Page 167 of Alpha's Forbidden Fate

“Great job, Selene!” I exclaim. Relief floods through me as I wrap her in a tight embrace.

“Thanks, Liam,” she murmurs in a voice filled with emotion. “I’m okay. We’re all okay.”

I pull back slightly to look at her. “I thought I lost you,” I admit, my voice breaking with emotion.

“You didn’t lose me,” she says, placing a hand on my cheek. “I’m right here.”

I lean into her touch, feeling a sense of peace wash over me. Despite everything that’s happened, she’s here, and she’s safe. That’s all that matters.

As we stand there, wrapped up in each other, my mother steps forward, her voice cutting through the quiet.

“I want to thank everyone for their bravery tonight,” she says warmly. “We’ve faced a great challenge, but we’ve come through it stronger than ever. And I believe it’s time to discuss Raskogr’s promise.”

She looks around at the crowd with a steady and unwavering gaze. “I believe we must make the council more inclusive. From now on, we will welcome all creatures, regardless of their nature, and we will work together to build a better future for all.”

There’s a murmur of agreement from the crowd, a sense of hope and determination filling the air. My mother’s words are a promise of a new beginning.

“And I believe,” my mother continues, her voice gaining strength, “that Selene should be the council representative for the vampires. She has shown incredible strength and leadership tonight, and I believe she is the perfect choice to represent her kind.”

I turn to look at Selene proudly. She’s come so far and faced so much.

Selene steps forward. “I accept,” she says humbly. “I will do everything in my power to represent my fellow vampires and work towards a better future for us all.”

“Raskogr,” my mother commands, “Do you think you can find a way of getting the prisoners back to the prison?”

“Of course, Jade.” He responds.

“I will help,” Layla and Alyssa announce simultaneously.

My mother nods as my father takes her hand. “As for you two,” he points to me and Selene. “Get home and get some rest. I want to see you back here bright and early.”

I lean over and kiss both my parents’ cheeks before taking my mate’s hand. “C’mon, baby. Let’s get you home.”

“I think you should check on Colt first before we can go.”

So damn caring. I kiss her cheek and nod.

Half an hour later, I walk into Colt’s room, and my heart sinks when I see him there, tears streaming down his face. “Hey, brother,” I say softly, trying not to let my own emotions get the best of me.

He looks up at me, his eyes red and puffy. “I’m okay,” he mumbles, but I can tell he’s anything but.

Colt’s always been the strong one, the one who never let anything get to him. Seeing him like this... it hurts.

I take a deep breath and sit down next to him on the bed. “Alyssa’s organizing with the coroner department,” I tell him, trying to keep my voice steady. “They’re coming for Willow’s body. If you want to say goodbye...”

He shakes his head, his voice barely above a whisper. “I can’t believe she betrayed me like that. She used me.”

I wrap my arms around him, pulling him close as he quietly shakes in my embrace. “I’m so sorry, Colt,” I say, my own voice breaking. “You couldn’t have known it was going to go this way.”

He pulls away slightly, looking me in the eyes. “I brought her into our lives,” he says, his voice filled with pain. “And now she’s the reason so many people are dead. How will anyone ever forgive me?”

My heart aches for him, knowing there’s nothing I can say to take away his pain. “Nobody blames you, Colt,” I say, trying to sound reassuring. “We all know you were just as much a victim as we were.”

But even as I say the words, I can see the doubt in his eyes. He’s always been too hard on himself, taking on more than he can handle.

I take a deep breath, trying to find the right words to comfort him. “Think about Selene,” I say, hoping to get through to him. “Her brothers led a revolution that almost cost us everything. But nobody blames her for their actions. It’s the same with you, Colt. Nobody blames you.”

I can see the weight of his guilt lifting slightly, but I know it will take more than just words to help him heal.

---