Page 83 of King's Reckoning
Your father wasn't chosen just for his heritage, though the tribal connections were vital to what I hoped to create. I fell for King because I saw in him the same strength I prayed you would inherit—the ability to lead through love rather than fear. To build rather than destroy. The Iron Fists saw it too, which is why they helped protect what mattered until the right moment.
What you've created with the alliance is beyond even my careful planning. Every chapter gathering, every joint operation, every celebration like this one proves that some bonds go deeper than legal documentation or protection protocols.
I'm sorry I couldn't be there to see the woman you've become. To watch you transform carefully authenticated evidence into something far more powerful than I designed. To meet the man who helped you discover that love is the strongest protection of all.
But the proof will be in the family you've built. In the way former rivals will now protect each other without hesitation. In the unity that grows stronger with each new connection you will forge.
The Iron Fists will give you the rest of my research when you're ready. Legal specifications, security protocols, everything I developed whilepreparing for this future. But my greatest achievement wasn't the evidence or the documentation.
It was you, my brilliant girl. You and the family you were always meant to build.
Be happy. Be strong. Be loved.
All my love,
Mom
P.S. Tell whoever you’ve chosen to merge your life with, I approve. A mother knows these things, even years in advance.
Rowan felt tears slip down her cheeks as Reed's arms tightened around her. Through the windows, she could see the gathered chapters mingling freely—Iron Fists and King's Chosen sharing drinks, Satan's Riders and allied clubs comparing war stories. She felt a deep sense of satisfaction, strengthening bonds that went far beyond tactical alliances.
"She really did plan everything," Reed murmured against her hair. "Right down to us finding each other."
"Elena's final protection strategy," Cole said with a slight smile. "Love over legal battles. Connection over conflict." He carefully closed the journal. "There's more documentation when you're ready for it. Security specs, research notes, everything she developed while setting this in motion."
"Speaking of motion," Tiffany interrupted, appearing with champagne glasses, "we do have ananniversary to celebrate. Six months of successful alliance operations, dismantled corporate threats, and..." She grinned at Reed and Rowan. "Newlywed bliss that even Elena's careful planning couldn't fully predict."
Rowan felt the strength of their alliance building as more chapters arrived. But now she understood what her mother had really created—the ability to stop corporate land grabs, as well as the capacity to build something better in their place. To forge connections that would prevent such threats from ever being needed again.
"Dance with me?" Reed asked softly, pulling her toward the cleared floor where other couples were already gathering. His eyes held everything Elena had hoped her daughter would find—strength, protection, and love beyond mere legal precision.
Rowan smiled as he led her into the familiar steps, feeling the music pulse in perfect rhythm. Around them, their assembled family celebrated not just six months of marriage, but the future they were building together. Former rivals becoming true brothers, united by bonds stronger than territory or tradition.
This was Elena's true legacy. Not the carefully authenticated evidence or evolved legal strategies. Not even the protection protocols that had kept corporate threats at bay.
It was the family she'd helped create. The connections she'd anticipated would grow intosomething far more powerful than legal challenges or corporate maneuvers.
The love she'd known her daughter would find.
The End
