“If Alpha Agnus was supposed to be the true queen, doesn’t that make Anders the rightful king?” Justin asks.
Anders shakes his head. “The history books omitted the fact that the original White Wolf Alpha was a female. Only the women in my family line hold the title of queen and are born with that kind of powerful magic. But not every female…” Hetrails off and rubs his forehead. “Not every female has that kind of power. We were not the line of the direct queen.”
Jeremy frowns. “I don’t follow.”
My father clarifies, “Alpha Agnus’s mother wasn’t the trueborn Alpha Queen. It was supposed to be her older sister, who allegedly was murdered or executed, depending on who tells the story.”
“So, your family line of three, maybe four, generations of women never possessed the true Alpha Queen’s powers until now?” I ask.
Anders gazes out the window. “Yes.”
“The original queen’s declarations are coming to fruition,” my father says softly. Anders nods his concurrence.
“Declarations?” Justin prompts.
“On the day of her death, she declared that she would return to take her rightful place as queen and seek revenge for being wronged, for her kind from being wronged. A few decades later, the great war happened. Some say the Resistance grew scared and was determined to kill every female in the royal bloodline. Then, the prophecy came to light, and they began the white hunt,” my mother explains.
Silence settles over us as we ponder this new revelation.
“Holy crap, Luke. Looks like you’re out of a job,” Jeremy snickers.
Our bloodline was only meant to hold this space as royals temporarily. I’m not sure how or when that agreement was made, but it’s why the secret of the true ruler of Territory Seven was kept in our family.
My Jessica is the rightful queen, a true Alpha Princess. I should be angry, considering I have been groomed and prepared for the position of Alpha King my entire life. I push my tongue up against the roof of my mouth, tasting this new reality. A slow smile forms because it is not bitter at all. I never really wantedthe title, and the idea of being free of it thrills me. “Jessica is the rightful ruler of the entire Luna Solar territory, the true Alpha Queen,” I announce to the group.
Anders nods and whispers, “If history doesn’t repeat itself.”
Chapter 53
I’m Not Giving Up
LUKE
TWO WEEKS AGO:
March 17, 2025: 1:32 p.m.
Emerald Pack Territory
Acouple of hours later, Jessica still hasn’t returned to the manor, even though my brothers try to convince me to let her be. I ignore them and set out to look for her anyway. I follow her scent and her tracks and find her sitting on a large boulder at the cliff ’s edge, overlooking the seventh territory.
Her legs are crossed in front of her, and her eyes are closed, chin tilted toward the sun. I quietly step closer so I don’t disturb her. I enjoy seeing her calm, at peace.
Trails of dried tears streak down her face. Is she crying over what happened earlier today, or is she crying over him? This was their meeting spot. I only know because I saw them come here together once. I remember the looks on their faces, how happyshe seemed, how in love she looked. She never looked at me that way.
I want to punch something. No, I want to shake her and ask why? Why him and not me? Why can’t she love me the same way that I love her? But I already know the answers. She did—once—even though some part of her held back a little. She loved me, and then fucking Elaine happened.
My hands clench in front of me. If Elaine wasn’t already rotting in jail for the rest of her life, I would hunt her down myself and kill her. Glancing back at Jessica, I lower my first, sadness deflating my anger. I can’t force her to take me back. I can’t force her to love me again. Defeated, I turn to leave.
A twig snaps under my foot. Birds fly from a low-lying tree branch, and bird shit plops on my shoulder. I close my eyes, wrinkling my nose. Fucking great! Giggles echo behind me.
“You think that’s funny?” I ask, turning to face her. She covers her mouth, hiding her smile, but then she laughs even harder. I snort. In a few quick strides, I reach her as she stands on the boulder. “You didn’t answer my question.”
She clears her throat, trying to stop smiling. I miss that smile. “Well, I was planning on attacking you for spying, but I think the birds did me a solid.” She bursts into more giggles.
I can’t help but smile at her. An idea hits me. Narrowing my eyes, I lunge forward and grab her by the legs, swinging her upper body over my shoulder, right on top of the bird shit.
“Oh, ewww,” she screeches. I chuckle. I think the birds did me a solid, too. She pounds my back. “Put me down, Luke!” I slap her ass. “Dammit, Luke! Put me down!”
