3
Chapter 3
AZALEA POV
"Learn to stop being so hard on yourself, Azalea.
You didn’t make yourself this way. Why are you hurting yourself with negative thoughts?"
"You’re not in my shoes, that’s why it’s easy for you to say that." I snorted. I knew he was right, but still, fuck it! It wasn’t easy.
He stopped walking and took a deep breath. "I know challenges, Azalea. I have hard choices to make and things I must do, but sometimes I feel like I’m not capable either. But you know why I don’t give up? Because I can’t. The harder you try, the better."
"Wow."
"What?"
"I never knew you were so smart." I joked.
He clutched his chest dramatically. "Oh my gosh!
That hurt my pride!"
I laughed. "But thank you, and you’re right."
"Of course I am, I’m always right."
"Which is why you should be the Alpha." I stopped walking and faced him.
His eyes almost popped out of their sockets.
"Enough jokes, Azalea. Come on, be serious."
"Do I joke around? I’m serious, Mack."
He had an expression I couldn’t read.
I sighed and kept talking. "I can’t rule this kingdom alone. I’m too weak for it. But you, my fiancé, my mate, my beta, you have more potential and strength than I do. I might have the Alpha blood, but I’m not fit to be one."
"So, you want me to rule instead? I’m already by your side supporting you."
"I know and I appreciate it, but I need more. Only you can do that. I’ll be your submissive Luna.
Together, we’ll rule this kingdom as one."
He took a step back and sat on the floor, lost in thought. "Azalea, this is a lot to take in."
I bent down, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I know, but please consider it."
His eyes met mine, and he smiled. "As you wish, Your Highness. I’ll accept it."
"Thank you, Mack. I love you."
"I love you too."
He stood up and wrapped his arms around me.
"This is a big decision, Azalea."
"I know, but I trust you."
"Have I ever given you a reason not to?" He laughed.
"Nope, not once."
"Are you insane, Azalea?!" The elders’ voices echoed through the hall, sharp and unforgiving.
Their eyes, heavy with disbelief and frustration, fixed on me like I’d just declared war on the entire pack. "That position is yours, not some plaything you toss around like it means nothing!"
I clenched my fists, trying to hold back the turmoil bubbling inside me. The weight of their disappointment crushed me, but I had to stand firm. This wasn’t just about me, it was about survival, about the future.
The next morning, I summoned an urgent meeting with the elders. The great hall was cold and silent when they arrived at exactly 10 a.m., their faces still etched with suspicion and concern. After the formal greetings were exchanged, I took a deep breath and laid out my plan with steady resolve: Mack would become Alpha, and I would step down and support him as his Luna.
A murmur rippled through the room.
"I understand the weight of the title," I said softly, "but I’m not fit for that role, not right now. My wolf is unstable, and if I were to lead, our enemies would see weakness. That weakness could destroy us all. Mack is strong and steady. He is the right choice."
Miller, ever fierce and passionate, slammed his fist against the wooden table, making the elders jump.
"Then make yourself fit, Azalea!" His voice cracked with urgency. "What would your father say if he saw you now? Would he be proud of you running away from your duty?"
I shook my head, my heart pounding. "He’d say a lot of things, but after seeing what kind of Alpha I’d be... I believe in myself, but I know my limits. This decision isn’t a weakness. It’s wisdom. I need Mack’s strength. Together, we can protect this pack."
Miller’s eyes burned as he took a step forward, voice louder than before. "He’s already by your side! He’s loyal, but this is your responsibility, not his! Don’t you see what you’re doing? You’re giving up, handing over everything!"
"No," I said, voice steady but fierce. "He’s the perfect fit. Trust me, my judgment is never wrong. Mack will be Alpha, and I’ll stand as his Luna. We will rule this pack together. It’s the only way."
Miller approached me slowly, placing a heavy hand on my shoulder, his touch both comforting and commanding. "Azalea, I know you care deeply. You want what’s best for the pack, and I respect that. But this isn’t the right path. You’re running away from your fate."
I was about to argue when Elder Simon’s gravelly voice cut through the tension. "It’s not the best idea, maybe, but it’s practical. If our enemies discover our Alpha can’t shift or control her wolf, they’ll tear us apart. This is about survival, not pride."
His words stung. I hated feeling diminished as if my strength wasn’t enough. But he was right. I swallowed my pride and glanced at Miller. "I know you care about me, Miller. You’re like the father I never had. But this is for all of us. I can’t lead like this, not yet. We need stability."
He sighed, reluctantly removing his hand from my shoulder. "You have ten days to think it over, Azalea. To end this madness before it consumes you."
The weight of his words pressed down on me like a suffocating cloud. Here we go again, I thought bitterly.
"I’ve already made my decision," I said quietly.
"No," Miller insisted, shaking his head. "You’re overthinking this. You want the easy way out. This is your duty. Don’t abandon it. Don’t abandon us."
"I’m not running," I replied firmly, locking eyes with him. "I’m protecting what matters most, our people, our future."
"Azalea," he said softly, pain and worry flickering across his face, "you’re like my own child. I don’t want to see you hurt yourself or lose your way."
"I won’t," I promised. "Not this time."
He stood then, his expression pleading. "Please reconsider. It’s not too late to walk back from this."
"I’m sorry, Miller," I whispered, voice breaking just a little. "But my mind is made up. Either you stand with me, or you don’t." Without looking back, I turned and walked away, the heavy silence of the room following me out.
Deep down, I felt guilty, guilty for breaking his heart, guilty for letting go of a role I’d once dreamed of owning. But my decision was final.
Mack will be Alpha. Together, we will face whatever comes next.