Chapter 70

Rome's POV

Had I ever been so certain of anything in my life?

When she returned with the coffee, her quiet presence filled the room in a way that made it impossible to ignore her. She walked over, her movements soft but purposeful, and placed the cup beside my hand.

"Thanks, my Luna," I said without hesitation.

The words felt natural, as if I had been calling her that all along. Her reaction, however, was worth it; a slight pause, her eyes widening ever so briefly before she caught herself. It was endearing, watching her try to make sense of what I had said.

"You are welcome," she whispered, her voice so soft I almost missed it.

As she moved to the bed, I let my gaze linger for a moment before returning to the meeting. She sat where she could see me, and though she tried to seem disinterested, I knew she was listening. She had no idea how much I noticed about her, how every small movement she made pulled at my attention.

I turned my focus back to the screen, listening to the pack leaders discuss our current issues. I'd learned long ago that a good leader doesn't need to dominate every conversation. Trust was key. That was why I spoke only when necessary, letting them handle the bulk of the discussion.

But then, I decided it was time.

"Ah, I have an announcement," I said, my tone steady.

The room on the other end of the call quieted instantly. Even she stiffened slightly, trying to act casual as if she wasn't hanging on to every word. I fought back a smile.

"My Luna will start living in the Pack house," I said firmly. "You are all required to avail yourselves in two days for her crowning ceremony."

I didn't need to elaborate. The words were clear, deliberate, leaving no room for debate. She was my mate, my Luna, and I would make it known to the entire pack.

From the corner of my eye, I saw her reaction, her breath caught, her posture shifting as the weight of my words settled over her. She looked stunned, maybe even nervous, but there was no denying the spark of pride that flickered in her eyes.

It was subtle, but I saw it.

She didn't realize how much this meant to me. Claiming her wasn't just about fulfilling some tradition or duty. It was about making sure everyone knew where she stood. By my side. Protected. Respected. Loved.

I turned back to the screen, the conversation resuming as if nothing monumental had just happened. But I knew better. My declaration was only the beginning.

And as I glanced at her once more, I silently vowed that she would never feel alone or unsafe again.

When her mother called me, it felt like my heart had stopped. Barely two weeks had passed since she was kidnapped, two weeks since she came back to me, fragile but alive and now, someone had the audacity to threaten her again.

Whoever had the nerve to try and hurt her didn't know what they had just unleashed.

I would find them.

There were gaps in the kidnapping case, details that hadn't surfaced yet, but I wasn't foolish enough to believe it was all over. Essie's involvement lingered in the back of my mind like a bad taste. I knew she had a hand in what happened, though I wasn't yet sure how deep her betrayal ran.

Essie thought she was untouchable, that the investigation had ended with no consequences for her. She was wrong.

She had somehow wormed her way into my pack from the Black Pack without my knowledge. Her transfer had been approved by one of my Betas, who, unaware of her history, thought she was clean. She had no prior incidents recorded on her file, nothing to suggest she was a threat.

But now?

Now, I suspected her move to my pack wasn't a matter of pure chance or circumstance. There were too many coincidences. And with Zendaya's coronation coming up, I would finally have the chance to meet her former Alpha. I intended to ask him directly about her history, to unearth the secrets Essie so desperately wanted to hide.

This wasn't just about keeping Zendaya safe anymore. It was about ensuring that no one else dared to cross her or me again.

"Alpha King... Alpha."

The voice slipped through the storm of my thoughts, dragging me back to the present. I glanced up, locking eyes with one of my Betas, his expression a mix of concern and urgency.

Maybe it wasn't the best idea to hold this meeting today, not with everything else weighing on my mind. But maintaining the region's safety was paramount, especially now.

The Silver Pack had been the first to fall victim to an organized rogue attack—something highly unusual. Rogues were chaotic and aimless, driven by their base instincts. But these attacks weren't random. And the Silver Pack wasn't the last.

Reports kept coming in. Rogues had been spotted scouting the borders of other packs, watching, waiting, as though assessing their defenses. Almost like someone was commanding them.

My gut told me I was right.

Someone was controlling the rogues.

The thought sent a chill down my spine. Rogues were considered animals, their humanity stripped away when they broke their pack bonds. They were dangerous because of their unpredictability and lack of reason. But for someone to organize and control them? That required power.

There were only two ways it could be done.

The first was through technology—embedding chips or devices that forced obedience. The second was even more insidious: whoever was controlling them had to possess the authority of a true Alpha. Rogues might be wild, but if they were bound into a pack, even forcibly, their instincts would compel them to submit to the Alpha's will.

Whoever was behind this wasn't just a threat to me. They were a threat to every pack under my protection. And I wasn't about to let them succeed.

"We will continue our discussion in person. For now, let's end it here," I announced.

The others nodded, bowing their heads slightly in respect before I logged out.

Turning my gaze to the bed, I found Zendaya asleep, her chest rising and falling softly. She looked so vulnerable, so defenseless. It struck me again how easy it would be for someone to hurt her, and the thought made my blood boil.

I walked over and sat beside her, the bed dipping slightly under my weight. My fingers itched to reach out, to brush a stray strand of hair from her face, but I held back.

Who would want to harm this innocent woman?

Whoever they were, I would crush them into dust. There would be no forgiveness, no mercy for anyone who dared threaten her.