Chapter 248

Ella POV

I sat across from Elizabeth at a quiet restaurant, a half-empty glass of wine in front of me. The air between us was lighter than it had been in months, but there was still an unspoken tension—a lingering wound that was still healing.

Elizabeth had taken the revelations about Alexander, David, and Archer in stride, but knowing the truth didn’t erase the sting of being left in the dark.

We had more than one argument before we reached the point where we could sit across from each other and just talk.

“I still can’t believe it,” Elizabeth murmured, swirling her drink absentmindedly. “I mean, I can believe it, but it’s just... so much. Ironfang. Archer. Even Diana. All of them were working together, and we didn’t see it.”

“We did,” I corrected softly. “Just not soon enough.”

Elizabeth sighed and leaned back in her chair. “People are scared. My father and I have spent months just trying to calm them down, trying to convince them that the kingdom isn’t falling apart. We’ve tightened border security, we’ve reassessed every major official in the government—but it’s still not enough.”

I understood. The past few months had been exhausting for everyone. The King, despite agreeing to work with Alexander, was still wary of him. The revelation that such highly regarded alphas had plotted against him had shaken him to his core.

And while he had kept Alexander’s true identity a secret, it was clear he hadn’t fully regained trust in him either.

He was the infamous Ice King and if that wasn’t enough he was the bastard child of the Northern king. It was a lot to ask anyone to accept.

I smiled softly. Except for me, apparently. It didn’t change my feelings for Alexander at all.

“Alexander’s been working hard,” I said, swirling my wine slowly. “I know he’s not your father’s favorite person, but he’s done everything he can to prove himself.”

Elizabeth nodded slowly. “I know. He’s been at every security briefing, every strategy meeting. He’s been patient and respectful, which I have to admit is impressive given how much pushback he’s gotten.” She exhaled sharply. “I think my father does trust him... he just doesn’t want to admit it.”

I smiled slightly. “Sounds familiar.”

Elizabeth met her gaze, and for a moment, there was an understanding between them. A bridge, slowly being rebuilt.

“I do get why you kept things from me,” Elizabeth admitted. “I’m not saying I like it, but... I understand.”

That was more than I had hoped for. “I hated lying to you,” I said honestly. “But there were so many moving pieces, and I didn’t even know who I could trust. I didn’t want to put you in a position where you had to choose between your father and me.”

Elizabeth’s lips pressed together, and after a long pause, she nodded. “I appreciate that.”

We sat in silence for a moment, the weight of everything settling around us. Then, Elizabeth took a deep breath and changed the subject.

“The election is coming up fast.”

I nodded. “Alexander’s been doing well in the polls.”

“He has,” Elizabeth agreed. “But there’s someone else gaining traction—Alpha Rylan.”

I frowned. “From the eastern packs?”

Elizabeth nodded. “He started as a long-shot candidate, but his speeches have been resonating with a lot of people. He’s charismatic, he doesn’t have any of the baggage Alexander does, and he’s been playing up the idea that the South needs an independent ruler, not someone tied to the big packs.”

I considered that. “Do you think he has a real chance?”

Elizabeth hesitated. “A month ago, I would have said no. But now? Maybe. People are uncertain, and uncertainty leads them to look for safer options. Alexander has done a lot of good, but he’s still a controversial figure.”

I tapped my fingers against the table, thinking. “Alexander isn’t just some political figure. He’s been in the trenches. He’s fought for this kingdom. That has to count for something.”

“It does,” Elizabeth said. “But people also fear what they don’t understand. Alexander has spent years in the shadows. Half of what he’s done is still a secret. People don’t know that he’s…” she hesitated, looking away for a moment. “Now, they’re being asked to trust him with the kingdom.” She sighed. “It’s not impossible, but it’s going to be close.”

My heart tightened at the thought. Alexander had spent his life fighting battles, but this was the one that mattered most. And for once, it wasn’t one he could win with strength alone.

“We’ll figure it out,” I said, more to myself than to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth offered a small smile. “I hope so.”

Alexander POV

“I don’t think he’ll talk to me,” I said hesitantly. The king and I walked side by side down the hallway of his basement prison. “At least, not about anything useful.”

I was willing to do as he asked, though the thought of facing Ironfang made my heartbeat speed up unpleasantly.

“It’s the only thing we haven’t tried,” the king said, his frustration evident. “The camera is running and the guards will be just outside the door. If you can get him to talk at all it will help.”

“I’ll try,” I said, taking a deep breath in an attempt to calm myself.

The king nodded to his guards and the door swung open. I stepped inside and found myself standing in what looked like a cheap hotel room.

Ironfang sat cross-legged on a bed in the corner of the room. Both of his arms attached to the wall with long chains.

I eyed them warily, not convinced they could actually hold him.

I stood there silently for several seconds before he opened his eyes. He stared at me for a moment before one corner of his lip quirked into a grin.

“Hello pup,” he said. His voice was rough from disuse. “I wondered when they would bring you in.”

“Here I thought I’d surprise you for once,” I said. I remained standing at the far end of the room, making no attempt to take the chair across from him.

“Never,” he replied with a chuckle. “Nothing surprises me. You’ve recovered well. Have I added a new scar to your collection?”

My hand moved automatically to my side, where he had stabbed me. The scar was long and jagged. I hadn’t understood the gravity of the wound at the time, my mind had been on the poison.

“You nearly gutted me,” I said coldly.

“That was the idea,” he replied. He tilted his head to the side slightly as he looked at me, almost like he was trying to solve a puzzle. “Do you know why I came for you after all these years?”

My eyes moved towards the camera, despite my best efforts to act normal. He nodded slightly, acknowledging that he knew we were being recorded.

“No,” I said honestly. “Are you going to tell me?”

“Because he’s dying.”

I stared at him in disbelief, trying to think of any reason why he would lie about this, but there was none.

“How?” I asked softly.

He shook his head. “He’s been ill for some time. He wanted me to find you, to put you to the test. His other sons are… weak. He wanted you to return.”

“I would never do that,” I answered automatically. It wasn’t something I even had to think about. I knew that my place was here, with Ella.

“Then go live your life, Alexander,” he said, drawing my attention back to him. “Don’t ever regret it. Someone, maybe one of your brothers, will take the throne in the North.”

I stared for a long moment, then nodded.