Page 61 of Dark Revolution

I reach out for Annora through our bond, but thankfully, she’s not registering his words. Would she hate me for letting them bury him without her? I didn’t know the relationship until I was pounding into her, touching her soul through the bond, but now I feel as if I’ve betrayed her again.

“Please, Jaxxon. You are from a different time, a time that prospered. Surely you have the ability to lead these people. It won’t be perfect, but it’s better than what they had.”

“I know nothing of these people or this land. It’s as foreign to me as those other godsforsaken colonies.”

“But that’s why it has to be you. You’re not tainted with the corruption that pulses at the very heart of the sectors. By killing the High Echelon, you’ve lanced the boil, so now it’s up to us to drain the pus and clean out the infection.”

Smirking at his graphic turn of phrase, I look back over to the men corralled in the center of the yelling mob. “What are they planning on doing to those Alphas?”

Langston follows my gaze, his lips thinning. “They mean to execute them. Not just the soldiers, but anyone that’s caused Stanlion to stagnate. This Revolution is meant to clean up all the houses, not just the ones in gilded cages. There will probably be more skirmishes and more calls for execution, but these are the main players, not random Alphas or betas that people had grudges against.”

“And you can vouch that all these men are deserving of death?”

“I do.”

My gaze drifts over the men, the anger and hatred clear even to where we are standing. Antinous’ face sticks out from the crowd, and I can’t help the chuckle that escapes my lips. It’s not surprising that he’s among them. It would take an idiot to think there wasn’t a usurper in the midst of rebels.

Annora gasps, her fingers leaving my skin as she races towards the group. Fear shoots up into my chest as I run after her, yelling at her to stop. She either doesn’t hear, or she doesn’t care. Stopping at a strange Alpha, she pauses, her hand in a tight grip around his wrist. Jealousy rears its head as my vision clouds.

What right does she have to touch another?

“Please, my Lord Alpha, spare him.”

“Why should I?” The words erupt from deep inside, laced with a deadly growl. To Annora’s credit, she doesn’t shrink away from my fury. Instead, she places herself between the Alpha and I before bowing her head low.

“He helped me before the auction. The other doctors didn’t care about my pain, about my suffering, but he did. He tried not to hurt me. Any action against me was because they forced him to do it. He could have let me suffer, but he didn’t. For that, I ask for mercy.”

My vision clears as her words seep into my brain. To know that she had at least somewhat of an ally in that hell quiets the beast a touch, but not completely. “Step away from him, mate. I will not have you touch another Alpha so long as you belong to me.”

A small smile eases up her face. “Including, my Lord Alpha Langston?”

The man in question chuckles behind me, not helping the situation at all. “Especially him. He is the worst kind of Alpha, the one that might seduce you by whispering lurid promises into your pretty ears.”

The crowd disappears as I flirt with Annora, relief that she didn’t have feelings for this man, nearly leaving me weak in the knees. I didn’t realize just how badly Annalise’s betrayal shattered me, but it seems I still have a long way to go until I’m fully healed.

“Perhaps this is a discussion better suited for the bedchamber?” Langston murmurs, humor dancing along his tone. “Stanlion awaits your decision.”

Pulling my gaze from Annora, I look back at the expectant faces then back at the crown in Langston’s hands. Could I really do this? Could I really lead all these people? Even back when we had a king, I had views on how Stanlion could run better, prosper more. Were there things I wanted to change? Sure. But to actually have the opportunity? It was a fantasy I never even considered having.

“They want to name you king of Stanlion, Lord Alpha Jaxxon,” Langston thunders into the start of the True Night. “Do you accept?”

I glance down, gazing at Annora for a moment, needing another second to think through all the ramifications. The love and trust burning in her eyes only solidifies my resolve. Brushing my thumb against her lip, I look back over at Langston and grin. “Only if you’re my right-hand man.”

His smile stretches wide, crinkling his eyes. “Someone has to make sure you don’t fuck it up.”

“Then I accept.”

A loud cheer splits the night as betas and Alphas bend their knee, all of them shouting their praises to the heavens. The heads of the High Echelon Alphas dot the outer walls, showing the residents of the sectors that they were no longer under their tyranny.

I bow my head, pulling Annora closer as Langston places the crown on me. There’s so much to do to even start fixing this land, but with my mate by my side, and a valued friend to help, anything is possible.

“The first order as your king is to send these traitors to the gods, letting their heads line the walls with the fallen Echelon they served for so long.”

Another cheer goes up as Alphas of all stations draw their swords and stalk closer to those about to be executed. Pulling Annora in my arms, I kiss her hard, flooding the bond with every positive feeling I can muster, drowning out the pained screams of those meeting their death. The Alpha she saved stands by my side, head bowed in subjugation.

Soon, I’ll question him about everything that happened under his watch and decide if he’s as innocent as Annora claimed, but not tonight. Tonight, I will allow her this win. A light rain erupts above us, sending rivulets of blood pouring from the stones down into the waterways of the city. By morning, it should stain the sands, ridding Stanlion of the scourge that kept it imprisoned for years.

As I pull back, Annora sucks in air, smiling as she runs her fingers over my chest. “King,” she whispers, awe tinging her voice. “May I ask a favor of the crown?”

“If it’s in my power to grant it, I will.”

“Please have someone find my sister. Caulder -.” she pauses, eyes misting over. If only I could raise him from the dead and kill him again for the pain he’s put my mate through. “He said he did unspeakable things to her, but if I could just have her remains. Something to bury with honor.”

“You don’t need to ask the crown for such a favor. As your mate, I will tear the world apart if that’s what it takes.” I send a wave of love into her, sighing as her lips turn up into a smile once more.

Bending low, I brush my lips against Annora’s again, feeling the surge of happiness through the bond. I reach down, cupping her ass, drawing her closer as I devour her further, not caring who sees. To love one’s mate should never be a crime, and if that starts with the King and Queen of Stanlion setting an example, I am more than happy to ravage her anytime. A subtle shift in scent tickles my nose, bringing a smile to my face.

Soon, she’ll be in estrus. Soon, she’ll bear my children, loved by their parents, destined to rule Stanlion. My poor Annora has suffered much, but until I die, I vow to drive away her grief, filling her up with love when she herself cannot produce it. I will spend my days showering her with both my affection and my firm hand until all she can think about is being knotted by me.

The End.