Chapter 107
Alpha King Draven POV
The war room was finally still, just the quiet rustle of papers, the low crackle from the hearth, and my love Aelira seated beside me, reviewing the latest reports from the mages. My phone buzzed on the table, vibrating like a wasp on steroids.
Beta Graeme. Finally. I snatched it up and hit accept. “Talk to me,” I said.
Graeme’s grinning face filled the screen. “It’s done. The beast shifters are in. The royal family is coming themselves. Five thousand fighters, ready to pledge to Elowen.”
I let out a low, sharp breath. “Fucking finally. When?”
“Tomorrow. Mage portal. King Halrik, Luna Nari, and their son Bram Thundermaw will be leading the charge.”
I smirked. “Hell of a name.”
“You should see the guy. Seven feet tall, covered in tribal war ink, built like a goddamn freight train. I think he could suplex a rhino.”
I chuckled. “Outstanding. I’ll prep accommodations and call Daxon to bring Elowen and the circle back in time to greet them. Good work.”
We hung up, and I turned to Aelira. “Time to host some royalty.”
She arched a brow. “We’ll need a full mage wing to construct housing overnight.”
“I’m on it.” I texted our head mage: “Need enchanted barracks in south field. Capacity: 5,000 beast shifters. Training yard, mess hall, quarters. Royal suite in castle wing for Halrik, Nari, and Bram Thundermaw. By sunrise.”
Then I opened my phone and called my son. He answered immediately, his face filling the screen, wind swept and flushed with life. Behind him, Lachlan was helping Ash pack a bag while Elowen sat on the bed, reading some kind of ancient grimoire.
“Hey,” Daxon said, his eyes narrowing. “Everything okay?”
“More than okay,” I replied, pacing. “The beast shifters have joined us. Five thousand warriors, including Alpha King Halrik and Luna Nari. They’ll arrive by portal tomorrow morning, with their son, Bram. He’s a fighter, Dax. A real one. And he’s looking to pledge to Elowen’s
circle.”
Behind Dax, Ash let out a low whistle. “Damn.”
Aelira stepped into view beside me. “We want you back here before they arrive. She needs to greet them herself, and so do her mates.”
Lachlan moved into frame. “We’ll be ready.”
“Oh, and don’t forget,” I added with a wicked grin, “the Mate Ball is still happening. Two days. Beast shifters will be attending too.”
Ash groaned. “Why is everything happening at once?”
“Because fate doesn’t give a fuck about your schedule, son.”
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Chapter 107
Dax laughed, but then turned to Elowen, his voice softening. “We’ll be home soon.”
I gave one last nod. “Tell her she’s making waves. The world’s shifting for her. And she better be ready.”
The call ended, and I turned to Aelira.
“They’re coming back,” I said. “And this next alliance? It might be the wildest one yet.”
Elowen POV
[60]
I could feel the pull of the earth magic humming beneath my skin, still fresh and alive after the blessing. My fingers tingled with it as I slung my bag over my shoulder, stepping out into the stone courtyard where Isolde and Alaric waited. The rest of the coven’s council, the eight most powerful witches and mages aside from the Mother and Father, stood behind them in a respectful semi circle, their eyes full of both pride and sorrow.
“Thank ye, my lass,” Alaric said, his brogue thick with emotion. “For remindin‘ us what it means tae fight.”
“And for remindin‘ us what it means tae believe,” Isolde added, her voice soft but firm as she stepped forward and pulled me into a tight, maternal hug. “Ye’ve changed everything, Chosen. I hope ye ken that.”
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat as the coven children darted from behind their elders to give me quick hugs, tiny hands clinging to my arms, my legs, one brave one tugging my braid and giggling. I crouched to kiss their cheeks, pressing my forehead to theirs.
“You little gremlins better keep practicing your spells,” I warned, grinning through the tears. “The world’s gonna need you too.”
Just as we turned to leave, Isolde’s voice rang out behind us.
“Wait!”
We all paused. I turned, raising a brow as the High Mother strode toward us, her chin up, magic swirling visibly around her like a storm cloaked in silk.
“We’re comin‘ wi‘ ye,” she announced. “All of us. We’ll rally the allied covens and be at the keep by dawn. We’ll build our own place there. A sanctuary of our own.” She winked at me, the mischief sparkling behind those ancient eyes. “We’re right powerful now, thanks tae the Earth Goddess. Time tae put it tae use.”
