Chapter 40
Noelle
The whole pack gasps after I’ve spoken, and I can hear some of them whispering to each other.
“This can’t be happening–how is an Omega supposed to lead our pack?”
“She is no longer an Omega after marrying Lucian, though.”
“Fine, but how is she supposed to lead?!”
“She has never led a pack before!”
“The girl will probably have Lucian’s help.”
“But still! It’s outrageous to let a werewolf who can’t shape–shift lead us!”
“Shit, you’re right!”
“Are we even safe?”
“The vampires will laugh at us!”
Lucian turns to look at me while my pack members argue. “I think you should shape–shift,” he says. “Just to show them the true you.”
I give him a brief smile before clearing my throat. “And if anyone has their doubts about my ability to shape–shift, here’s the proof that I’m fully capable of doing so.”
Before the pack can protest any further, I close my eyes and focus on the wolf within. Since I’m not a werewolf but a lycan, I expect the pack to be shocked by my transformation. Still, I doubt they will be disappointed. Lycans are much stronger than werewolves and the fact I can turn into one should make it clear that I’m a perfect Alpha.
‘Don’t forget about your royal blood,’ Lucian helpfully reminds me through his telepathic voice. ‘You should tell them who and what you are after you’ve transformed.
Oh, he doesn’t have to be worried. I intend to tell everyone that I’m the lost lycan princess since, in the future, I need a willing team to explore the south continent with me.
I draw in a deep breath, the air inside the chapel cool against my tongue and rich with the scent of flowers. My blood sings. It knows what is coming–what must be done in order to gain the respect of my pack members.
With that in mind, I let the change happen. My bones shift under my skin, a jigsaw puzzle rearranging itself anew, the pain a familiar friend. Skin is replaced with white fur, and Lucian, who towered over me seconds ago, suddenly shrinks as my height increases.
Lucian looks up at me, watching as my frail woman body is replaced with the strong and muscular form of a lycan. I can feel my teeth elongating, becoming sharper, and the wedding dress I’m wearing rip to shreds. But its not sad to see it go. No. This is more like the transformation of a phoenix finally awakening from its ashes.
When I look around, the pack falls into silence as they take in the sight of my white–furred majestic lycan form. My blue eyes are probably glowing by now and I can tell that my every pore is oozing with the power and authority of an Alpha.
x
I was born to lead and step forward to speak in my deeper, inhuman lycan voice, “My real name isn’t Noelle Willis, but Noellin Star Songheart. I’m originally from the magical realm, born as a princess, but then kidnapped and brought to the human world. This means I’m stronger than the regular werewolf–even stronger than the lycans from the Cleopatra pack- because I might be the last of the royal Star Songheart lineage. The blood of ancient and powerful lycan kings and queens
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Chapter 40
runs through my veins.”
Some pack members gasps while others stare at me like I’m a goddess who has descended from heaven.
A chuckle echoes inside my head. ‘In their eyes, you are,’ Lucian teases. “They have never seen a lycan quite like only are you huge, but you’re strong enough that every werewolf inside the chapel can feel it‘
you. Not
+5
Lucian’s words fill my chest with pride but now isn’t the time to be gloating. There are four dead pack members, and I must inform my neck pack members of our enemy.
“Now,” I continue my voice so loud that it fills the entire chapel to the point even the pack elder looks teary–eyed and ready to bow down to me. I, however, ignore the looks I’m given and continue talking, “I’m not here to rule over you as some monarch and have you bow to my every whim. Rather, I intend to lead with wisdom. Together, we can build a more powerful pack than we’ve ever been, and we will start by welcoming our new members: the Cleopatra pack.”
A murmur ripples across the crowd, and I can tell that a lot of people are uncomfortable. The Cleopatra pack is known for their ruthless and bloodthirsty nature–I would know since I fought their old Alpha to the death. But with me in the lead, I’m sure the Cleopatra pack can change and finally get along with the Midnight pack. Werewolves and lycans will become equals….at least, that’s my vision.
“I defeated the old Alpha of the Cleoptra pack in a duel, and now their members are following my lead. I’m their Alpha, and I have decided to merge the Cleopatra pack with the Midnight pack. We are now stronger than ever which is a good thing since we both share a common enemy: the vampires.”
I let that hang in the air for a moment, watching as shock and disbelief wash over the faces of my pack. Vampires are the sworn enemies of werewolves and lycans alike, a rivalry that has lasted for centuries. The idea of joining forces with the Cleopatra pack to fend off vampires isn’t going to be easily accepted, which is why I need to make them understand why we need each other quick.
“We’ve all lost loved ones to the vampires,” I continue, my eyes meeting the ones belonging to Erin. She is sitting in the crowd, and, to my surprise, she smiles. It gives me the courage to keep up my speech. “Friends, family… they’ve taken too much from us already. It’s time we put aside our differences with the Cleopatra pack and get rid of the bloodsuckers once and for all.”
I pause, letting the weight of my words sink in. Visibly grimacing, a few pack members cross their arms, clearly uncomfortable with the idea of associating with the Cleopatra pack.
Joakim and Serena are among But to my relief, the young werewolves who I’ve been training with stand up to salute me. them, and with their support, others join in, gradually rising from their seats to show they are with me.
The elders, however, remain quiet, their expressions unreadable. I can’t ignore them. Their approval carries weight among the pack, acting as a testament to my leadership.
I turn to them and say with respect, “Elders. Your wisdom has guided us through times of strife and prosperity alike. Now more than ever, we need your counsel and support. Do you accept me as Alpha?”
The chapel falls into a hush as we wait for their response, and, as I expected, some of them leave the chapel, clearly not on board with me becoming the Alpha. But Lucian’s father, Logan, beams at me, and so does a few other elders.
“We will follow you, Alpha Noelle,” Logan bows down with the other elders.
I bow my head in acknowledgment, and then I turn to my mate, who is looking at me with pride in his eyes.
‘You did well, he says through telepathy, and then he shocks me by bowing down as well, showing me that he is more than happy to step down from his Alpha position to let me do what I was born to do: lead.
A rush of warmth fills my chest, not from the newfound power but because of Lucian’s support. It’s one thing to be able to handle a pack, but it’s another to have the previous Alpha willingly give up his role. I’m filled with gratefulness and love for him, and I know I’ll make him proud.
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Chapter 40
“Thank you, Lucian,” I say aloud for everyone to hear. “Your su
Then, turning back towards the gathered crowd, I declare, “We attack and become a unit that can defend and protect each oth begins.”
