CHAPTER 241: _CHANGE

Elian’s POV

*****

"Greetings, people of Lunaria." Lucian began, his expression plain. "I am Alpha Prince Lucian Stormborn. Son of Alpha king Arian and Luna Queen Elowen Stormborn."

He paused briefly, eyes flicking to Elian beside him.

The latter didn’t move, keeping his eyes on the large floating camera rune and the tech people stationed behind the holographic screens. But deep down he felt like holding Lucian’s hand through this.

’Make sure to be on the lookout for anything suspicious.’ he whispered to the system, his eyes scanning beyond the tech people and skimming through the faces of the guards at either side of the throne room.

[Sure... So far, nothing, but I’ll keep you posted, fruitcake. You can focus on Prince Charming for now.]

Elian let himself breathe, glancing at Lucian who continued solemnly.

"Tonight, I don’t stand before you just as your Alpha Prince. But also as a..." Lucian’s throat bobbed, his breath shuddering. But he pushed on. "... As a son who lost his father."

Elian could already imagine the gasps rippling through every city in the Empire. He swallowed, feeling the sudden tension in the room.

"Last night my father was attacked during the new moon masquerade ball," Lucian revealed. "Poisoned with a powerful curse. And that unfortunately... Killed him."

He went on to explain Axel’s involvement, although he didn’t mention anything about the former Beta being Garrick or his half-uncle. Neither did he mention Arian’s dealings with the Dark Hand.

However—

"My father did some... Questionable things during his reign." The Alpha Prince’s lips cracked into a wry smile. "But he had the interest of this empire in his heart until the very end. And I don’t just hope to carry on that legacy as the next Alpha King... I aspire to create something new."

The atmosphere shifted, Lucian’s aura and tone becoming more confident. Even his posture, once tense like he wanted to run from it all, was now straightened and sharp.

"Change," Lucian emphasised the word. "Change in our norms and traditions that have held us back as a society for several millennia and even aeons. Especially the ones that make us look down on wolves amongst us for being weaker."

He turned his gaze to Elian again, only this time their eyes locked. The latter’s lips curled into a faint smile, but the heart-warming bit was yet to come.

Lucian grabbed his hand without warning, causing Elian to gasp softly. Yet he didn’t question, even when the Alpha Prince raised his hand for all of Lunaria to see.

The Gamma and Delta exchanged glances at the side but didn’t make any moves. Elowen stood beside a pillar, her hands clasped in front of her face with pride and motherly warmth.

This was really happening... Whatever it was.

"Elian Ashford is my mate." Lucian declared, his voice almost defiant. "A wolfless Omega. One whom I rejected once in front of thousands of Lunarians here and all those watching around the empire..."

His smile didn’t falter. "Omegas deserve respect. Yes, they’re weak. Yes, their heat cycles can become a bother amongst us... But that doesn’t make them trash. It doesn’t make them useless. And the same goes for commoners."

The smile shifted into a more serious expression, his held up hand lowering as he released Elian. "Once I become Alpha King, I’ll work hard to abolish the stigma against Omegas and lesser werewolves. Strictly. I may have been blinded before... But the scales are off."

Elian smiled so hard he thought his face would peel.

He almost couldn’t believe his ears.

However, before he could get a chance to be emotional in front of millions of people, one of the tech people raised her hand, signalling Lucian.

"Your highness... Thousands of people are reaching out through the live stream to ask questions." She blurted, adjusting the holographic glasses resting on her nose. "Do you wish to answer some of them?"

[Why does that sound like a recipe for disaster?]

Elian glanced at Lucian, curious if he’d take up the suggestion.

The Alpha Prince paused for a few seconds before nodding. "Sure. One at a time. I’ll decide when to stop."

The nobles at the corners of the throne room murmured amongst themselves. Many of them looked at Elian with barely hidden disdain, but none dared speak up.

Lucian wasn’t the only one they avoided irking.

At the edge of the dais, away from the holographic screens, Kyren still stood like a shadow, his arms folded and his chin raised. Elian stretched his neck to glance at the Rogue king—but his heart nearly jumped out of his throat when he saw those crimson eyes locked on him.

He quickly looked away, clearing his throat awkwardly. And like a phantom breath, he could still feel Kyren’s gaze ghosting over his side profile.

"Alright, this viewer is Malek from Frostwood City. In the Eastern regions." The tech girl from earlier announced behind the holographic screens.

Elian’s heart skipped a beat.

The Eastern regions.

Just last night, the Elders of the Eastern Wolves Council visited Lucian to ask when he’d be getting married to Elian and making it official. They also made it known that rumours had begun spreading there that Lucian might’ve tied the knot secretly.

Could this viewer be related to any of that?

The tech lady swiped through her holographic tablet before tapping once. A projection of a man flickered to life. Early thirties, donned in simple clothes and a sharp gaze that instantly locked on Lucian.

"Greetings, your highness. And thank you for this opportunity." The hologram of the man, Malek, bowed, his tone respectful. "I actually have a simple question. First, I’d like to commend you for speaking up for Omegas. As someone with an Omega daughter."

[Aww... Now isn’t that sweet?]

Elian let himself smile a bit as the man continued.

"Now to my question..." Malek cleared his throat, his eyes briefly landing on Elian before fleeting back to Lucian. "Are you ever going to get married to Elian Ashford? The people are aware he’s still the Rogue king’s mate. So how would that work?"

Elian’s throat suddenly became dry.

[I would’ve had a joke about you needing some moisturising... But I’ll pass.]

He turned, eyes trailing to Kyren. As expected, the Rogue king’s eyes were still on him. Still unreadable. Still intense.

Elian swallowed hard while Lucian spoke up.

"With everything happening in our lives this past month, Elian hasn’t really had the chance to... Settle." He grabbed Elian’s hand again, forcing the latter to bring his gaze back to him.

Gods, he needs to do something about the tension with Kyren soon.

"But now, I have another announcement." Those words made Elian’s brows furrow into a thick frown.

He stared curiously at Lucian, waiting for whatever he had to say.

What other announcement?

After keeping an entire nation in suspense for a moment, Lucian’s lips finally quivered. "Elian and I will be getting married next week. How he stays with Lord Kyren and I will be... Further contemplated."

Saying Elian’s heart dropped to his stomach when he heard those words would be an understatement.

He whipped his head to Lucian, the alarms blinking in his brain.

What?!