CHAPTER 125: Livia’s Victory.

CHAPTER 125: Livia’s Victory.
~Livia’s POV~

The council chamber hummed with low voices, the kind that only appear when people are relieved their problems have finally “resolved themselves.” And tonight, I was their solution.

Councilor Meros lifted his cup first. “To our new acting Queen.”He turned to me fully, bowing his head. “May your reign be firm.”

I smiled slowly. “Oh, don’t worry. It will be.”

Whispers of approval circled the table. They had always wanted someone controllable, someone predictable. They believed that person was me. Fools. They had no idea what they just handed over.

Councilor Irena leaned closer, her tone smooth. “With Kieran incapacitated, strong leadership is essential. You stepping forward… it has restored order.”

“Of course it has,” I replied. “Chaos is never good for the pack. Someone needed to act.”

Meros cleared his throat. “What of Ava? And the outsiders she brought?”

“I’ve already handled it,” I said, waving the matter away. “They are gone. Exiled. They won’t threaten this pack again.”

A few council members exchanged relieved glances.

Irena tapped her fingers lightly. “And Kieran? The pack will eventually ask.”

I tilted my chin. “He is resting. Recovering. They will be told exactly that.”

“And when he wakes?”

I held her stare for a long moment. “By the time he wakes… everything he used to control will no longer be his to reclaim.”

Their eyes widened slightly. A mix of surprise and unease. Good. Let them be afraid.

Councilor Renold forced a small laugh. “You seem confident.”

“I don’t seem confident,” I corrected. “I am.”

The meeting eased into soft murmurs and occasional congratulations. I let them speak, let them flatter me, let them reassure themselves that they had made the right decision by elevating me. They thought they were using me.

But no, this time, I was using them.

When the final toast was made, and the last chair slid back, I rose. “I need to check on our former Alpha.”

The word former tasted sweet on my tongue.

Meros blinked. “Shall we accompany…”

“No.” I cut him off. “This visit is personal.”

I moved through the quiet hallway, the sound of my heels echoing. The guards outside Kieran’s door straightened instantly.

“Your Grace,” one greeted.

I nodded. “Open it.”

The door swung inward, revealing the dim room. Kieran lay on the bed, his body unnervingly still. Strong, stubborn, infuriating Kieran… collapsed into a silence he could not fight.

I stepped inside and closed the door behind me.

“Look at you,” I murmured as I approached. “Sleeping like a child.”

He didn’t move. Good. I didn’t need interruptions.

I sat beside the bed, crossing my legs. “You know, I expected more of a struggle from you. Even poisoned, you usually cling to power like some noble hero.” I chuckled. “But maybe even you were tired.”

I leaned in closer, lowering my voice. “Or maybe… you finally realized you can’t always win.”

Still no reaction. His chest rose and fell shallowly, a broken rhythm of a man who used to command entire armies.

“I warned you, Kieran,” I whispered. “I warned you that choosing her would destroy you.”

My jaw tightened.

“Ava came into this pack like a storm, and you, so proud, so iron-willed became weak. Blinded. Stupid.”

I reached out and brushed a stray piece of hair from his forehead. “And then you betrayed me. Lied to me. Protected her instead of your own pack. Instead of me.”

A bitter laugh escaped. “Kieran the Just. Kieran the Loyal. Kieran the Brave.” I shook my head. “And now look at you. Lying here, while I run everything you tried so hard to control.”

I slid my hand down to his wrist. His pulse was faint. Slow. Proof that the antidote had done little to reverse the damage. Good. The council didn’t know how little chance he had of waking soon. Maybe ever.

“You know what the best part is?” I whispered. “They trust me. They think I’m doing this for the pack. They have no idea I’m doing it for myself.”

I leaned in closer, letting my lips hover near his ear. “Kieran, my love… by the time you wake up, if you wake up everything will already be mine.”

I straightened, looking down at him with cold satisfaction.

“You may have chosen her, but the pack will answer to me. Not you. Never again you.”

My voice softened, becoming almost sweet. “So sleep. Stay asleep. Don’t rush. Don’t fight. The longer you stay in this coma, the easier it becomes for everyone to forget you.”

I stood slowly, smoothing my dress. “And when they do forget you… when they finally accept me as their rightful Queen… I will not allow you to reclaim anything.”

As I reached the door, I paused and looked back one last time. He looked peaceful. Pathetic.

“You used to terrify every wolf in this kingdom,” I whispered. “Now you can’t even open your eyes.”

The guard outside the door straightened as I exited.

“Will the Alpha wake soon, Your Grace?” he asked.

I allowed a small smile. “He will wake when he is ready.” Then, under my breath, only for myself: “And may that day never come.”

I walked away with steady, confident s

steps.

Because this time, I had won.

And Kieran’s silence was the sweetest crown I had ever worn.