Page 104 of A Reign of Malice
I’ll never be able to thank them enough for taking on what might’ve broken me.
A sigh escapes me, not of sadness but weariness. The ache of too much in too little time. I know I’m not ready to say goodbye to any of them yet. But I won’t have to, not truly. This is no longer a fractured realm. Last night, long after the fires died and our wounds were wrapped, we shared a meal under the stars and made a vow.
There will be no more divided kingdoms.
Each of us remains Alpha of our own pack, yes. But ourwolves? They’re no longer bound by invisible chains or outdated laws. They can move freely, cross borders, visit the friends they’ve made through war and loss. There will still be order—we need that. But not control or fear, and certainly not threats of exile just for wanting something different.
We were created to lead. That won’t change. But we won’t do so with iron hands. Not when we’ve seen what happens to wolves who are shackled rather than guided.
Not when we’ve bled to make something better.
Between the remnants of the Venaris pack and my wolves from Alcaris, about sixty chose to leave, seeking new beginnings in the other kingdoms. They’ll board the boats tonight and tomorrow with their respective alphas, carrying pieces of our story with them to wherever they now belong.
And then…Julian and I will begin to rebuild.
As if summoned by the very thought, Julian steps up beside me, sliding an arm around my waist. His grin is crooked, knowing, and absolutely lethal. “Noen and Clara have everything handled for the rest of the day, and I’ve also asked Noen to be my primary advisor. Apparently, he was one of Asher’s, and the king had only good things to say about him.”
My heart swells at the ease with which Julian slips into this role—the confidence and warmth behind his decisions.
“That’s perfect,” I breathe.
He kisses the side of my temple. “So it looks like everything’s taken care of for the time being. Nothing left for us to do but prepare to head to your castle in a few days.”
Gods, the sound of that makes me so damn happy, but he’s not exactly right.
“Ourcastle,” I correct gently, brushing my fingers over the bandages still wrapped around his ribs. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I’m about to rip this damn wrap off and throw it in the ocean,” he grumbles then smirks down at me. “But I’m trying to be a good mate, so I’ve left it alone. For now.”
I laugh, the sound brighter than it’s been in days. “How about we go to one of the cabins the others moved out of? I can give you a proper inspection myself.”
His eyes darken in a flash. I hear the change in his breathing just before he scoops me up and throws me over his shoulder like I weigh nothing at all. His hands are firm on my thighs, possessive in a way that makes my core pulse.
He doesn’t say a word, just moves through the camp like a wolf on a mission.
“Julian!” I object, swatting at his back. “Put me down. You might break something!”
“The only thing I plan to break is the first bed we find,” he growls, voice low and full of delicious promise.
Heat races up my spine and spreads across my skin. The way he says it with that unshakable authority and need makes my thoughts dissolve into steam. I cling to him, breath catching, my body already anticipating his.
He starts to run, long strides swallowing the distance with terrifying ease. I bounce with every step, laughing and shouting in protest even though I don’t want him to stop.
“Have fun,”Clara calls, her voice filled with mirth even through my thoughts.
Of course she’s witnessing this.Everyoneis probably watching Julian haul me across the field like some barbaric Alpha claiming his prize.
But I don’t care.
I’ve waited too long for this moment. So has Julian.
The bond between us might have been blessed by the gods, might pulse with divine strength, but this? This is ours.This claiming and the heat combined with joy and freedom. It’s all ours.
And I’ll revel in every second of it.
Julian barrels through the trees with me still draped over his shoulder, his stride purposeful, his breathing steady despite all he went through last night. I half expect him to slow or set me down gently, but he doesn’t. He charges forward like nothing will stop him from getting what he wants. What we want.
We reach a small, empty cabin tucked near the edge of the meadow. The door creaks open under his foot as he kicks it inward, the hinges protesting before the space falls into quiet.
