Chapter 36
Joe's POV
My father had finally been laid to rest.
The pack's greatest Alpha, my mentor, my constant…gone. Just like that.
But I didn't shed a tear.
Couldn't.
Not today.
Today… I was becoming king.
The palace buzzed like a hive. Everyone was moving, preparing, whispering blessings to the Moon Goddess. Elders in ceremonial robes drifted through the halls like ghosts, their faces painted in silver. Warriors stood on high alert, guarding every door, and the palace cooks were practically sprinting to keep up with last-minute demands.
All for me.
The youngest Alpha in our lineage.
The weight of it pressed on my shoulders, even before I even put on the ceremonial robe.
I stood in the dressing chamber, staring at my reflection. The robe was heavy and dark as midnight, trimmed with silver thread and ancient symbols of our bloodline. I didn't recognize the guy staring back. He looked like a king.
Ivan walked in, as usual, uninvited and unimpressed.
He adjusted my collar without asking. "No matter how much effort we put into placing you on that throne," he said, tone low, "you'll never be a complete Alpha without a Luna."
I didn't respond, I just gave him a look.
He rolled his eyes. "Fine. Keep pretending your heart isn't tangled up in some teenage soap opera. Just know the council is watching. And they're getting impatient."
"I'll be king whether I'm married or not," I muttered.
"True," he said, stepping back. "But a lonely Alpha is a vulnerable one."
Soon after, the sacred drums echoed through the palace like thunder. Time was up.
I stepped out into the main hall and was instantly hit by the roar of the crowd.
Thousands had gathered, pack members, nobles, warriors, even humans who had close ties to us. The energy in the room was electric.
As I approached the sacred circle, the elders began chanting the rites. The scent of burning sage filled the air. My heart raced.
I took my place at the center. My wolf stirred restlessly within me, ready. This was it.
"I swear to protect this pack with my life," I said. "To place their needs above my own, to rule with wisdom, and to build a legacy worthy of our ancestors."
The royal totem was placed across my chest. It was heavy, ancient, it felt powerful. A surge of energy ran through my spine.
I was no longer just Joe.
I was King Joseph Wellington of the Dark Shades pack.
The crowd erupted into wild cheers.
It should've felt like the greatest moment of my life.
But something was missing.
As I rose to give my speech, I scanned the crowd…searching.
And there she was.
Lily.
Standing toward the back, simple and elegant as ever. Not dressed to impress, but still effortlessly beautiful. Her arms were crossed, her expression unreadable. Sonia stood beside her, whispering something, but Lily didn't really respond.
And then I saw Mark.
He wasn't beside Lily. Not even close.
No. He was pressed up against some girl I didn't even recognize, laughing like an idiot, his hand dangerously low on her back.
My jaw clenched.
Unbelievable.
After everything, after I literally passed a royal decree to keep them apart, he had the nerve to act like he never cared. I know he is just using the decree to hook up with girls in front of Lily.
I felt guilty for a second.
I tried to push it down and cleared my throat to begin my speech.
"Today marks a new dawn in the Dark Shades pack," I said. "A day when we honor our past and step boldly into the future. We are warriors, protectors, and family…"
My voice stayed strong, but my mind wandered.
Lily wasn't smiling. She wasn't clapping. She just stood there, still as stone. Like she didn't care about any of it.
Like I didn't matter.
My throat tightened as I wrapped up the speech. The crowd cheered again, and the music swelled. I descended the steps, barely hearing a word as people rushed up to offer congratulations.
Then she appeared.
Jane.
In a dress that looked like she was auditioning for a royal bridal catalog.
She took my hand and smiled wide. "You were amazing, my king," she said, squeezing my fingers.
"Thanks," I replied, voice flat.
People made space for us as she pulled me onto the dance floor.
The music slowed. We swayed.
"You know," she whispered, leaning in close, "the elders think we'll be married soon. And honestly, I think so too."
I said nothing.
"We look good together," she added, running her hand down my arm. "Like we belong together."
I exhaled through my nose. "I'm not getting married anytime soon," I said. "I've told you that before."
Her smile faltered. Only for a second. But I saw it.
Then she pulled it back together like a pro. "That's okay," she said sweetly. "I'm not worried. I'll wait. You're worth it."
She laid her head on my shoulder.
I let her.
But my eyes drifted across the room again, back to Lily.
Still standing there. Still alone. Still... hurting.
God, why did she look like that?
And why did it feel like someone was scraping my insides with claws just seeing her like that?
"You're not even listening to me, are you?" Jane asked suddenly.
I blinked. "What?"
She pulled back, annoyed now. "I said, would you like to take a walk with me later? Just us, no guards, no counsel."
"I can't," I said quickly.
"Why not?"
I looked away. "I've got... king stuff."
She snorted. "King stuff. Right."
I didn't answer.
Because honestly?
I couldn't stop thinking about Lily. About the way she looked during my speech. Like I didn't matter. Like she was hurt.
And then Mark, him dancing around like some clown, already with someone else while Lily stood alone?
It made my blood boil.
I passed that decree to protect her.
Not to make her a public joke.
Not to push her further away.
But that's exactly what I'd done.
When the music picked up again, Jane leaned in and kissed my cheek. "I'll see you later, my king," she said, and walked away, hips swaying like she was performing for the whole court.
I barely noticed.
Because even surrounded by celebration and power and praise,
I felt like I'd lost the only thing that mattered.