Chapter 98

Third Person POV

Alaric wakes up before Sienna does, watching her sleep so peacefully for a while, his heart fuller than it had been in a very long time.

Her skin was so soft against his, the curve of her body so perfectly fitting to his own. He wanted this forever, to never, ever let her go again.

He’d watched her wolf so gloriously make its comeback, and knowing it was because of him — to save him — made him melt inside.

A few minutes later, she shifts, her beautiful eyes fluttering open, landing straight on him. The smile that spread over her lips made his stomach drop, and he would do anything to keep seeing it.

“Marry me,” he whispered against her lips, the full circle-ness of the phrase not lost on him.

Marry me, Sienna had asked so long ago now.

“Technically we never officially divorced,” she grinned back at him, her eyes twinkling.

“I want a real wedding,” Alaric demanded with a smirk. “I want to see you in the most magnificent dress, walking down the aisle to me.”

“Really?” A shy smile took over her face, her cheeks flushing the most stunning pink.

God, she is perfect, Alaric thought to himself.

She’s your fated mate, his wolf hummed, just as pleased as Alaric was.

“Really really,” Alaric winked, reaching out to stroke a hair behind her ear. “You are the most beautiful thing I could ever wake up to.”

She flushed even more pink, and he felt the heat in his groin start up.

Not now, he grumbled, forcing it back. If he started that with Sienna, he’d never get out of bed, and would most definitely not make it to the announcement he had planned for the palace and city.

“Of course I’ll marry you,” Sienna whispered, giving him a firm kiss on the lips. “But first, how about we tell the world the truth about the King?”

“Absolutely,” Alaric hummed, stretching his aching muscles, watching the way Sienna’s gaze traveled hungrily over his chest. There went the heat in his groin again.

Sienna glanced at him as she sat up in bed, the sheet falling off of her, revealing every inch of her stunning body. “Will I be…queen?” The thought clearly made her a little nervous.

“My queen,” Alaric murmured, reaching over to stroke her bare back, sparks of electricity zapping at his fingertips.

“Wow,” she said softly, then blinked. “I don’t really have anything appropriate to wear.”

“You’re in the palace — anything you want is just a request away,” Alaric chuckled. “You’ll get used to that.”

She looked around the room, at its high ceilings and bright windows. It was a far cry from the Alpha house, easily twice the size, just half his quarters alone.

It would certainly be an adjustment for her, but she’d fall right into it.

“We don’t have long until the announcement,” Alaric said, clearing his throat.

“Are you nervous?” Sienna peered over her shoulder at him, her lashes long over her piercing eyes.

“Absolutely.” Alaric stood up, and Sienna’s eyes cut straight to his bare butt, a smirk forming on her perfect lips.

“You’ve waited so long for this,” she said, standing up with him, fitting herself right into his arms again. “I can’t wait for you to take your place.”

“With you at my side.” He leaned in and kissed her forehead, turning to dress, the urge to push her back on the bed and take her completely overwhelming him.

Thirty minutes later, the crowd had gathered outside, whispers washing through them, all kinds of different speculations being thrown out.

Everyone from the palace staff to the city itself was there, with the announcement also being live broadcast on radio and TV. It needed to reach everyone.

Alaric took to the stage, Sienna at his side, the crowd glued to the fact that the two of them were together.

“Thank you for coming, everyone,” he announced in that booming, royal voice of his, the thud of his pulse roaring in his ears.

The crowd is silent, confused, sensing something big coming.

“You’ve been lied to for many years now.” Alaric dove straight into it, watching the frowns that passed across the crowds faces, especially the palace staff.

Sienna’s presence at his side grounded him just enough to keep going.

“My uncle killed my father and forced me into hiding for years, threatening my place here, and my life, if I ever tried to come back.”

Gasps echoed through the crowd, the whispers starting back up.

“I watched my own uncle kill my father, if only to take the throne from him. He was a power hungry man, drunk on it, and did not want the best for anyone.”

He paused, taking a slow breath in. Sienna squeezed his hand, a smile twitching at the edge of his lips.

“I’m back now, and this is my rightful place. My uncle is gone, fallen to his own grave mistakes.”

The crowd was dead silent, staring at him with wide eyes.

“I want you to know that I’m sorry for everything that was hidden from you. Sorry for the corrupt leadership you were exposed to for so many years, and that it took me so long to find my way back. It was not an easy process.”

The more he spoke, the easier it got. It almost seemed like the crowd understood, or even suspected, that his uncle had always been bad.

“My office will be open for questions or concerns for the week, and I encourage you to come by and clear your heads. My uncle did so many bad things over the years that will take years to fix, but I promise you, I will fix this for us.”

He paused again, catching his breath, gripping Sienna’s hand tighter.

“There’s something else I want to announce,” he smiled, glancing to her looking so glamorous next to him. “Sienna and I will be having our real wedding in two weeks, and she will be crowned my queen.”

There was a beat of silence, and then the crowd burst into cheers, every single one of them, hooting and hollering in approval.

“I guess they approve,” Sienna winked, her soft laugh giving Alaric chills.

Alaric nodded, his eyes the slightest bit damp with tears of joy. “Thank you all for understanding, and know that my doors are open for you. While I can’t tell you every single little detail, I’ll do all that I can for you to understand.”

“Love live King Alaric!” The crowd started to chant, and he chuckled, his throat suddenly tight.

“I’m not officially King yet, but I will be!” he cheered, the shouts of approval growing louder again. “And you’ll all be invited!”

As they cheered even more than he ever thought possible, he felt complete. Sienna stood by his side, the city accepted the truth, for now, and things were on the mend.

He was free. His uncle was dead, and any remaining loyal to him would be sentenced, no more corruption allowed in Alaric’s palace.

Ten years ago, Alaric thought his life was ending. Now, it was crystal clear that it was only just beginning.