Chapter 83

Sabrina POV

I stood on the raised stage in the Silverfang reception hall, surrounded by members of both the media and the pack.

It was a full crowd, with more people standing outside the building, lining the steps, the sidewalk, even filling the streets.

The world was in chaos, and many people were looking for some sort of comfort.

For someone to make it all make sense.

I intended to be that person.

The cooperation ceremony was about to begin, and I began by opening with a speech I’d been working on for days.

A speech carefully crafted to play on the emotions of everyone gathered, while also laying the groundwork for the rest of the plans I had in mind.

Everything I intended to do moving forward depended on today going well.

I took a breath.

The hall was filled with people, and all eyes were on me.

Exactly where I wanted them.

“Thank you all for coming,” I began.

As voices began to die down and everyone turned toward me, I made sure to pause, to make eye contact with a number of people.

Especially the reporter from The Star, who smiled and gave me a wink in return.

Inwardly I smiled as well, but I kept my exterior expression serious.

“Today is a big day. I know it’s been in the works for a while, but it’s time to officially announce the cooperation between the Silverfang pack and the Royal pack.”

Mumbles and grumbles met this announcement.

Not everyone was convinced an agreement with the Royal pack was the best thing to do.

Not right now.

Not with a Royal Alpha who was steadily losing his mind.

Or so the rumors had led them to believe.

The crowd’s reaction pleased me. I wanted them to feel uncomfortable, unsure.

I wanted them to look to me to answer their concerns.

I held up my hands for quiet, waited until I had it.

“I know, I know. Many of you are wondering if this is the right thing to do.

“You’re thinking, Is an agreement between our two packs even safe?”

Nods and more murmurs greeted this statement.

“You’re not wrong to wonder,” I said.

“You’re not wrong to be scared about the state of the world, or confused about what’s been going on with the Royal pack. What’s been going on here at home.”

I paused for effect.

“No doubt by now many of you have heard rumors about Alpha Nathan and his health. And I am sorry to say that these rumors are true: the Alpha is very ill.”

A shock ran through the crowd.

“I knew it!” cried a voice from one side of the room. “I knew something wasn’t right!”

“The Alpha is ill??” said someone else, closer to the stage. “What are we going to do? What if the rogues attack us next, and while we have no leader?!”

“It will surely be a massacre. It will be the end of us!”

I listened to the questions and cries, soaking in their fear like it was sweet nectar.

Knowing I had them right where I wanted them.

“Yes, the Alpha is ill,” I confirmed again. “But that doesn’t mean the pack has to stand still in these chaotic times, or fall apart.”

“But Princess, who will lead us?” someone yelled.

I raised my chin, a look of fierce determination on my face. I knew it was fierce - I’d been practicing it in the mirror all morning.

Waiting for just this moment.

“I will lead Silverfang pack in Alpha Nathan’s absence. By his decree.”

An uproar rose from the crowd, filling the reception hall until the ceiling rang with the echoes.

I glanced down at The Star reporter and saw her scribbling furiously in her little notebook.

The headlines tomorrow were going to be…interesting, I decided.

I couldn’t wait to see them.

But I wasn’t finished yet.

“It’s true - Alpha Nathan has appointed me Luna of the Silverfang pack, and decreed that I should lead the pack in his absence.

“I know we all wish him a speedy recovery. But in the meantime, there is work to be done.”

I spoke confidently, my voice strong. It boomed out over the crowd, drawing their attention once more.

“My father has let his people, and the entire realm, down. He has conspired with rogues to attack his own kingdom, causing untold destruction and devastation.

“My father has lost his mind. And as a result, the safety of Silverfang pack - of our pack - is now at risk.”

Calling it “our” pack was a nice touch, if I did say so myself. I’d spent enough time in the Silverfang pack for its members to feel like they knew me. Now I was letting them know where my loyalties truly were.

Or rather, where I wanted them to think they were.

“But we’re not going to stand by idly while the realm falls to rogue forces. We’re going to make sure his reign of madness and terror comes to an end.”

I let the silence stand for a moment, everyone now watching me in complete quiet.

Everyone ready, I decided, for the biggest risk of the day: getting them to accept the idea of invading the Royal territory.

“We won’t be overrun by these terrible forces! We won’t be ruined by a mad king! This is Silverfang!”

Applause began to grow, first in the corners of the crowd, quickly spreading.

“We don’t roll over and show our bellies to a threatening enemy. We don’t bare our throat and wait for the killing blow. We defend ourselves!

“We defend our territory! We’ll march on the Royal pack and remove the mad king from the throne ourselves if we have to!”

The roar of applause and shouts was deafening.

It was exhilarating.

But just as I was about to move on with the ceremony and sign the actual cooperation agreement - with a few more legally binding statements added, such as officially making me the Luna of Silverfang - the noise in the room changed.

While applause still rolled out from most of the crowd, there was a confusion near the back door of the room.

A wave of confusion that spread as I looked up and peered out, trying to see what was happening.

And then a space opened up in the crowd at the back.

And a familiar face appeared.

Claire.

That stupid, filthy Omega.

What was she doing here?!

I gritted my teeth and thought of Alpha Soren and the private security force he had with him to serve as my protection detail, all waiting backstage.

If I could get a signal to him, maybe he could take the wolfless out before too many people realized she was here.

“Lies!” Claire cried, stepping into the room, her voice rising over the applause.

Kill, my wolf demanded. Kill her now.

Yes. I realized in that frantic moment of panicked thinking that killing Claire right now would be perfect.

I had just been talking about the Royal Alpha’s madness. I could simply explain Claire’s attempt at bursting in here as a sign of madness as well.

Like father, like daughter.

But then a figure appeared in the doorway behind Claire.

Nathan.

Looking perfectly healthy.

And holding a piece of paper in his hand.