The pack knelt before me, the tension hanging thick in the air. I could hardly believe it. Me? Their Queen? The words sounded foreign in my mind, yet the power still hummed beneath my skin, undeniable.
Dante stepped closer, his voice low but firm. "Crystal, you need to speak. Show them who you are."
I swallowed hard, glancing at the wolves who had once mocked and banished me. Now, they were kneeling, their heads lowered in submission. My hands clenched at my sides, unsure of what to say, but Dante's presence grounded me. This wasn't about them anymore. This was about me stepping into what I was destined for.
I took a deep breath. "Rise," I commanded, my voice stronger than I expected.
The pack hesitated, exchanging nervous glances before they obeyed. Slowly, they stood, keeping their heads low, refusing to meet my gaze. The weight of their submission pressed against me, but I wasn't going to let it crush me.
Cole, still on one knee, finally stood as well, though his eyes burned with defiance. "So, what now, Crystal?" he sneered. "You think you can lead us? A girl who barely knows what she is? You don't have the strength to keep this position."
I straightened, forcing myself to hold his gaze. "I have more strength than you'll ever understand, Cole. You underestimated me from the start, but that ends now."
"You think power alone makes you a leader?" he snapped, stepping closer, his fists clenched. "These wolves won't follow you. They'll turn on you the moment you show weakness."
Dante's growl rumbled beside me, but I lifted a hand to stop him. "Cole, you've been Alpha long enough to know that strength isn't just about power. It's about loyalty. And this pack, they deserve a leader who fights for them, not against them."
"You're nothing but an outsider," he hissed, his voice dripping with venom. "You'll never belong."
"That's where you're wrong," I said, stepping forward, meeting his gaze without flinching. "I belong here more than you ever did."
Ezra, who had been standing silently nearby, crossed his arms, his tone laced with irritation. "You're only proving her point, Cole. You lost. Get over it."
Cole shot him a glare. "You would side with her? After everything?"
Ezra raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "I side with strength. And right now, Crystal's showing more of it than you ever have."
Ryan chimed in, his voice calm but firm. "This isn't about sides anymore, Cole. It's about the future of this pack. Crystal has earned her place. You need to accept that."
Cole's jaw clenched, his eyes flicking between the Noblemen and me. He looked like he wanted to argue, but he knew the truth. I wasn't the same girl he'd banished. I was someone else entirely.
"You'll regret this," he muttered under his breath before turning away. His departure was sharp, filled with barely restrained anger.
As he stormed off, a hush fell over the pack. The wolves exchanged glances, unsure of what would come next. I could feel the weight of their eyes on me, waiting for a command—for leadership.
Dante stepped forward, his voice cutting through the silence. "You've all seen the truth today. Crystal is your Queen now. She fought for her place, and she has proven her power. You owe her your loyalty."
One of the wolves, a tall man with gray hair stepped forward, hesitating before speaking. "Alpha Dante, we... " He stopped, looking at me, uncertainty in his eyes. "We don't know what this means. What is expected of us now?"
I took a breath, meeting his gaze. "What's expected is simple," I said, my voice steady. "You protect your pack, just as I will. You fight for each other, not against each other. Things are going to change. No more fear. No more control through intimidation."
The man nodded slowly, his eyes softening as he glanced at the others. "And if we… follow you?"
"Then you'll have my protection," I said firmly. "And my loyalty."
The pack murmured among themselves, the tension slowly easing. Another wolf, a young woman with dark hair, stepped forward. "What about Cole?" she asked, her voice filled with concern. "He won't accept this quietly."
Dante's eyes darkened. "Cole is no longer a concern. If he challenges Crystal again, he'll face the consequences."
Ezra smirked, leaning against a tree. "He already learned his lesson once today. Let him try again, and it'll be his last mistake."
Ryan nodded in agreement, his calm demeanor unwavering. "We'll make sure of it."
The young woman looked at me, her eyes searching. "You're really going to be our Queen?"
I nodded, feeling the weight of the words. "Yes. But I won't be the kind of leader you've had before. This isn't just about power. It's about unity."
Dante stepped beside me, his voice low but filled with authority. "You'll follow Crystal, and in return, she will protect you. She is not just a Queen by power. She's the Queen who will bring this pack into its true potential."
The pack slowly began to nod, acceptance washing over their expressions. One by one, they turned their gaze to me, their trust slowly building.
"Long live the Queen," someone muttered from the back, and it spread like wildfire through the pack. Voices joined in, murmuring the words with growing strength.
"Long live the Queen."
I stood there, feeling the truth of it settle deep within me. This was real. I was their Queen now, and everything was about to change.
But as their voices filled the air, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. Cole wasn't done with me. And neither was the darkness that lingered just beyond the trees.
Dante leaned in, his voice low and serious. "This isn't over yet, Crystal."
I nodded, knowing he was right. "I know. But we're ready for whatever comes next."
Ezra grinned, pushing off the tree. "Good, because something tells me it's going to get a lot more interesting from here."