Chapter 117 - Given to the Lycan King

**********************************Lincoln*************************************

Willow jumped at the thud the axe made as it lodged into the wooden top. Luca's head rolled, landing on the floor of the platform,

Glancing down at Willow, her eyes were still locked on River. As he stared back at her, his face saying it all, I knew why he chose to be the one to carry out this punishment,

Dropping his hands from the handle, he stepped back, making his way down the steps and coming to stand in front of Willow,

Taking a knee, lifting his gaze to look straight at her,

Willow's eyes widen as she looks at him, "River, what are you?"

"I, River Delany, Beta of the Night Howlers, pledge my solemn loyalty to my Luna Queen Willow Winters. I vow to serve you and only you till the end of your reign. I will willingly follow any and all orders given to me. I will protect my Luna Queen till my last breath,"

"River," she whispered his name, her eyes moving to meet mine. Tipping my head towards River, she looked back at him,

River had cut his right palm,

Willow gasped as she saw his hand, "River?"

I stepped forward, took the knife, and reached for her right hand. She was shaking. I knew he was planning this. He had already spoken to me about it; his bond with Willow is strong. He looks at her like he does his sister; he wants to pledge his loyalty to her. Not many do this anymore. It's an old custom that has been forgotten,

He and I also have an oath; It is a brother's blood oath. We did it when we were teenagers. I do not regret it. I think that is one of the reasons why we are so close. He knows my moves before I make them, and vice versa. We can read each other without speaking,

"Little one, River is pledging to you to seal it. It is done with blood. It is a blood oath, and to do so, you must cut your palm and press it to his if you accept his pledge,"

She nodded her head as tears filled her eyes. She held her hand out, letting me turn it over, taking the knife and running the tip on her palm. She hissed a bit, Clasping their hands together,

"You need to say out loud, I, Willow Winters, accept your pledge, River Delany,"

Taking in a breath,

"I, Willow Winters, accept your pledge, River Delany," Her voice cracked at the end,

Letting their hands as soon as he stood up, Willow threw herself at him, wrapping him in a hug. He chuckled as he hugged her back,

Looking past them, I saw Mom in tears as she held onto Dad's arm. Mia and Heather were holding each other, crying as they looked at them, Tyler's hand on Heather's shoulder,

Despite wanting to be here, her uncle and aunt couldn't make the trip. They were needed at their pack. Their daughter Fonia left again to continue her Alpha training, So it was just us,

Daniels was helping Ryland with some training. He said he was changing his schedule for that good-for-nothing Alpha. I didnt blame him. He was loyal to him for years, and now there is nothing being held over his head anymore,

Stepping closer, "Alright, give me my mate back," I pulled Willow away from him, causing him to laugh,

Holding His hands up,

"Okay, okay, geez, buzz killer,"

Letting out a growl, I feel an elbow to my side. Glancing down,

"Behave," Willows says, looking up as she smiles at me,

"Yeah, listen to your mate," River chimes at me. Glaring at him, he quickly hurries off to his own mate, wrapping his arms around her,

"Chicken," I call him through the link. He only smirks at me,

"Excuse me, Prince,"

Elder Lance came to stand in front of us. He was holding a container in his hands. Willow looks at it, scrunching her brow together,

"Elder Lance, what is in the container?' She asked him, I already knew what it was,

"Ms Willow, I must take proof back to the council showing that the punishment was carried out."

She raised her brows as she looked at me and then back to him,

"Proof like what? That's a big container,"

"It's supposed to be, as it contains his head, Ms Willow,"

One thing I've learned about him is that he dont hold anything back. He says what is the truth, whether you want to hear it or not,

Willow lets out a gasp as she covers her mouth,

"Now, dont get all upset. We will dispose of it once the council has seen it. We do not keep them," He chuckled,

"I will have someone take care of the body, " I tell him,

"Good. I will take my leave now, But I would like to return and continue to help Ms Willow develop her power better,"

"You are welcome anytime," I hold my hand out to him.

"I will inform you when the council has seen the proof," He shakes my hand then shakes Willows next,

"Thank you for all your help," Dad says to him,

"It was a pleasure seeing you again," He tells Dad,

He said goodbye to the others,

We watch as he walks away, carrying Luca's head in the container tucked under his arm. In his other hand, he carried the Axe,

"Come on, Little one, let's go,"

I slide my arm around her lower back, using my body to block her so she didnt see the headless body still chained down to that wooden top,

"Lincoln, I have already sent for someone to clean up," Dad linked me,

"Thanks,"

"How is your hand?" I asked her as we walked along the path back to the house,

She held her hand up, showing me her palm,

"Good, it is healed, see,"

All you could see was a little red line where it healed,

Nodding my head, I pulled her hand up, kissing the spot,

We all walked in silence the rest of the way. It was not awkward. It was pleasant, calm almost,

It was as if a weight had been lifted off us. Willow seemed like she was released from that dark place. She seemed to be lighter on her feet. Her whole aura was different,

Maybe now we can move forward and not have anything hanging over us anymore or some sudden things popping up. I want to hold her Luna ceremony as soon as I take over. I know Dad is ready to slow down and have the time to spend with Mom even though they act like teenagers most of the time,

******************************Willow**********************************

I was still in shock at what River did. I had no idea that pledges were something I had never seen anyone do or even heard of them being done, So when he dropped to his knees, I was very confused,

I mean, one minute, he's standing over the man who made my life hell and the next, he's pledging his loyalty to me,

I did what Lincoln said, so I kept my eyes on River and jumped with the axe's sound when it hit the wooden top. I didnt look to see if his head fell from his body Or if it rolled across that platform. I kept my eyes on River,

Lucas never made a sound, any scream, no yelp, nothing, just a small gurgle,

When we started walking back, I had a feeling wash over me; It was as if everything that happened and all the worry and all the pain was lifted off me. It was like fresh air filled every dark spot I held on to, and even until now, it was all gone. A new sense of happiness filled my chest; I was finally free of him; he would not be able to haunt me anymore, not even in my dreams. He would not be able to cause chaos in my life. I didnt have to look over my shoulder, wondering when he would pop up again. That chapter was closing and leaving room for a new one to open Without darkness or pain. It will be filled with love and happiness,