Chapter 68

Killian

The day has arrived, and my assembled team is looking sharp and ready. Kana arranged a color scheme for clothing, and while I thought it was silly at first I had to admit it made quite a difference as we filed into the large conference room.

It was up to me to give the opening remarks as the leader of the Alpha Alliance for my region. I had prepared simple words, hoping not to come off as an egoist or opportunist. Honesty and integrity were the most important things.

I had travelled with Elena’s note in my wallet, hoping she would bring me luck. She would have been so proud to see the opportunity for union, and I wished once again that she was still by my side. She would have won over the Lycan crowd in no time.

The turn out is better than we expected. Delegates from at least twelve Werewolf packs filled tables purposefully interspersed among representatives from four Lycan families that made up their hidden world.

Though their features always seemed a bit more fay than those of Werewolves, when seated and mingling among one another all guests started to blend together. It was a sight I never thought I would live to see, and the fact that I was partly responsible for it was blowing my mind.

Kana had to poke me to remind me that it was my job to kick things off, and she handed me a microphone. I ascended the small dais and into the lights that had been focused on its center. I could make out most faces in the crowd, recognizing some. There was generous applause, and I guessed that more of the people knew who I was than I had initially thought.

“Good evening, everyone,” I said, keeping my tone light and casual. “My name is Alpha Killian Thorne, here representing my Pack and the Alpha Alliance, of which I am current chairman. Thank you all for joining us for such a momentous weekend!”

My inflection invited a cheer, and I paused to accommodate it.

“This day was made possible by so many, too many to list at the moment,” I continued, “but I want to at least acknowledge your presence. If you are here as a leader, an organizer, a speaker, or honestly just feel like stretching, please stand up.”

Bodies stood around the room, with clapping and cheering bouncing off the walls. I took in the scene, feeling emotional to see all the enthusiasm in the room.

And then my heart stopped and I froze, my eyes stuck on one person who was standing at a table in the back. She was small, pure white, her eyes sparkling red gems. She was smiling, and raised a hand in a small greeting.

It was Elena.

Elena

I knew it was coming, and I still wasn’t prepared.

Killian’s eyes met mine, and it took all my strength to stay upright. I had confirmed that he would be there, but said nothing to anyone. Of course my mother understood why I wanted to go, but most in our realm didn’t know my connection to the famous Alpha of Waning Moon.

Once I knew he was there, I allowed myself to look further into his life for the first time. I cried with pride the night before we traveled to the conference, so overjoyed that Killian had lived his life to the fullest after I left.

And I couldn’t help but notice that there were no wedding announcements or mentions of a romantic partner. I tried not to set my expectations too high, but I was hopeful.

He walked towards me after his speech, keeping his steps even and being sure to greet people along the way. He knew I wouldn’t move, I was waiting for him, and he knew I would hate a scene if he rushed towards me.

I stopped away from the table, giving myself open space for him to come to me. I stood proud, my dress and jewels so clearly representing my Lycan heritage and power. He took in my body, head to toe, and I saw his lips move to say the word ‘wow’ under his breath.

“Killan…”

He faltered, but didn’t lose the cadence of his step.

“Is this a dream?”

His eyebrow went up, and his face was amused when he stopped a few feet away from me. The formality of our stations meant distance was proper.

“This is real.”

“You look well,” he said, and that one word conveyed much more about how he thought I looked. “Do you not age, where you come from?”

I made an annoyed face. “That is a bit prejudiced, don’t you think?”

He laughed, and my heart pumped faster in my chest. He noticed, then felt embarrassed for having looked at my chest.

“I hope your journey here wasn’t too difficult,” he told me, not sure how to say all he wanted to say.

Where does one pick up after two years and return from the dead?

“The journey took longer than I had hoped,” I said, hoping he heard my true meaning, “but I am so glad I made it.”

He reached out his hand, and I took it in what seemed like an amiable gesture between allies. I’m sure someone would snap a photo of this moment and put it in a history book. I could tell that a few heads in the room turned and kept looking at us.

I was being recognized, and soon the whole conference would know our true story.

But we kept our focus on each other.

“I waited, I’ve been waiting—“

“Me too.”

My interruption made him smile, and I could tell he was reluctant to let go of my hand.

“Princess Elena?”

An attendant stood next to me. “Yes, Marina?”

“The young princess is asking for you.”

Before she could finish the sentence I heard her behind me, and turned to see my daughter squirming out of the arms of the poor woman tasked with babysitting her.

I smiled and shrugged it off. “It’s alright,” I told Marina, and I gestured for Liana to be brought to me.

She nearly leaped from one body to the next as I opened my arms to receive her, and I nearly lost my balance. Liana squeezed around my neck and kissed my ear lobe. Her cries and whimpers stopped immediately, and I felt her breath slow down as I rubbed her back.

“Mama’s got you, sweet girl,” I cooed in her ear.

I then remembered Killian. Liana’s entrance stole my attention, and when I looked back my stomach dropped.

His expression was a mixture of shock and outrage, and I wasn’t prepared for either.

“Y-, you,” he stuttered over his words, “you have a child?”

“Her name is Liana,” I said, trying to turn her face to him. Maybe he would see the resemblance in the turn of her nose and rounded chin. “She’s a bit shy.”

“Elena, how could you?”

Confusion swept over me. “How could I…what?”

“You said you waited—“ his voice was rising.

“I did, Killian, hold on—“

“It’s alright, I’m fine,” he said, backing away with his arms in the air. It was like he was afraid to be contaminated by us. “Congratulations.”

“Killian—“

“Best of luck to you and whoever her father is.”