into the tightest hug I’ve ever seen, burying her face in his hair, tears falling freely now. “Oh my God, oh my God, baby,” she whispered over and over again. “You’re okay. You’re okay.”

I crouched beside them and held both of them close, breathing in Ryan’s scent like I was trying to convince myself this wasn’t a damn dream. I kissed his forehead and wrapped my arms around them, my voice low. “You scared the hell out of us, buddy.”

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“They put me in a car,” Ryan said, still catching his breath. “But I told them my daddy was gonna find me. And you did.”

I smiled a little and nodded. “Of course I did. I’ll always find you.

One of the guards came forward and addressed me directly. “These are the men who tried to abduct your son, Alpha. We caught them just before they could escape. The roads were already blocked off, just like you ordered.”

“Good,” I said, rising to my feet. I turned to the other guards. “Unblock the roads. The lockdown is over now that my son is safe.”

“Yes, Alpha!” the third guard replied, then ran off to relay the message.

I turned back to the two bastards being held down. “Who sent you?” I asked coldly.

They kept their mouths shut.

“You know silence won’t protect you,” I muttered. I already had a strong guess, and my jaw clenched thinking about it. It had to be Cassian or Dorian. Those two had made clear threats the last time we met, and I wouldn’t put this kind of cowardly move past either of them.

Still, they didn’t speak.

So I pulled out my phone and called my head warrior, who was also the chief of police. “Adam, I need you here. Bring a few of our men. There’s something I need you to take care of.”

Liana was still hugging Ryan tight, but when she looked up and saw the two men, her whole expression changed. Her face darkened, her body stiffened, and I could feel the anger radiating from her like fire. She stood up and marched toward them, fists clenched.

I moved fast, grabbing her arm before she got too close. “Hey, hey, stop,” I whispered. “I know. I know you’re angry. I’m furious too. But don’t do this right now.”

“They tried to take my baby,” she said, her voice shaking.

“I know,” I murmured, pulling her into my chest. I kissed her forehead and wrapped one arm around her waist while the other still held Ryan close. “Let me handle this. You stay with him. Please, baby.”

She didn’t say anything, just nodded slowly, and I walked them both to the car, opened the backseat, and gently helped them inside. “Wait for me here. I’ll be right back, okay?” I kissed them both again before shutting the door.

By the time I turned around, a black van had already pulled into the lot. Adam stepped out first, followed by three other police officers from our territory. They were all armed and ready.

“Alpha,” Adam greeted with a salute.

“Head Warrior Adam,” I returned the greeting, then pointed to the two restrained men. “These men tried to abduct my son. Luckily, we caught them before they got far. They refused to say who sent them. I’m sure they’re not from our territory. Could be North or East. Either way, I want them locked in a special cell. Torture them if you must. I need answers. And fast.”

Adam nodded. “Yes, Alpha. Consider it done.”

The officers immediately moved in, grabbing the two men roughly and shoving them inside the van. Their arms and legs were cuffed tightly now, no room for struggle.

“I’m heading back,” I told Adam. “I need to take my family home. This day has already been a damn nightmare.”

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“Understood,” Adam said.

“Good job,” I added, nodding at all of them. I turned to M100r. Sinclair and the remaining guards. “Thank you, all of you. I owe you.”

“It was our honor, Alpha,” Sinclair replied respectfully.

I turned and headed back to the car, my legs finally feeling a little lighter now. When I opened the door, I saw Liana still holding Ryan close. She was wiping his cheeks while he whispered something.

“I was really scared, Mommy,” he said, voice small.

I slid into the driver’s seat, leaned over, and hugged them both tight.

“I know, buddy. But you’re safe now. And you’re never going to go through that again.”

With my heart finally settling back into my chest, I started the ignition and drove us home./ [

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KILLIAN’S POV

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“I want to deal with them so bad!” Liana growled, pacing back and forth like a wild animal in a cage, her fists clenched, her body trembling with pure fury. I could feel the rage rolling off her in waves, and I knew if I didn’t do something soon, she might lose control completely.

“Liana, calm down,” I said softly, stepping closer, trying to make her meet my eyes. “My men are already taking care of it. They were tortured just how I wanted them to be tortured until they spilled the truth.”

But she wasn’t listening. Her body was tense, her breathing heavy, as if each second that passed without her being out there handling it herself was driving her closer to breaking.

Ryan was in his room. He’d slept off shortly after we got home. Liana had made sure he took a hot bath, rubbed him dry with her own hands, and tucked him into bed while whispering to him that everything was okay now. But the moment his eyes closed, hers turned blood–red.

Now in our room, she was filled with so much fury it was making the whole room buzz. Her teeth gritted, her nostrils flared, her whole body heating up as her feet stomped on the rug.

Her canines were out now.

So were her fangs and nails.

“I swear Killian,” she growled, her voice low and viscous, “I really need to deal with them myself. I won’t be satisfied until I see them groaning in pain. Until I see bloo-”

“Liana,” I called softly, but her eyes were glued to the floor, her breaths short and labored, as if she was fighting to hold her own skin together.

“Liana, baby.” I tried again, softer this time, more loving.

Still nothing.

So I crossed the space between us, reached for her face and held it gently in both of my hands. Her skin was burning hot as if she was on fire. Her lips were slightly parted, her chest rising and falling too fast.

I leaned in, brushing my lips against hers, just a peck, nothing more. Then I whispered one more time, “Baby.”

That was when she blinked up at me, her fiery eyes meeting mine, still clouded with fury but slightly softer now. I pulled her close, one hand going to the small of her back, the other cradling her neck, and I kissed her deeply.

At first, she was stiff, still quite furious, but then… she kissed me back. Her lips clung to mine like they were drowning and I was air, her hands flying up to grab the back of my neck, pulling me even closer.

“Make love to me, Killian,” she breathed out, her voice so low and broken that it went straight through me. Her fingers clenched at my shirt as if she couldn’t wait a second longer. “I need to feel you… I need you to make it stop

I didn’t even hesitate.

I smirked as I slowly pushed her back, my hands never leaving her waist, guiding her toward the bed. She was hot in my arms, as if she was still smoldering with anger but wanted me to extinguish it with every single touch.

She fell back onto the bed and I followed, ready to take her to cloud nine, ready to turn this angry, beautiful

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goddess into a whimpering mess beneath me.

She was burning under me, trembling, her breaths coming out in short, heated bursts like she’d been holding back a storm all evening and now it was finally tearing through her chest. Her lips were swollen from how hard we were kissing, her hands tangled in my hair like she couldn’t bear to let me go even for a second, and God, I didn’t want to let her go either.

I kissed her again, slow and deep, dragging my mouth across hers like I was trying to swallow every last piece of her anger, her fear, her pain. She moaned into it, her body arching under mine, and I pulled her closer, so close there was no space left between us. I needed her. I needed to feel her. I needed to love her in a way that would remind her she was safe, that she was mine to hold, not control, but protect.

My fingers brushed over her stomach as I slowly tugged her shirt up and over her head. I kissed every inch I exposed. Her breath hitched when my lips found the sensitive spot just below her ribs. She was shaking. Still a little angry over what happened today, and I was going to help her let it all out, one touch at a time.

“You’re beautiful,” I whispered, watching her eyes flutter open, her pupils wide and glossy. “You always are, but

Liana.” right now… you look so damn hot,

She bit her lip, and I kissed it. Then I kissed lower, over the swell of her breasts, undoing her bra with a flick of my hand and tossing it aside like it offended me by covering her at all. My mouth found her nipple, warm and already peaked, and when I sucked it gently, she gasped and clawed at my shoulders.

“Killian… please,” she whispered, her voice breaking a little, like she couldn’t figure out what exactly she was begging for.

“I know,” I said softly. “I’ve got you.”

Her leggings came next, slow, careful, like I was unwrapping the most delicate gift. I pressed kisses to her thighs as I slid them off, teasing my fingers along the insides, feeling how soft she was, how warm. Her scent hit me hard

sweet and already soaked with need. I groaned quietly against her skin, then looked up at her.

“Just relax for me, baby. Let me take care of you.‘

I pulled her

shifting

jerked.

ties down and kissed along her inner thigh, watching her squirm, her breath catching, her hips

slightly as if they already knew what I was about to do. When I finally kissed her pussy, her whole body

“Oh God,” she cried out, her fingers flying back to my hair.

I licked slowly, dragging my tongue up from her entrance to her clit in long, lazy strokes, savoring every second of it like it was the first time I ever tasted her. She was so fucking perfect. So responsive. Her legs tightened around my shoulders and I held her there, anchoring her with my arms as I circled her clit with my tongue over and over until her moans filled the room.

“You always taste so good,” I murmured against her, then sucked lightly on her clit.

“Fuck–Killian, I’m gonna–I can’t hold it-‘

“Then don’t baby,” I said, not stopping for a second.

She came with a cry that nearly broke me, shaking under my tongue, panting and writhing. I kissed her through it until she was trembling, her hands falling away from my head, her chest rising and falling like she’d just run miles.

I kissed my way back up her body, slow and careful, wiping her tears with my lips as I whispered, “You okay?”

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She nodded, pulling me down to her and kissing me hard. “I need more. I need you inside me.”

I didn’t make her wait. My boxers were off in seconds, and when I lined myself up and slid into her, I had to shut my eyes because fuck, nothing in this world ever felt like this. Like her. She was hot and tight around me, gripping me like her body didn’t want to let me go.

She moaned, wrapping her legs around me, holding me close.

“You feel so good,” I breathed, rocking into her slowly. “So fucking good.”

I didn’t pound into her like a man possessed. No, I moved slow. Deep. Grinding my hips into hers and kissing her the whole time. Her hands roamed my back, her nails dragging along my spine, her breath mixing with mine as our bodies rocked together.

“I love you,” I whispered.

She whimpered. “I love you too.”

I made love to her like it was the only thing keeping us alive. Like we needed it to survive the chaos of earlier. She cried again, just a little, when she came around me, her walls fluttering, clenching, milking me so tightly I could barely hold on. I kissed her through it, holding her, fucking her slowly until I couldn’t take it anymore.

When I came, I buried my face in her neck, whispering how much I loved her, how beautiful she was, how lucky I was to have her, over and over, until my voice broke and I was shaking too.

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CHAPTER 102

KILLIAN’S POV

It was too early when my phone buzzed loud on the nightstand. I groaned, still holding Liana against my chest as I reached for it, already annoyed. Whoever was calling better have a damn good reason for waking me up this early.

Without checking the caller ID, I picked up. “This better be important or you’re in serious trouble,” I grumbled into the phone, my voice hoarse from sleep.

I heard Logan chuckle lightly on the other end. “Relax. It’s good news. Alpha Cassian’s been eliminated from the campaign.”

That made me sit up immediately. “What?”

I shifted out from under Liana carefully so I wouldn’t wake her, even though my sudden movement made her stir a little. She turned slightly, her hand reaching for me in her sleep. I leaned down and kissed her forehead gently before getting off the bed completely.

“Logan, you better explain,” I said, walking toward the window, pulling the curtain aside slightly just to get a grip on the morning.

“Those men we caught,” Logan said, his voice firm now, “they finally talked. Your head warrior tortured the shit out of them like you instructed, and they broke. Turns out, Alpha Cassian was the one behind the abduction of Ryan. That’s why the Council kicked him off the campaign, and he got arrested.”

I didn’t say anything for a moment. I just clenched my jaw. That bastard.

“But,” Logan continued, “he bailed himself out using his damn influence, and word is, he’s already out of the country.”

Of course he was. Coward.

I let out a long sigh, and that was what woke Liana up fully this time. She blinked her eyes open slowly, rubbing them as she turned toward me on the bed. “Killian? What’s wrong?”

I walked back to her and sat on the edge of the bed, reaching for her hand. “Logan called,” I said, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “Alpha Cassian has been officially eliminated from the campaign.”

Her brows furrowed in confusion, and I could see the questions forming in her eyes. “Why?” she asked, her voice still groggy.

“Because those men confessed,” I said quietly. “They told the truth. Cassian was the one who ordered Ryan’s abduction.”

Liana sat up immediately, her eyes wide now, fully awake. “What?”

“He got arrested,” I explained, squeezing her hand gently. “But he managed to bail himself out and left the country before they could hold him longer.”

She stared at me for a few seconds, like she was trying to wrap her head around everything.

“So he’s free?” she asked, her voice low, like she didn’t want to believe it.

“He’s not part of the campaign anymore,” I replied. “That’s the only thing that matters right now. He was humiliated in front of the council. That alone is a hit to his pride and influence. Everyone knows he crossed the

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line.”

She looked down at her lap, her hands fidgeting slightly. “I just… I don’t like the idea that he’s out there. Free. After what he did.”

“I know,” I said, pulling her closer, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. “But this isn’t over. He may be out of the country, but he’s not coming back from this. His name is tainted now. He’ll never rise again.”

Liana leaned into me, resting her head on my shoulder. “Still… I want him to suffer more.”

I didn’t say anything. Because I agreed with her. Completely.

But for now, we had a bigger fight ahead.

Tomorrow was the election.

And I was going to win it for my son, for my mate, and for every damn thing that bastard tried to ruin.

It was election day. I didn’t sleep much, but I was up early anyway. I got out of bed, got dressed, and went over the plan in my head while buttoning my shirt.

Liana was getting ready too, sitting on the edge of the bed, tying her hair into a bun while I buttoned up my shirt slowly. I don’t know why, but I kept glancing at her, watching the way her hands moved, how calm she looked even though I knew her mind was probably going a thousand miles per hour just like mine.

There was a knock on the door, followed by Richard’s voice. “Alpha, if we don’t leave now, we’ll be late.”

I sighed and fastened the last button. “We’re coming,” I called out.

Ryan was already downstairs, dressed in his little uniform, sitting on the couch while Omega Agnes fixed his backpack. I crouched and pulled him into my arms for a tight hug, then kissed his forehead.

“You be good at school, okay?” I said, brushing his curls.

He nodded. “Are you going to win today, Daddy?”

I smiled. “I’ll try my best. But no matter what happens, you’re still my number one fan, yeah?”

He grinned and nodded. “Yeah!”

Liana came down with her heels clicking softly, looking breathtaking in a cream–colored dress and a small jacket. She leaned in and kissed Ryan too. “Be safe, baby. Listen to Agnes.”

“I will!” he said, bouncing on his toes as the driver came to open the door. Omega Agnes gave a small bow and got in with him. I watched the car drive off, a weird twist building in my stomach, but I didn’t say anything.

I turned to Liana. “Ready?”

She looked up at me with a tiny nervous smile and nodded. “Yeah.”

We walked out, and Richard opened the car door for us. “We’re a little behind schedule, Alpha,” he said as we got in. “But we can still make it.”

“I trust you to drive like your life depends on it,” I said, smirking slightly, trying to lighten the weight I felt inside.

Richard gave a short laugh and started the car.

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The roads weren’t too busy, and for a while, the drive was quiet, too quiet. I reached for Liana’s hand,

intertwining my fingers with hers as she stared out the window, lost in thought.

“I’m proud of you, Killian,” she whispered.

I turned to her. “For what?”

“For not giving up. For getting here. For everything.”

I squeezed her hand gently, about to say something, but then, out of nowhere, a black SUV came speeding from the opposite lane.

“Richard!” I shouted, but it was too late.

The sound of metal crashing into metal exploded in my ears.

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The impact slammed into us so hard the whole car lifted off the ground before flipping once, then skidding sideways with glass shattering and metal bending around us. Liana screamed, my arms instantly going around her to shield her body, the seatbelt digging into my chest.

It was chaos. Pure chaos.

And then…

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CHAPTER 103

KILLIAN’S POV

I didn’t know how the hell we were still alive. The car was upside down, completely totaled, glass everywhere, metal twisted and torn like paper. For a second, it was quiet, too quiet until I heard Richard’s groggy voice from

the front.

“Alpha… Luna…?” he croaked out, coughing as he struggled to move. His hand pushed at the deflated airbag, and I saw him twist painfully, his body still strapped to the driver’s seat. Blood was on his forehead, but he was alive.

Then I turned to Liana, and that’s when I realized what had happened.

Her massive white wolf was draped over both of us, shielding us like a damn wall. She had shifted before the impact, just seconds before my own wolf could react, and she’d covered our bodies with hers. My chest tightened as I saw blood streaking down her fur, her breath heavy and slow. She was already healing, but she took the full hit for us. She saved us.

“Liana,” I muttered, my voice raw, and carefully touched her, trying to get her attention. She shifted back right there, groaning softly as her human form appeared, trembling and naked, her body scratched and bruised, but nothing fatal.

“Alpha!” Richard shouted again, finally managing to crawl out of the wrecked front seat, limping toward us from the front as I wrapped my coat around Liana’s bare body. He rushed forward, his face pale. “Alpha… are you… oh my Goddess.”

“Stay back,” I growled, throwing him a sharp glare. My voice came out harder than I meant, but I didn’t care. Liana was barely dressed and still weak. No one was going to see her like that. No one. I held her close to my chest and started moving out of the wreckage.

He stepped back immediately.

I looked down at her, brushing her hair back from her face. “You okay? Baby, say something.”

Her lips parted slowly, and she whispered, “I’m fine I think…”

“You shifted,” I said, my throat tightening. “You… you saved us. You were faster than me.”

She tried to smile, but her eyes were still hazy. “Reflex. I thought we were going to die.”

I kissed her forehead, holding her tighter. “You’re not allowed to say shit like that.‘

Our car was beyond recognition. The front was smashed in completely, the windows gone, engine smoking, and if it had been any normal human inside, they would be dead right now. No question. But here we were. Miraculously alive. Because Liana’s wolf didn’t even hesitate.

Richard stepped closer again, clearly anxious. “Alpha, we need to get you both out of here. The voting starts in fifteen minutes. You were supposed to be there an hour ago.”

I looked at him like he’d lost his mind. “You think I care about that right now? Look at her!”

“I’m okay,” Liana whispered, gripping my arm. “Killian, I’m fine. Please… just go. You have to go.

I shook my head instantly. “I’m not leaving you. Forget the election. I’m taking you to the hospital first. I don’t give a damn about the votes if I’m not sure you’re okay.”

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“Killian, I said I’m fine. I’ll rest. You don’t have to-”

“Stop arguing with me,” I cut her off. “You almost died, Liana. I’m not leaving you on the side of the road to go chase some goddamn fucking crown.”

Just then, like the universe decided to give me a break for once, a cab slowed to a stop at the intersection nearby. Richard flagged it down without even asking, and I helped Liana into the backseat, keeping my arm around her the entire time.

“Johnson’s Hospital,” I told the driver sharply. It was about five minutes away, and thankfully, our pack doctor worked there.

When we arrived, Dr. Kellan, our pack doctor was already outside waiting. Apparently, Richard had called ahead. The moment we stepped in, Liana was taken in quickly. I stayed right by her side while Kellan checked her, my arms crossed and my mind racing with a thousand different thoughts.

After some tests, he finally looked up and said, “She’s fine. No internal injuries. Her wolf already started healing the cuts. She’s just drained. She needs rest, and maybe some fluids.”

I almost dropped to the floor in relief.

They moved her into a private VVIP room, and I sat beside her while she took the meds and slowly drifted to sleep. Just before her eyes closed completely, she whispered, “Go, Killian. You need to go. Please. I’m okay now.”

My heart ached, because she still cared more about me winning than about herself. I leaned down, kissed her softly, and brushed her hair back. “I’m not going if I don’t want to. You can’t make me.‘

She gave a small tired smile. “But I do want you to.”

Before I could answer, my phone rang. It was my mother. I answered immediately.

“Killian! Oh God, how are you? We heard about the crash. Is Liana okay? Tell me she’s okay!”

“She’s fine. She’s asleep now. The doctor says it’s nothing serious. Just exhaustion.”

I heard her exhale. Then her father’s voice came from the background. “Give me the phone. I want to talk to him.”

“Hello-”

“We’re already in the hospital,” he said. “What room?”

I gave them the room number, quite surprised that they were already here, and a few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. I stood up and opened it.

My mom rushed in like a storm, not even sparing me a glance. She ran straight to Liana, bent over her, and kissed her forehead over and over again.

“My sweet girl, thank the moon you’re okay,” she murmured.

Andrew came in right after, calmer, but his eyes said everything. He walked over and touched Liana’s hand gently. “You gave us a scare,” he said.

Liana stirred and opened her eyes a bit. “I’m fine,” she whispered. “Really. I’m okay.”

She turned to me again. “Killian. Go.”

Her dad looked at me. “We’re here. You don’t have to worry. We won’t leave her side. You need to go. It’s time.”

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I didn’t want to. I really didn’t. But then there was another knock at the door, and when I opened it, Richard and Steve were standing there.

“Alpha, we have to leave now if we want to make it,” Richard said.

I turned back to look at Liana one more time, and she gave me a soft smile.

“I’ll be fine,” she whispered. “Go.”

I bent down and kissed her forehead, then her lips. “I’ll come back as soon as it’s done. I promise.”

“Go win,” she said.

And so I left.

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“How are we so sure that he was even in an accident?” one of the voices rang loudly through the hall, and as I pushed the door open, that voice became clearer. “A candidate that has no regard for punctuality or responsibility is not fit to be Alpha King. This election was meant to start thirty minutes ago, and a top candidate is absent without notice? And you think this is the man we should vote for? I’m not saying this because I want Alpha Dorian to win, though he’s clearly the only one here who actually respects this election.”

It was Dorian’s beta. Arrogant little bastard. He was already trying to disqualify me before the damn vote even started.

I stepped fully into the hall.

The room fell completely silent. A few gasps. A few whispers. And then I saw their faces, relief, shock, even some admiration. The large hall was filled with werewolves from all three core territories. It had been rented out solely for this election, and ever since the last Alpha King and Luna died five years ago in that plane crash, the council had been ruling in their absence. Now, finally, this was the day they were all waiting for, the day to choose a new king.

Logan rushed up to me before anyone else could. “Killian! Fuck, are you okay?” he whispered harshly as he looked me over, eyes scanning me head to toe like I’d been brought in on a stretcher.

“I’m fine,” I muttered. “I made it.”

He let out a huge breath, rubbing his face. “Thank God. I tried to delay as much as I could. Dorian’s beta has been on fire trying to get you eliminated, saying you disrespected the election, that your absence shows you’re not fit for the throne, but the pack refused. They pushed back. Said they’d wait for you. Some even sent prayers for you and Liana.”

That made something in my chest squeeze.

“How is she?” he asked.

“She’s fine now. Just tired. She’s resting at Johnson’s hospital. She couldn’t come.”

He nodded slowly. “It’s okay. Everyone understands.”

The council stood too and each gave me a small nod of acknowledgment. Then I was being directed to stand beside

Dorian.

He looked at me like he’d seen a ghost.

“Didn’t expect to see me, huh?” I said low enough for only him to hear as I straightened my jacket.

He gave me a tight smile but said nothing.

A few seconds later, one of the councilmen stepped forward and called for silence. “Before the voting begins, the candidates will each be allowed a short speech. Please listen carefully and respectfully. Alpha Dorian, you may go first.”

Dorian stepped forward, plastered on that fake smile, and began. “My dear wolves, I stand here today not just as a candidate, but as someone who has given everything to the growth of our region. My leadership has brought discipline, tradition, and order. I have kept my pack strong, kept the laws firm, and stood for everything our

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ancestors believed in. If elected, I will ensure that we do not fall pray to chaos and weakness disguised as equality. Strength is what matters. Loyalty to the system is what matters. And I promise to preserve the structure we have thrived in for centuries.” He finished.

The sugarcoating couldn’t hide the fact that his entire speech was built on fear, control, and the same damn system that had kept so many beneath others.

One of the councilmen, Mr. Williams turned to me. “Alpha Killian.”

I stepped forward slowly, clearing my throat. I looked at the hall, not just at the council or the elders, but at the people. The warriors. The young Alphas. The omegas. The mothers. The betas who worked day and night. The eyes staring back at me weren’t just voting, they were hoping.

“I’m not going to pretend like I’m perfect or that I haven’t made mistakes,” I started. “But I’ve seen what this system has done to us. I’ve lived it. I’ve watched good wolves suffer because of old rules written by dead men. I’ve watched power be handed to those who only know how to use it for themselves. I’ve watched fear control the people who deserve freedom and dignity. and I won’t be part of that anymore.”

I paused.

“If you vote for me today, you’re not voting for a man who wants the throne to feed his pride. You’re voting for someone who wants to build a new order. One where every pack in the territory, North, East, West has equal say. Where omegas aren’t treated like second–class citizens. Where strength isn’t measured by bloodline, but by heart. Where we build an economy that works for every wolf, not just the powerful ones. Where the council isn’t just a name, it’s a voice for the people.”

I exhaled. “We’ve been waiting five years. Let’s not waste this chance. Let’s build something better.”

When I stepped back, the room was quiet for a second.

Then the clapping started.

Soft at first, then louder, then louder until the whole hall was filled with applause. I felt Logan slap my shoulder, and someone else even whistled.

The councilwoman, Mrs Dowaga, stepped forward. “Thank you, Alpha Killian. Now, we will begin the voting.”

The ballot boxes were opened. One by one, the werewolves began casting their votes.

There was a short break after the voting, and while the noise in the hall died down a little and people went out to get refreshments, I stepped aside with Logan, Steve, and Richard. We moved to a more private corner, and Logan, as usual, didn’t waste time.

“That wasn’t just an accident, Killian,” he said, looking at me with that same serious expression he always had whenever shit was off. “The timing, the force of the impact, the way that car came out of nowhere… it felt planned. It felt like someone wanted to get rid of you before the election even started.”

Richard nodded. “We’ve all been thinking it. I mean, Alpha Cassian’s out, and now someone’s trying to get rid of you too? It’s too much of a coincidence.”

Steve added, “You have someone in mind?”

Before I could even open my mouth, the damn suspect himself walked in, like he’d been listening all along and just waited for the perfect time to show up. Alpha Dorian.

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He walked in with that same smug face, his beta trailing him like a loyal dog, and I didn’t miss the smirk Dorian was wearing. It was the kind of smirk that made your fist itch.

“Alpha Killian,” he said with a fake smile stretched across his face, his voice annoyingly calm. Logan moved like he was about to charge him, but I held him back with one hand. I wasn’t about to cause a scene. Not here, and definitely not yet.

“Logan, don’t,” I said quietly, still keeping my eyes on Dorian. I knew what I was doing. I wasn’t just going to accuse him without solid proof. I needed to be sure. I needed to be smart. Dorian might be arrogant, but he wasn’t stupid.

Dorian kept pretending like everything was fine. “I just want you to know, if I don’t win this election, I’ll be glad it’s you who does. Honestly.”

I gave a small nod, nothing too expressive. Just enough to keep him talking.

He laughed a little and stepped closer. “But you know, winning the crown doesn’t always mean you get to wear it for long. Things happen. Life is unpredictable. You might not even get to sit on the throne for real.”

I smiled, just a little, and held back the words I wanted to throw at him. He wasn’t finished.

He looked around like he was about to gossip and leaned in a little. “How’s your lovely wife, Liana? I heard she was with you during the… incident. Is she good?”

“She’s fine,” I replied simply.

“Good, good,” he said, then clicked his tongue. “I heard the accident was pretty bad. Ghastly, even.”

I didn’t answer that. I just kept looking at him, trying to keep my face blank.

Then the bastard actually reached out and patted my shoulder, like we were old friends. “Congratulations in advance,” he said. “The wolves love you. You’ll probably win. No doubt. But let’s hope you get to enjoy it. Let’s hope there won’t be another… unexpected accident.”

That was it. Logan growled beside me and moved again, but this time, I didn’t stop him right away. I stepped forward myself and stared Dorian right in the eyes.

“Let’s also hope you won’t be dealt with by the time I’m crowned,” I said slowly, letting my voice drop so only he could hear. “Because as the next Alpha King, I’ll make sure you pay for what you did.”

His smile twitched, just a little, and I leaned in even closer.

“Don’t think I don’t know it was one of your men who drove that car straight into us. I know everything, Dorian. And no one, I repeat, no one tries to harm me or my family and gets away with it.”

His eyes flickered.

“Don’t think you’ll be able to disappear like Cassian. I already know he’s hiding in Vegas. You can tell him I said hi. And he should get comfortable while he still can, because deportation papers are already waiting for him.”

I kept my smile small but sharp as I patted his shoulder in return. The fear in his eyes made it worth it.

Right then, a loud voice echoed through the hall, announcing that everyone should return to their seats. The winner of the election was about to be announced.

I gave Dorian one last look before walking past him and heading back inside. Let the bastard sweat a little.

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105

CHAPTER 105

KILLIAN’S POV

Just as everyone was gathered and waiting for the election result to be called, the councilmen had returned to the stage, and the hall was filled with anticipation. One of them stepped forward, holding a folded parchment that looked like it carried the final result. But before he could speak, a strange sound came on from the loudspeakers behind the podium. It was a voice. No, two voices.

The entire hall went dead silent.

Everyone turned toward the speakers.

Then the audio started clearly.

“Are you sure it happened?” Dorian’s voice rang out, clear and unmistakable. He was speaking in a low tone, but the mic had caught everything.

“Yes,” came the voice of his beta, Gary. “The men did as they were told. I paid them in full. The car was totaled. They didn’t even see it coming. Here… this is the picture they sent.”

There was a pause, and then Dorian’s voice again. This time colder.

“Damn. I didn’t think they’d really go through with it. Can they even survive that? It looked brutal.”

Gary snorted. “I doubt it. They said the impact was bad.”

Then Dorian laughed. Actually laughed.

“That’s what he gets for trying to take something that was never his. I’ve had my eyes on that damn crown since the last Alpha King died in that stupid plane crash. This title was meant for me. If he dies, fine. It saves me the trouble.”

Gasps rippled through the hall.

Some growled.

Some cursed.

I looked over at Dorian. He froze. His entire body turned stiff like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing himself. Slowly, the entire room turned their heads toward him. His face paled. His lips parted. And then, he did the one thing no one expected, he tried to run.

“Stop him!” one of the councilmen yelled.

The guards moved instantly. Two of them grabbed Dorian before he could make it more than three steps. He fought them. “Get off me! This is all lies! It’s fake! It’s a setup!”

“You said it yourself, you fool!” one of the elders shouted from the other side.

“It wasn’t me! It was Gary! He did everything!” Dorian screamed, yanking away from one of the guards and pointing at his beta. “He was the one who handled the accident! It was all him!”

Gary’s mouth dropped. “What?! You told me to! You said you wanted it done before the election! You said you didn’t care how!”

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“Liar!”

“Don’t you dare!”

“Shut up, both of you!” someone yelled.

It was chaos.

The guards pushed them apart, trying to control the growing fight. Gary was now yelling back, completely betrayed, while Dorian kept shouting over him, trying to blame everyone but himself.

Then Mrs Dowaga, the councilwoman stepped forward.

“We were going to announce the winner first, but clearly the Goddess had a different plan.” She looked around. ” This audio was leaked to us just thirty minutes ago by an anonymous source. But we didn’t want to play it until we confirmed it was real. And we did. We verified the voice with the help of our voice match technology. There is no mistake.”

She turned toward Dorian. “Alpha Dorian of the Blackmoon pack, you are under investigation for attempted assassination of Alpha Killian and his mate, Liana. You are hereby disqualified from the election, and a full inquiry into your pack’s activity has begun.”

Dorian’s mouth hung open. “No… no, please, this can’t be happening.”

But no one pitied him. Not after what they heard.

Then the senior councilman stepped forward again, this time holding the parchment higher.

“With the rightful candidate remaining… and after a fair count, the winner of the Alpha King election, with about ninety percent vote higher, is…” he paused.

Everyone held their breath.

“Alpha Killian Wolfe!”

The entire hall exploded.

There were shouts of joy. applause. Wolves from every core territory rose to their feet, clapping and cheering.

I stood there, frozen for a moment. I didn’t even know how to react. My head was still spinning from the whole shock of actually hearing my name called. Alpha King. They called me Alpha King.

When the hall quieted down again, the councilman handed me the mic and gestured for me to speak. I stepped forward slowly, trying to find the right words while still feeling like I was stuck in a dream.

“I…” I cleared my throat and gave a small smile. “Honestly, I didn’t prepare a speech, because I didn’t even know if I’d be standing here at all today. And after what just happened, I think we all need a moment to breathe.” I chuckled lightly, and a few people did too.

I looked around the hall, seeing so many faces, so many eyes fixed on me, some familiar, some not. But all of them were looking at me with hope, and that was what really hit me.

“I know I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again. I’m not perfect. Far from it. I have flaws. I’ve made mistakes. I’ve been through a lot, and I know many of you have too. But still… still you believed in me. You voted for me. You gave me this chance. And I just want to say thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”

I paused for a second, letting the silence settle for just a beat before continuing.

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“Being Alpha King isn’t just about power or the crown or the title. It’s about service. It’s about doing right by every single pack, every wolf, every child, elder, warrior, omega, and alpha alike. And I promise you, with everything I have, I will not take that responsibility lightly. I will give you my best. always.”

I nodded once and stepped back, giving the mic to the councilman again.

The applause came hard and loud. They clapped and clapped, some even standing again. I felt Logan slap my shoulder from behind, “That was good, man. That was damn good.”

Then the senior councilman raised his hand for silence and made the next announcement.

“We invite you all to the official Inauguration Gala and Crowning Ceremony,” he said clearly. “It will be held this evening at the Raven five star Hotel, and all are invited. The ceremony begins promptly at 8PM.”

Everyone cheered happily.

The three council members came up to me after that. They bowed, like actually bowed, and it felt strange, but I held my posture.

“Congratulations, Alpha King Killian,” Mrs Dowaga said warmly. “We know we’re in good hands.”

“You’ve earned this,” the older man beside her added. “We look forward to working beside you.”

I nodded and thanked them, keeping a respectful tone, but honestly, all I could think about in that moment was my Liana. My mate. The woman who should have been standing right here beside me.

God, I missed my Liana so damn much.

Being away from her even for this short time was already pulling at me. I needed to see her. Hold her. I needed her to know that we made it. That we actually made it.

My smile stayed on my face for the crowd, but inside, all I wanted was to leave this place, get in my car, and head straight to her hospital room.

Because none of this would feel real until I saw her eyes and told her everything myself.

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CHAPTER 106

LIANA’S POV

“So, have you picked a date yet?” My stepmom asked, her voice light as she sat at the edge of my hospital bed, her fingers gently adjusting the hem of my blanket like she couldn’t sit still. “I mean, the wedding dress, the hall, the cake… Liana, you haven’t even started anything. Do you know how fast time flies?”

I gave her a small smile and shook my head, letting out a soft sigh. “We haven’t even set a date yet,” I admitted, resting my head back against the pillow. “Everything happened so fast…. I haven’t really had time to think about any of that.”

She made a face at me, clearly unimpressed. “That’s exactly why you should be thinking about it now. Your dress alone might take months. And the baker for the cake? Don’t get me started. Do you know how long it takes to book someone good enough for a soon–to–be Luna Queen’s wedding?”

I laughed a little. “Mom, I’m barely out of bed. I think I get a pass for not picking cake flavors yet.”

She rolled her eyes. “Fine. But you better not leave me out when it’s time to choose the venue. You hear me?”

I was about to answer when the door to the room flew open and Killian barged in like he hadn’t seen me in years.

A huge smile was plastered across his face and before I could even sit up properly, he rushed over to the bed, dropped to his knees, and started peppering my face with kisses, on my cheeks, my forehead, my nose, everywhere. His scent hit me before anything else, and God, I didn’t realize how much I missed him until right

now.

“Killian-“I tried to laugh, squirming as his stubble tickled my skin. “Killian, calm down, mom’s right there.”

“Let her watch,” he muttered between kisses. “I’ve missed you so damn much.”

“Did you win?” I asked casually, trying to act like it wasn’t killing me to know, even though my heart was pounding just waiting for the answer.

Before he could even say a word, Richard, who had quietly entered behind him, answered for him.

“He did,” Richard said with a proud smile and bowed his head slightly in my direction. “Congratulations, Luna Queen.”

I blinked. “What?”

Killian grinned and finally pulled back a little, cupping my face gently in his hands. “I won, baby. It’s done. The people chose me.”

My lips parted in shock and my heart swelled so fast it felt like it was about to burst. “Oh my God, Killian… that’s … that’s amazing.”

He kissed me again, this time slower, more grounded, like everything we’d been through was finally worth it.

“What about the accident?” I asked softly against his lips. “Did you find out who was behind it?”

His face changed a little, his eyes darkening just slightly. “It was Alpha Dorian. He confessed. Or rather, he was exposed. He’s in the cell now. Logan and Steve are taking care of him.”

I understood exactly what that meant, and a small chuckle slipped out of me. Killian’s torture wasn’t ordinary. That man was about to wish he was never born.

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The door opened again and this time, my dad stepped in with the pack doctor by his side.

The moment the doctor saw Killian, his face lit up with surprise and admiration. “Alpha King,” he said with a respectful nod. “Congratulations on your victory. The news reached us just a few minutes ago. The entire medical wing is celebrating.”

Killian gave him a small smile and a nod. “Thank you, Doctor.”

My dad looked just as proud. He stepped closer, his eyes never leaving Killian. “Well, look who the people crowned

“he said warmly.

Killian stepped forward and shook his hand. “Thank you. For everything.”

The doctor then turned to me with a soft smile. “You’re officially discharged. Your vitals are good and your strength is back which is surprising. You’re in perfect condition.”

Killian nodded. “Thank you for taking care of my wife.”

Mom laughed softly. “I love how you always say that. ‘My wife‘. Like it’s the most sacred title in the world.”

“It is to me,” Killian said without missing a beat.

Before I could argue or stop him, he bent down and scooped me into his arms like I weighed nothing.

“Killian! You caveman! Put me down!” I squealed, holding onto his neck. “People are watching.”

“Let them watch. You’re mine. I’m taking you home.”

“I can walk,” I mumbled, hiding my face in his chest.

“Too bad. This is happening.”

11

Dad and Mom followed behind us, both smiling like they were watching a movie. Killian didn’t care. He looked so proud, so happy, like carrying me out of there was his personal victory lap.

“Richard,” Killian called as we reached the elevator. “Handle the rest of the things.

Richard nodded. “Consider it done.”

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107

CHAPTER 107

LIANA’S POV

We pulled up to the gala in Killian’s black Lamborghini, and even though I tried not to act like I was blown away, I was. The lights, the cameras, the way people were already crowding outside the building waiting to see the new Alpha King and his Luna Queen, everything felt so surreal. I was wearing this gorgeous black dress with tiny silver shimmers that sparkled every time I moved, and Ryan, who sat between us in the back, was in a tuxedo that matched Killian’s perfectly. They both looked so handsome that I couldn’t stop smiling.

My dad and stepmom sat beside Ryan, helping him straighten his little bowtie. It was as if we were walking into our new life, together, as a family. And God, the nerves in my stomach refused to settle down.

The second we stepped out of the car, the whole place went quiet for a second, like someone had hit a pause button. Then there were whispers.

“Alpha King Killian.”

“Luna Queen Liana.”

“Is that their son? Oh my God.”

The hall was grand. I mean, really grand. Red carpet stretched out like a royal path straight to the front stage, and there were gold decorations, flowers, soft music playing in the background. Two massive thrones sat on the stage, one for the Alpha King and the other for his Queen. Beside them, in a clear, glass box with silver trimmings, was the crown. It was so beautiful, and even though it was a modern–day gala, the tradition of the crowning ceremony still held strong. Seeing that crown made everything real.

People greeted us with so much respect. Everywhere we turned, someone bowed or dipped their head or called out our titles. It was overwhelming. “Alpha King.” “Luna Queen.” Over and over. I was trying to smile and keep up, but I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that this was real. That this was my life now.

Logan and Steve were already there, then at a corner, Killian nudged me lightly and motioned with his head.

“Look at that fool,” he whispered.

I followed his gaze and saw Richard with a girl who looked so nervous, it was almost cute. She was clearly human, her scent gave her away instantly. But she looked beautiful, and when she realized we were approaching, she looked as if she was about to faint.

“Alpha,” Richard said with a proud grin, placing a hand around her waist like he was claiming her. “This is Olivia.”

“It’s an honor to meet you,” she said softly.

Killian smiled. “So you’re the one who made Richard sometimes miss some important meetings, huh?”

The girl blushed so hard she couldn’t even look Killian in the eyes.

“Don’t scare her, Alpha.” Richard said, and we all laughed.

Soon, the host came up to the stage and tapped the mic.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, his voice loud and clear. “Can I please have your attention?”

Everyone quieted down.

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The man continued, cracking a few jokes and making the entire hall burst out in laughter. He was funny. Like, really funny. But eventually, his voice took on a serious tone.

“Tonight,” he said, “is not just any gala. Tonight is history. Tonight, we officially crown the next Alpha King and his Luna Queen.”

My heart jumped.

Two guards approached us and led us to the chairs at the center of the stage. Killian held my hand the entire time, his thumb brushing gently against mine.

Then the council appeared, Mrs. Dowaga, Mr. William, and Mr. Sylvester, walking slowly toward us as a respectful silence filled the entire hall.

They stood behind us for a moment. Then the box was opened.

Mrs. Dowaga took the crown carefully and placed it on Killian’s head.

Mr. Sylvester did the same to me.

It was heavy. Not just literally. It felt like the weight carried a heavy responsibility. I was no longer just Liana. I was Luna Queen. And this crown on my head meant more responsibilities, power. A new life I never thought I’d have.

When the final crown was placed, the hall erupted.

Applause.

Cheering.

Some people even cried.

Cameras flashed everywhere. People rushed forward to take pictures, and I was trying so hard not to cry, but I couldn’t stop the tears from slipping down my cheeks.

Killian stood up and helped me up too.

He walked to the podium, adjusted the mic, and waited for the cheers to settle.

Then he spoke.

“I don’t even know where to start,” he said, chuckling lightly. “But thank you. To every single person who believed in me, supported me, voted for me… thank you. I’m here because you all decided to give me a chance. And I promise I won’t let you down.”

More applause.

“To my mate, my Luna Queen, my strength… thank you for standing by me, even when I didn’t deserve it. To my mother, to my father–in–law, to my beta, my gamma, my secretary, Richard,” he smiled, “thank you. Thank you all for helping me carry this dream and making it real.”

I wiped my eyes quietly as he spoke.

Then he ended with, “And now, I’d love to officially invite you all to the wedding ceremony of your Alpha King and Luna Queen, taking place in exactly two weeks from today.”

I turned my head to him slowly.

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“Two weeks?” I whispered.

He winked at me. “Surprise.”

I smiled, even though I was still in shock.

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The crowd cheered again, and I didn’t even know when Killian wrapped his arm tightly around my waist and pulled me closer. Everyone was looking, and when he kissed my temple, the entire hall went, “Awwwwnnnn.”

Ryan came running forward, smiling so hard his dimples were showing. “Mommy! Daddy! You look like king and queen in a cartoon!”

Killian picked him up effortlessly, and my heart melted at the way Ryan looked at both of us.

Then my dad and Killian’s mom joined us on stage, and the camera flashes didn’t stop.

We stood there together, our little royal family, smiling for the cameras, smiling for ourselves, and I swear, it was the happiest day of my life.

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108

CHAPTER 108

LIANA’S POV

The wedding preparations were in full force and it honestly felt like everything was happening all at once. I was being pulled in ten different directions with decorators, planners, tailors, florists, and cake designers all asking me questions about things I hadn’t even thought about. It was a royal wedding, and apparently that meant every single detail had to be absolutely perfect. My dress alone had five designers working on it from three different packs. The hall was being set up like it was a coronation, and I’d overheard someone say it was going to be broadcast live across all werewolf territories.

If not for my stepmom, I’d have gone crazy already. She was the one handling everything with this calm, bossy confidence like she’d been waiting her whole life to throw me the perfect royal wedding. And honestly? I was grateful. I really was.

She didn’t let me lift a finger and kept saying, “You’re the bride, you’re not supposed to be stressed. Just show up , look stunning, and say I do.”

Killian, on the other hand, was swamped. Ever since he officially became Alpha King, he’d been buried in documents and decisions and more paper than I’d ever seen in my life. Council meetings, alliance proposals, pack integrations… it was a lot. But Logan, Steve, and Richard were always by his side. They made things easier for him. I always saw one of them walking in or out of his office with thick folders in their hands and this exhausted look on their faces like they hadn’t slept in days.

One time, I overheard Killian talking on the phone in his office. He was discussing something about imprisoning Alpha Cassian, saying they’d finally caught him in Vegas, and Killian wasn’t going to let him go unpunished. Cynthia was still serving her jail term too, and the three men who murdered my mom? They were dead. Killian didn’t go into details, but from what I knew… the deaths weren’t peaceful. They begged for death after what Killian did to them. He said Dorian and Cassian were still in the prison, rotting there until further notice.

Anyway, today I was following my stepmom for my dress fitting. We were at this very high–end bridal store, and I was already halfway through trying out a third gown while my phone buzzed in my purse. I checked the screen and froze.

Betty.

My heart did this weird jump. Betty was my college best friend. Back when I ran away from home and decided to go back to school to get a diploma even with my pregnancy, Betty was the one who helped me the most. When I gave birth and was raising Ryan alone, juggling multiple jobs, and trying to pass exams, she… she made it easier. She would help babysit Ryan, sometimes even cook dinner when I was too exhausted to do anything. Betty was an orphan, so we bonded quickly, both of us carrying this heavy kind of sadness. We were friends for five years, and then she got married and moved to another country with her husband. I hadn’t seen her since, but we kept in touch once in a while.

I smiled and quickly picked the call, already excited to hear her voice.

“Hello? Betty?”

But it wasn’t her.

“Hello, is this Miss Liana Rivers?”

I sat down immediately, my heart suddenly feeling tight. “Yes. Who is this?”

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The woman on the line spoke calmly, politely, but I could hear something serious in her voice. “My name is Mrs. Amanda. I work at the St. Gertrude’s Orphanage. I’m so sorry to call you like this but… there’s something very important I need to discuss with you.”

I swallowed. “Is this about Betty?”

There was a pause. Then the woman’s voice softened. “Yes. I’m so sorry to inform you… but Betty and her husband were involved in a car accident. They didn’t survive.”

Everything inside me just went still.

No.

No. No. No.

“What… what do you mean they didn’t survive?” My throat felt dry and I was already shaking.

“I know this is very hard to hear,” she continued gently, “but the car crash was fatal. It happened last week. Betty’s husband died on the spot and Betty passed away two days later in the hospital.”

Tears rushed to my eyes immediately. I gripped the edge of the chair like my body needed something to hold me

1. up.

Betty was dead? No. It didn’t make sense.

“What about her… her baby,” I whispered.

“That’s the main reason I needed to speak with you. The baby survived. She’s safe. And… Betty left something very important behind. A message. For you. She named you as the child’s guardian in her emergency file.”

I gasped. My hand flew to my chest. “Me?”

“Yes. I’d really appreciate it if we could meet in person. There’s a lot I need to explain. And I believe… you deserve to hear what Betty wanted to say.”

I was still wearing the third wedding dress, the tailor was calling my name, my stepmom was trying to get my attention about something with the veil, but all I could focus on was the fact that my best friend was gone, and her baby… her baby was alive and waiting for me.

“I’ll come,” I said quickly. “Send me the location. I’ll come right now.”

I turned to my stepmom and told her what happened. Her face changed immediately, softening into something I

couldn’t even describe.

“Go,” she said. “I’ll finish everything here. Just go.”

I nodded, wiped my tears, grabbed my phone and purse, and ran out. I didn’t even wait for the car. I just flagged down the nearest taxi and gave the driver the address.

It was almost thirty minutes later when the cab stopped.

And the moment I stepped out and saw what I saw…

A tear slipped down my cheek.

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CHAPTER 109

LIANA’S POV

The woman was already sitting in the café, holding a tiny little girl in her arms, and as I got closer, I could see her clearly. She looked barely two years old, if even that. She had round cheeks, chubby little hands, and curly dark hair tied into two puffs. And her eyes… God, her eyes were Betty’s. The second I saw her, I stopped walking and just stood there, frozen. My heart was beating so fast, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

The woman stood up when she saw me and looked almost relieved. “Are you Miss Liana? Ryan’s mom?” she asked gently.

“Yes,” I said, nodding quickly while trying to keep my emotions together.

She gave me a small, kind smile and sat back down. “I’m Mrs. Amanda. I’m the matron from the St. Gertrude’s Orphanage. Thank you for coming. Please sit.”

I didn’t even sit yet, I just crouched down slowly in front of the little girl. I stretched out my hands and smiled, and to my shock, she walked straight into my arms with no fear and hesitation. As I lifted her up and hugged her tight, the tears came rushing down.

“Hi, sweetheart,” I whispered shakily, “What’s your name?”

She blinked those big brown eyes and said, “I’m Anna.”

That was it. I cried so hard while holding her tiny body against my chest. She looked exactly like Betty. I could see her in every part of this child.

Mrs. Amanda quietly reached into her bag and pulled out a brown envelope. “This was left for you. It’s from Betty … before she passed. She wanted you to have it.”

I sat down opposite her slowly, still holding Anna in my arms, and opened the file with trembling hands. Inside was a handwritten letter. I could tell it was Betty’s handwriting the second I saw it. My heart dropped, and I started reading.

Dear Liana,

If you’re reading this, it means I didn’t make it.

I don’t even know where to start. I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry for dropping this on you like this. You’ve always been the strongest person I knew. You were the only person who treated me like family when I had no one. You were there for me when the world felt too cruel, and now I need one last favor from you.

My daughter, Anna, she’s all I have left. My husband and I were involved in a terrible car crash, he didn’t survive, and I… I’m not too sure I will survive it too. Daniel and I are orphans, we don’t have anyone in this world. No parents. No siblings. No relatives. Just you.

Please, Liana… please take care of her like she’s yours. I know it’s too much to ask, but I’m begging you. She’s a good girl. She’s sweet. I want her to grow up loved, safe, and protected. And you’re the only one I trust with that.

In this envelope, there’s a card. It’s Anna’s trust fund. The password is 0504, her birthday. It’s not much, but we saved every little we could for Anna’s future. For her school, her health, her everything. I just… I never thought I wouldn’t be around to give it to her myself.

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109

Thank you for being my sister when I had no one. I love you, Liana. Please let her forget me.

Love,

Betty.

+25 BONUS

By the time I finished the letter, I was sobbing into Anna’s tiny shoulder. I couldn’t control it. My whole body shook as I held her closer and whispered over and over again, “I promise. I promise. I promise I’ll take care of you. You’re mine now. I’m your mommy now, okay? I’m your mommy.”

Anna didn’t say anything, but she touched my wet cheeks with her little hand and rested her head on my shoulder like she understood.

Mrs. Amanda was crying too. She sniffled and said, “After her mother passed, the nurse called us at the orphanage to come pick the baby up. We didn’t know how to find you, but while going through her things, we found this letter and her phone. Your name was saved as ‘Liana My Only Sister.‘ That was how we knew who to call.”

I wiped my eyes and nodded. “Thank you. Thank you so much for reaching out. I swear, I’ll take care of her. As if she were my own. I mean it.”

She nodded slowly, then looked at me a little more seriously. “Not that I don’t trust you, dear, but I heard you’re getting married soon… I’d like to meet the man who’s going to be raising Anna too. You know, just to be sure everything’s in order before we finalize the paperwork.”

“Of course,” I said immediately. “You’re right. Please, give me a few minutes. I’ll call him.”

I picked up my phone and called Killian. “Hey, baby. Can you come to this address right now? It’s important.‘

He sounded concerned right away. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I said quickly. “I’ll explain everything when you get here. Please just come.”

3)

Ten minutes later, Killian pulled up in his black SUV, and the second he stepped inside the café, I could see the worry all over his face. He rushed toward us, stopping only when he saw me holding the baby and the other woman sitting beside me.

“Liana,” he said slowly. “What’s going on?”

I stood up, still holding Anna, and motioned for him to sit down. “Please, just listen for a moment.”

He nodded, sat, and looked between me and Mrs. Amanda with confusion.

I took a deep breath. “This is Anna. She’s Betty’s daughter, my best friend from college. The one who helped me during those horrible years. She’s gone, Killian. She died. And so did her husband. There’s no one left. She left me a letter asking me to take care of Anna. To be her mom.”

I watched his expression shift as I spoke, saw his eyes soften with each word. By the time I finished, he looked at Anna like she was the most delicate thing he’d ever seen.

He swallowed hard and reached out to touch her little hand. “She’s beautiful,” he whispered.

And then, God, I saw the tears. The Alpha King, my Killian, the strongest man I knew… he cried. He wiped his eyes quickly, like he didn’t want me to see, but I saw it.

He stood up, walked to Mrs. Amanda, and said quietly, “I’ll treat her like the daughter I never had. You have my word.”

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109

Mrs. Amanda nodded with a trembling smile. “That’s all I needed to hear.”

We signed the paperwork. Everything was official now. Anna was ours.

The woman stood to leave, giving Anna one last gentle pat. “Be good, sweetheart,” she whispered.

And then she left, and Anna stayed.

+25 BONUS

When we got home, I was still holding little Anna in my arms like she was a piece of me I never knew I’d been missing. She hadn’t said much the whole ride back, just clung to me with her tiny hands, her head resting quietly against my shoulder like she already knew this was her new home. Killian was the one who opened the door and stepped aside for us to enter, his hand brushing my back in that protective way of his, like he was reminding me he was here. Always here.

“Ryan,” I called softly the moment we stepped inside, my voice just loud enough to carry through the house.

He came running down the stairs a few seconds later, his pajamas still rumpled and his hair sticking out in all directions. The moment his eyes landed on the little girl in my arms, he slowed down and blinked, his head tilting a little like he was trying to figure out what was going on.

“Who’s that?” he asked, his voice curious and a little cautious.

Killian stepped forward and knelt beside him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. “This is Anna,” he said calmly. “She’s going to be your little sister from now on.”

Ryan’s brows pulled together. “But… how?” he asked, looking from Killian to me. “Your stomach wasn’t big like other mommies‘ stomachs when they have babies.”

I let out a small laugh, even though my throat still felt tight from everything that had happened today. Before I could even think of what to say, Killian reached for Anna and took her from my arms. He cradled her so easily, like he’d done it a thousand times before.

“You’re right,” he told Ryan, nodding. “She didn’t grow in Mommy’s tummy, but she’s still your sister now. We’re going to take care of her together, okay?”

Ryan looked at Anna again, his face still unsure, like he wasn’t quite convinced. But then something changed. He stepped forward, reached for Anna’s tiny hand, and held it gently between his fingers.

“Hi,” he said shyly. “I’m Ryan.”

Anna giggled, a soft, delicate little laugh that somehow filled the entire room, and her tiny teeth showed as she smiled up at him. And then, out of nowhere, Ryan said something I’d never heard him say before, not even about the girls at school who had a crush on him.

“She’s really pretty.”

Killian and I both turned to look at him, stunned. I couldn’t help the small gasp that escaped me as I watched the way Ryan stared at her, like he already knew this little girl was going to be a part of his world now.

Killian blinked and then laughed under his breath, shaking his head in disbelief.

Anna giggled softly at his words, her tiny teeth showing as she stared up at him with wide, shiny eyes.

And Ryan… he didn’t take his eyes off her.

3/3

170

110

EPILOGUE

LIANA’S POV

A

+25 BONUS

After everything that had happened, from the day Killian came back into my life, to the chaos of my father disowning me, to Cynthia being thrown in prison, to the heartbreak of losing Betty and taking in her beautiful daughter Anna, after all the pain and healing and growing, it was finally our wedding day.

Anna was already so deeply loved by everyone in our family. Mother spoiled her like she was her own granddaughter. Father adored her and always made her laugh. Even Ryan was protective over her like a big brother who took his role very seriously. She wasn’t just someone we were taking care of anymore. She was our daughter now. She was our reality.

And now, so was this. Me. Killian. Standing in front of each other as bride and groom.

It was a royal wedding, and everything about it looked and felt like something out of a movie. Everyone was there. Logan. Steve. Richard, with his human girlfriend Olivia who was glowing beside him. Even Simon came, and he brought his new girl too. I wasn’t even mad. In fact, it just felt good knowing we were all moving on with our lives.

Every member of the pack territories was present, the councils too.

And Killian…

God, Killian looked like he walked straight out of a dream. He stood tall at the altar, wearing the royal Alpha King uniform tailored perfectly for his build, his silver embroidered jacket gleaming under the lights. His hair was pushed back, his eyes fixed on me like I was the only thing he could see.

The crowd went silent the second I stepped into the hall. All eyes turned to me, but I only had eyes for him.

Mother was crying in the front row. Father had a proud but teary look in his eyes. Ryan stood beside Omega Agnes and Anna who was clutching a rose and beaming at me like she understood what today meant.

I walked slowly toward Killian, and he didn’t even try to hide how emotional he was. His hands trembled slightly as he took mine. His eyes were glistening.

The priest began the vows, just like they always do.

“Do you, Liana Rivers, take Killian Wolfe to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”

My voice shook, but I didn’t even hesitate. “Yes,” I said. “Yes, I do.”

He took a deep breath when the priest turned to him.

“And do you, Killian Wolfe, take Liana Rivers to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

“I do,” he said, his voice deep, raw, and shaking. “I’ve always done. Since the day I laid eyes on her.”

“By the power vested in me,” the priest said, smiling warmly, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Killian didn’t waste a second. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed me like he’d been waiting his whole life for that one moment. Like we were the only people in the world. The crowd erupted in cheers, whistles, and claps. Ryan covered his eyes but peeked through his fingers. Anna giggled and clapped her tiny hands. Mother wiped her eyes, and even father was smiling.

1/4

+25 BONUS

We pulled apart, laughing, crying, breathless.

Then come the pictures. So many pictures.

Me and Killian. Me, Killian, Ryan and Anna. Our whole family. Logan and Steve with playful smirks. Richard and Olivia. Omega Agnes holding Anna. Simon even joined for one group photo. It was chaotic and beautiful.

Throughout the reception, Killian didn’t leave my side. He held my hand like he couldn’t let go, like he needed the reminder that I was real and his.

He kept whispering things in my ear. “You’re my wife now.” “No more running.” “I swear, Liana, I’m going to worship you for the rest of my life.”

I laughed through tears. “You already do.”

“Not enough. Never enough.”

After we said our goodbyes to everyone, hugged the kids, our parents, and thanked every guest, Killian led me by the hand out of the Grand hall until a blacked–out SUV pulled up outside. He opened the door for me, helped me in

and slid in beside me without saying a word, but the way his hand held mine said enough.

I was confused for a second. “Where are we going?”

He smirked. “You’ll see.”

Ten minutes later, the car pulled into a heavily secured private airstrip, and my eyes widened when I saw a beautiful jet parked