Chapter 66: Marry Me
1030 Words
Lucy's POV
The doors to the throne room groaned open, and I turned my head slowly, expecting yet another councilman with a new complaint. But the moment my eyes locked on his face, I froze.
Malachi!
He looked exactly the same. The same sharp jawline and icy cold eyes that used to haunt my nightmares. But he shouldn't be here. He couldn’t be here. I saw Ryker kill him with my own eyes.
"Malachi," I said his name like it burned my tongue. "What are you doing back here? I watched Ryker kill you. I saw you die."
He chuckled darkly and stepped further into the room, his boots echoing off the floors. "Did you know? Well, none of that matters now, does it? I'm here. That’s what counts."
Before I could react, he moved—fast—so fast I barely had time to blink. He was suddenly inches from my face, his cold fingers gripping my chin. I tensed. I remembered that speed was his power.
"Let go of me," I hissed.
He grinned. I spat into his face.
Malachi staggered back, wiping the spit with the back of his hand, that damn grin never leaving his lips. He turned, brushed off his coat, and casually sat on Ryker's throne like it had always belonged to him.
"Guards!" I shouted, turning toward the doors.
"Don’t waste your breath," he said, lounging on the seat like a king. "They won’t come. I’ve made sure of it."
"You have no right to be here," I said, my voice low and slightly shaking. "Leave now. Or else—"
"Or else what?" he cut me off with a laugh. "Will you call Ryker to come save you? Oh wait. That’s right. He’s dead. Finally out of my hair."
His words sliced through me like a blade.
"You bastard!"
"Harsh," he mused. "But fair. With Ryker gone, it’s time someone stepped up. And who better than his very own big brother?"
"Over my dead body!" I spat.
I stepped forward, fists clenched. "Elena is next in line. Princess Elena will be Alpha."
"Ah yes," he said slowly, savoring the name. "My beautiful niece. But if memory serves me right, she can’t claim the throne until she turns eighteen. That’s what... three months away?"
"You have a good memory for someone who’s supposed to be dead."
He smiled. "It was also the day I died. So it's a little hard to forget."
He stood, and in two strides, he was behind me. His hands curled around my waist, and I stiffened.
"You could always marry me, you know," he whispered in my ear. "That way, you keep half of the crown and still be part of your precious pack."
I slapped him—Hard. The sound echoed.
I tried to slap him again, but he caught my wrist this time and kissed me on the lips. I bit down hard, drawing blood from his.
He licked the blood from his split lip. "Still feisty. I like that."
"Are you insane?" I gasped, stepping away.
He only laughed. "Call me what you like, Lucy. But whether you agree or not, I will be Alpha. And you... You can be my queen or my slave. It's your choice."
I stormed out, seething. I went straight to Councilman Hadrien—Ryker’s most loyal ally. If anyone could help me, it was him.
*******
"Malachi is back," I said, pacing the room. "He wants to be Alpha. And he's twisting every damn rule to get there."
Hadrien sighed deeply. "I feared this might happen. What's worse is... he isn't wrong."
I stopped pacing. "Excuse me?"
"By werewolf law, if the next heir is underage and no regent is formally appointed, the next male in the bloodline can assume leadership."
"So what am I? Just a placeholder?"
He looked at me with something resembling pity. "You were never formally crowned as Alpha. You ruled beside Ryker. But you were never... the Alpha."
I felt like the wind had been knocked from me.
"There has to be something we can do."
Hadrien shook his head. "The way I see it, only one thing that you can do. Agree to his terms. Marry him. At least that gives you power and influence. Enough time to prepare Elena. Once she’s of age, then we can challenge him."
I laughed bitterly. "It seems I’m fated to live a life of marriages I never asked for."
"Lucy... I know it's not fair. But it may be the only way."
I thanked him quietly and turned to leave, then paused. "I need a favor."
He raised an eyebrow.
"I need you to… "
He nodded solemnly. "Consider it done."
When I returned to the palace, the stench of betrayal filled the halls. I entered the council chamber and found Malachi seated proudly among the elders.
"You have no right to barge in here," one of them barked.
I rounded on him. "And you have no right to turn your back on Ryker. How can you just accept this madman as the new Alpha!"
"We are acting in the best interest of the pack," another muttered.
"Then your interests are clearly misplaced."
Malachi waved a hand. "Guards, show our dear Lucy to her new quarters if possible."
The guards stepped forward hesitantly. I raised my chin.
"Don’t you dare lay a finger on me. I’ll walk."
They led me down to a dusty, damp basement room. Cobwebs hung like curtains. A single cot in the corner.
One of the younger guards looked ashamed. "I’m sorry, my queen."
I managed a sad smile. "This isn’t your fault."
Two days passed.
Two long, cold days. Then, the door creaked open. Malachi stepped inside, leaning against the frame.
"What is it? The guards said you wanted to see me."
I stared at him, the hate burning in my chest.
"I’ll do it."
He raised a brow. "Do what?"
"I’ll marry you."
He smiled. "Smart girl."
I said nothing. But deep inside, I swore I would destroy him. For Ryker. For Elena. For the pack.
He may sit on Ryker’s throne. But he would never truly wear his crown.
- Writer
