Defying the Rogue Alpha
Chapter 187: Truth

Chapter 187: Truth

Thinking back now, Leon realized the uncomfortable truth that had been lurking in the back of his mind. Lucas hadn’t helped him out of kindness. Every enemy Lucas had removed, every problem smoothed over, it hadn’t been generosity. It had been preparation.

He was waiting.

Waiting for the right time to take Crimson Pack away from him.

It had never been about helping Leon. It had been about removing obstacles.

Leon blinked slowly, the realization settling in. "Dammit," he muttered.

He turned to Nerris.

"I need you to find someone," Leon said.

Nerris arched a brow. "Who?"

"There was a man here a few days ago. Grey hair, cloak."

"Oh yeah, I remember him." Nerris brightened. "I wanted to ask you what it was he wanted."

Leon nodded grimly. "Keep an eye out for him. When you do find him, bring him to me."

*****

Dennis was experiencing what could only be described as wedding brain.

Today is the day, he thought, blinking at the view from the castle balcony. It felt like a dream. He was going to marry the woman of his dreams.

He and Lucas stood side by side on one of the many balconies of the castle. The spiritualist standing before them.

Zoe had insisted the ceremony be quiet. "Private," she’d said, brushing a curl from her face. "Because the coronation later will be a circus."

Dennis could barely hear over the sound of his own heart thudding.

"You look great, brother," Lucas said, giving Dennis a firm pat on the back that was somewhere between affectionate and vertebrae-threatening.

"I know, right!" Dennis beamed. His whole face lit up with unfiltered joy.

"And arrogant," Lucas added. "Honestly, if your head gets any bigger, we’ll need to extend the balcony."

Dennis sniffed with exaggerated pride. "It’s my day. I get to be anything I want. Even a royal pain."

Lucas smirked despite himself. "I’m gonna miss you, brother. You... you are the good part of the Raventhorns."

Dennis looked up at his brother with real affection. "You’ve grown too, Lucas. You act like admitting it will shatter your image, but you’ve always had good in you. Life just kept throwing knives instead of flowers."

Lucas glanced away. "Life gave me Ava too," he said finally. "Now you know what it feels like to gain something... tremendously precious."

"I know, right?" Dennis echoed, this time with a teary chuckle. "I never thought this day would come. Honestly, I was prepared to die a grumpy bachelor."

"Never say never." Lucas straightened his already-perfect collar. "Take care of her. I’m taking my wife home immediately after the coronation ceremony."

Dennis gave him a mock salute. "You take care of Ava. Seriously. If she sends me a message that you made her cry again, I’m gonna come over and fuck you up."

"Terrifying," Lucas deadpanned.

Their moment was cut short as the harpist, a delicate woman began to pluck at the strings. A sweet melody floated into the air.

Zoe stepped out. Behind her, Ava walked slowly, her baby bump now noticeable beneath her flowing gown. She smiled at Lucas from across the space, and even from that distance, Lucas’s posture softened.

Dennis had never seen anything so beautiful in his entire life. Zoe took one careful step after another, her eyes locked on him. To her, he wasn’t just the groom. He was her anchor, her savior.

And now, here they were. He was about to become her husband. Her king. The man who would stand beside her through storms and triumphs.

His heart thudded so loud he was certain everyone could hear it, but Zoe just smiled, serene and glowing, as if she already knew what he was feeling.

"I’m going to pass out," Dennis whispered to Lucas.

Lucas patted him hard on the back. "Not on the balcony. I’m not going to catch you."

Dennis stood completely smitten as the woman he loved walked toward him and toward forever.

Dennis held out his hand to her and Zoe took it, her fingers sliding into his like they’d always belonged there. Her face was lit with a smile that could bring nations to their knees—a smile that had carried him through darkness. He wasn’t just holding her hand, he was holding his future, his joy, his everything.

"You look amazing, Zoe," Dennis said.

Zoe leaned in, her breath brushing his ear, her lips curved in a teasing smirk. "Well then," she murmured, "look to your satisfaction, because you’ll be taking all this damn lace off me the second we’re done here."

Dennis blinked again. "Sexy..." he breathed, then immediately wiggled his eyebrows.

Ava leaned gently against Lucas, her cheek resting against his shoulder. There was a quiet contentment in her posture. Lucas, ever the stoic, wrapped his arm around her protectively.

The spiritualist cleared his throat. Everyone turned their attention, well, almost everyone. Lucas didn’t. He was still busy counting the freckles on Ava’s cheek. Ava was still trying not to yawn, pregnancy had turned her into a sleepy kitten.

The ceremony proceeded. Vows were exchanged, sacred promises made under the clear sky. Dennis said his lines with a slightly trembling voice, one hand squeezing Zoe’s. Zoe said hers confidently.

Then the spiritualist pronounced them husband and wife, and Dennis practically leapt forward to kiss her. It was a swoon-worthy kiss.

Lucas and Ava watched as the newlyweds went at it. And then kept going. And going. And going.

Ava raised an eyebrow. "Do we... do we interrupt, or do we just let them... do whatever that is?"

Lucas blinked. "I think they forgot we’re still here."

The spiritualist cleared his throat again, this time louder, more insistent. He shuffled some papers. Coughed with intention. Nothing.

Zoe and Dennis were officially lost in their own post-vow vacuum of bliss. Her hands were in his hair now, and Dennis had a suspiciously smug look.

The harpist paused mid-note.

Lucas growled in exasperation, his jaw ticking as Dennis and Zoe continued their lip gymnastics for what felt like the seventh eternity. "Will you guys just...go. Get a room, for the love of the moon goddess," he snapped.

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