Chapter 653
Gasps erupted through the auditorium, a wave of shock that rippled from the front rows to the back. “What’s he going to do?” somebody whispered, their voice carrying in the sudden silence.
But Corvine’s expression was serious as he continued, his voice unwavering. “I only had eyes on Liah. She was all I wanted.” He paused, his gaze resting lovingly on his wife, softening for just a moment. “But the crown came with her, so I had to go through the right channels.”
He straightened, his shoulders squaring. “Now, I, Alpha King Corvine Stone, hereby transfer the title and crown of Alpha King to Alpha Voren Ashkael of the Grimroot pack.”
“No.” Voren suddenly found his voice, the word cutting through the stunned silence like a blade. Yes, he wanted the crown at the Grimroot pack, but not like this.
The title did not matter to him as much as his plan to groom Corvine into becoming the Alpha King the werewolf community needed. “You’ve worked so hard, and almost lost your life for this crown.” His voice was thick with emotion. “I can’t take it. In fact, I won’t.”
Everyone expected Corvine to be disappointed, to falter, to reconsider. But they were stunned by what came next. Corvine was a man on a mission, his resolve unshakeable. “I’m afraid, Alpha Voren, but you can’t refuse.” A knowing smile curved his lips. “If not, you shouldn’t have worn that attire.”
Voren froze instantly, the pieces clicking into place with sickening clarity. The matching outfits, the ruby accents, Corvine’s insistence, all of it. “You tricked me.” His voice was flat, disbelieving.
Corvine smiled, a warm, genuine expression. “No, you are the only one deserving of this title. You didn’t mind sharing you title with me so be able to contest for the hand of the woman I love. You also did not mind setting aside your pride to model for her in Paris.” He tilted his head the memories bringing tears to his eyes. “Why do you think I brushed it off when you talked about preparing my office?”
By then, Voren had found it strange, Corvine’s lack of interest in the details of how he’d want his office to be, his casual dismissal of logistics. But he had never connected it to something like this. Never imagined this level of sacrifice.
“No!” Jaron roared, his voice cracking with desperation. Liah had already rejected her title as princess to be queen, and if Voren accepted the title, then Liah would be nothing because Seraphine would automatically be queen.
“Liah, did you agree to this?” His eyes were wild. “The crown goes with you. We can take it back and have a new contest.”
“No, Dad.” Liah’s voice was calm, steady. She stepped forward, her hand finding Corvine’s. “When you tried to make things hard for Cory, I suggested to him that we just elope. But he refused.” She squeezed his hand. “He wanted to honor me, and he did. Though he told me clearly that he also did not want the crown.”
She met her father’s gaze, unflinching. “We decided that the crown should go to who deserves it. That’s when we joined finances to make the outfit befitting of a king and queen for Alpha Voren and Luna Sera.”
The corner of Seraphine’s lips twitched. She had always been smart, brilliant, but this time, she was outsmarted. Her instincts had told her that something was wrong when Liah insisted that she change.
The dress, the necklace, the matching attire. It was clear that Corvine’s decision wasn’t just for the moment but had already been carefully crafted, meticulously planned.
“You silly boy, how dare you trick us?” Seraphine said jokingly, not caring that Corvine was now the Alpha King. Her eyes sparkled with amusement. “Well, jokes aside, the crown looks good on you.” She waved a dismissive hand. “Case closed.”
“No, little sissy.” Corvine jabbed back, his grin widening. “If you don’t convince big brother to take the crown, then Liah and I would leave it here for whoever wants it. You know me, I can’t handle the stress of these leaders.”
Greedy gasps echoed across the hall, heads turning, eyes gleaming with naked ambition. It was clear there were so many power-hungry Alphas ready to claim it, ready to snatch what they had not earned, what they did not deserve.
Voren closed his eyes for a long time, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. The auditorium held its breath, every eye fixed on him, waiting for his response. All they wanted was for him to reject the crown for an open contest to be held once more.
But when Voren opened his eyes again, they were bloodshot. Not from pain, but from shock, and love, and trust, and something he could not put a finger on, something that swelled in his chest and made his throat tight.
He pulled Corvine into his arms, holding back the tears that wanted to fall from joy.
He didn’t say anything else to Corvine, but it was clear from his reddened eyes and the way his grip around Corvine tightened that his emotions were too complicated for words.
After pulling away with difficulty, Voren spoke into the microphone, his voice rough with emotion. “I, Voren Ashkael, Alpha of the Grimroot pack, reject my position as Alpha, and I accept the title of the King of all Alphas.”
A sigh of relief escaped Corvine as he quickly removed the crown and placed it on Voren’s head, his movements reverent. “I hereby transfer to you the title and responsibility of the Alpha King.”
The glow from the crown and the necklace on Voren’s neck made everyone gasp. It was a brilliant, pulsing light that seemed to fill the entire hall. It was clear that the only deserving King was Voren, but circumstances had made it impossible. Until now.
However, love was able to break the barrier of impossibilities, and this wasn’t romantic love. It was the brotherly love that broke protocols and traditions of ancient times.
This was the reason even the shaman could not understand why Corvine only wore the crown for one minute. But the fact remained that Corvine only went through the process to get the crown to its rightful owner.
This time, the applause was low, not because of hate for Voren, but because of the complicated emotions sweeping through the auditorium.
Most of the Alphas, Lunas, and Betas had tears in their eyes, fighting them back until one man spoke what was on the hearts of everyone present.