Chapter 203

[Evelyn’s POV]

Oh my God. What if they don’t want to accept Alexander as their new King?

While I couldn’t think of a single reason why anyone wouldn’t want him for an Alpha, it still wasn’t enough to willingly sign over their allegiance to him.

Alexander needed support and I was going to do whatever was necessary to help him.

“May I say something?”

The words fumbled out of my mouth before I really had a chance to think. My voice broke through the deafening silence like a knife.

My heart leaped into my throat as the entire room turned their heads to stare at me. The judge gave me a curt nod. I felt the immediate weight of their gazes and silently cleared my throat before stepping forward.

“For those of you who do not know me, my name is Evelyn Kingston, Alexander’s wife and Luna.”

One of the people in the front row lit up and bluntly spoke out.

“Aren’t you the Luna who’s been creating those amazing tea blends?”

My face flushed. “Oh, y-yes.”

“Oh my God, they’re amazing! This is the first winter in forever that my family hasn’t gotten sick,” another person called out.

I couldn’t help but giggle. Of course, it was nice to hear that my work was appreciated but this wasn’t supposed to be about me.

“I'm glad to hear it. But my reasoning for wanting to speak is because I can tell that there is a considerable amount of doubt and worry in this room right now,” I said lightly. “I can understand and even sympathize with the majority of you here about your concerns toward this development—mainly, your worries about being ruled under Alexander.”

I caught a quick glimpse of a few people sheepishly nodding their heads.

“Now, I get it. Some of you may think that my opinion is biased given the fact that I am married to him, after all. And while I am immensely proud to be at his side, that wasn’t always the case. You see, our marriage was an arrangement. The two of us knew absolutely nothing about each other. I had no idea of the kind of person he was and for a good while after we were married, he and I didn’t really talk much. I learned who Alexander was not by talking but by witnessing his actions.”

I shot Alexander a knowing glance and was met with a prideful glimmer.

“I was utterly astounded to discover just how much loyalty and respect his pack members had for him. And that is solely because he cares about every single one of those people the way that a real Alpha should. The way that a real King should.”

There was no holding back the slight bitterness in my voice as I turned to glance at Gregory.

“Alexander isn’t someone who seeks to gain riches when he knows that is something that can be gained from dedication and hard work. He plans to gut out the corruption which has been thriving under the noses of everyone, apart from those involved. He’s not going to simply slide into the previous King’s position and pick up where he left off. No.”

I came to stand beside him.

“What Alexander wants is a crime-free, peaceful region. One that is built and operated on honesty and hard work. You have a right to your skepticism, but why not give him—give us the chance to prove ourselves?”

The judge cleared his throat. “That was very well said, Mrs. Kingston. As you all know, I am a man of the people. I am sworn to protect and keep the region’s best interests in mind. It pains to think that I, myself, have unknowingly allowed such crime to go on for so long. As a man of justice, I pledge my allegiance to a new Alpha King. Alexander Kingston.”

My heart fluttered in my chest. Slowly but surely, others began to lower their heads, pledging their allegiance to Alexander and the Kingston family.

“Alexander, step forward,” the judge told him.

Alexander gave me a brief look before pulling from my side in order to stand at the base of the raised platform. The judge stood up from the throne and silently reached out to one of the guards on the side. The guard knowingly handed over the sword that they kept on their person.

“Kneel,” the older man instructed. Alexander took a knee to the floor. “As the second authority of the region, it is my civic and sacred right to crown the new Alpha King.”

We all watched as he lifted the long blade to gently rest on Alexander’s right shoulder.

“By the power vested in me, I now hereby declare you Alexander Kingston the New Alpha King of this region.”

The entire hall broke out in booming cheers and claps. I couldn’t help but feel the burning sense of pride spark through me as Alexander got up on his two feet and bowed to the judge. He then turned and bowed to the people who were willing to give him a chance and align themselves under his reign.

Alexander turned to look at me. He gave me a smile that possessed endless emotion and feeling. It brought tears to the corners of my eyes. I knew right at that moment that we’d done it.

We won.

[Third-Person’s POV]

Later that evening, once the excitement had finally settled down, Alexander had exchanged a few words with the judge to ensure that Gregory and anyone who had a hand in his illegal dealings was going to be immediately dealt with.

“Prison isn’t enough,” he said. “I want the entire family exiled and placed in a prison where they will never be able to cause any further harm.”

As soon as the orders were given out, Alexander was determined to head back to the manor with his wife. Evelyn had gone on ahead of him much earlier, wanting to see her brother and fill him in on everything that’s happened.

He glanced at his watch and figured she ought to be home by now.

The house was blissfully quiet. He made his way through the halls and came to the bedroom. When he stepped inside, he saw that the room was empty; however, he noticed the slight glow of light coming from the bathroom.

Alexander stepped inside and caught the stunning picture of Evelyn lying back in the bathtub. The corner of his mouth curled when he noticed the large book propped up in her hands.

“Good evening, Queen Luna,” he hummed.

Evelyn turned her head to glance in his direction. She fought back the smile that threatened to spread across her face.

“Good evening...Your Majesty.”

Something about hearing that set off a primal urge within him. Alexander closed the distance between them and lowered himself to his knees. He took the book out of her hands, setting it off to the side.

He slipped his hand around the curve of her cheek and pulled her into a deep kiss. Evelyn gasped and turned to better the angle.

“You never fail to amaze me, Evelyn Kingston,” he said against her lips. “What you did today...You were incredible.”

“I only told them the truth,” she said.

How on earth had he gotten so lucky?

“I love you,” he said with every moral fiber in his being.