The Alpha's Regret: Return Of The Betrayed Luna

Chapter 567: Chapter 567 Leon’s Arrival

”So wouldn’t a simpler solution be to relocate the displaced people from the western region? Let them clear new land in safer territories, cultivate crops there while their homeland recovers, and once the western lands are restored, they can simply return and everything will resume as before.”

As his words faded, silence settled over the chamber once more.

Although many had initially been persuaded by Addison’s proposal, they couldn’t deny that the elder’s concerns were equally reasonable. His questions echoed the doubts lingering in many of their own minds.

What no one realized was that the elder had long since abandoned the Alpha King’s faction.

Ever since Addison’s disappearance, he had publicly thrown his support behind Mila, thinking that she would be the closest possible kin to inherit the throne. There was no turning back now. His allegiance had already been exposed, and the only path left was to continue strengthening Mila’s position whenever the opportunity arose.

His challenge wasn’t merely to seek answers.

It was to undermine Addison’s authority while creating an opening for Mila to shine.

One by one, approving murmurs spread throughout the hall as several ministers, Alphas, and elders quietly voiced their agreement.

Soon, every pair of eyes turned toward Addison.

They waited in silence, eager to see whether the princess could answer every concern, or whether this would be the first crack in the flawless strategy she had presented.

After the elder finished speaking, Addison remained perfectly composed. There wasn’t the slightest hint of displeasure on her face because she had expected resistance from the very beginning.

That was precisely why she had deliberately involved the other Alphas in the discussion. By making them feel like participants in shaping the proposal rather than mere followers, she had hoped to lessen their opposition and encourage them to see the benefits for themselves.

Nor was she in any hurry to refute the elder’s concerns.

His argument had merit, and she acknowledged it without hesitation. In fact, before proposing that every territory become self-sufficient, she had already spent countless hours considering every possible outcome, every obstacle, and every objection that might be raised against her plan.

The elder’s words merely reminded her of one of the strongest cards she had been saving, a trump card powerful enough to dismantle his so-called concerns and restore everyone’s confidence in both her judgment and her leadership.

A faint, knowing smile curved her lips, yet she remained silent, allowing the council chamber to sink into thoughtful silence.

Moments later, the heavy doors were pushed open.

The Captain of the Royal Guard strode into the chamber at a hurried pace, his usually composed expression carrying an unmistakable trace of urgency. His sudden arrival immediately brought every conversation to a halt as all eyes turned toward him, questioning gazes filling the room.

Among them, only Claire’s lips slowly curled into a smug smile.

Although Addison had already seen through Claire’s intentions and had effectively prevented her from stirring trouble within the council, Claire showed no sign of frustration. Instead, the smugness in her expression only deepened, as though silently mocking her.

’So what if you stopped me?’ her eyes seemed to say. ’There will always be someone else to make things difficult for you. Not everyone is willing to watch you have everything so easily.’

Addison caught the look immediately.

Rather than feeling provoked, her smile merely deepened by the slightest fraction, calm and unreadable, as she quietly waited to hear what news had compelled the Captain of the Royal Guard to interrupt such an important council meeting.

Sensing the growing tension in the council chamber and unwilling to let the atmosphere continue to weigh on his daughter, the Alpha King decided to seize the interruption as an opportunity to shift everyone’s attention.

His gaze snapped toward the Captain of the Royal Guard, his expression hardening.

”What’s the meaning of this?” he demanded, his voice echoing through the chamber. ”Why have you barged in while we’re still in the middle of an important council meeting?”

The question was laced with unmistakable authority.

At the same time, he deliberately released a portion of his Alpha Aura.

An invisible pressure instantly swept across the council chamber like a crushing tidal wave, bearing down on everyone present. Although directed primarily at the captain for interrupting the meeting without permission, its true purpose was far more obvious.

It was a warning.

A warning to every restless person whose ambitions and schemes had begun to outweigh their loyalty.

The Alpha King had remained silent long enough for some of them to grow bold, forgetting exactly who still sat upon the throne. They had become so consumed by greed, political maneuvering, and their desire to undermine Addison that they had started believing he was too old, or too indifferent, to interfere.

So he reminded them.

He was still the Alpha King.

He was still alive.

And every person standing within those walls was, first and foremost, his subject.

The overwhelming pressure was immediate.

One after another, the Alphas, ministers, and elders instinctively lowered their heads beneath the crushing weight of his aura. Even those who had formed private alliances or harbored their own agendas found themselves unable to resist, their instincts forcing them to submit before the unquestionable dominance of their Alpha king.

For the first time since the meeting had begun, the council chamber fell into absolute silence.

The Captain of the Royal Guard reacted instantly.

He dropped to one knee with a heavy thud, his left fist pressed firmly against his right palm in a formal salute as beads of cold sweat rolled down his temples. The crushing pressure of the Alpha King’s aura bore down on him like a mountain, making every breath a struggle, yet he gritted his teeth and endured it without complaint.

”I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness,” he said, lowering his head even further. ”I know I have disrupted the council’s proceedings, but the matter is of the utmost urgency. I had no choice but to interrupt. Please forgive my insolence.”

A hint of interest flashed across the Alpha King’s eyes.

”Oh?”

He leaned back slightly on his seat, his commanding gaze fixed upon the kneeling captain.

”Then tell us...” he said in a measured voice. ”What urgent matter compelled you to interrupt an important council meeting?”

As he spoke, the overwhelming Alpha Aura blanketing the chamber gradually receded.

The suffocating pressure eased, allowing the ministers, elders, and Alphas to finally draw full breaths once more. Sweat clung to several foreheads, but none dared relax completely. They all understood the Alpha King’s intention.

The warning had already been delivered.

Now, it was time to hear the reason behind such an unprecedented interruption.

”Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you.”

The Captain of the Royal Guard immediately bowed his head in compliance, unable to hide his relief as the crushing pressure that had blanketed the throne room finally lifted. He drew a careful breath before continuing.

”We have received a report from the border of the Royal Capital. A delegation from the Tigren Clan has arrived, bearing Princess Addison’s royal insignia. They seek permission to enter the kingdom, declaring that they have come to offer their allegiance to the Princess and serve as her people.”

He paused, swallowing hard before delivering the part that left even him shaken.

”The current Tigren Chieftain, the incarnation of the God of War, the Son of Cosmos, the King of All Tigrens, has publicly pledged not only his loyalty to Princess Addison, but also his unwavering devotion, declaring her to be his fated and chosen mate. He has sworn that the Tigren Clan will stand as her sword and shield, guarding both her and the kingdom with their lives.”

The moment those words fell, the entire council chamber erupted into stunned silence.

Shock rippled through the nobles like a violent tidal wave. Eyes widened. Faces paled. Several ministers nearly lost their footing, while hushed gasps echoed throughout the council hall.

Everyone knew exactly what the Tigren Clan represented.

They were a race feared across the continent, proud, ferocious warriors who bowed to no kingdom and recognized no ruler outside their own bloodline. They had never submitted to another nation, let alone sworn fealty to a foreign princess.

For their Chieftain, the incarnation of the God of War himself, to publicly declare his allegiance, devotion, and love for Princess Addison was nothing short of an earth-shattering revelation.

It was as though a bomb had detonated in the minds of everyone present.

Addison showed no sign of surprise. Instead, a slow, knowing smile curved her lips.

She had expected Leon’s arrival around this time.

Long before today, she had already calculated the Tigren Clan’s travel speed and, more importantly, their eagerness to unite her with their current Chieftain. Knowing Leon’s determination and the Tigren’s unwavering resolve, she had no doubt they would push themselves day and night to reach her as quickly as possible.

By her estimation, once she had completed her affairs in the West, Leon and the entire Tigren Clan would arrive at the Royal Capital almost to the exact day.