80 Chapter 80 Hostility
Addison immediately pouted at her father’s teasing remark, shooting him a sharp
glare. It felt so natural–like a familiar dance they’d shared countless times before. Her father often teased her this way, and seeing her reaction brought a nostalgic smile to both the Alpha King and Queen. D
At that moment, they are reminded of the peaceful life they once had before Addison’s disappearance years ago. A bittersweet mix of happiness and sadness washed over them, a tender ache beneath the joy of her return.
The store owner felt genuinely pleased to hear about the upcoming Homecoming Banquet, where Addison would be formally introduced to all the werewolves. When that day arrived and Addison assumed her role as heir to the throne, she would officially begin her duties–attending court, traveling to neighboring werewolf territories to resolve disputes, and visiting other species‘ lands for diplomatic negotiations. This meant she would need to hone her skills in wielding power and leadership, preparing to rule their realm with wisdom and strength.
Although Addison’s strength had long been proven, as she was already a formidable warrior and well–versed in military strategy, she had yet to apply much of that knowledge beyond occasional skirmishes with rogues. Now, the real test of her abilities as a future ruler was just beginning.
For some reason, the thought of going through a crowning ceremony and taking on official roles made Addison’s stomach flutter with a mix of nerves and excitement. Her eyelashes fluttered with anticipation. After all, she had been raised for this very purpose. Even though she couldn’t remember all the détails, she felt a deep, instinctive knowing of what she was meant to do.
Perhaps it was the foundation ingrained in her that she learned within these very walls that had prepared her–allowing her to lead the Midnight River Pack back from hardship in just three years, despite many pack members refusing to acknowledge her and the odds stacked against her.
Now that she thought about it, it all made sense why she had such strong managerial skills. She had learned how to manage a pack, studied politics and economics, and been taught by the best tutors in their domain.
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Looking back, none of it was surprising anymore–it all fit together perfectly.
Addison didn’t respond to her father’s teasing. Instead, she simply smiled, feeling oddly comforted and welcomed by the thought of returning to her role.
But then–she felt it.
A piercing gaze. Cold and sharp enough to make the hairs on her neck stand on end. Her body tensed instinctively, and her eyes swept the room.
The Queen, ever observant, noticed her daughter’s sudden shift. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” she asked gently, watching as Addison’s expression turned alert, brows furrowing deeply.
Addison’s head whipped to the side, scanning the area–but nothing. The presence vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving her wondering if she had imagined it. Still, the hostility she felt was undeniable–murderous, even.
The curtains by the balcony fluttered in the breeze, drawing Addison’s gaze toward the door. Her eyes narrowed. ‘Was someone watching me from out there?‘
If it truly was a spy–one feeding information to the vampires–then the situation was worse than she thought. It meant the enemy had infiltrated the palace walls, possibly even among her father’s most trusted aides. Addison knew then: she needed to stay alert. The threat was closer than they realized.
Addison knew she wasn’t imagining things. Her instincts had been sharpened by countless near–death experiences–refined to the point where she could sense danger long before others even noticed. She had felt this kind of hostility before. That piercing gaze, so full of malice, wasn’t unfamiliar.
But this time, it wasn’t just her life at stake.
A flicker of worry crossed her face. She wasn’t alone anymore. She had pups to protect -young lives that now depended on her. The weight of that responsibility settled heavily on her chest, and her fists unconsciously clenched as a wave of unease rippled through her.
Her mother’s voice broke through her spiraling thoughts, grounding her. Addison turned toward her, masking her concern with a small smile.
“It’s nothing, Mother,” she said softly, though her heart remained on alert.
80 Chapter 80 Hostility
Just then, her gaze met Mila’s. The calm warmth in Mila’s eyes was like the morning. sun–steady, gentle, reassuring. Addison felt the tension in her shoulders case slightly. and despite herself, she returned the smile.
In that fleeting moment, surrounded by family and uncertain shadows, Addison reminded herself that she wasn’t alone–and that was reason enough to stay strong.
The store owner bowed respectfully before speaking with a good–natured smile. “It’s a great honor, Your Majesty. Thank you for your generosity–I humbly accept the invitation. Please expect a carefully prepared gift on that day. His eyes crinkled with genuine excitement as he continued presenting his merchandise, clearly pleased to be part of such a meaningful occasion.
After him, several other well–known merchants stepped forward, offering high–quality goods sourced from distant territories and even other continents. The Alpha King spared no expense when it came to Addison, purchasing a variety of items not just for her but also for the twins. From time to time, he even selected gifts for Mila–despite
her never asking for anything.
Mila’s quiet demeanor only deepened the Alpha King and Queen’s sense of guilt. Over the years, they had lavished her with gifts and attention–offerings originally meant for Addison during her absence. Even now, with Addison’s return, they continued to include Mila, not only out of affection but also to avoid any impression that she was being cast aside. The royal couple was determined to show that their love and gratitude for Mila remained the same.
While the Royal Capital basked in a joyful and harmonious atmosphere with Addison’s return, a stark contrast loomed over the Midnight River Pack. The air was heavy with tension, and once again, Zion’s furious roar echoed from within his office.
“Is the Alpha having another episode?” the pack doctor asked, glancing at Levi, who had come by the clinic to pick up a vial of calming medicine. He intended to slip it into Zion’s drink–just like the last few times—since the Alpha had locked himself away again, losing himself to rage.
This wasn’t new. It had become a pattern. Zion’s beastly nature had been surfacing more frequently, and his emotions were spiraling beyond control. Despite the passage of years, he had yet to uncover even the faintest trace of where Addison had gone. Though he had long since restructured the pack and punished those responsible for wronging her, it never seemed enough–not even Zion himself was spared.
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Even Levi, who had stood by his Alpha through everything, didn’t know what to think anymore. Should he admire Zion for loving Addison so deeply now, or scorn him for realizing it far too late? All he knew was that Zion was drowning in guilt–reliving his mistakes every single day–and it was slowly tearing him apart.
Seeing the dark expression on Levi’s face, the old pack doctor could only sigh and shake his head. He silently stepped aside, allowing his assistant—now a fully–fledged doctor–to prepare the medicine and hand it over to Levi.
Even Levi, usually calm and composed, looked completely lost. It had been three years, yet not a single lead had surfaced regarding Addison’s whereabouts. Worse still, there was no evidence to prove her innocence. But what troubled him most wasn’t just the lack of progress–it was the eerie silence from the Royal Family.
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