Chapter 26-Battle for the Throne

I watch from the corner of my eye as Alexander begins flirting with a she-wolf, the low cut of her ballgown already proving her intention to seduce someone here. It wouldn’t surprise me if Alexander sneaks away for a few moments with her after the ceremony has ended, but she will not get that chance. With ten minutes till midnight, I plan to take Alexander down without hesitation.

Since their arrival, my pack has interceded Narin when he has made his rounds around the ballroom, always stepping into his path to chat and ask about the possibility of joining the pack and becoming guards. This gave Albot and I a chance to avoid my ex, even giving us a moment to introduce ourselves to Alexander, with Albot taking the roll of Alpha of Astraea and me his mate. To think that man I called my father for eighteen years would be tricked by the charm to hide my identity and look at me with lust; a disgusting man like this does not deserve to live.

“Ladies and gentlemen.”

Speaking of that man, his voice carries across the ball room, demanding attention to him. I frown, placing my glass of water onto the table beside me as Albot takes my free hand. Now it begins.

“As you know, we have a pack that established itself in one year in attendance.”

Alexander begins, causing a ripple of curious looks to be pointing in our direction.

“Within that year they have shown a lot of promise and as such, I would like to invite them to become my ally. Alpha Albot, will you and your mate care to join me on stage?”

Although it is stated as a question, we know that as guests we have no choice but to walk to the dais where Alexander has already made his way to, standing with what I assume is his benevolent smile. It takes everything in me not to rip off the charm and mask and reveal myself to this scum but we have to play along for now. Climbing the familiar steps, I feel Albot’s hand clench mine tighter and look up to see him looking down at me, a grim smile on his face. I know how he feels. Whatever happens next will decide our fate.

“Hello, you two. Welcome to my home.”

Alexander states as soon as we stand before him, his eyes lingering on my body. I hold in the shiver of disgust and keep a blank look on my face.

[Everyone in place?] I ask, linking my pack mates in the room.

[Yes, Alpha. We are ready when you are!] Lilac answers, a hint of excitement in the Tracker’s voice. I suppress the chuckle knowing how blood thirsty she can be, always itching for a fight. With a nod to Albot as Alexander continues his speech on tradition and howling at the moon in unity, I wait patiently for the moon to be directly above us. For the Question that is to come.

“Will the Alpha care to step forward and shift with me to complete the alliance?”

Ah, there are those words. With that, I slowly take my ring off, Alexander too focused on his own task of taking off his mask while Narin steps forward. The moment his fingers move to take Alexander’s cape I watch as my ex takes a deep breath and stiffens, his eyes darting towards me with shock and confusion.

“I will gladly step forward, Alexander, but instead I want your head.”

I chuckle darkly, stepping ahead of Albot and removing my own mask. I watch as the man before me also stares at me in surprise, his eyes darting to my prism-coloured eyes with a look of disbelief.

“H—How did you get in?”

He stutters and I chuckle, opening my hand to reveal the ring that Cassandra had charmed for me.

“Hope this explains it. Cassandra send her regards in your death.”

I comment, passing the ring to Albot, who grins at me. I watch as anger contorts Alexander’s face, the rage I used to be afraid of as a child now making me laugh. This man has no idea what true anger is.

“You have no right to my Throne. You aren’t even my daughter!”

Alexander bellows, the hushed voices of the crowd following suit as some question if what he says is true or if it’s a way to try to intimidate me. I smile, slowly stepping towards Alexander and watch as he backs away and glaring at the silver mask in my hand.

“You’re right. I am not your daughter.”

A collective gasp of shock from the crowd has me chuckling, making me stop my footsteps as the moonlight above illuminates me.

“I am Crystalline Thorn, the Lost Princess protected by Morai, Goddess of Destiny, and daughter of King Spirit and Goddess Luna.”

My voice carries around the room, over the silent crowd. Declaring my true heritage brings the power of a royal to my blood and with a smile I pull out the moonstone necklace from inside my gown and put it on, the orb glowing.

“I am the rightful Queen of the werewolf nation, and I challenge Alexander Thorn, my some-what great-nephew for my claim.”

My eyes never leaves Alexander, watching as his jaw clenches and unclenches. His eyes burn with hatred, and if looks could kill, I would be dead over and over again.

“The law states if someone with a claim to the throne challenges the current ruler, the current ruler has no choice but to agree.”

Albot exclaims after silence reigns over the room for a few moments, neither Alexander nor I willing to speak or back down. He knows he is cornered, that he has no choice but to accept.

“Fine. I accept the challenge.”

He grounds out through clenched teeth, passing his crown to Narin who stares at me with a look I can’t comprehend.

“But it will be to the death. And if I win, your pack will be destroyed.”

“Fine by me, Alexander. But if I win, your allies with be killed.”

With my agreement, I watch as Alexander shifts into wolf form without hesitation, charging at me with a loud snarl. Rolling my eyes, I dodge just in time to avoid his claws from tearing into me and shift. My dress explodes in a shredded mess of fabric, the remains littering the floor.

Shaking out my fur, I back away watching Alexander quickly spin around to face me and letting out another snarl. Giving him a low warning growl, I decide it is my turn to attack, bolting towards the grey wolf before me and slamming my small frame into him, forcing Alexander to stagger back and giving me an opening to claw at his face.

Before he can retaliate, I dart under his legs and to the left before whirling to face the wolf before me once more. Blood is seeping from Alexander’s face, his left eye closed shut. Shaking his head, Alexander growls in pain and frustration before barreling towards me, a murderous aura surrounding him. Luckily, with my small stature I am able to jump just as he lunges at me, landing on his back and sinking my canines into his hip.

A loud roar of pain is let out from him, and before I know it, he has rolled over and I find myself being squished. With a yelp, I release his flesh and focus on kicking, my sharp claws digging past fur to flesh until the scent of blood grows stronger and the wolf above me jumps off in pain.

Before I can roll away, sharp teeth clamp around my leg as Alexander shakes his head, throwing me around like a ragdoll before releasing me. I go flying through the air, landing against the wall with a sickening thud and whimper. I most likely broke a rib, but I can’t give up.

Standing to my paws, I glare at the grey wolf and push the pain I am feeling out of my mind. I am angry, furious that this man abused me all my life, that he cared so little of his mate and pup that he allowed Soulless to kill her—his mate and the she-wolf I called my mother. We glare at each other, growls filling the air between us, then I move.

Rushing towards the large grey wolf with the remaining strength I have put into finishing this wolf before me. He dodges just as I reach him, moving to the right but slips on the fabric that used to be my dress. I take this opportunity and spin on my back paws just in time to lunge and grab his jugular with my sharp teeth. We fall to the floor, him underneath me, trying to throw me off and forcing me to clamp down harder. I can taste the sharp tang of his blood, the red liquid spilling from the wound I am inflicting and dying my white fur with it.

His hind legs kick at me, scratching my stomach but I ignore the pain. Alexander needs to die. Shaking my head, I hear his whimper of pain as his jugular tears, blood flowing out faster. His kicks grow weaker until he is left barely moving.

Letting go of his flesh, I back away to see his eyes staring at me with shock, the wolf I once feared slowly dying in front of me. I want to let him suffer, left him feel the fear and pain many under his rule faced and then I remember the crowd around us. If I leave Alexander to suffer, I will be just like him even if we all know he deserves it.

With a sigh, I shift into my skin form and limp towards Alexander, letting him see me as my left hand turns to claws and I tear into his neck, reaching for his spinal cord. With one last look at the now-defeated King, I pull and snap his spine and kill him instantly.

Power seeps into my body, power that connects me to every wolf in my nation, power that awakens the Royal blood inside me, speeding up the healing process as my wounds from the fight instantly heal. I can hear the wolves of the Royal Pack through the pack link, many asking why they can no longer feel Alexander while others explain that I have killed him. I chuckle, turning to link my wolves only to find nothing. I try again, trying to link anyone in Astraea and look to Albot with panic.

“Can you link them?”

I ask as he steps closer, wrapping his jacket around my naked body.

“Link who?”

He asks, confused.

“Our pack! I can’t link anyone in Astraea.”

Panic settles in and I wonder if the wolves I call my family have fallen into a trap.

“Crystalline, you defeated Alexander and are now the Queen. You lost the ability to link Astraea when you snapped his neck.”

Albot calmly explains, running his fingers through my messy hair as he pulls me into his arms. I take in his scent, forcing myself to calm down.

“So they are safe?”

I ask quietly, burying my face into his chest.

“They are safe. Alexander and his followers are dead, and you are the Queen.”