Chapter 173 The Coronation Day
The morning of the coronation arrived with a quiet tension that settled over the entire pack. The usual sounds of movement within the territory carried a different weight, as though every step and every voice held a purpose that could not be ignored.
Inside the main hall, preparations had already begun.
Cloths had been arranged carefully along the walls while the ceremonial platform stood at the center, raised slightly above the ground so all eyes could see what would take place. Guards lined the edges of the hall, their expressions firm and alert as they watched over the gathering crowd.
Members of the pack filled the space gradually.
Whispers moved through them in low tones.
“Today changes everything.”
“Do you think it will go smoothly?”
“It has to.”
The doors at the far end remained closed.
Behind them, Alberto stood in a separate chamber while Mira adjusted the final piece of clothing resting on his shoulders. The fabric felt heavier than usual, not because of its weight but because of what it represented.
Alberto looked down at himself briefly.
“This feels strange.”
Mira gave a faint smile.
“It should.”
Alberto glanced at her.
“You think I am ready?”
Mira met his gaze calmly.
“You have faced worse.”
Alberto exhaled quietly.
“That does not make this easier.”
Mira stepped back slightly to observe him.
“You are not alone.”
Alberto’s expression softened for a brief moment.
He nodded slowly.
“I know.”
A knock sounded on the door.
Lucia’s voice followed.
“It is time.”
Mira stepped aside.
Alberto straightened slightly before moving toward the door.
As it opened, the sound from the hall grew clearer.
Lucia stood waiting.
Her eyes moved over Alberto briefly before she nodded.
“You look the part.”
Alberto gave a small nod in return.
Lucia turned and began walking toward the hall.
Alberto followed her.
On the other side, Fernando stood in another chamber while two attendants adjusted the details of his attire. The garments carried the mark of an alpha, designed to reflect authority and strength.
Fernando looked at his reflection briefly.
His expression remained calm but focused.
One of the attendants stepped back.
“It is done.”
Fernando nodded once.
He moved toward the door without hesitation.
As he stepped into the corridor, Darius stood waiting nearby.
“Alpha.”
Fernando glanced at him.
“Everything is in place?”
Darius nodded.
“Yes.”
Fernando studied him for a brief moment.
“Stay alert.”
Darius gave a slight bow.
“I will.”
Fernando continued walking toward the main hall.
Darius remained behind.
His eyes shifted slightly as he turned and moved in the opposite direction.
Near the edge of the hall, Mira stood quietly while observing the gathering crowd.
Darius approached her slowly.
“Mira.”
She turned slightly.
“What is it?”
Darius stepped closer, lowering his voice.
“Do not forget what we discussed.”
Mira’s expression tightened slightly.
“I remember.”
Darius’s gaze remained fixed on her.
“You will not make any mistakes?”
Mira nodded once.
“I will not.”
Darius leaned slightly closer.
“This is not the time to hesitate.”
Mira held his gaze.
“I know what is at stake.”
Darius straightened again.
“Good.”
He stepped back and moved toward his position near the front.
Mira watched him for a moment before turning her attention back to the hall.
The doors opened slowly.
Lucia stepped forward first.
The murmurs in the hall faded almost instantly.
Her presence commanded attention.
She moved toward the center of the platform while the crowd stood quietly.
“Today marks a turning point for our pack.”
Her voice carried clearly across the room.
“We gather to witness a union that will strengthen our future.”
She paused briefly.
“Stand.”
The command echoed through the hall.
Every member of the pack rose to their feet.
The sound of movement filled the space as all eyes turned toward the entrance.
Lucia lifted her hand slightly.
“I call upon our Alpha.”
Fernando stepped forward.
The moment he entered the hall, a wave of respect moved through the crowd.
Heads lowered slightly.
Some placed their hands over their chests.
Fernando walked steadily toward the platform.
His expression remained composed.
Lucia stepped aside slightly to give him space.
He reached the center and turned to face the gathering.
The silence deepened.
Lucia spoke again.
“I call upon Alberto.”
All eyes shifted toward the entrance once more.
Alberto stepped into view.
The room seemed to hold its breath.
He moved forward with measured steps.
His gaze remained steady as he walked toward the platform.
The crowd watched him closely.
Some with admiration.
Others with curiosity.
A few with quiet doubt.
Alberto reached the platform and stepped beside Fernando.
Lucia stood between them.
“The ceremony will proceed as it has been passed down through generations.”
She looked at both of them.
“Do you stand here willingly?”
Fernando answered first.
“I do.”
Lucia turned to Alberto.
“And you?”
Alberto met her gaze.
“I do.”
Lucia nodded.
“Then we begin.”
She stepped slightly back.
Fernando extended his hand toward Alberto.
Alberto mirrored the action.
Their hands met at the center.
Lucia spoke.
“The bond of blood unites strength and loyalty.”
Fernando spoke first.
“I give my blood to this union.”
He drew a small blade and cut his palm carefully.
A thin line of blood appeared.
He extended his hand again.
Alberto watched him briefly.
Then he reached for the blade.
He cut his own palm.
The sting barely registered.
He placed his hand against Fernando’s.
Their blood mixed.
A quiet murmur spread through the crowd.
Lucia continued.
“The wolf within recognizes the bond.”
Fernando’s voice remained steady.
“My wolf accepts this union.”
Alberto felt a faint stir within him.
“My wolf accepts this union.”
Lucia nodded.
“The oath is spoken.”
The air in the hall seemed to shift slightly.
Fernando turned toward Alberto.
His expression softened just enough to show sincerity.
“Do you accept me fully?”
Alberto held his gaze.
For a moment, everything felt still.
The crowd waited.
Lucia remained silent.
Fernando stepped slightly closer.
“Then I claim you.”
His hand moved slightly as if to complete the ritual.
In that same moment, Alberto’s other hand moved.
The motion was quick.
From within his garment, he pulled out a small iron dagger.
The blade caught the light briefly.
Before anyone could react, Alberto drove it forward.
The dagger sank directly into Fernando’s chest.
A sharp gasp spread through the hall.
Fernando’s eyes widened in shock.
His body stiffened.
The sound of metal piercing flesh echoed faintly.
The crowd froze.
No one moved.
Fernando looked down at the dagger.
Then back at Alberto.
Confusion filled his expression.
“Alberto?”
His voice came out strained.
Alberto’s face remained unreadable.
The silence that followed felt heavier than anything that had come before.