Chapter 34
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
THEO
S omething’s off with Estee. She smiles at the pack as they file out of the hall, their faces lit with hope and anticipation, but unease whispers through our bond. Though subtle, it’s enough to raise the hairs on the back of my neck.
I tug gently on her hand, urging her toward the royal suite where we can talk, but she stays rooted to the stage. She waves and offers confirmation that she’ll be seeing everyone shortly for the pack run. When Drea comes toward us with Orion trailing her, I resign myself to being patient.
“You did so good up there,” she exclaims, wrapping Estee in a tight hug. “I’ve never been more interested in a royal speech in my entire life.”
Estee blushes, her shrug modest. “Thank you. It wasn’t much, but as long as the people of Selaris are safe and happy, so am I.”
Drea’s gaze shifts to me, sharp but not unkind. “Apologizing to the people was a nice touch, King Theo.”
“I owe you one as well,” I say, my tone genuine. “You were trying to help, and I dismissed you. I hope you can forgive me.”
The last thing I need is for my mate’s closest friend to hate me. Even if I’m not entirely sorry for my actions that day, I know Drea needs this just as Estee does.
Drea’s spine straightens, her demeanor shifting. “I guess I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have accused you of hiding her and pretending someone else took her. And I shouldn’t have called you all those names.”
I raise a brow, slightly confused by her apology.
She shrugs. “Not everything was said to your face, but in case it gets back to you, just know I’m sorry.”
Estee’s laughter fills the hall, the sound rich and warm, and I find myself smiling. Each time I’m around Drea, I understand more why she and Estee are such good friends.
“You’ll be joining us for the run, right?” Estee asks, glancing toward the exit.
Drea looks up at Orion, and he answers. “Of course. Selaris hasn’t had an official run like this in years. I don’t think there’s a single shifter here who will miss it.”
Guilt slithers up my throat, but I push it aside. I’ve already promised to do better, and I can’t be the best version of me if I’m still stuck in the past, on the things I can’t change.
“While I still hope everyone comes tonight,” I say sincerely as I extend my hand to him, “this will be the first of many moving forward. I assure you of that.”
Orion’s grip is firm. “I look forward to seeing you keep that promise.”
“See you out there.” Drea waves then she and Orion make their way outside.
I keep Estee close, not ready to rejoin the pack yet.
My eyes find hers as I lightly grip her waist. “Are you okay? Something was bothering you right after the speech.”
Her golden eyes meet mine, her smile radiant but tinged with something I can’t quite place. “I’m glad to be here and to do these things for the pack. It just surprised me that we’re having the ball so soon. I thought it would be something we talked about more.”
“I’m sorry, Estee.” Gods, how could I not consider her feelings about this? “I quickly asked Jerome as you were speaking how soon he thought we could host the party, and when he said tomorrow, I agreed. I just want to get this over with…but I should’ve confirmed with you instead of forcing that information on you like I did.”
She squeezes my hands, her touch grounding me. “No, you’re right. The sooner the better. I just want to make sure we’re prepared. That we can keep everyone safe.”
“After the run, we’ll go over what we talked about with Sloane and if something feels off, we’ll postpone,” I promise. “This is going to work, whether we do it tomorrow or a week from now.”
Estee leans into me, wrapping her arms around my neck, and it feels as though she’s anchoring herself to me. “I believe you.” When she pulls back, the pulsing through our bond takes my breath away. “Now how about we go and let our wolves run together for the first time?”
Mine howls within my mind, confirming what I already know.
Nothing could be better.
As we walk outside, hand in hand, I look up, taking in the twin crescent moons and the billions of stars painted across the sky, their light faintly illuminating the forest that surrounds the castle. A breeze brings with it a touch of the salty ocean, but the warmth of the day still lingers, making the setting nearly perfect.
The pack has already gathered, their energy filling the air with a hum of anticipation. Estee stands beside me, the newly maroon highlights in her hair catching the moonlight as she gazes out over the crowd, her lips curving in a soft smile as if her connection to this land, to this pack, has already been made official. Though that will have to wait until she sees Asher again and he can release her from the Polaris pack.
We step into the clearing, a sprawling meadow on the edge of the forest, where the trees stand like timeless sentries. Closer to the forest, the scent of earth and pine weaves around us and the grass is lush beneath our feet.
The massive oaks at the edge of the clearing tower over us, their thick branches stretching outward like a canopy of protection. I catch Estee glancing toward the shadows, and I step closer to her, our shoulders brushing briefly against one another, just before we signal the rest of the wolves that it’s time to shift.
My muscles ripple with energy, the familiar sensation both powerful and freeing. My nails become claws as my bones disengage and reform. My vision sharpens, and within a few seconds, my wolf pushes to the surface, his ebony fur taking shape.
The world explodes into vibrant scents and sounds, everything amplified in this form. The wind carries Estee’s scent—bright and sweet, like pomegranates kissed by sunshine—and my wolf aches to be closer to her.
She shifts with grace, and her wolf is breathtaking. A coat of silver so pure it shimmers under the stars, with a patch of white like a shield on her chest as if even her wolf’s been protecting their heart all these years. On all fours, she moves with effortless confidence, her head tilting to look at me, golden eyes bright and full of mischief.
The sight of her in her true form fills me with a surge of pride and awe. My wolf lets out a low, possessive growl, as if to declare this magnificent creature ours to anyone who might doubt it.
“Run with me,” I send through our bond, the words a mix of command and plea.
Estee’s wolf dips her head playfully before taking off into the forest, and mine doesn’t hesitate to give chase. My wolf surges forward, paws pounding against the earth as we race after her. The forest opens its arms to us, the tall pines and sturdy oaks blurring as we tear a path through the trees.
The wind whips through my fur, carrying the exhilaration of freedom along with the sound of our pack following suit, giving themselves over to their inner beasts.
I stay close behind Estee, watching her wolf move with effortless elegance, her muscles rippling under her coat. Every few strides, she glances back at me, her tongue lolling in what I can only describe as a laugh. She’s teasing me, daring me to catch her. My wolf answers with a powerful burst of speed, closing the distance between us in seconds, but still not quite enough to playfully take her down.
We break into the heart of the forest, where the moonlight filters through the canopy in soft streams. The rest of the pack stays near, their howls echoing into the endless sky, a chorus of unity and strength. Estee slows, falling into step beside me, and together we lead them deeper into the woods. For the first time in years, I feel like the king I was meant to be—not because of a crown or the throne, but because of the family running at my side.
The bond between me and Estee intensifies, its power almost tangible in the air. Her wolf nudges my side, and I nuzzle her in return, the simple gesture grounding me.
This is what I was meant for. This is who I was meant to be—with Estee by my side.
We continue, the pack following our lead as we carve a path through the forest. Their surrounding elation is infectious, and spreads with every howl and pawprint left in the dirt. For the first time since I took the crown, I can sense the rest of the pack as a whole, each soul igniting within my mind, putting off an electric energy as though they’ve all been waiting for this connection, this moment of togetherness.
As we begin to circle back, I’m convinced nothing can take this high away, but one voice makes my whole world go still, as if the forest is also holding its breath.
“Remember this moment, Theodore,” Orix hisses through my mind, dark and venomous. “It can be something you recall in those final seconds as I end your pathetic existence.”
I stop, frozen in place as the air grows colder, my fur bristling while his presence slithers further into my thoughts.
Estee tries to break through to me—I can feel her panic—but it’s as if Orix has the same hold over me he always has. This shouldn’t be possible. How is he in my head?
His sinister laughter echoes through my mind. “I’ll be seeing you soon, Theodore. And this time, there will be no running.”
A growl tears from my throat, my wolf’s hackles rising as I turn in circles, searching for any sign of him. But the forest is free of his vile presence, as though Orix’s voice was nothing more than a ghost in my mind.
The pack gathers around us, their howls softening as the run comes to an end. Estee’s wolf scratches at me, her golden eyes narrowed with frustration but also concern. Her presence steadies my racing thoughts. Through the bond, I send her calm reassurance, though my insides churn with fury and dread.
“What happened?” Estee’s panicked voice finally breaks through.
“Orix was in my head,” I tell her flatly. “He’s coming.”
Her wolf snarls, teeth bared. “We’ll be ready for him.”
She’s right, we have a plan, but as I start to shift back to my human form, I can’t shake the lingering echo of Orix’s presence still attached to me.
If he can still get inside my head, overpowering Aurora’s block, what else can he do?