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“I was just wondering,” Mila finally said, looking up with uncertain eyes, “if you could maybe… talk to your father and mother about postponing the coronation?”
Addison’s brows immediately drew together in a frown, but before she could say anything, Mila panicked and rushed to explain, her voice trembling and eyes wide with
worry.
Addison felt her heart soften. She genuinely pitied Mila.
The only thing keeping her safe all this time was the Queen’s favor and the Alpha King’s protection. As long as she remained under their watch while Addison was missing, the others kept their heads down. No one dared offend the Alpha King. He was not a man to give his brother face, not even for family.
She knew all too well how cruel Mila’s father could be; he hadn’t even cared when his own fated mate was on her deathbed, let alone spared a thought for the child she would leave behind. The man had fathered more children than he could count, each with a different woman, and those children, along with their ambitious mothers, had long since turned into power–hungry threats.
And while the coronation would undoubtedly boost public morale, Addison knew it wasn’t a long–term solution to the kingdom’s deepening crisis. Still, delaying it would only worsen the political landscape.
While they talked, they eventually arrived at Addison’s palace. Just like Lance had said, he waited downstairs in the guest receiving area, where the Omegas promptly served him tea and snacks. Meanwhile, Addison returned to her chambers.
And more than that, even though he already knew Addison had fated mates, and he wasn’t one of them, he couldn’t bring himself to give up so easily. He knew all too well how it felt to walk away from someone he loved, how unbearable it was to think he’d never see her again. So yes, maybe it was selfish… maybe even foolish to defy the Moon Goddess’s design, but his heart refused to listen to reason.
But if Addison’s coronation as heir apparent was officially announced, it would shatter the image that had quietly formed around Mila over the years. Ever since she stayed close to the Alpha King and Queen, many in the Royal Court had begun to speculate that Mila was being groomed as the future heir. The shift in power had seemed almost
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inevitable, and many nobles had already thrown their support behind Mila, believing she would one day succeed the Alpha King.
She trailed off, nervously fidgeting with her hands. Addison could sense the tension, even a flicker of envy woven into her tone, but she stayed quiet, waiting for her to
continue.
Now that she was back, while emotions were high and the kingdom was still basking in the thrill of her return, it was the perfect time to move forward with the coronation. Striking while the iron was hot would not only affirm her position but also help stabilize the fragile morale of the kingdom. It would take pressure off the department leaders, who were drowning in responsibility, and give them some room to breathe. That unspoken support had shielded her. No one dared touch her then.
But now, everything was about to change.
If the ceremony were postponed, it would send a message that the Alpha King was still undecided between naming Addison or Mila as his successor. Given Addison’s long absence, the public and the court might interpret the delay as a sign that she was no longer favored.
Worse, she couldn’t rely on power to assert her claim. With her wolf still sealed, any display of strength was out of reach. For now, her only weapons were the trust of the people and her leadership skills. Until they uncovered a way to lift the curse, Addison’s options were limited, and time was not on her side.
As for Addison, the one caught in the middle of it all, she had no idea what storm was quietly building around her.
The Omega passed by her calmly, as if used to her unbothered demeanor, and quietly closed the door behind her. Addison, unfazed, continued drying her hair as she casually walked across the room, droplets of water still glistening on her bare skin while she browsed her wardrobe for something fresh to wear.
To survive, Mila could only think of one desperate option: beg Addison to delay her coronation.
“What is it?” she asked, her brows drawing together slightly as she faced Mila, who stood just two steps away. Addison hadn’t even heard her come in. She must have entered quietly with the Omega and stayed silent until the servant left.
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Mila, as the only child born of his one true bond, his legitimate heir, stood in the way of their ambitions. As long as Mila and her mother remained alive, they could never become legitimate heirs. And so, Mila was a threat they wanted to erase.
“I heard from Auntie, the Queen, that you’re officially taking the position of heir apparent,” Mila began, her voice soft and hesitant. “She’s already preparing for the coronation. It’s to announce your return and show everyone that you’re stepping into your role…”
Once she was done, perfectly timed with an Omega’s arrival to collect her used clothes, she stepped out of the bathroom. A soft towel was in her hands to dry her hair, but she made no effort to cover herself with it as she walked around her room,
naked.
“Addison, do you have a minute?” Mila’s sudden voice behind her made Addison flinch and turn around quickly, her heart skipping a beat.
Without wasting time, she slipped out of her clothes and stepped into the shower. The warm water helped rinse away the tension, and more importantly, Zion’s lingering scent. She knew her father had a sharp nose and an even sharper tendency to jump to conclusions. If he caught the faintest trace of Zion on her, he’d assume she was already giving in to the mate bond and forgiving Zion far too quickly. And Addison could already hear the teasing remarks or, worse, a smug lecture.
“Wait–I… I didn’t mean anything by it! I’m just scared,” Mila admitted, wringing her hands. “Right now, my family’s eyes are all on me. If they realize I haven’t even had the chance to make a name for myself inside the Royal Palace, they’ll come for me. Especially my halfsiblings, they’re ruthless. I’m terrified they’ll try to assassinate me out of jealousy or just plain viciousness.”
Right now, unrest was brewing across the werewolf kingdom, growing heavier with each passing day. Yet the announcement of her return had sparked hope in people’s hearts. People still remembered the stories told about her: how fierce a warrior she was, how massive and formidable her wolf had been. Her legend had never truly faded.
But Addison saw things differently. This wasn’t just about her anymore. Mila’s eyes dropped to the floor, her long lashes casting shadows over her gaze, making it hard for Addison to read her expression. Her face was calm, too calm, but something about her energy felt… off.
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If it became clear that all of it had been nothing more than a convenient illusion, that Mila was never truly in line for the throne, then those who had been holding back would surely resume their schemes. Her halfsiblings, in particular, would see this as their chance to eliminate her once and for all.
