Chapter 434: Their Promises

"...So let me get this straight," Asher swallowed hard, his voice nearly a whisper. "King Angus is alive?"

"And you’re his daughter?" Alaric asked, sounding equally stunned.

"And you’re a princess," Roman added, eyes lighting up with a dreamy grin. "I always knew there was something special about you, Princess."

"Princess." The Beast repeated, his deep voice rumbling as he gently played with Violet’s hair, if feeling the importance of the word.

Violet had unearthed every detail of her life, and now she braced herself for the commotion that would inevitably follow.

She wrung her hands, her fingers nervously tangling together as she studied their reactions. "Are you guys angry at me?" she asked, unsure.

Asher looked at her strangely with confusion. "Why would I be angry at you?"

"Because I’m Angus’ daughter," she said hesitantly, as if the truth was poison on her tongue. "And heir to the throne. Micah thinks trusting you all is a bad idea. He believes you’d betray me and take it."

At that moment, the real question Violet wanted to ask hung in the air:

Can I trust you?

Violet didn’t want to say it outright. She didn’t want to seem like she doubted them. But how could she not? Being "Alpha King" was the future these boys were raised and trained for their entire lives, and now, out of nowhere, she was the heir apparent. If she were in their position, accepting that fate would be a great challenge.

Violet rushed to clarify, "Not that I intend on ruling. I mean, I don’t even have a wolf, nor do I know anything about ruling a bunch of creatures."

Her laugh was hollow and awkward as she tried to downplay her significance, hoping to ease the tension in the room.

"You shouldn’t have trusted Micah with your secret," Asher scolded.

"Not all of it," she muttered. "And he’s my brother."

"Micah is a demon. They’re not to be trusted, brother or not. Why do you think he’s not running for the throne? He’s the legitimate heir while you’re the illegitimate one."

Asher’s words were brash, but it was still the truth.

"If her mother was mated to Angus, then she’s a legitimate heir," Alaric countered. "Fated mates are recognized by the heavens themselves. Even without a formal union, their bond makes it official."

"Try explaining that to the wolves," Asher said sharply. "Her mother severed the bond, and that alone would take a hell of a lot of explaining. Not that it’s even happening."

"Good," Roman cut in, surprisingly serious for once. "For a moment, I thought you’d lost your mind thinking of making Violet’s identity public."

Roman might not have been the brainiest of them all, but he wasn’t dumb. He was just shrewd in his own way.

"I’m not stupid, Roman," Asher snapped. "This is a complicated situation."

Then he turned to Violet, meeting her gaze. "I don’t speak for the others, but I’m not fighting you for the throne. I never will. Not when I know it was never mine to begin with."

Alaric scoffed. "That’s rich, coming from you, Asher. You’ve always fought the hardest for the throne and your father practically worships the ground you walk on, bragging about how you’d win."

Asher didn’t flinch. "I fought because you three were in the race and I couldn’t possibly lose. Then, Violet wasn’t in the picture. But now, I know what matters most to me, and it’s her. My father can rot in whatever cursed pit of hell he crawled out of."

His loyalty might’ve been intense, but it was sexy as hell, and Violet’s face was beet red while her heart thudded like it wanted to leap out of her chest.

"I’ve said my piece," Asher added, turning to the others. "What about you?"

"I never cared about the throne anyway. Deep down, I think Leon knew I would never win either, but he just didn’t want to be left out. And who knows, a miracle might just happen," Roman said.

And by miracle, he meant winning through cunning means. There was no way he’d beat Asher in a straight fight unless he outsmarted him. If anyone had a real shot, it was Alaric. Or Griffin, if only he added a bit of flair to that strength.

"I never had any interest in the throne either. My mother just couldn’t stand the thought of the North losing out. Besides, I’m their perfect son who can do anything he puts his mind to," Alaric added, his voice carrying a trace of bitterness.

Violet’s heart ached at his words. She reached over and squeezed his hand comfortingly. Alaric smiled faintly and intertwined their fingers.

Now that all three of them had voiced their allegiance, there was only one person left.

All eyes turned to Griffin, or rather, the Beast. Sure, it was assumed Griffin would support Violet now that they were mated. But politics was politics, and mate bonds didn’t always mean loyalty. They needed to hear it from him directly.

As if sensing the weight of the moment, the Beast let out a soft, sorrowful whine.

He didn’t want to leave.

Violet stepped in. "I trust Griffin. He wouldn’t—"

She didn’t finish because the Beast nudged her gently.

"Beast. Go." His voice was gruff, his warm amber eyes locked onto hers with determination.

Violet sighed. If he must do this then.

"See Beast later?"

He nodded eagerly, his expression brightening like a child promised ice cream.

Then he reached out and cupped her face, as if committing the feeling to memory. Violet leaned into his touch, letting the moment linger.

From the side, someone sniffled.

Asher and Alaric turned to Roman, eyebrows raised.

"What? Isn’t it touching?" he said defensively.

They shook their heads and looked away.

It was time.

The Beast stepped back. His muscles rippled and deflated, his body shrinking until Griffin stood in his place once again.

He stumbled slightly but steadied himself with a breath.

"I have no interest in the throne," he said, eyes on Violet, "not as long as she’s in the picture."

And, as if on cue, the oversized granny pants slid from his waist.

Roman doubled over in laughter.