CHAPTER 6
976 Words
The moon hung low and golden, casting a soft glow across the Royal Court as if the goddess herself were watching. The halls had grown quiet since Lyra's departure, but the silence felt tense, like a string pulled tight, ready to snap.
Amelia stood by the grand fountain in the garden, her fingers trailing through the cold water. Each ripple reminded her of how quickly life had changed, how her world had shattered and rebuilt itself in the same breath. She was still learning how to breathe again, still learning how not to flinch when footsteps approached.
Tonight, they were Ryder's.
She felt him before she saw him. His presence filled the space like thunder before rain heavy, unmistakable. When he stepped into the garden, his black cloak trailing behind him, the air shifted. Her heart did too.
"Couldn't sleep?" he asked, voice low.
She shook her head. "Too much on my mind."
He joined her at the fountain, not touching her, but close enough that she could feel the warmth of him. He looked out over the moonlit garden, his jaw set but his eyes soft.
"Lyra won't be back," he said. "I made that clear."
Amelia nodded. "But she won't stop. She wants this crown."
"Let her want," Ryder murmured. "She can't have what's already yours."
She turned to him, her voice barely above a whisper. "Is it really mine, Ryder? Or did I just fall into a place meant for someone else?"
He looked at her then, deeply. "You didn’t fall into anything. You fought your way here. You’re stronger than you know."
She blinked away the sting in her eyes. "I don’t feel strong. Not yet."
"That’s because real strength isn’t loud. It’s quiet. Like a flame that refuses to go out."
Amelia smiled faintly. She didn’t know how he always said the exact thing her heart needed.
They sat on the stone bench by the fountain. For a while, neither of them spoke. The night did all the talking crickets chirping, wind rustling the trees, water trickling.
Then Ryder spoke, his voice softer than she'd ever heard it.
"My first mate... she wasn't like you. She was sharp and proud, but her love had conditions. When she betrayed me, it wasn't just a betrayal of trust. It was a rejection of who I am."
Amelia turned toward him, surprised.
He continued. "I closed myself off after that. I told myself the Moon Goddess had made a mistake. That love was a weakness."
"And now?" she asked gently.
Ryder met her eyes. "Now... I know she didn’t make a mistake. She was just waiting for the right time. For you."
Her breath caught.
He leaned closer, not to kiss her, but to speak something he needed her to hear with her whole soul.
"You weren’t a second choice, Amelia. You were always meant to be my mate."
Tears welled up again, but they weren't from pain this time. They were from the overwhelming weight of being seen.
"I was so sure no one would ever want me," she whispered. "Not really. Not without trying to change me."
"Then I guess you were wrong," he said.
Ryder reached for her hand, his fingers warm around hers. He didn’t pull or demand. He just held it, like a promise.
A cool breeze swept through the garden, and Amelia leaned her head against his shoulder. For the first time in so long, she let herself rest.
The next morning came with silver skies and frost-tipped leaves. But there was warmth in Amelia's chest. She dressed in a deep violet cloak a gift from Ryder, the same color as her eyes.
The palace staff had started treating her differently. Not just out of fear of Ryder, but with real respect. A young maid even smiled at her and bowed.
Amelia wasn’t used to kindness. It caught her off guard. But she was learning.
She found Ryder in the council room, surrounded by a circle of advisors.
"She's here," one of the guards announced.
Ryder looked up instantly, and something in his face softened.
"We were just discussing border threats," he said, gesturing for her to join.
Amelia hesitated. "I’m not trained for this."
"You’re my mate," he replied. "That’s all the training you need."
The council room was grand dark wood, gold detailing, maps pinned across the walls. The men inside glanced at her with curiosity, but no one objected.
Ryder pulled out a chair beside him. She sat.
As the meeting resumed, she listened closely. The words were heavy territory disputes, rogue attacks, trade agreements. It was overwhelming, but Ryder occasionally leaned toward her, whispering quick explanations in her ear.
She felt like she was part of something bigger now. And it terrified her. But it also lit a fire inside her.
When the meeting ended, Ryder waited until they were alone.
"You were incredible," he said.
"I didn’t say anything."
"You didn’t need to. You showed up. That’s more than most."
Amelia looked at him, really looked.
He wasn’t just the Alpha King.
He was hers.
And maybe... she was his.
They walked out onto the balcony together, overlooking the training grounds. Warriors moved below like a river of power.
Amelia's voice was quiet. "Will it always be like this? The pressure? The threats?"
Ryder nodded. "Yes. But you won’t face them alone. Not anymore."
She turned to him. Her heart beat loud and steady.
"Then I want to learn. I want to lead beside you. Not just as your mate, but as your equal."
Ryder took her face in his hands, gently.
"You already are."
And under the pale light of morning, Amelia smiled.
Not because everything was easy. Not because the pain was gone.
But because for the first time, her future felt like it belonged to her.
- Writer
