CHAPTER 104
KILLIAN’S POV
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“How are we so sure that he was even in an accident?” one of the voices rang loudly through the hall, and as I pushed the door open, that voice became clearer. “A candidate that has no regard for punctuality or responsibility is not fit to be Alpha King. This election was meant to start thirty minutes ago, and a top candidate is absent without notice? And you think this is the man we should vote for? I’m not saying this because I want Alpha Dorian to win, though he’s clearly the only one here who actually respects this election.”
It was Dorian’s beta. Arrogant little bastard. He was already trying to disqualify me before the damn vote even started.
I stepped fully into the hall.
The room fell completely silent. A few gasps. A few whispers. And then I saw their faces, relief, shock, even some admiration. The large hall was filled with werewolves from all three core territories. It had been rented out solely for this election, and ever since the last Alpha King and Luna died five years ago in that plane crash, the council had been ruling in their absence. Now, finally, this was the day they were all waiting for, the day to choose a new king.
Logan rushed up to me before anyone else could. “Killian! Fuck, are you okay?” he whispered harshly as he looked me over, eyes scanning me head to toe like I’d been brought in on a stretcher.
“I’m fine,” I muttered. “I made it.”
He let out a huge breath, rubbing his face. “Thank God. I tried to delay as much as I could. Dorian’s beta has been on fire trying to get you eliminated, saying you disrespected the election, that your absence shows you’re not fit for the throne, but the pack refused. They pushed back. Said they’d wait for you. Some even sent prayers for you and Liana.”
That made something in my chest squeeze.
“How is she?” he asked.
“She’s fine now. Just tired. She’s resting at Johnson’s hospital. She couldn’t come.”
He nodded slowly. “It’s okay. Everyone understands.”
The council stood too and each gave me a small nod of acknowledgment. Then I was being directed to stand beside
Dorian.
He looked at me like he’d seen a ghost.
“Didn’t expect to see me, huh?” I said low enough for only him to hear as I straightened my jacket.
He gave me a tight smile but said nothing.
A few seconds later, one of the councilmen stepped forward and called for silence. “Before the voting begins, the candidates will each be allowed a short speech. Please listen carefully and respectfully. Alpha Dorian, you may go first.”
Dorian stepped forward, plastered on that fake smile, and began. “My dear wolves, I stand here today not just as a candidate, but as someone who has given everything to the growth of our region. My leadership has brought discipline, tradition, and order. I have kept my pack strong, kept the laws firm, and stood for everything our
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ancestors believed in. If elected, I will ensure that we do not fall pray to chaos and weakness disguised as equality. Strength is what matters. Loyalty to the system is what matters. And I promise to preserve the structure we have thrived in for centuries.” He finished.
The sugarcoating couldn’t hide the fact that his entire speech was built on fear, control, and the same damn system that had kept so many beneath others.
One of the councilmen, Mr. Williams turned to me. “Alpha Killian.”
I stepped forward slowly, clearing my throat. I looked at the hall, not just at the council or the elders, but at the people. The warriors. The young Alphas. The omegas. The mothers. The betas who worked day and night. The eyes staring back at me weren’t just voting, they were hoping.
“I’m not going to pretend like I’m perfect or that I haven’t made mistakes,” I started. “But I’ve seen what this system has done to us. I’ve lived it. I’ve watched good wolves suffer because of old rules written by dead men. I’ve watched power be handed to those who only know how to use it for themselves. I’ve watched fear control the people who deserve freedom and dignity. and I won’t be part of that anymore.”
I paused.
“If you vote for me today, you’re not voting for a man who wants the throne to feed his pride. You’re voting for someone who wants to build a new order. One where every pack in the territory, North, East, West has equal say. Where omegas aren’t treated like second–class citizens. Where strength isn’t measured by bloodline, but by heart. Where we build an economy that works for every wolf, not just the powerful ones. Where the council isn’t just a name, it’s a voice for the people.”
I exhaled. “We’ve been waiting five years. Let’s not waste this chance. Let’s build something better.”
When I stepped back, the room was quiet for a second.
Then the clapping started.
Soft at first, then louder, then louder until the whole hall was filled with applause. I felt Logan slap my shoulder, and someone else even whistled.
The councilwoman, Mrs Dowaga, stepped forward. “Thank you, Alpha Killian. Now, we will begin the voting.”
The ballot boxes were opened. One by one, the werewolves began casting their votes.
There was a short break after the voting, and while the noise in the hall died down a little and people went out to get refreshments, I stepped aside with Logan, Steve, and Richard. We moved to a more private corner, and Logan, as usual, didn’t waste time.
“That wasn’t just an accident, Killian,” he said, looking at me with that same serious expression he always had whenever shit was off. “The timing, the force of the impact, the way that car came out of nowhere… it felt planned. It felt like someone wanted to get rid of you before the election even started.”
Richard nodded. “We’ve all been thinking it. I mean, Alpha Cassian’s out, and now someone’s trying to get rid of you too? It’s too much of a coincidence.”
Steve added, “You have someone in mind?”
Before I could even open my mouth, the damn suspect himself walked in, like he’d been listening all along and just waited for the perfect time to show up. Alpha Dorian.
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He walked in with that same smug face, his beta trailing him like a loyal dog, and I didn’t miss the smirk Dorian was wearing. It was the kind of smirk that made your fist itch.
“Alpha Killian,” he said with a fake smile stretched across his face, his voice annoyingly calm. Logan moved like he was about to charge him, but I held him back with one hand. I wasn’t about to cause a scene. Not here, and definitely not yet.
“Logan, don’t,” I said quietly, still keeping my eyes on Dorian. I knew what I was doing. I wasn’t just going to accuse him without solid proof. I needed to be sure. I needed to be smart. Dorian might be arrogant, but he wasn’t stupid.
Dorian kept pretending like everything was fine. “I just want you to know, if I don’t win this election, I’ll be glad it’s you who does. Honestly.”
I gave a small nod, nothing too expressive. Just enough to keep him talking.
He laughed a little and stepped closer. “But you know, winning the crown doesn’t always mean you get to wear it for long. Things happen. Life is unpredictable. You might not even get to sit on the throne for real.”
I smiled, just a little, and held back the words I wanted to throw at him. He wasn’t finished.
He looked around like he was about to gossip and leaned in a little. “How’s your lovely wife, Liana? I heard she was with you during the… incident. Is she good?”
“She’s fine,” I replied simply.
“Good, good,” he said, then clicked his tongue. “I heard the accident was pretty bad. Ghastly, even.”
I didn’t answer that. I just kept looking at him, trying to keep my face blank.
Then the bastard actually reached out and patted my shoulder, like we were old friends. “Congratulations in advance,” he said. “The wolves love you. You’ll probably win. No doubt. But let’s hope you get to enjoy it. Let’s hope there won’t be another… unexpected accident.”
That was it. Logan growled beside me and moved again, but this time, I didn’t stop him right away. I stepped forward myself and stared Dorian right in the eyes.
“Let’s also hope you won’t be dealt with by the time I’m crowned,” I said slowly, letting my voice drop so only he could hear. “Because as the next Alpha King, I’ll make sure you pay for what you did.”
His smile twitched, just a little, and I leaned in even closer.
“Don’t think I don’t know it was one of your men who drove that car straight into us. I know everything, Dorian. And no one, I repeat, no one tries to harm me or my family and gets away with it.”
His eyes flickered.
“Don’t think you’ll be able to disappear like Cassian. I already know he’s hiding in Vegas. You can tell him I said hi. And he should get comfortable while he still can, because deportation papers are already waiting for him.”
I kept my smile small but sharp as I patted his shoulder in return. The fear in his eyes made it worth it.
Right then, a loud voice echoed through the hall, announcing that everyone should return to their seats. The winner of the election was about to be announced.
I gave Dorian one last look before walking past him and heading back inside. Let the bastard sweat a little.
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