Page 81 of A Reign of Malice
One final battle.
One last chance.
But this time, we won’t face it in fear.
We’ll face it together.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
JULIAN
I’ve known since the moment Sloane found her way into my prison that I would never survive another day without knowing she was out there somewhere. But the more time we spent together, the more I realized it wasn’t enough to simply know she existed. I needed to be beside her. Always.
Still, it wasn’t until today, when I sensed her fear while she was with the other queens, that I understood the truth: this isn’t just need. Sloane is my reason for breathing. If something were to happen to her, I would cease to exist in that same moment. I know this as surely as I know the sky is blue.
So, when I heard her getting upset earlier, I went to her without question. I had to see her, to feel the heat of her skin under my palms, to root myself in the rhythm of her heartbeat. She may not need saving, but I do. And she does so, again and again.
While I know she’s perfectly capable of taking care of herself—gods, more than capable—reminding myself not to suffocate her with my fear is going to be a constant battle.But as long as she looks at me with that fierce fire in her eyes, that steady belief in who I could still be, then maybe I can become the man she already sees.
Sloane deserves the best parts of me. Not the shadow Aeson carved out of my soul. And definitely not the fear.
So as we move through the crowd of gathered wolves, I walk tall beside her. I speak with confidence, meet eyes when they look at me, offer my hand when it’s needed. Because this is my pack too. And if I want them to believe in me, I have to start believing in myself.
We’ve already spoken to a dozen wolves, many of whom carry old grief or uncertainty in their gazes. Some lost loved ones throughout the decades. Some carry fresh wounds from Aeson’s rule. They’re quiet but not weak. And they listen. That’s more than I expected.
It isn’t until we reach two couples standing near the back wall—one of them with a young pup clinging to the mother’s leg—that everything truly sinks in.
This fight isn’t just about vengeance or future peace. This is about the generations of people to come. Not only those who stand here today, but those who’ll come after us. It’s about the kind of future we’ll leave behind for them based on our decisions today.
“Easton,” Sloane greets softly, stepping forward.
The man nods. His mate, a woman with thick curls pulled into a loose braid, keeps a hand on their daughter’s back as the child hides against her side.
“My queen,” Easton murmurs. Then his gaze slides to me. “And King Julian, I suppose?”
A pause stretches between us before I answer. “Not officially, but hopefully soon.”
He runs a hand through his auburn hair, a flicker of a grin ghosting across his face. “Most definitely.”
“Julian, Easton is one of my advisors,” Sloane informs me. “He’s been part of my team for nearly three decades now.” She glances at Easton again then at his mate and child, keeping her voice gentle. “And just because of the role you’ve held, that doesn’t mean you need to fight with us. You have a family to consider, and your choice is your own. There will be no judgement from me or anyone else.”
Easton wraps an arm around his mate and glances down at their daughter. “I appreciate that because I was nervous to tell you that I wanted to stay behind.” His gaze lingers on his mate. “We agreed it would be better to stay here to protect the sanctuary and those unfit for battle.”
His eyes meet mine then Sloane’s. “But I want you both to know, I’ve been speaking with all the wolves here, not just the ones from Alcaris, and they agree that not everything is as it should have been in Venaris throughout the years. Aeson has ruled with a command that was merely coated with sugar to appear as if his actions have been for the betterment of the kingdom. As more things are questioned and brought to light, you’ll find plenty of people who won’t hold what happens tonight against you.”
This is equally relieving and heartbreaking. I hate that I was the first to believe his lies and because of my misjudgment, these people have suffered. Maybe not outrightly, but nonetheless, this pack deserved better. I was supposed to be that for them.
While I can’t change what’s happened over the last two centuries, I can at least do my best for them with every decision I make moving forward.
“Thank you.” I reach out and shake his hand. “Your support means more than you know.”
“You have ours as well,” the man behind them says as hesteps forward with another woman beside him. The man’s jaw is tight, his mate standing proudly at his side.
“I’m Callen. This is Ree.” The man’s stance is firm, his eyes clear. “We were born in Venaris. Loyal to the crown all our lives. But something changed over time. We just didn’t know how to name it. The bond with the Alpha, it weakened. Slowly and quietly. Aeson always looked like he was doing the right thing. But it neverfeltright.”
Ree lifts her chin. “We stayed because we didn’t want to abandon our pack over a feeling we couldn’t explain. But now we know better. And we’re not standing back anymore.”
“I’m sorry,” Sloane says gently, “that you were made to feel like settling was your only option. That’s not what a pack is meant to be. When Julian takes the crown, wolves will be free to live wherever they choose. You’ll never be silenced again.”
