Chapter 180

Chapter 180
Third POV

When Tyrant shifted back, he was naked and covered in blood. He put one foot on Thorne's body like a hunter with a trophy. "Useless," he said, voice normal again like he hadn't just killed someone. "Viktor, clean this up. Tell the troops we pull out at dawn, but slowly. Make it look like we're being good sports." His smile was all teeth. "Let Zenith celebrate. Let them think they won."

Viktor got up, bowing even though everything hurt. "Yes, Your Highness. And the princess? We're giving up on her?"

Tyrant laughed quietly, pouring himself a drink like he wasn't naked and bloody. "Give up? You don't get it. We're just changing tactics. If the law won't give her to me, I'll take what's mine another way. Get me twelve of our best—no, fifteen. The quiet ones, trained for sneaking in and grabbing targets. We're visiting Zenith one more time, but this time we won't knock first."

He turned to Viktor, eyes gleaming. "The vote freed her from the engagement, but it doesn't change the truth—she's mine. Always has been. I'll have her, whether she comes willingly or in chains, whether her mates are alive to watch or dead. She'll be in my bed, carrying my mark and my kids. And everyone who stood against me will learn what happens when you defy me."

---

Rhea

Ironfang started pulling out at dawn, but watching it from Zenith's wall felt weird—less like winning and more like being mocked. The soldiers moved super slowly, taking forever to pack up their camps, staying in perfect formation like they were choosing to leave instead of being forced.

I stood between Kael and Jax on the east wall, holding Kael's hand tight while Jax had his arm around my waist. I could feel how tense they both were through our bond, like neither of them quite believed what we were seeing.

"It's really over," I whispered, scared to believe it. "They're actually leaving."

"Don't relax until the last truck is gone," Dean Ashford called from down the wall. "Tyrant doesn't do graceful defeats. Keep all defenses up until neutral observers confirm Ironfang's completely out of our territory."

But as hours passed and the enemy camp slowly disappeared, people started to chill out. Students who'd been on watch for days began smiling, talking in normal voices instead of whispers. By mid-afternoon, when the last transport disappeared over the hill, everyone on the walls cheered so loud it echoed across the whole campus—pure exhausted victory.

I felt tears in my eyes hearing it, realizing we'd actually survived. All these people who'd stood with me, who'd risked their lives because I refused to accept my fate, were finally safe. Kael pulled me against his side while Jax kissed the top of my head.

"You did it," Jax said against my hair, voice rough. "You stood up to him and won."

"We did it," I corrected, looking up at both of them. "I couldn't have survived without you. Without everyone."

That evening, as the sun set in brilliant oranges and golds, Alex finally let some people go off-duty. "Keep skeleton crews on all walls," he ordered. "Everyone else, get real rest. In actual beds. First time in over a week. You earned it."

I didn't need to be told twice. The second Alex dismissed us, exhaustion hit me like a truck. All the adrenaline keeping me going just drained away, leaving me hollow and shaky. Kael steadied me while Jax just scooped me up without asking.

"I can walk," I protested weakly, but my body betrayed me by melting against his chest.

"Sure you can," Jax said, amused despite being exhausted himself. "Just like you can keep your eyes open for more than five seconds."

Our apartment felt like heaven after days of chaos—familiar, safe, quiet after constant alarms and fighting. Jax set me on the couch while Kael immediately went to check windows and doors, still on high alert.

I watched him through heavy eyes, seeing the tension in his shoulders, how his hand kept going where his weapon usually was. "Kael," I called softly. "Come sit with me. Please."

He paused, then came over and sat on my other side so I was between them. I let my head fall back with a groan.

"It's over," I said again, trying to convince myself. "The vote passed. The engagement's canceled. He has to leave me alone now. It's actually done."

Kael took my hand, but something in his face made my stomach twist. "The legal part's over," he said carefully, thumb stroking my knuckles. "But Tyrant himself? Guys like him don't handle public embarrassment well. We need to stay careful for a few more days, until we're sure he's really gone."

Jax shifted behind me, pulling me closer. "What Kael's trying to say without freaking you out," he said, voice rough, "is we're not letting you out of our sight until that asshole's back home and we've got confirmation he's staying there. No going to class alone, no disappearing because you don't want to 'burden' us."

Despite everything, I smiled and actually laughed a little. "Yes, sir."

The tears came suddenly and hard. I buried my face in Jax's chest as sobs shook me, feeling Kael's arms come around us both. They held me through it, whispering reassurances, kissing my hair until it passed and left me wrung out but weirdly peaceful.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled into Jax's shirt. "Sorry I dragged you into this, sorry the whole school had to suffer because I wouldn't just accept—"

"Stop." Kael's command cut me off, firm but gentle. His hand gripped my chin, making me look at him. "You have nothing to apologize for. You fought for your right to choose your own life, and doing that exposed a tyrant and changed history. Everyone who stood with you did it because they believed in what you represent—that strength isn't about gender, that tradition doesn't justify abuse, that everyone deserves to control their own destiny. Don't you dare apologize for that."

"He's right," Jax added, kissing my forehead. "You didn't drag us anywhere. We chose this. I chose you the second my wolf knew you were ours, and I'd choose you again every day forever. Same with everyone who fought—Alex, Caspian, all the students. They weren't fighting out of obligation. They fought because you made them believe things could be better."

I closed my eyes, letting their words sink in, feeling the truth through our bonds. For the first time since Tyrant showed up, I let myself really relax, to believe maybe the nightmare was actually over.

"I love you," I whispered to both of them. "Both of you, so much it scares me sometimes. Thank you for not giving up on me."

"Never," Kael said fiercely, arms tightening. "We'll never walk away. You're ours, and we protect what's ours."

"Damn right," Jax agreed, nuzzling my neck. "You're stuck with us now, princess. Better get used to it."

We stayed like that as the light faded and darkness came. I felt myself drifting toward sleep, my body finally demanding rest, and I let myself sink into it knowing I was safe, loved, and free.

My last thought before sleep took me was thanking the Moon Goddess for giving me not just one mate who'd die for me, but two.