Chapter 65

Charles

As I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my suit, a sense of contentment washed over me. The anticipation of addressing the Clans during the Winter Moon Festival filled me with pride and purpose, but no year had ever felt quite like this. I would be apart from Grace for a week starting today, but I could still taste her, still smell her delicious scent growing spicy with desire.

She'd been near insatiable since that first night. I left her sleeping in her own bed around dawn this morning.

"You're the worst," George said, coming across the room to fix my bow tie. He smirked. "Though, you seem unusually happy today."

A twinkle of amusement filled his eyes. "This going well with Alpha Wolfe?"

I couldn't help but grin. "Well, it's a special day, isn't it? The Winter Moon Festival is a time for our pack to come together and celebrate our unity."

"Sure, the Festival is why you're looking like you took several years off your age and are grinning non-stop."

I chuckled as he stepped away. "You're the best and nosy as hell."

He inclined his head. "Your happiness ensures we don't go to war."

I laughed, clapped him on the shoulder, and headed out of my chambers.

As I made my way through the festively decorated halls, the sounds of laughter and merriment from lycans filled the air. The sense of unity and festivity was warm in the air. Through the castle windows, I could see the courtyards filled with people all strolling through the stalls and eating their fill. I couldn't help but feel a swell of pride in my chest. These were my people, and I was their king.

I headed into the main ballroom, smiling at the lights and the beauty of it. The staff outdid themselves every year with the decorations, and for the first time, I didn't feel bad that I was getting on the stage without a queen, without a partner.

One day, I would stand here with Grace, Cecil, and Richard, the way I had with my father and then with Devin.

The crowd gathered turned to me. Most of the faces I recognized with ease. Others I didn't. I could feel the anticipation of the crowd. There was malice among the Elders, but for the most part, the people in this room looked to me for guidance and reassurance, and I was determined not to disappoint them.

I began my speech, straying away from the usual speech I gave. I could tell most were surprised that I wasn't quoting my ancestors' speeches or pressing the importance of unity among our pack and the significance of the Winter Moon Festival. They knew all of this. Instead, I spoke about the future. The crowd listened attentively, and their energy seemed to feed into my words. It was moments like these that reminded me that though I wasn't always assured that I was doing enough, I was king for a reason.

As I neared the end of my speech, I announced the traditional toast that marked the beginning of the Festival. The crowd erupted into cheers, and I couldn't help but smile. It was a joyous occasion, a time to put aside our differences and come together as one.

Just as I was about to raise my glass, I noticed a figure entering the hall.

Tessa had arrived. The bitter taste of betrayal that usually came at the sight of her, the irritation and regret, was gone. The anger on her face, the fact that she arrived alone, all of it felt so distant, unable to puncture the happiness that had filled me. Her presence and attitude didn't surprise me; I had expected her to come. Her allowance had been cut off, and she had no choice but to attend the Festival to try to speak to me directly.

I met her gaze, and for a moment, our eyes locked. There was a storm brewing within her. And I didn't care. I didn't even feel any residual anger coming through our bond. Hope filled me.

Maybe our bond was withering.

Maybe it was already dying.

Maybe it was so near to being dead that rejecting her would feel like nothing more than a pinprick.

Raising my glass high, I offered a toast, the lycans in the hall following suit.

"Now that the pomp and circumstance is out of the way," I said and gestured to the band. "Let the Festival begin!"

I finished my glass in one go and got down from the podium. George grinned at me. I shook hands with a few Clan chiefs before working my way to the edge of the crowd rather than heading to my throne.

This year, for some reason, I wanted to mix and mingle among them. Shake their hands and talk with them. A sense of contentment washed over me as I moved among them. I headed out of the castle gates to address the rest of the Clans and greet them all. Laughter, music, and the scent of lycans in celebration filled the air. The bonfire burned bright and high in the center of the city. It was a moment of unity and happiness, and I couldn't help but smile at the thought of my own pack, especially Grace, Cecil, and Richard, joining in the festivities one day.

As I made my way back inside, I grabbed a mug of simple mulled wine from a vendor who looked so enamored with meeting me I had to hug her.

I walked back into the main part of the castle, looking at all the tapestries on the wall. I lifted the mug to my mouth, the rich aroma wafting to my senses as I sipped it. The alcohol warmed my throat as I allowed myself a moment of solitude, relishing in the festivities.

My people were happy.

Perhaps happier than they had been in years, and that was more than I could have ever asked for.

It wasn't long before I sensed her presence approaching. I looked over at Tessa as she sauntered down the hall toward me. Her attire was sultry, too sultry for a family event like this. I couldn't help but wonder why she had chosen such a provocative dress. With a subtle smile on my lips, I decided to allow her to come to me. I knew she had something on her mind, and it was only a matter of time before she approached.

I continued to sip my wine as I noticed George coming down the hallway. I gave him a subtle signal to stay out of it for now.

Soon, she stood beside me, her body language tense and her eyes filled with a storm of emotions.

"Charles," she said, her voice laced with a mixture of anger and frustration.

"Tessa," I replied, acknowledging her presence.

There was a moment of silence as we locked eyes, the tension between us palpable. I waited for her to speak, curious about what she wanted to say.

"How dare you," she hissed. Her words cut through the air like a knife, filled with bitterness and resentment. "How dare you look at me, look so pleased knowing that you've broken every promise to me."

I blinked, and for a moment, I considered letting her tirade wash over me, as I often had in the past. But something had changed within me, something that had been building for a long time. Perhaps it was the influence of my time spent with Grace, or maybe it was simply the realization that I could no longer allow myself to be tied to someone who brought me nothing but pain and turmoil.

The witch's advice drifted through my mind.

A mutual break would be best, she said. But if not, wear it down until there is so little left you feel nothing. You'll know when it's weakest.

She hadn't told me how I would know, but I knew from the gleam in her eye that she was right.

"You owe me," she hissed. "For--"

"I owe you nothing," I said. "Just as you owe me nothing, as you said so many years ago."

Her eyes bulged. "You--"

"And if you are so unhappy with the change I've made, of our arrangement, then reject me and break our bond."

The words hung in the air, a heavy silence settling between us. Tessa's face paled, her eyes widening in shock. She hadn't expected me to suggest such a drastic measure.

"You can't be serious," she stammered, her voice quivering.

I met her gaze, unwavering in my resolve.

"I am," I replied, my tone leaving no room for doubt. "It has been too long that I've allowed you to confuse my mercy for something that it is not."

Her eyes widened.

"It is because of those vows, my honor, that I have granted you mercy. It was my lingering feelings for you that pushed me into more than that, but no more."

I turned away from her, leaving her standing there in stunned silence. As I walked away, I looked at George.

"Do not reinstate her allowance." He gasped behind me. "Her security detail will remain... Perhaps it will be a wake-up call for her."

"How am I supposed to live?" Tessa asked. "You said--"

"When you were mine," I cut her off. "But you haven't been that in a very long time. Consider it a chance to do some soul-searching, pick up a career, and be a better role model for Devin."

Before I returned to the main ballroom, I glanced back at Tessa one last time.

"This is the last bit of mercy I'm willing to give you. Use it wisely."