Chapter 248

Chapter 248
Nolan POV
I had lived with rumors my entire life.
They were usually sharp-edged things-whispered curses, muttered warnings, the old stories dragged out whenever I stepped out of line. I had learned early not to listen, not to let them touch me.
I knew what people thought of me. I knew that I was considered a violent, cold- hearted, manipulative man who cared only for power and control at the expense of everything else.
I embraced that reputation because it was better than letting people think that I was a pushover. It was safer.
This was different.
These rumors followed me like a tide, warm and relentless, and I didn’t know what to do with them.
After the press conference about the twins I had expected backlash. I had expected to be called out for lying, for hiding things from the pack.
I was prepared to defend myself.
But it seemed I wouldn’t have to.
I skimmed the morning reports in silence, jaw tightening as I read. Opinion pieces praising my restraint. Analysts calling my decision to bring Ellie and the boys home brave. Commentators openly speculating that my injury- sustained while protecting Cassian-proved I was the kind of leader the kingdom desperately needed.
My name sat at the top of the polling projections.
By a wide margin.
I set the tablet down slowly and stared out the window of my office. The pack moved below me, steady and purposeful, warriors changing shifts, staff carrying supplies, children darting through the courtyard under watchful eyes.
This-this was what I cared about.
Not crowns.
Not thrones.
Still, the pull of expectation was impossible to ignore as was the temptation of security. Ellie and the boys had faced so much danger already because of their connection to me. It would be foolish and selfish not to purse the crown, knowing that it could offer them the most security possible.
I had to take advantage of this shift in the polling.
Just a few days ago I thought that the crown was hopelessly out of reach. Now, it seemed almost assured.
Maybe this was what the goddess wanted for us, for Ellie.
A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. Lance was already walking in when I looked up.
“Let’s go, you don’t want to keep the elder’s waiting.”
I sighed and rose from the desk. My shoulder felt stiff, but ignored it as I followed
him out. There was another meeting today with the kingdom elders and the candidates. The final one before the elder’s would announce their official endorsements.
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Chapter 248
25 Bonus
It was a formality. Everyone expected the elders to endorse the alphas from their own packs or allied packs. Still, it wasn’t something I could skip.
The meeting with the elders began just before noon.
They gathered in the council chamber, a familiar semicircle of faces-some wary, some neutral, a few openly supportive. Elder Rowan sat near the center, spine rigid, expression carved from stone.
I took my place at the table. Lance sat to my right. There was a subtle tension in his posture that put me on alert. I followed Lance’s gaze to find he was staring at elder Rowan
My own back stiffened. Rowan was glaring openly at his. His hatred laid bare. Whatever was about to happen, it was going to be ugly.
The meeting was called to order.
Before I could speak, Rowan leaned forward.
“So,” Rowan said coolly, “you finally decided to stop hiding.”
The room went quiet.
I met his gaze without flinching. “My family was under threat.”
Rowan scoffed. “Convenient. You disappear for weeks, return with heirs no one
knew existed, and expect us to believe this wasn’t calculated?”
My temper stirred, but I held it in check. “I don’t use my children as pawns.
Rowan’s lips curled. “Everything you touch becomes a weapon, cursed one. Your parents knew that. We all did.”
A low growl rippled through the chamber. Several elders shifted in their seats.
My wolf bristled at the insult, my nostrils flared and my hands gripped the arm of the chair. I forced myself to breathe through the anger.
“Enough,” Elder Maelin snapped. “That accusation has no place here.”
My eyes widened as I turned to look at her. She was an elder from Moonstone. Not unexpected that she would support me, but the sharpness of her tone still caught me off guard.
Rowan turned on her. “We are choosing a king. We cannot afford sentimentality.” “You mean compassion,” I said quietly.
Rowan’s eyes flashed. “I mean truth. You bring chaos wherever you go. Violence follows you. Even now, your borders are strained, rogues gather, and yet the people cheer because you trot out a smiling woman and two children.”
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