Chapter 153: Theron's Declaration

Theron POV

I'd been putting this off for weeks. Months, if I was honest. But after watching Darius get accepted into the family, after seeing how happy Beatrice was with her mate, I couldn't hide anymore.

It was time.

I sent word for my siblings to gather in the family parlor after dinner. Private meeting, no one else. When I arrived, Liora was already there, sitting by the fireplace with her hands folded in her lap. She looked up and gave me a nervous smile.

"Ready?" I asked.

"Ready," she said softly.

Footsteps echoed in the hallway. I moved to stand beside Liora's chair as my siblings filed in.

Beatrice entered first. Her eyes found Liora immediately, then flicked to me standing beside her. Her whole face transformed.

"Finally," she breathed, tears already gathering in her eyes. "Oh, Theron, finally."

She rushed forward and pulled Liora into a fierce hug.

Kaelen stopped in the doorway, a slow grin spreading across his face. "Well, it's about damn time."

Silas settled into a chair with a satisfied nod. "Took you long enough, brother."

Corin's smile was warm and knowing. "Congratulations."

I took Liora's hand as she stood, pulling her close to my side. My throat felt tight.

"So you're really doing this?" Silas asked, though his expression made it clear he approved. "Making it official?"

I nodded. "I'm courting Liora. Publicly. And I wanted my family here when I asked her properly."

Beatrice made a sound somewhere between a laugh and a sob. "Do you remember what you told me about Darius? That I deserved to choose my own happiness?"

"I remember," I said.

"Then stop waiting for the perfect moment," she said. "This is it. We're all here. We're all supporting you. So ask her already."

I looked down at Liora. Her eyes were shining with unshed tears, her hand trembling slightly in mine.

"Liora Dane," I said, and my voice came out rougher than I intended. "I've loved you for months. Been too cautious, too worried about politics and Council opinions to claim you the way I should have. But I'm done letting fear stop me."

I took both her hands in mine. "I want to court you properly. Officially. With my family's blessing and the whole world knowing you're mine, will you let me?"

"Yes," she whispered. "God, yes."

I pulled her into my arms and kissed her. Properly. Not the stolen moments in empty corridors, but a real kiss that claimed her in front of everyone who mattered.

When we broke apart, Beatrice was openly crying."That's so beautiful," she managed. "I'm so happy for you both."

"Welcome to the family," Corin said warmly. "Officially this time."

"Thank you," Liora said, wiping her eyes. "For supporting this. I know the Council will have opinions about."

"Let them have opinions," Kaelen interrupted, his voice taking on that dangerous edge. "Anyone who disrespects you answers to all of us."

"I will soon prepare the legal arguments," Silas said. "There's no law requiring strategic marriages for Lord Alphas. Just tradition. And you've more than earned the right to choose for yourself."

"The war is over," Beatrice added firmly. "You proved yourself a hundred times over. You deserve happiness, Theron. You deserve her."

I looked at each of my siblings in turn. No judgment or concern. Just support and genuine happiness.

"What happens now?" Beatrice asked. "Will you announce it to the packs?"

"Next week," I decided. "We'll make it official to both packs. Then deal with the Council and whatever they have to say."

"Together," Liora said, squeezing my hand.

"Together," I agreed.

Kaelen stepped forward with a grin. "Fair warning though, Liora. If you hurt our brother, we have very creative ways of making people disappear."

"Kaelen," I said warningly.

"What? She should know the stakes," he said, then his grin widened. "But I don't think you will. Anyone who looks at him like that isn't going anywhere."

"I'm not," Liora confirmed. "He's infuriating and overprotective and terrible at expressing emotions. But he's also the best man I've ever met."

"Infuriating?" I repeated.

"You made me wait months for this," she pointed out. "What would you call that?"

"Cautious," I said.

"Infuriating," she corrected, but she was smiling.

We spent the next hour in that parlor, my family celebrating with us. Beatrice kept hugging Liora, thrilled that her best friend was officially becoming her sister. The brothers took turns threatening elaborate revenge if I hurt her and teasing us both about how long we'd been dancing around this.

Eventually, my siblings began to drift away, leaving us with hugs and congratulations and more than a few knowing looks.

When it was just Beatrice left, she hugged me tightly. "She's perfect for you," she whispered. "I'm so glad you finally took the leap."

"Me too," I admitted.

Later that night, I walked Liora to her chambers—the guest room she'd been using more and more frequently."Thank you," she said softly. "For being brave enough to do that."

"I should have done it months ago," I said.

"You did it when you were ready," she said. "That's what matters."

She kissed me, and I pulled her close, grateful for her patience, her strength, her willingness to wait while I worked through my fears.

"I love you," I said. "And I'm going to spend every day proving it."

"You already have," Liora said. "Now just enjoy it. Enjoy us."

When I finally made it back to my own chambers, I fell asleep without the usual weight of worry.