Chapter 25
Joe's POV
I stared at them in disbelief, my mouth slightly open but no words coming out. The royal council had just told me I was to be crowned Alpha. Me. Now.
"He's not dead," I finally blurted out, my voice thick. "He's not dead, and you're already talking like he won't wake up."
Ivan placed a firm hand on my shoulder. "And we pray he does. But the throne cannot remain empty, Joe. You're the next in line. This is not a choice. It's a duty."
Lady Sienna, one of the elders leaned forward. "With all due respect, Your Majesty, an empty throne is an abomination for the Pack. The Council decreed it two centuries ago. Beyond that, your father's condition is critical. He would want the Kingdom stable, under your effective command."
I looked around at the elders seated in the throne room, their faces impassive, expectant. This wasn't a discussion. It was a decree.
"The pressure... it's too much,i…I…" I murmured, running a hand through my hair. My chest felt like it was being crushed. "I'm not ready for this."
Ivan didn't even flinch. "You were born into pressure, with luxury and advantage as your inheritance. You've lived in the light of privilege, but now it's time to carry the weight. Royalty isn't about comfort. It's about sacrifice." His eyes bore into mine. "You cannot fail your people."
Their words struck something in me. A buried memory of my father's voice, calm and stern, telling me that one day the weight of the crown would fall on my head, and that I had to be more than just a name. More than a prince.
Coach Ramirez's stern reprimands on the field felt trivial compared to this. I clenched and unclenched my fists. "I… I accept." My voice echoed off the high ceiling.
Lady Sienna nodded and signaled. "Seer Mariel, please."
A figure draped in silver robes emerged from the shadows at the rear of the hall. Mariel moved with quiet grace,her eyes closed in trance. She approached the dais, carried a small bowl of moonwater and a ceremonial dagger. She motioned for me to kneel before the throne.
"Repeat after me," she said, her voice ringing with power. "By the Moon Goddess, I swear..."
My throat tightened, but I repeated every word.
"To build a legacy."
"To protect the bloodline."
"To defend my people."
"To uphold the law."
"Prince Joseph Wellington," she intoned, voice resonant. "By the grace of the Moon Goddess, we anoint you Alpha of Dark Shade Pack. Swear now again to build a legacy of honor and protect the interests of our people."
My throat felt dry, but I had to do it again. Raising the dagger, I sliced my palm and let a few drops of blood fall into the moonwater. I cupped the water and touched it to my forehead.
"I swear," I murmured, voice steady on the vow. "Under the Moon Goddess, I will lead with strength, compassion, and wisdom."
A sudden surge of heat rushed through my veins, not painful, but all-consuming. The throne seemed to pull me toward it. I sat down, breathless, and everything changed.
I could feel it, power. Not just strength, but responsibility, memory, history, generations before me. My father's voice echoed again in my mind, 'Be the man you were born to be.'
***
When I woke up the next morning, everything was different.
The palace corridors were already buzzing. Servants curtsied, guards snapped to attention, and hallway banners bore my face in heraldic relief.
I dressed in my ceremonial tunic, deep navy with silver embroidery, and stepped onto the landing.
I went downstairs and found my friends, the usual suspects. lounging on the massive sofas, laughing loudly, munching on snacks like they always did.
"There he is!" Jamal whooped, standing to clap me on the back. "Our very own King Joe! Damn, we've got a king in the gang now!"
The rest of them rose and began to cheer like idiots, shouting things like "All hail, King of Chaos!" and "Bro, we're getting immunity for all our stunts now, right?"
Kyle bowed theatrically. "Your Majesty, we were just discussing the perks of having a real king in our friend group. Free palace gym access, meals on the royal tab…"
I held up a hand. "Easy. Sit down before you break something."
They sank back into their chairs, all smiles. "Seriously, Joe," Jamal said, voice hushed conspiratorially. "Does this make us, like, princes too?"
I rolled my eyes but couldn't suppress a grin. "No. But I'll spring for your meals tonight."
Kyle whooped and raised his tea cup. "To the King!"
I returned the toast with my own cup. "To better days."
It was the most familiar I had felt in hours, until Ivan walked in.
The room fell into a choking silence as he scanned them with a gaze that could cut steel.
"Your Highness," he said, his voice low. "Gentlemen."
"Uncle Ivan," I said,my brow raised. "Have a seat."
He shook his head. "Not now." and then turned to face the guys. "Out," he said coolly.
None of them argued. They scrambled like school kids caught cheating, leaving the snacks behind.
When the room emptied, he turned to me.
"You need to change your circle, Joe," he said bluntly. "You're not a prince anymore. You're a king. And kings don't have the luxury of foolish company."
I straightened, pushing back a stray lock of hair. "They're loyal. They'll learn…"
He cut me off. "The position you hold demands discretion, and allies with stature. We'll address your companions later."
"Understood". I nodded, my jaw clenched.
Ivan stepped closer. " Right now, we need to think of the most important thing."
I looked at him warily. "What's that?"
He studied me for a long moment, then nodded. "Right now, our next priority is securing you an heir. You must take a wife. We have candidates from allied packs. Your father wishes it so."
My throat tightened. "A…A wife?"
Ivan gave the barest nod. "The Council expects you to produce an heir. The kingdom cannot remain without hope."
The words dropped like a bomb in the room. And for a second, I couldn't even breathe.