Chapter 179

Chapter 179
{Ronan’s POV}

Lisa lay against my chest, pale but breathing steadily, her weight reminding me of what truly mattered. The Elders exchanged glances until Elric finally stepped forward.

“Forgive us, Alpha King,” he said, his voice carrying the weariness of one who had seen too many battles. “Tonight was meant for triumph, yet it was marred by chaos… I think I speak for everyone here when I say. We have never seen an election like this before.”

He clapped as if to usher in a new era. “A proper coronation will be held in two days, where your Luna shall be crowned beside you before all the packs. There will be no more interruptions.”

I inclined my head, though my teeth ground together. Words meant little when danger had already touched her. Still, I kept Lisa close, my arm firm around her.

As I moved toward the doors, my gaze swept the hall. That was when I saw them. Bryan and Selena.

They stood near the columns, trying to blend into the crowd as though the darkness could grant them mercy. But hatred glimmered in their eyes, hatred that had not dimmed despite their fear. They were cowards who had built their lives on lies, but even cowards could lash out when cornered.

The memory of Lisa’s wounded body. The scent of her blood, the uncertainty that had nearly undone me… No. I couldn’t just let the Elders handle them.

I stopped walking, shifting Lisa carefully into one arm, then raised my free hand in a gesture that brought Sean and Colt forward immediately.

“Bring him,” I ordered, my voice cutting through the murmurs. My eyes never left Bryan.

The hall stiffened as my men obeyed, shoving through the crowd until they had Bryan dragged to the center of the chamber. His protests rang hollow, his feet scraping against the stone floor as though he were trying to dig his way into another world.

When he stood before me, forced to his knees. I said. “Bryan. You are guilty of attempted murder against my Luna. You orchestrated the car accident that nearly ended her life. You are guilty of fraud and embezzlement, of bleeding others for your greed. And you bore false witness, in order to hide your misdeeds.”

The crowd erupted, their voices crashing against the ceiling like thunder. “Guilty!”

“Prosecute him!” They roared.

The Elders watched in silence, without objection.

I held Bryan’s gaze, watching the sweat bead at his temple, watching his lips tremble around words he could not form.

I savored the sight for a few precious moments that must've felt like an eternity to him.

“But I am not a tyrant,” I continued. “Under my reign, there will be justice. Every wolf, every ally, every traitor will be judged according to their actions, not by the whims of power. Bryan will face trial, and his crimes will be laid bare for all to see. With the permission of the Council and Elders, I order his arrest.”

Elric gave the faintest of nods, the Council gave their go ahead, and that was all I needed. Sean and Colt pulled Bryan to his feet, iron chains clasping around his wrists. His protests spilled out finally, frantic and pathetic, but no one cared to hear them.

Beside him, Selena made her move. She tried to slip away, her gown catching on the crowd as she pressed toward the edge of the hall. My men were faster. They caught her by the arms, dragging her back to stand near Bryan.

“No,” I said, lifting a hand. “Let her go.”

The crowd gasped, muttering in confusion. Selena herself froze, blinking at me like she couldn’t quite understand.

“I doubt there is a punishment crueler than the life she will now live. Let her wake every morning in fear, knowing that she is despised by those she betrayed. Let her wonder who… or what might be watching her. If she is wise, she will run off somewhere far away. Because once I leave this chamber, should any loyal wolf catch her, they will have my permission as Alpha King to end her where she stands.”

Selena’s face drained of color. The guards released her. She stumbled back, clutching at her skirts, eyes darting like a hunted animal. 

The crowd growled their approval, their hatred for her fed by my decree.

I shifted Lisa in my arms, and for a moment her hands stirred. She wrapped them around my neck, weak but deliberate. Her head pressed against my collarbone, and I felt the unspoken thank you in the way she clung.

I turned back to the assembly. “Tonight you have seen chaos. You have seen betrayal and you have seen blood. But hear me now. That era ends here.”

“The era of rogues and cowards like Lucien. Lena. Veyra. Mallon and many more.”

“I will usher in an age where justice is not a whispered word but a promise. Where peace is not a dream but a reality. And I believe we as wolves can grow beyond what we are now.”

The wolves roared, their voices carrying unity, though I could still smell the tang of uncertainty beneath.

I raised my gaze, letting it find Damon where he stood at the edge of the crowd. His eyes were on me, steady, waiting.

“Damon,” I called. “You are my brother. You exposed Lucien when no one else could. Setting things up even before I did… For that, I forgive you. But forgiveness does not erase consequence.”

His shoulders squared, his chin lifted. He was ready for whatever I would give him.

“As Alpha King, I strip you of the title of Beta of the Bloodmoon Pack,” I declared.

“You will no longer bear that responsibility. But you will always bear my forgiveness. What you do with it is yours to decide.”

“Anya needs her uncle after all.” I added, just for him.

The room rippled with whispers. Damon’s expression flickered, hurt and relief warring across his face. He bowed his head once, a gesture that was not of defeat but of acknowledgment. As if to say. “Thank you.”