The crowd continued to shift around us, some drawing closer while others maintained distance. The night stretched ahead with uncertain terrain to navigate – judgments to face, alliances to build, threats to identify. But for this moment, with Theo's hand steady against my back and my brother and his mate flanking us protectively, I found I could breathe again.
One step at a time, as Elena had said. The crown that awaited me – both literal and figurative – would take adjusting to. But as I stood beside Theo in the centre of that watchful ballroom, I realized that perhaps I was not so unprepared for this role as I had feared. I had survived Benjamin. I had served my pack faithfully despite hiding my true nature. I had found the courage to accept a second chance at a mate bond when every in
