Chapter 73: Cunning as Ever

Azarius

"Have you lost your mind, Azarius? What could possibly make you think this is acceptable?" Father's voice thundered across the chamber, his eyes blazing as if I’d uttered the most absurd idea imaginable.

"Apollo, please," Mother interjected, her tone gentle but firm, trying to temper his outrage. "We should respect our son's decision."

Father’s glare shifted to her, his frustration undiminished. "Respect? Respect?" he echoed, his voice rising. "I’ve already tolerated his changes to the laws of the Sowinski Kingdom after I entrusted him with the Alpha King title three years ago. And now, he wants to reject the marriage I arranged for him and marry his retainer instead? How can you expect me to respect that, Adeline?"

I stood silent and unflinching, meeting his anger with a steady gaze. His words didn’t shake me. If anything, they strengthened my resolve.

By the time I turned 21, the weight of the Alpha King title had fallen on my shoulders. It was a mantle I didn’t take lightly. In the years since, I had introduced reforms to the court, established a network of shadows loyal to the crown, and amended laws that had long outlived their purpose.

With Macedonia’s guidance and unyielding support, the kingdom flourished. Our people prospered, and stability reigned.

And now, I was defying yet another of his expectations.

This wasn’t just about rejecting an arranged marriage. It was about staking a claim on the future I wanted, the one I had built with Macedonia by my side.

Father’s fury was palpable, but I remained resolute. This wasn’t a choice I would back down from.

Not now, not ever.

"I’m old enough to decide who I will marry, Father," I stated firmly, my voice unwavering as his expression darkened with fury. "And that choice is Macedonia Stallone."

I met his gaze without flinching, letting the weight of my words sink in. "She is everything I need in a partner, strong, loyal, and capable. The perfect woman to stand by my side as my wife and the mother of this kingdom. She is the only one I envision as my Luna Queen."

My tone was calm, deliberate, as I continued. "I wanted you to hear it from me, but beyond that, I’ll take care of the rest." My words carried a nonchalant edge, but the resolve behind them was unmistakable.

I had waited for this day where my reign would be in a good foundation so Father wouldn't find fault in it and control me. I had been obedient and filial to him, but little did he know, I was a stubborn one, full of ambitions.

"I shall take my leave," I said, my tone calm but resolute as I turned toward the door.

"Don’t you dare walk out of this room, Azarius," Father warned, his voice sharp with authority.

Pausing, I glanced back over my shoulder, a hollow smile on my lips. "My decision is final, Father. Nothing you say will change it. I will marry Macedonia, whether you approve or not." My gaze hardened, unyielding, as I prepared myself for any challenge.

If he dared insult her—the woman I chose, the woman I loved—I would not stand idly by.

"Azarius!"

His voice thundered as my hand rested on the doorknob, but I didn’t falter. Without looking back, I opened the door and stepped out, my steps firm and purposeful. The tension that had coiled within me eased slightly, replaced by a sense of fulfillment

For the first time, I had voiced what had been weighing on my mind for so long.

Father had been persistent, introducing me to princesses from neighboring kingdoms and recently informing me of the woman he’d chosen for an arranged match. But those plans held no place in my future.

Today, I had made it clear.

My path was my own, and it led to Macedonia.

I didn't want him to ruin my plans I had promised to myself. Now that I had the power as the Alpha King, there was no one could stop me from halting policies or decisions.

I had longed for this power to hold and use this for good. And now, the fruit of my labor was here.

"How did it go?"

That was Macedonia's question as I returned to my study room. Just by seeing her, wearing a casual steampunk dress, was enough to take my breathe away.

I showed my perfect set of white teeth from ear to ear. "You have no idea how he reacted. He's ready to fist fight with me, Mace." I approached her and placed my arm over her shoulders. She didn't complain, but there was a glare in her eyes. "Well? Don't you want to congratulate me for finally telling him my plans, darling?" I wriggled my eyebrows.

Macedonia rolled her eyes, a playful glint in her gaze. "You’re as cunning as ever, Azarius." She tapped my chest lightly, her lips curling into a teasing smile. "I suppose I won’t be the most welcomed daughter-in-law, huh?" A soft chuckle escaped her.

I frowned, my arms instinctively wrapping around her waist as I rested my head in the crook of her neck. Her floral scent washed over me, grounding me in a way only she could.

"If he so much as tries to cross you, I’ll stand against him," I said, my voice cold with conviction. But the chill melted as her fingers found their way to my hair, her gentle touch soothing me. A low purr escaped my throat despite myself. "I mean it, Macedonia. Do you take me seriously?" I asked, lifting my head to meet her gaze with a pout.

She flicked my forehead, the sudden gesture making me scowl. "You're such a spoiled brat, Your Majesty." Her grin only widened as she coaxed my face back to the curve of her neck, where my thoughts threatened to betray me.

My gaze lingered on her skin, the faintest desire to mark her surfacing, even though she wasn’t my mate.

The thought of mates flickered in my mind. Years had passed without either of us finding ours, and now, the promise we’d made so long ago felt more tangible than ever.

She would be mine. No man would dare claim her as theirs.

The memory of our agreement resurfaced.

A promise to part ways if our destined mates ever appeared.

A promise I now scoffed at internally. I would ensure she never found hers, and if fate ever brought mine into my life, I’d reject them without hesitation.

Macedonia belonged with me.

I only wanted Macedonia. Nothing more, nothing less.

Stepping back from her, I retrieved a small box from my pocket and, with deliberate theatrics, bowed deeply before lowering myself to one knee.

"Countess Stallone," I began, a playful smile curling my lips as I addressed her with mock formality.

The title felt right. She’d earned it after I’d pushed through the amendment to the inheritance law for her.

"Will you honor the promise we made and agree to be engaged to me, becoming my Luna Queen?" My tone was dramatic, almost teasing, as if this were all in good fun. But beneath the surface, my heart pounded with yearning.

This so-called ‘platonic’ relationship we had... at times, I despised it.

I braced myself for her usual laughter, expecting her to roll her eyes or make a witty remark. But when I glanced up, my breath hitched.

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, the emotion in her gaze catching me off guard.

"Azarius..." she whispered, her voice unsteady as she bit her lower lip, her expression softening in a way I hadn’t seen before.

The lighthearted pretense fell away, replaced by something far deeper. I straightened slightly, my tone losing its playful edge, infused instead with sincerity.

"Macedonia," I said softly, meeting her gaze with unwavering determination. "As we promised when we were children, please marry me. Be my Countess, my partner, my Luna Queen. Together, we’ll rule as a team—best friends, a loyal husband and wife, and cunning leaders for the Sowinski Kingdom. Will you stand by my side, not just now, but until the day I no longer reign?"

From the box, I revealed the engagement ring. It was a green diamond, luminous and striking, a symbol of the de Carteret royal lycan lineage passed down to each Luna Queen.

Holding it out to her, I waited, my breath caught between hope and fear.

Macedonia’s breath hitched, her eyes fixed on the glint of the green diamond resting in the velvet box. Her lips parted as if to speak, but no words came, only a soft, trembling exhale.

The moonlight streaming through the tall windows seemed to catch her every feature, amplifying her beauty and the unguarded emotion in her gaze.

My chest tightened. The playful demeanor I had worn as armor fell away, leaving me exposed. I had braced myself for anything... a laugh, a witty retort, even rejection.

But this?

Her silence, her visible struggle to contain the weight of her feelings. It left me suspended in a moment that felt both eternal and fleeting.

She blinked rapidly, trying to will away the moisture gathering in her eyes. When her gaze finally met mine, there was a softness, a vulnerability I hadn’t expected.

"Azarius," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, yet it carried a depth that made my heart thud painfully in my chest. She hesitated, biting her lower lip as if weighing her next words carefully.

"I..." Macedonia’s voice faltered, and her hand reached up to cup my cheek. The warmth of her touch steadied me, even as my pulse thundered in my ears.

"You’re impossible, you know that?" she said at last, her lips curving into a small, trembling smile. "From the moment we met, you’ve always been impossible."

I couldn’t help the soft chuckle that escaped me, though my voice was hoarse with emotion. "I take it that’s a yes?" I teased, though the tremor in my words betrayed the intensity of my anticipation.

Stop joking around, Azarius. Wait for her answer!

She shook her head, a faint laugh escaping her lips, but it was accompanied by a tear that slid down her cheek. "Yes," she finally whispered, her voice breaking slightly. "Yes, Azarius. I’ll stand by your side, now and always."

The words hit me like a wave, relief and joy washing over me in equal measure. Did I hear it right? She said yes?

Without thinking, I rose to my feet and pulled her into my arms, holding her tightly as if she might vanish. Her laughter, soft and light, tickled my ear as she returned the embrace, her fingers clutching the back of my shirt.

As I pulled back just enough to slip the ring onto her finger, I felt a surge of pride and contentment. The green diamond caught the light, a perfect reflection of the bond we’d forged over the years.

"You’ve just made me the happiest man alive," I whispered, my forehead resting against hers.

Her smile widened, her eyes still glistening. "You’ve always been melodramatic, Your Majesty," she teased, though her tone was laced with affection.

For once, I didn’t argue. I simply held her close, silently vowing that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them together.