Defying the Rogue Alpha
Chapter 188: Ritual

Chapter 188: Ritual

Dennis didn’t need to be told twice. "Oh, thank God!" he gasped, breaking the kiss. He grabbed Zoe’s wrist and dashed off the balcony.

Ava couldn’t help it, she laughed, doubling slightly as her baby bump bounced with the movement. "He really is the romantic sort," she said, shaking her head fondly.

Lucas snorted and turned to the spiritualist. "I believe your work here is done?" Lucas said, his alpha presence making the poor man flutter.

"Ah... the... the mating ritual... they shouldn’t be..." the spiritualist stammered, gesturing vaguely at the trail of flower petals.

"They’ve been fucking since the moment they met," Lucas cut in flatly, waving a dismissive hand. "I think one quickie before tonight won’t derail the stars or whatever it is you believe in."

The spiritualist opened his mouth like he wanted to argue then promptly shut it again. You didn’t argue with a Raventhorn. Especially not this Raventhorn. Not unless you had a death wish.

"You really aren’t one for rules, are you?" Ava murmured, snuggling back into his arms, her laughter still warm in her chest.

Lucas tightened his grip around her instinctively. "Damn near killed me when Lanaya hid you from me before our wedding," he muttered, brows furrowed. "Days without seeing you, smelling you, touching you. I was out of my mind."

"What was the point?" he asked again.

Ava turned her head, pressing a kiss to his jaw. "It’s supposed to intensify the bond during the mating ritual," she explained. "Or... well... at least that’s what Lanaya said. She may have also been trying to punish you."

Lucas sighed, brushing a hand over her stomach. "We’re going home soon, love," he said. "And we’re going to be a family."

His throat tightened unexpectedly as he looked down at her, and he kissed her forehead with a tenderness that didn’t come naturally to a man made of scars. "You’ve given me the world, Ava," he murmured. "You have no idea how happy I am."

"I can’t believe we’re going to have a baby," Ava said quietly, her fingers absently tracing the curve of her belly like she was still trying to convince herself it was real. The wind played softly with strands of her hair, and her eyes shone.

Lucas looked down at her proudly. "It feels like yesterday you were dying from being with me for the very first time. Defying Manic like he was a speck in your shoe."

"That’s cause I like Manic better. You were a cocky bastard," she said arching a brow, "Speaking of, its been a while I have been with Manic."

Lucas chuckled. "If you think I am letting Manic anywhere near you while pregnant, you must be out of your mind."

"Pfftt.. I can get him if I want." They both chuckled at that.

"We have to make an official announcement when we get back home," he added.

Ava tilted her head thoughtfully. "I wonder if Kade has finally made a decision about what to do with Sarah," she said, the name coated in pity.

"If he’s smart, he’ll send her far away."

*****

Alaric was led through the imposing halls of the Crimson Pack Main building. Nerris flanked him with a weaponized smirk, escorting him straight into Alpha Leon’s office.

"Found him, Alpha," Nerris announced.

Leon didn’t bother standing. He lounged in his chair. "Where?" he asked, his gaze skating lazily over Alaric as though measuring how useful he might be.

"He was in an inn close to Bloodhound Pack territory," Nerris said.

"Thank you, Nerris. You can go," Leon said, waving a dismissive hand. Nerris bowed and exited.

Alaric inclined his head respectfully. "Alpha," he greeted, hands clasped behind his back.

"What’s your plan?" Leon asked, slicing through small talk.

"Straight to business...."

Leon merely raised a brow.

"You had a change of mind?" Alaric said, slipping into the chair across from him.

"Well," Leon said, folding his hands, "some details have come to my attention that made me realize I need to be proactive."

"Let me guess," Alaric said, "the rumour about Alpha Lucas submitting King Herod to suicide?"

Leon sighed heavily, dragging a hand down his face. "I guess the story is everywhere now."

"It’s gaining traction," Alaric nodded. "It’s only going to get worse. No one can withstand the corruption of great power."

"What is your plan?" Leon asked.

Alaric’s eyes sharpened. "We prepare to take him down. No one should wield that much power unchecked."

Leon’s face didn’t move. "And Ava?" he asked carefully.

Alaric hesitated only slightly, a brief flicker of regret flashing across his features. "She was designed...crafted, really by the Moon Goddess herself. She carries the weight of power like it’s woven into her blood. She’s emotionally... prepared for it. Lucas, on the other hand..."

He let the sentence fall off a cliff.

Leon exhaled through his nose. "Fine. We work according to your plan. Whatever it is."

"First step...no one must know I’m here. Not even a whisper."

"Fine," he muttered. "May the gods help us if this backfires."

*****

In the heart of the capital, celebration drums rolled half-heartedly.

Lucas and Ava stood together on the decorated podium in front of the town hall, side by side and just a bit exhausted. Lucas held the heavy, gold crown Herod had once worn. And now it was meant for Zoe. The assassin bride who had somehow become a symbol of hope.

Ava kept her gaze fixed on the approaching couple.

The crowd were a churning sea of mixed emotions. Some clapped, some muttered, and some didn’t even bother pretending. They still hadn’t forgotten Herod’s reign, and to them, Zoe; his alleged daughter and confirmed killer was just a new Chapter in the same terrible book. A few were whispering already, "Is she even really his daughter? She just appeared, out of nowhere."

Some wanted monarchy gone altogether.

But Zoe held her head high as she walked past the whispers. The murmurs came from all sides. Her spine remained straight.

Dennis squeezed her hand gently. That earned the faintest twitch of a smile from Zoe, but it vanished as fast as it came. Her heart was pounding from the magnitude of the moment.

As they reached the top of the podium, she turned to Lucas.

"Can I have a minute to address the people?" Zoe asked.

(Hey guys. I come now as a shameless author. The stats on this book for this month is quite low and it may not meet the target. Which means I may not be getting any funds this month. So please, please, please, boost my chances by giving gifts. You can also check out the other book; The Vampire’s Luna.)