Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

Chapter 651: Chapter 651 – Coronation day drama III

Oriana smiled bitterly, a ghost of old pain flickering across her features. If only Vladimir had stayed by her side during her times of pregnancy, if only he hadn’t gotten upset when she decided to give her life for Voren’s, he would have known all these things.

He would have understood the secrets she carried, the burdens she bore alone. But he hadn’t. He had pulled away, and in doing so, he had missed everything.

Right now, her only way of getting back at him was not telling him directly. Let him wonder. Let him ache with curiosity. ”Wait for the Blood Moon festival.” Her voice was soft, almost gentle, but carried an undercurrent of steel. ”The remaining pieces would all fit together then.”

On the podium, Jasper replaced the fake crown with the original before Pandora proceeded, her gaze briefly locked on her husband’s darkened ones. There was a silent exchange between them, a conversation without words that spoke of betrayal and disappointment. Then she turned to her daughter, her expression softening.

”Liah.” Her voice carried across the hushed auditorium. ”Today, I accept Corvine as your husband. And I know you’ll make Mommy proud as the best wife ever. Don’t forget all I ever taught you.” She paused, her eyes glistening.

”Now, as the Luna of the Silver Moon Pack, I still hold my title as Luna until Jasper finds his mate. So, I hereby transfer to you my authority as Queen of the Lunas.”

As soon as she removed her crown, everyone in the auditorium and on the podium rose to their feet. The rustle of fabric and the scrape of chairs was the only sound.

Pandora’s voice raised, her posture straightening with the elegance of a Queen who had carried her title with grace despite the storms that raged in her private life.

”I, Queen Pandora Spencer, crown you, my daughter, Athaliah Spencer, as the Queen of the Lunas.”

She gently placed the crown on Athaliah’s head as hands began to clap together, the applause building like thunder. Then she led Athaliah to the throne and sat her gently on it, the young woman’s eyes shining with tears.

Pandora went to sit on an empty chair with the elders as Jaron took over, walking over to Corvine. His eyes were cold, but he forced a faint smile onto his lips, a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. ”Corvine Stone, I accept you as my son in law, and this day, I transfer to you my title as King of the Alphas.”

Everyone was still standing, but the room was so quiet that only Jaron’s voice could be heard, echoing off the marble walls. He removed the crown from his head and continued to speak, his words heavy with ceremony. ”Elders, Alphas, Lunas, Betas, Werewolf Council representatives, and all leaders present—from this day, Corvine Stone shall be known as Alpha King Corvine Stone.”

He placed the crown gently on Corvine’s head. Since Corvine was taller, he had to bow slightly for the crown to fit. The applause was thunderous, a wave of sound that crashed against the walls. Well, there were jealous people in the crowd, those whose envy burned behind forced smiles, but they just could not show it, not here, not now.

Jaron led Corvine to sit beside Liah before walking back to his seat beside his wife among the elders, his expression grim. The weight of his lost power was written in every line of his face.

The MC took over, his voice ringing across the hall. ”I know everyone is itching to go and congratulate them, but the constitution states that only after sitting on the throne for up to one minute is the crown recognized.” He glanced at the timepiece. ”There are thirty seconds more, and as we wait, let’s welcome the acceptance speech from the new beta and Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack.”

Jasper and his beta, Gordon Jakes, gave their acceptance speeches, polished, diplomatic, unforgettable. But when it was Liah and Corvine’s turn, after the one minute had elapsed and the crown was officially recognized, Alpha Atticus, Killian’s father, suddenly spoke from the crowd.

”Alpha King Corvine!” His voice boomed across the auditorium, cutting through the applause. ”Your father might want to keep it from you, but I won’t.” He stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with malicious satisfaction.

”You are supposed to be the Alpha of the Nightshade pack and not Killian. Since you are now the Alpha King, it’s only natural that you join the Nightshade pack.”

Gasps erupted, a wave of shock rippling through the gathered crowd. Killian’s expression dulled, his face draining of color. In fact, Jaron was even more stunned by the news, his head snapping toward Atticus. ”Alpha Atticus, what are you saying?”

Atticus walked to the front, clearly relishing the attention, the way all eyes were fixed on him.

Seraphine was nervous, her hand finding Voren’s arm, but Voren was calm, his expression unreadable, his posture relaxed. However, when her gaze landed on Desmond and Nessa, their expressions were unreadable.

Once an Alpha, always an Alpha, so naturally, Atticus addressed Jaron by the title. ”Alpha Jaron.” It felt weird to be referred to as Alpha after being a King for decades, but Jaron would have to get used to it.

”Desmond Stone was supposed to be the Alpha in place of his father, of blessed memory, Alpha Claude Stone.” Atticus’s voice carried across the hall, filled with authority. ”However, his wife seemed to love the human world, so he gave the title to me, who was supposed to be his beta. We agreed in writing that should he have a son after, the position would be transferred to him and not to my son.”

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. ”However, Desmond raised his son in the city and later shipped him off to the Centenary pack. Honestly, I had no idea that Corvine was his son until the full moon festival brought us together.”

There was calculated pause before he continued. ”That was the reason why I made my son, Killian, the Alpha. During the full moon festival, I told him to tell Cor—” He caught himself. ”Sorry, Alpha King Corvine, to take back his position, but Desmond refused.”

Atticus spread his hands, a gesture of false innocence. ”With all of you here, I hope you’ll agree that Corvine should take up what his father left off?”