Sold by my Alpha, bought by my Mate Chapter 165: Our Fallen

Asher

Days passed, and everyone asked me what had happened, how I had taken on this half-wolf, half-man form, though I didn't know how it had happened.

"A bridge between the two worlds," Jeremiah said.

My mate told me about Hell and what she did; it was as surprising as it was terrifying. Everyone fought their own battles, and though I would always look out for her... I would never underestimate her. My mate could handle this and more.

With the king recovering and so much to do, Jeremiah and Nathaniel had taken command. My Alpha friend had captured so many prisoners who face a trial, while the allied Alphas had lent their strength to rebuilding the castle.

"It's time..." I said to my mate, who was still recovering from her wound.

I had suffered so much to see her like that, but she, even though she remained human... had transformed into something else. The great Luna of the prophecy.

Alphas, Warriors and Betas came to speak with her. She had long sessions with Luna Simone; Millie represented change: for the kingdom, for the wolves, for the humans... and for me, too.

She had chosen me and changed me, made me powerful. That's what Jeremiah had said.

"I hadn't left the infirmary for a long time... though I wish it was for another occasion and not for this," she said sadly.

She had only moved to see how Duncan was doing and to visit Jessica. The she-wolf had suffered a severe concussion but was improving, but my Beta had not yet awakened.

We approached a large space outside the castle where a flower-filled area had been prepared and the bodies of our fallen warriors had been laid out.

In the distance, we could hear howling, murmuring, and cries. Some packs had taken their dead, and now only those from the castle, closest to us, remained.

In the center was Constantine, surrounded by white flowers. I remembered all the times he had been at my side, advising the king, his words and wisdom, and I felt a lump in my throat.

The king approached, limping, supported by a cane. He still looked regal, but it seemed to me that the use of Hell's energy had taken its toll.

"Wolves, all of you... this war has brought us immense losses, strong and loyal warriors, tireless workers of the castle. I will never forgive my own failures, nor the advance of the enemy. I want you to know that strong measures will be taken; your king will not abandon you, your king will be with you and will bring justice. We will investigate and control every last wolf, rogue, and vampire. Those who have done this have paid with their lives, and those who are still free... will pay," he said.

Within days, trials were ordered for the prisoners Alpha Nathaniel had taken. The king had been ruthless, sentencing most to death without a second thought.

It was a strong message, but to me, it meant that the king who had disappeared was now completely enraged, wanting to create fear, wanting to mark his presence. Perhaps he had succeeded.

The remaining demon, captured by Luna Simone and Ava, had been chained and guarded in the palace garden for days. He was slowly losing his power.

The king decreed that anyone could attack him, and he was beaten and humiliated for several days until, in a great event, the king spoke his name and the demon turned to ashes.

I don't know if that would bring peace, but it seemed to be what many needed: closure, revenge, even if it didn't make up for the damage done.

There were no demons left; Randall and Ivan were dead, as was the vampire Balthazar; the hybrids had been destroyed, and the king had banned the consumption of vampire blood.

The bodies of our fallen were moved one by one, and I saw the king, Ava, and Jeremiah say a few last words and pay their respects to the advisor.

On one side of the castle, beyond the garden that was in better shape, were the graves, small headstones that reminded us of what had happened.

"Constantine gave everything to help us," my mate said, hugging me.

"He was very brave...and so were you. Come... you need to rest," I said, and we returned to the infirmary, still sad, but with a small relief that our friends were resting in peace.

"The King has asked to see me... but I'll be back soon, I promise," I told her, giving her a kiss and waiting for her to fall asleep.

"Your Majesty..." I said as I saw Nathaniel, Ava, Shum, Jeremiah, Luna Simone, Dimitri and the King in the room.

"Good, everyone is here... I want to formally thank you for your help. I know there were a lot of allied alphas and a lot of help from different places, but you... you made the difference," the king said, and we all made a small bow.

"Julius has won part of the other side of the river, and I have also given him the power to form his own council. He has given us part of his army so that we can continue to investigate and monitor any possible uprisings or discontent after what happened with the demons and Randall," Jeremiah explained. Julius seemed touched.

"I need to be more present in the kingdom, but I also want you to have more power. You've shown yourself to be completely trustworthy, and I shouldn't have left you alone, I'm very sorry," the king confessed.

We were all impressed. He had always been a very powerful figure, and I had never imagined that he would apologize.

"Alpha Shum and Alpha Dimitri... your territories will be expanded and any request you have will be considered. Alpha Nathaniel, on another occasion I gave you part of a special territory, but I would ask you and Shum to be part of a special council; you have the largest territories, and I need the help of both" he said, looking at my friend, who bowed.

"You can count on us, Your Majesty..."

"Luna Simone of the free wolves has gained complete independence for her territory. She will not report to me, but we will have a special relationship. Her help has not gone unnoticed. I will make a concession to the wild wolves that I have never made before: they will be truly free, they will have the protection of the kingdom, but nothing will be asked of them, only help when they consider it.

"Thank you, Your Majesty... we truly believe that a new world is coming for the wolves. We just want to be close to Luna Mildred," she said.

Together with Luna Penelope, she was perhaps one of the most powerful Lunas. Millie... I think she would be in a more transcendent category.

"And you, Asher... The Red Moon pack has always been yours; I hope you take possession of it, as well as a place in my council. Actually I need you all on my council, as my advisers" he said, smiling.

The meeting ended happily, and as I made my way back to the infirmary, Jeremiah accompanied me.

"You know...the king considered you to be his successor, if he doesn't find a mate and has an heir. I must admit that he is more reluctant to have a mate now, he is weaker and more belligerent,"

"He will live forever, he will get better..." I confirmed and he smiled at me.

"You know that whatever you ask, he will give you?"

"I just want to be with my Millie, in my pack, I really don't need anything else," I confessed.

And it was very true.