Chapter 80

Chapter 80
Calix's POV.

"Land hot the lookout man hollered from the crow's nest. I lifted my spyglass and gazed at the island ahead-Azalea, my mate's country.

Han stood beside me at the bow of the royal ship, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "Are you certain about this?" he asked.

I wasn't certain about this mission. I wasn't sure if this trip was a good or bad idea. But one thing was sure after my imate brought me back to consciousness last night-I wanted to make things right. I wanted to smoothen all paths and strengthen every relationship between friends and family. Whether I liked it or ont, Alpha Thane was family since I was going to be officially starting a family with his daughter.

Perhaps, an absolution for him-a second chance to mend the past.

"Yes, Han. It's time to put the past behind us, I replied, lowering the spyglass and glancing at him "Don't you think he deserves a second chance?"

Han's jaw tightened. "Alpha Thane...I don't trust him, he puffed.

I inhaled deeply, and nodded. "Your feelings are valid owing to the fact it's not even up to three days since we were at each other's neck."

"And the fact he had the mind to allow those quacks to manhandle his own daughter!" my beta rasped. A faint smile touched my lips.

"If I hadn't looked past the wrong Emily did to me, I wouldn't have gone after her in Azalea, nor would I have rescued her both from the quacks and the witch. And it she, on the other hand, didn't overlook the fact that I hit her, I wouldn't have been here.

That's different, My Lord. Thane tried to kill you"

"I don't know, Han" I shrugged my shoulders. "But if a stranger shows up at my door and threatens to take away my daughter, I'll try to kill them."

Han straightened his stance, his eyes wide with belief. "Are... Are you making excuses for him?"

"I believe in absolution, Han. A second chance at life. No matter what he has done, he remains the father of my mate."

Han exhaled sharply and folded his hands. "What if he attacks you again?"

I dragged my gaze to the sea. "He won't, knowing we have his daughter in our custody Thane is not that stupid. He knows killing me or doing anything foolish will endanger his daughter's life at the hands of my subjects."

What makes you certain he wants this treaty?

Because that's the only way he can stay in touch with his daughter. You see, you learn a lot about someone when you fight them. When I fought Thane, all I saw was a broken father and leader consumed by quilt. He's not as vile as he appears on the surface."

Han remained silent, though his expression spoke volumes. He didn't trust Thane, and truthfully, I wasn't sure if I did either. But for Emily's sake, I was willing to try.

The first step to proving my trust was coming down here without my army.

The ship glided toward the docks of Azalea. I peeped through my spyglass and watched as Thane's men scampered about the place, quickly falling into formation on the shore.

And then I saw Thane, standing at the end of the dock, saddled on a white horse

Lowering my spyglass, I gave Han a curt nod. My beta turned to the crew and Instructed them to lower the sails and prepare for anchorage. He strode to the officer behind the wheels and took over from him.

Moments later, we arrived at Azalea and my men lowered the gangplank. The plank squeaked under my boots as I walked past to the sandy expanse ahead.

Thane's men cowered back, parting in their formation as I approached, forming a clear pact with where he stood.

An awkward silence slithered in the place except for the sounds of the waves lapping the shores behind me. "Your Majesty. He finally spoke and inclined his head in a bow.

"You got my letter."

"Yes, I did," he replied, though it wasn't a question. His gaze flickered past me to Han standing behind me, then returned to my face. "How is she?"

Emily is fine. She's perfectly healed. As I wrote to you, she has completed her first shift

Guilt clouded Thane's expression. "I failed her. I'm so ashamed of myself," he muttered, his voice cracking slightly.

"Everyone deserves a second chance, Thane, I said, my voice steady. "A chance to mend the past and make up for the future."

He let out a bitter chuckle. "Do you think she would give me that chance?" he asked.

His eyes held a flicker of misery, and hope, something human beneath that hard exterior.

"That is not for me to decide, I said honestly. "But if you want to be in her life again, you need to face the consequences of your actions. You need to prove to her that you're truly sorry and bave changed."

Thane exhaled heavily and ran a hand through his graying hair. "I never wanted any of this to happen. The things I did, the choices I made... I thought I was helping her. But I see now that all I did was push her away"

Then tell her that yourself," I told him. "Not me. Not through a letter. If you mean to fix what you broke, you'll have to stand before her and earn her trust again."

Thane nodded slowly. "You're right. But before I face Emily, you and I have unfinished business as well, don't we?"

"Yes, we do," I replied.

A tense silence stretched between us before Thane finally gestured toward the carriages waiting at the dock.

"Then let's not waste time," he said. "The castle awaits."

Han sighed via our mindlink.

Of course. After you, Thane." I mumbled

Thane stepped toward the carriages and gestured at the second carriage. "After you, Your Majesty." I climbed in, Han right behind me

Thane climbed in last, settling across from us. The door shut, and the carriage lurched forward.

The evening sun filtered through the carriage's window as we rode past the streets of Azalea, heading for Thane's castle.

"I suppose this is your beta," Thane spoke, his gaze darting to Han.

"Yes" I replied. "His name is Han."

"Hello, Your Majesty." Han greeted him, arching slightly in a bow.

"I used to have a beta, my brother," Thane said.

My brows shot up in a question. "You have a brother?" I asked, and he nodded, his head wobbling gently as we traveled across the cobbled streets of Azalea. What happened to him?"

Ten years ago, he relocated to the south, settling for a quiet life in a human town," he said. "They arrived this morning."

"They?"

"Him, his wife, and their lovely son, Ryan."

Silence settled over the carriage.as 1 absorbed the news. The thought of my bella having more family members was exhilarating. She had been so consumed by the tragedies in her life that she had never spoken of them.

That meant more guests to surprise her at her Luna Ceremony.

A faint smile touched my lips.

The carriage trudged to a halt in the courtyard of Thane's castle. He alighted first and beckoned us to join him.

My gaze traveled around the castle, registering beautiful features I didn't notice that night. Footsteps echoed down the terrace, Emily's mother emerging from the mansion. Queen Larissa broke into smiles the moment she saw me.

"We meet again, King Calix. How kind of you to grace us with your presence," she dipped in a curtsey.

I stepped forward and offered her a nod. "Queen Larissa, the honor is mine," I said. It's a pleasure to see you again under better circumstances."

The smile on her face lingered, but there was also a flicker of sadness in her eyes. "And how is my daughter?" she asked.

"She is well," I assured her. "Strong, happy, and preparing for her Luna Ceremony. She has healed in every way."

Heaving a sigh, she placed a hand over her heart. "That is all a mother could wish for. I regret not being there for her when she needed me most."

You'll have your chance to make things right," I replied, holding her gaze. "I know Emily-her heart is big enough for forgiveness."

A soft sigh escaped her lips, and she nodded. "Then I must make the most of it." She turned to Thane. "Let's not keep our guests standing." She turned back to me. "Welcome to Azalea, Your Majesty."



The hall buzzed with the presence of both my men and Thane's men. After the brief stop at the castle's terrace, Thane and his queen had led us to the banquet hall.

Honestly, I didn't see that coming. When I woke up very early this morning and decided to write to him, I never knew he desired peace as much as I did.

Thane, who sat beside me, laughed heartily as a group of jesters performed on the stage. Sitting with us at the high table were Queen Larissa, Han, Jake; Thane's brother, his wife, Ziandra, and their son, Ryan.

My gaze dipped to the goblet in my hand, the wine which I'd barely sipped. A slight wave of melancholy overcame me as I thought about my mate and how much I missed her.

"Don't you like the wine?" Thane asked, his expression turning hard once again. A reticent smile played on my lips.

"The wine is excellent, but I believe it's time I headed home."

Silence settled in the room as Thane lifted his goblet and gently struck it with a spoon. Thane stood from his seat and beckoned at one of his finest warriors who approached with a sword.

Thane reached for the sword and unsheathed it. The blade caught the light as he held it out for all to see.

"This sword has been passed down through the Alphas of Azalea for generations. It belonged to my father, and his father before him. It is the symbol of Pour strength, our rule, and our lineage."

Thane turned and held it out toward me, placing his hands beneath the blade. "I offer it to you, King Calix. As a sign that I acknowledge your claim to my daughter, as well as your supremacy as the Lycan King, the mate she has chosen."

I stood and accepted the weapon, without breaking his gaze, reached into my pocket and came up with a smaller object-a signet ring embossed with the crest of my kingdoms.

"This ring is a symbol of trust, honor, and the unbreakable bond between allies. It is worn only by the most trusted warriors of my court, not just as an emblem of rank, but as a mark of brotherhood and allegiance. Today, I offer it to you, Thane-not only as Emily's father, but as an Alpha who seeks to right his wrongs. Let this ring serve as a testament to the peace we forge today and the path we choose to walk from this moment forward."

Thane held out his palm, and I placed the ring into it. An applause rang in the room, sur men lurching to their feet and hugging one another.

A sigh escaped me at knowing my work here was done.

Many hours later, the morning sun Deeked over the horizon as my carriage trudged to a halt before the terrace of my Tyrese castle. I stepped down from the carriage. Amidst the bows and curtsies of guards and servants, I headed inside to the top floor.

I pushed the door open and saw the figure of my mate asleep on the large bed. I stripped off my cloak, the bed dipping as I joined her. A warm smile spilled on her lips as I wrapped my arms around her and nuzzled her ear.

I had traveled far, made peace with the past, but nothing compared to this.

No castle, no kingdom, no crown could ever mean more to me than this woman right here in my arms.