Chapter 79 CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE | THE THRONE THAT WAITED
Chapter 79 CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE | THE THRONE THAT WAITED
CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE | THE THRONE THAT WAITED
RONAN
Brian led us through narrow paths, cutting through places even the guards wouldn’t think to search. We walked for a long time, keeping our heads low, moving only when the streets went quiet. I didn’t want to go back to the old hut. Too many memories. Too many meetings where plans died before they were born.
Aspen stayed close to me, her steps unsure but stubborn. Every now and then, I glanced at her just to be sure she was still there. She was quiet, but alive. That was all that mattered.
When we finally reached the hideout, I stopped short.
They were already there.
My people.
Men and women I hadn’t seen in years stood scattered around the space, some leaning on walls, some sitting, some standing straight like soldiers who never stopped waiting. The moment they saw me, they straightened.
“Alpha,” one of them said, bowing his head.
Another followed. “You’re back.”
My chest tightened. “What is this?” I asked slowly, my eyes moving from face to face. “Brian?” I turned to him. “What’s going on?”
He gave a small smile. “They’ve been waiting for you.”
“Waiting?” I scoffed. “For how long?”
“As long as it took,” a deep voice said.
One of the elders stepped forward. His hair was grey now, his face lined, but his eyes were sharp. The same eyes that once watched me train, watched me fail, watched me leave.
“Ronan,” he said calmly. “You ran from your duty, but your duty never ran from you.”
I clenched my jaw. “I didn’t run. I was forced out.”
“And yet you survived,” another elder added. “You grew stronger outside than you ever were inside.”
I shook my head. “This isn’t the time for this. Aspen is hurt. We’re being hunted.”
“That is exactly why this is the time,” the first elder replied. “The pack is weak without a leader. Enemies sense it. They are moving.”
“So you remember me now?” I asked bitterly. “After you all turned your backs on me?”
He didn’t flinch. “We made mistakes. Pride blinded us. Fear ruled us. But the throne has never been taken. It has been waiting.”
Silence fell. Aspen shifted beside me. I felt her hand brush mine.
“You want me to come back?” I asked quietly.
“Yes,” he said. “Take your place. Protect your own. Protect her.” His eyes flicked to Aspen. “The mate you risked everything for.”
I swallowed hard. I wasn’t ready for this. I hadn’t planned this. But the truth sat heavy in my chest. I was tired of running. Tired of hiding.
“What if I say no?” I asked.
The elder smiled sadly. “Then the pack falls. And history will remember that you walked away twice.”
I closed my eyes for a brief moment, then nodded. “Alright,” I said. “I’ll come.”
Relief moved through them like a wave.
They didn’t waste time. A black luxury car rolled into view, lights low, engine quiet. Brian let out a low whistle.
“You really missed a lot,” he muttered.
I helped Aspen into the car, then got in beside her. As the doors shut and the car pulled away toward my pack, one thought burned in my mind.
If I was taking my throne back, no one would ever touch her again.
The gates of the pack opened wide the moment we arrived. Torches lined the path, their flames dancing in the night air. Before I could even step out of the car, people rushed forward. Laughter. Shouts. Someone blew balloons into the air like it was a festival, not a return from exile.
“Alpha!”
“Welcome home!”
“You’re finally back!”
Hands grabbed me from all sides. Hugs. Pats on my back. Familiar faces I thought I’d never see again. It felt loud, overwhelming, unreal. I stood there frozen for a moment, trying to breathe it all in.
This land hadn’t changed. The smell of earth. The sound of leaves moving at night. It hit me all at once.
Memories came fast. Me running barefoot as a child. My sister laughed as she chased me near the river. My mother called us before dark. My father stood tall, watching over everything with calm eyes.
My chest tightened.
I almost cried. I swallowed hard and forced myself to stand straight. An Alpha doesn’t break in front of his people. Not on the first night back.
I turned to one of the men closest to me. “Get the physician,” I said firmly. “Now. She needs to be checked.”
He nodded immediately and rushed off.
Aspen looked overwhelmed, her eyes moving around like she didn’t know where to rest them. I placed a hand on her shoulder. “You’re safe here,” I said quietly. “No one will hurt you.”
The physician arrived quickly and examined her right there before insisting she be taken inside. I didn’t argue. I followed them to my quarters.
My room.
The doors opened, and the smell hit me. Wood. Old books. Something familiar and painful at the same time. Nothing had been touched. The room was exactly how I left it.
“She’ll stay here,” I said without hesitation. “With me. For the nights.”
No one questioned it. They just bowed and left us alone.
Aspen sat on the bed slowly, wincing a little. I turned away for a moment, and that’s when I saw it.
My father’s photograph hung on the wall.
Older. Strong. Watching.
My throat closed. I stepped closer without thinking. My fingers trembled as I touched the frame. “I’m back,” I whispered under my breath. “I should’ve come sooner.”
A tear slipped down before I could stop it. Just one.
Aspen stood up quietly and came to me. She wrapped her arms around me without a word. Her head rested against my chest.
“It’s going to be alright,” she said softly.
I exhaled shakily and rested my chin on her head. For the first time in a long time, I believed it might be true, and maybe it actually is.