Oaths and Ordeals

POV: Garrett

I glanced up to the dais where Alexandra and I would soon sit, overseeing the lycan kingdom as its leaders, and a strange, unexpected sense of contentment washed over me. The path ahead promised to be the hardest I’d ever faced, yet the knowledge that Alexandra would be by my side, her presence as steady as stone, filled me with a quiet strength. I hadn’t imagined my wife would be anyone other than Rayla—not until fate took her to Lucien. But in that moment, standing there with Alexandra, I felt grateful. Grateful to have known her, to understand her—the complex weave of thoughts, the depths of her heart. I knew, now, the way her mind worked, the way she felt things deeply and sharply.

Almost without thinking, my hand instinctively sought hers, and our fingers intertwined. Her hand was warm, a solid anchor, grounding me in the present. As she took the first step onto the black runner leading up to the dais, her grip tightened, as if silently affirming her commitment. We moved together, side by side, each step bringing us closer to the throne, closer to the responsibility that awaited. With each stride, I felt the tension between our clasped hands grow—a silent promise of unity, strength, and unwavering support for the path we would now walk together.

In that silent exchange, I sensed more than just support; there was a bond that went deeper than words or vows. Alexandra's gaze met mine, her eyes a fierce blend of determination and tenderness, a look that spoke of loyalty beyond duty and love beyond mere companionship. It was a look that said she would stand by me, not only as my partner in leadership but as someone who understood the weight of sacrifice and the strength required to hold this kingdom together.

We finally reached the dais, the weight of our purpose heavy in the silence that filled the vast hall. Just as I was about to ascend, Jack’s voice rang out, clear and firm, “Wait, we should probably hold off until the kingdom is gathered here before you take your place. It feels… wrong, maybe even cursed, to do this with just me present.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but Alexandra’s gentle look stopped me. She didn’t need to speak; her eyes conveyed her agreement, steady and understanding. She gave a soft nod, her expression both reassuring and resolute, and I sighed, conceding to the wisdom in their words. Turning back, I said, “Alright, I suppose we can wait until that day.” My gaze drifted over the empty hall, then back to Jack. “Though maybe it’s time to move into the castle from the annex?”

Jack nodded vigorously, his face lighting up. “I believe that’s best. Moving in here is a statement to your people—that our kind is back and ready to rule our lands.”

Alexandra cleared her throat, a quiet reminder of the challenges still ahead. “That’s not entirely true,” she said, her voice thoughtful, yet unwavering. “We still need to reclaim what’s ours. The lands of Vellum are under Lucien’s control, and to reclaim them formally, I’ll need to make a formal request to the Elder Council.” Her words hung in the air, a solemn reminder that our journey was only beginning.

Jack ran his hand through his hair in frustration, his gaze dark with thought as he nodded slowly. “Yes, unfortunately, you’re right. We’ll need to appeal to Vellum to get our lands back, and with the Elders involved, it’s bound to be a struggle. If it were just King Lucien, it might’ve been simpler—he seems like a reasonable sort, from what I’ve heard.”

At this, Alexandra’s expression softened, her lips curving into a gentle smile as she nodded. “He very much is,” she murmured, a warmth in her tone that made my chest tighten. Those few words held a tenderness that she rarely used, and as her husband, the pang of jealousy struck me like a blade. She still cared for him, and it cut deep, leaving a hollow ache that lodged itself in my mind.

I turned away, my face tightening into a frown I didn’t want her to see. If only she would speak of me that way, I thought bitterly, resentment curling into a sharp edge of self-doubt. The question echoed in my mind: was I only second-best, the one who’d come after? Hiding my expression, I forced myself to take a deep breath, swallowing the hurt that threatened to surface.

I straightened my face, smoothing away the flicker of doubt, and turned back to face her. Forcing a smile, I hoped she wouldn’t see the lingering shadows of jealousy in my eyes. But when she looked up at me, her smile was warm, filled with a tenderness that melted away the pang I’d just felt. In that instant, I felt foolish for harboring jealousy, for letting that insecurity creep in. After all, Alexandra hadn’t chosen to lose Lucien to Rayla, and she certainly hadn’t chosen to marry me. It was circumstance and duty that brought us here, yet she’d stayed willingly by my side.

A swell of gratitude filled me—gratitude that she hadn’t insisted on dissolving this union, that she’d chosen, somehow, to remain. And yet, a question lingered, one I’d been too afraid to voice. Why had she chosen to stay? The thought hovered in my mind, its weight heavy and persistent, but still, the words caught in my throat. I wasn’t ready to know the answer… not yet.

Jack sighed, his shoulders slumping with the weight of their next step. “So, perhaps it’s time we go make our appeal to the Elder Council, then…” His tone was steady, but there was a hint of resignation in his words, as though he already knew the struggle that lay ahead.

Alexandra’s body tensed, her jaw tightening. “Yes… but I’ll admit, I’m not sure I have many supporters on that panel,” she murmured, her voice carrying a note of apprehension. “And there’s Elder Enzo. I wonder if he’s even recovered yet.” Her eyes flickered with a mix of worry and frustration, revealing an unease that she rarely let show.

I knew Alexandra’s history with the council was fraught—after all, they had chosen Rayla over her in the competition for Vellum Queen. I could sense the weight of that old resentment, lingering in the tight line of her shoulders. Without even thinking, I placed my hands on them, beginning to rub gently, hoping to ease her tension. Alexandra closed her eyes and let her head fall back, exhaling deeply as I felt her body slowly relax under my touch.

“Thank you, Garrett,” she murmured, her voice softened with gratitude. “You don’t know how much that helps.” The tension seemed to melt away, bit by bit, and when she finally opened her eyes again, they held a newfound determination.

After a few moments, she straightened, giving me a nod and a slight, resolute smile. “Alright,” she said, her voice edged with a mixture of resolve and humor. “I’m ready to go face the gauntlet of haters known as the Elder Council.”

She strode out of the throne room, her posture radiating confidence, every step a testament to her determination to serve as an effective Regent for the Lycan kingdom. Jack followed close behind, his face lit up with a broad smile, clearly proud of the strength she projected. I trailed after them, hands tucked into my pockets, trying to mask the urge to reach out to her again, to provide that reassuring touch I knew she appreciated.

As we moved down the hall, I found myself lingering a step behind, silently hoping that there would be more moments when I could support her in quiet ways, offering the healing she sometimes needed. I resigned myself to waiting—perhaps later, when we were alone, I could ease her burdens again, reminding her that she wasn’t alone in this journey.

We climbed into the carriage, a silent determination settling over us as the wheels began to turn, carrying us toward the Elder Council building. The air was thick with unspoken concerns; each of us knew the challenge we faced. Somehow, we needed to sway the council’s decision, to convince them that restoring our lands was the only path forward. Alexandra, ever direct, voiced the question weighing on all our minds.

“What happens if they say no, Jack?”

Jack exhaled heavily, the lines of worry deepening on his face. “If they refuse, it would be a terrible decision—one that could easily push Vellum into a war. The Alpha Council will demand we reclaim the Lycan lands. If they say no, you’ll have no choice but to declare war. Refusing them isn’t an option.”

She frowned, considering his answer, and her gaze grew more intense. “But isn’t that an empty threat? As far as I know, we don’t have an army to back up that demand.”

I chimed in, feeling the weight of our precarious position. “True, we don’t have an army ourselves. But Lycans are a warrior race. Most of our people serve the Citadel, and much of Lucien’s army is Lycan. If the council denies us, they’ll risk turning Lucien’s forces against their own government—a civil war, in essence.”

Alexandra’s expression hardened as she nodded. “Then we remind them of that. Their army would be left vulnerable if they don’t give us what we need.”

The carriage fell silent again as we each mulled over the possibilities, the weight of our mission pressing down on us. The stakes were higher than ever, and with every mile toward the council building, the gravity of our task grew clearer.

The white towers of the Elder Council building loomed ahead, gleaming under the pale light, their presence as imposing as the task that lay before us. I felt Alexandra tense beside me, the weight of her apprehension palpable. Without thinking, I reached out, taking her hand and gripping it firmly, hoping to anchor her amidst the churning sea of her thoughts. She shot me a glance, the gratitude in her eyes brief but genuine. This was more than a mere political move; it was a mission for the survival and pride of my people, and she knew it.

The carriage rolled to a halt, the wheels crunching softly against the gravel path. An elderly man emerged from the entrance, his brow furrowed as though trying to place us. But recognition lit his face as he approached, and Elder Edgar’s expression softened into a warm smile.

“Your Grace,” he said, his voice thin yet sincere, “it’s a pleasure to see you. I hear congratulations are in order for being elected Regent of the Lycan Kingdom.” His eyes sparkled with curiosity and a hint of caution. “I assume you’re here to discuss the reclamation of your lands?”

Alexandra stepped forward as I helped her down from the carriage, her composure regained. “Thank you, Elder Edgar,” she said, her voice steady, though I could feel the tension thrumming beneath it. “Yes, we’re here on that matter. Is there any chance we can get on the schedule for the council’s deliberations?”

Elder Edgar’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully, and he glanced back toward the grand doors as if considering the weight of her request. The faint hum of conversations and distant footsteps from inside seemed to pause, awaiting his answer.

He nodded slowly, his eyes squinting with thought. “It can be arranged, but I’m afraid we won’t be able to meet today. Let me check.” Elder Edgar disappeared into the building, the tall doors groaning as they closed behind him. A tense silence settled over us, punctuated only by the occasional shuffle of feet from nearby guards.

When Edgar returned, his expression was apologetic. “Not today, Your Grace,” he said, shaking his head. “Moreover, His Majesty must be informed so he can be present for the vote. I can schedule you for tomorrow, provided you meet with Malinus about attending in the morning around ten.”

At the mention of King Lucien, I felt Alexandra stiffen beside me. Her hand twitched slightly, betraying the storm of emotions she kept tightly wound inside. She turned to me, her eyes searching mine with a hint of apprehension. “How do you feel about going to see King Lucien?” she asked, the question heavy with the weight of unspoken memories and unresolved feelings.

I forced a smile, willing confidence into my voice. “It was inevitable, right? Best to go now and get this part over with.”

The corners of her mouth lifted slightly, gratitude and unease mixing in her gaze. With a brief nod, she straightened her posture, steeling herself for the meeting that would undoubtedly stir ghosts of the past. She inhaled and said, “Right, let’s get to it then.” With that she climbed back into the carriage, determination to get the lands back evident on her face.