CHAPTER 200: CHAPTER 200

Mona stood in front of the mirror in her chamber, staring at her reflection.

Her fingers tapped lightly against the wooden dresser as her mind raced.

The voting was just a few hours away, and the uncertainty gnawed at her.

She had done everything she could, secured alliances, made silent threats, and even tried to strike a deal with Theo and Kimberly.

Yet, she was walking into this without full control. That thought alone irritated her beyond words.

*Lucian... that little boy thinks he can take my throne?* she scoffed internally, running a hand through her dark hair.

A knock came at her door, snapping her out of her thoughts.

"Come in," she said, straightening her posture.

One of her maids, came to inform her that she had a visitor and it was Steve.

*Steve, what has he come to do at my place?* Mona questioned herself in her thoughts, as she looked surprised.

"Okay, let him in my secret chamber... I will meet him here." Mona ordered.

In no time, Steve arrived at the door, as he took a deep breath, before proceeding to meet Mona.

Steve stepped inside, looking more serious than usual.

"You look nervous," he observed, folding his arms.

Mona let out a humorless chuckle. "I don’t get nervous, Steve. I get impatient."

Steve raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Because right now, you look like someone who’s running through a hundred scenarios in her head, none of which you can fully control."

Mona’s lips pressed into a thin line. She hated how well Steve could read her.

"Steve, why are you here?" Mona questioned him, with a stern look into his eyes.

"To offer you some help and information... I guess we can work together." Steve’s words met Mona unexpectedly, but deep down, it was a welcome development for her.

Mona nodded his head towards what Steve has said, as she tried to mask her feelings with an unreadable facial expression.

"Lucian met with several alphas last night," Steve continued.

"Whatever he said, it had an effect. Some of the alphas who were previously neutral now seem... convinced."

Mona clenched her jaw.

"Did you find out what he promised them?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Not entirely, but I can guess." Steve leaned against the wall.

"He’s selling them a dream, a future under his leadership, where they gain more power, more control."

Mona let out a slow breath.

"I should have crushed him sooner," she muttered. "Now he’s managed to plant seeds of doubt where there should be none."

Steve watched her carefully. "So, what’s your move?"

Mona smirked slightly, though there was no amusement in her eyes.

"The voting isn’t just about numbers, Steve. It’s about fear, influence, and who holds the strongest grip on the future.

I’ve already made it clear to certain alphas what will happen if they make the wrong choice."

Steve nodded slowly. "Just be careful, Mona. Desperation makes people unpredictable.

And right now, Lucian might be more dangerous than you think."

Mona’s smirk faded slightly, but she said nothing.

A second knock came at the door, and one of her informants stepped in.

"Speak," Mona commanded.

"We got a call from the supreme chief priest, he has summoned everyone to the grand hall. The voting is about to begin."

Mona inhaled deeply, then exhaled. This was it.

She turned to Steve. "It’s time."

Without another word, she walked out, her confidence unshaken—at least on the surface.

★★★

Across his gigantic house, Lucian stood in silence in his chamber, staring at a small piece of paper in his hands.

On it were the names of the alphas who had pledged their support. Some were absolute, while others were still uncertain.

*Is it enough?* Lucian thought to himself.

The thought lingered in his mind, refusing to leave.

He had done his best, spoken to those who mattered, swayed as many as he could, but Mona was ruthless. She played this game with blood, while he played it with vision.

"Boss," a voice called from the door. One of his men.

"It’s time."

Lucian folded the paper, tucking it into his pocket. He turned toward his reflection in the mirror.

His father’s blood ran through his veins, but he would not rule like him. If he won today, he would lead differently.

If he won.

"Let’s go," he said firmly, walking past his guard.

He would not allow doubt to weaken him now.

★THE VOTING VENUE ★

The grand hall was filled with tension. Every alpha, every council member, and every significant figure of the pack was present.

Conversations were hushed, but the atmosphere was thick with anticipation.

Mona and Lucian arrived at almost the same time. Their eyes met briefly before they both turned away, refusing to acknowledge each other beyond what was necessary.

Theo and Kimberly sat at the front, their presence commanding silence. The supreme chief priest stood between them, his gaze sharp.

"We are gathered here today," he began, his voice carrying across the hall, "to decide the next rightful Alpha of this pack."

A few murmurs ran through the crowd, but they died down quickly.

"Both candidates have presented their claims," the priest continued. "Now, it is time for the vote."

Mona took a slow breath, scanning the room. She met the eyes of those she had spoken to, silently reminding them of the consequences of crossing her.

Lucian did the same, though his approach was different. His gaze wasn’t one of warning, but of determination.

He had no threats to offer, only a future worth believing in.

The supreme chief priest turned to Kimberly.

"As the Moon Goddess, you will oversee the fairness of this process. Do you have any final words before we proceed?"

Kimberly stood gracefully, her presence alone demanding attention. She let the silence stretch for a moment before she spoke.

"Only this," she said, her voice calm yet firm. "Let the best leader win."

Mona’s fingers twitched slightly. *Damn her neutrality.*

The supreme chief priest nodded. "Then we begin."

One by one, the alphas stepped forward, placing their votes in the ceremonial box.

Each movement felt agonizingly slow. Mona kept her expression unreadable, though every second stretched unbearably.

Lucian remained still, his hands resting lightly on his lap.

He didn’t fidget, didn’t look around. But inside, his heart pounded against his ribs.

As the last vote was cast, the supreme chief priest moved forward to begin the counting. The room fell into absolute silence.

Mona’s breathing was controlled, but inside, she was screaming.

Lucian exhaled deeply, his grip tightening.

The priest lifted the first vote... The moment of truth had begun.

But no one knew the outcome yet.