Rejected, Then Reborn
Chapter 80

Reed stood before the crowd of over three hundred, dressed in just a white t-shirt and black jeans, but someway somehow, everything about him screamed royalty, and despite his acclaimed ruthlessness, the entire Pack of Blue Valley surprisingly felt at ease in his presence. Perhaps it had something to do with the woman who stood beside him, the woman who had the face and the beauty of an angel and did not look like she could harm a single fly.

After what seemed like ages of endless shuffling, the oldest werewolf among the pack, an old man named Simeon stepped up, bowed slightly in acknowledgement of the Alpha King and then began to speak. “Your Eminence, Lady Dark Witch,”

Lacy squeezed her mate’s arms tightly, doing anything she possibly could so she didn’t burst out in a fit of giggles.

Lady Dark Witch.

What in f**k’s name was that?

“The B***d Moon Pack wants to formally apologise to you, and to say a big thank you to the two of you for washing the dirt off our eyes, and exposing us to the depravity that was our Alpha Lucius Smith, we spit on his name,”

“Hear, hear.” The rest of the pack chorused after him.

“Your Eminence,” Even though he mentioned the title, his gaze was stuck on Lacy, confusing the s**t out of her. Why was he referring to her as your Eminence? She was no esteemed person? She was just Lacy Reynolds, the Dark Witch, Queen of all five realms…

Oh.

The realization that she was no longer ordinary rammed into her like a tow truck, almost freaking her out. But for the sake of her Pack, she did her possible best to rein it all in.

It seemed that her mate on the other hand seemed to sense her sudden predicament though, for he covered her hand with his and squeezed slightly, pouring all the love and reassurance he could into that little touch. All of a sudden, Lacy felt much, much better.

“Words cannot even begin to express how grateful we are to you for showing us all that he had done, especially what had happened to our beloved Aria. Thanks to you, we are positive that we have been able to avenge her beautiful spirit, and we’re certain that she is finally at peace in the arms of the Mother Goddess Selene.”

“Hear, hear.” The crowd chorused once again.

Lacy waited a good two minutes before she spoke, “It really means a lot to us that you all came all the way from your homes to formerly thank us. But this was not really necessary.” She stared proudly at each and every one of them, “My mate and I did not do this for the gratitude, and neither did we do it because we wanted anyone to be indebted to us. We did this from the depths of our hearts… we did this because it felt right.”

She looked up at her mate, silently asking if he wanted to say something. The rising sun cast a warm glow on his handsome bronze face, making her forget almost for a second that they were in the midst of people.

Almost.

“The Dark Witch has said it all,” His deep voice shot through the crowd, booming with authority, “If that is all you came to do, then know that your kind, heartfelt appreciation has been well received. You may return to your homes now.” He and Lacy made to leave, but the old wolf dropped to his knees, everyone behind him following suit.

What in f**k’s name was happening?

“Your Eminence,” Simeon called out, “In the space of just one day, our once prestigious pack has been thrown into total disarray. We have lost our leader, and now, are unsure of what to do next. Our city is in ruins, impatient, naïve youth killed over thirst for power they do not even know how to handle. Blue Valley is in flames, perhaps the Moon Goddess’s way of punishing us all for being so blind and for treating both of you so badly when she blessed us with your presence. This is why left with nowhere to turn to, we have come to you, throwing ourselves down at your feet and begging you for help.”

“What exactly do you want me to help you with exactly?” Reed pressed; his confusion very much apparent.

“We the members of the Blue Valley Pack want nothing more than to have a new ruler, one who would rule with fairness and compassion. We may have all had our differences in the earlier stages, but circumstances and our destroyed city has pushed us all to a common consensus… to one common belief, your Eminence; That you and you alone, are the only one who can bring stability and peace to our troubled pack.”

The Alpha King could only stare at them, at first in complete disbelief, and then in gradual acceptance, and then finally… hesitation. “How would this work exactly? You’re all very much aware of the hatred and mistrust that has existed between us Lykens and you werewolves for so many years.”

Even as he said this, he saw something in their eyes that touched him deeply.

He saw a desperation and a longing for something better, for a chance to be part of a community that was united and strong.

“We come in peace, Your Eminence, and we all want you to be our king.” They all said at once, without hesitation, falling to the ground completely before him and his mate and their generals, along with the one hundred warriors that had gathered as well, keeping a close eye on the crowd lest this had all been a ruse.

But it honestly didn’t seem like one.

The former once powerful pack totally seemed genuine, and Reed could feel it deep in his guts that they had no ulterior motive in mind.

Life had thought him to always trust no one and to only believe in his instincts, and this time, for the first time in a long time, his guts were pushing him towards taking a positive approach towards doing something.

But he needed to talk to his generals and his mate first before he came to any decision.

Before he could even say a word, his mate had read his mind, she twirled a hand intricately, and chairs began to appear in the large courtyard, enough to seat each and everyone of the werewolves.

He looked at her, his eyes full of love and gratitude, and she shot him a graceful smile, nodding her acceptance.

“You may all sit down, food will be sent to you soon, while my generals and I deliberate on your plight.” He took leave of them, his whole entourage following after him.

When they made it to the study, Rieka was the first person to voice out her displeasure. “I don’t trust them, Your Eminence.” The gamma general with the pixie cut voiced out her displeasure, “There’s no way we can just take their word for it that they want you for their leader.” She elaborated.

Rieka Howard had gone for the trip she had pleaded with the Alpha King for, and while she was quite at ease around her ex and his mate, soon to be wife, she had equally learnt to put very clear, definable boundaries between them when she returned.

She was all about her duties to the Clan now, and she only addressed Reed by his given title, even when they were in informal settings.

As a matter of fact, Lacy greatly admired the woman, and really held her in the highest of esteem, especially after hearing that she had been the one to call things off with Reed.

They were both civil, but truly, the Dark Witch was hoping that with time they could eventually become friends.

Rieka’s twin brother, Lobo was surprisingly against her, “I see this as the perfect opportunity to keep your enemies even closer, Rieka. You should accept what they are offering, Your Eminence. It harms us in no way.”

“I am with Lobo as well,” Xavier, the Healer Supreme piped in, but Henderson, the chief warrior for the Clan surprisingly voted in favour of Rieka.

Tied two against two, everyone turned to Lacy for the tie breaker.

Way to put an entire realm’s fate on her shoulders.

“While I agree with Rieka and Henderson on the Werewolves not being trustworthy enough, I actually think we should give them a shot. We are the more powerful specie, and we can easily take them down when it comes down to it. Besides, they do not have to live with us permanently, Reed can take them in as a vassal state or something, put someone in charge of them and rule them from here.”

And so, after much deliberation, Reed came to a decision. He returned to the courtyard, where the well-fed pack sat, patiently waiting for him and his entourage to return.

“Alright, Members of the Blue Valley Pack. I accept. I will be your King,”

Cheers started to break out, but he held a strong hand up and they instantly ceased.

“I have a few conditions, if you all agree, our clan’s lawyer would draw up a contract that would be signed by every single one of you. If I so much as meet one opposition the entire deal will be called off. Am I understood?”

Yes.

The murmur was almost instantaneous.

So, Reed started to mention his conditions, “You will pledge your loyalty and obedience to me and my authority. You will do same for my mate, as well. You will join hands with my clan to build a new era of peace between us Lykens and you werewolves, and lastly, asking you to uproot from life as you know it to a new land would be too much for you, so right here, right now, in my presence, you will all choose one person among you who you deem fit to be your Alpha, and he, or she… would be accountable to me. You will return to your pack, and rebuild, and I assure you that I would put all resources at your disposal to help you see this through.”

“We accept your term and conditions, Your Eminence,” They all agreed, completely overjoyed, and who could blame them really?

After years of being taken for fools, they had finally found a leader they could trust and respect, and they knew that under Reed’s wise and compassionate rule, their pack would flourish and thrive like never before.

But as the Alpha King stood there with his entourage, watching the newest addition to his realm jubilate, he knew deep in his heart that his path would not be an easy one.

He knew that he would face opposition and resistance at every turn, and that his enemies would stop at nothing to bring him down, whoever they were.

But Reed was determined to see his mate’s vision of a new era become a reality, and he knew without a doubt that it started with werewolves and lykens becoming a united and a peaceful front.

And so, he steeled himself for the challenges ahead, ready to face whatever trials lay in his path, confident that he had the strength and wisdom to overcome them, and knowing without a doubt that in the times where all of that would fail him, he had the loving arms of his Queen and Goddess to fall back on to make everything better.

That alone was enough.