Chapter 124

Suddenly, all eyes were on me. The training grounds fell into an eerie silence, each corner steeped in anticipation.

My heart pounded furiously, my mind teetering on the edge of panic. Alpha Kenzo's brief glance at me was enough to communicate the unspoken—it was my move. But what was I supposed to do?

Think, Thalassa. Think! my mind screamed. Logic took over, hammering at my thoughts. These soldiers were sent here to join the pack on the battlefield, yet the vampire army kneels before you. If you don’t act swiftly, the peace treaty will crumble, and you’ll be forced to choose—vampires or werewolves.

The silence stretched, weighing down on me, and all I could muster was an awkward smile. Kenzo’s clenched jaw was a clear sign of his mounting frustration. The Royal Army wasn’t going to bow to him simply because their legions had been sent here. The realization gnawed at me—what I was about to do might haunt me later, but I had no alternative.

“Thank you…” I began, pausing to collect my thoughts.

I froze. How was I supposed to address Icarus? His position in the Royal Army had been hard-earned, and a casual "Mr. Kroos" felt painfully inadequate. My eyes darted to him in a silent plea for guidance.

Thankfully, he caught on. Covering his mouth slightly, he cleared his throat and murmured, “Commander.”

Relief flooded through me. “Thank you, Commander Kroos,” I said, a smile creeping onto my face. Taking a deep breath, I prepared to address the gathered soldiers. “I am deeply grateful that the Royal Army has chosen to fight alongside the Blue Moon Pack. May the battles we face together pave the way for eternal peace between our races.”

Icarus grinned approvingly, and on his silent signal, the legion began pounding their fists into the ground in rhythmic unison, a resounding show of loyalty and respect. The vibrations underfoot reminded me of their sheer power, shaking the earth as they continued until their commander gestured for silence. His gaze returned to me, steady and expectant.

I swallowed hard, uncertain but determined to maintain an air of confidence. “Rise, Royal Army!” I commanded, channeling the calm authority I imagined Hadrian would have in my place.

In a single motion, the soldiers rose to their feet, their celebratory roar shaking the air. Icarus gave me a small, affirming nod, and I exhaled the breath I’d been holding.

But it wasn’t over yet.

Gritting my teeth, I extended my hand toward Kenzo, reluctantly clasping his palm in mine. His surprised expression was fleeting; he quickly raised our joined hands high as a symbol of unity.

The Blue Moon Pack’s warriors erupted into cheers, fists pumping triumphantly in the air. Moments later, the Royal Army joined them, their voices blending into a thunderous roar. My chest tightened at the sound. For the first time, I felt like a leader—though doubt still lingered. Was I truly cut out for this role?

Kenzo’s smile was genuine, his gratitude unmistakable. He owed me, and we both knew it. I had resolved his leadership issue with the Royal Army in a way even he hadn’t expected. Still, I hoped he wouldn’t mistake this for anything more. Becoming his Luna wasn’t on my agenda—not now, perhaps not ever.

Thankfully, Kenzo took the reins from there, directing the ceremony with the confidence I lacked. While he orchestrated the proceedings, I seized the opportunity to release my hand from his grip. His frown was brief, quickly replaced by a neutral expression when he caught my sharp glare.

“We’ll talk later,” I hissed quietly, leaning in just enough for him to hear before walking away.

Finally, I could turn my attention to Icarus. Unable to suppress a grin, I strode toward him and threw my arms around his neck.

“I missed you!” I teased, delighting in the way his ears turned red.

His soldiers stifled their laughter behind their hands, clearly enjoying their commander’s rare moment of discomfort. Icarus shifted awkwardly but didn’t push me away—at least not completely.

“Thalassa… please,” he murmured, managing a nervous smile.

Snickering, I released him. “Very well, Commander.”

He still looked flustered, which only deepened my amusement. Standing before him, I couldn’t help but admire how perfectly he fit the role of a leader. His combat boots, dark cargo pants, and black fitted shirt beneath his uniform jacket were identical to those of his soldiers, yet on him, they exuded authority. Even his black beret, though standard issue, seemed to carry an air of superiority. I’d always known he was strong, but seeing him now, commanding such respect, left me awestruck.

“I’m glad you’re here, Icarus,” I said earnestly.

“I volunteered,” he replied, his tone softening. “General Larkspur opposed it, but King Hadrian allowed it after I promised to keep you safe.”

“Hadrian wanted you to protect me?” I asked, startled.

He nodded. “But I can see you don’t need a bodyguard anymore, Thalassa.” His lips curled into a familiar, warm smile.

“Maybe not a bodyguard,” I admitted, “but a friend would be nice.”

“That, I can promise,” he chuckled.

Glancing toward the military tents, I pointed. “Are all your soldiers camping out here?”

He laughed, shaking his head. “No, just my division. We represent the four thousand Royal Army soldiers sent to aid the Blue Moon Pack. While we’re temporarily stationed here, the rest are building barracks outside the town. We’ll join them in a few days.”

Disappointment tugged at me, but I masked it with a nod. His tone shifted, and I noticed the spark of intensity in his gaze.

“Are you going to accept Kenzo and become their Luna?” he asked, his voice edged with something close to anger.

Caught off guard, I hesitated, meeting his gaze. “I don’t know, Icarus,” I admitted quietly.

He clenched his jaw, his expression darkening. “The King doesn’t love Selene, you know. He misses you—desperately.”

“Icarus—”

“He made mistakes, yes, but you don’t understand what’s been happening outside the Palace. Vampire families are being targeted, their homes burned to the ground. We have no leads, except that Selene might be involved.”

His words struck like a thunderclap. My petty concerns felt trivial in the face of such revelations.

“Let’s talk another time,” he said, lowering his voice. “These matters are best discussed in private.”

I nodded, watching as he walked away, his soldiers bowing as he passed. There was something different about him now—a maturity, a sharper awareness of the world’s harsh realities.

Maybe it was time for me to see them too.