Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder-Chapter 1655 - 97 : Luna of Embervale

*Kryzen*

The moment the words "Luna of Embervale" echoed through the air, Briella’s body tensed beside me and then wavered like a sapling in a storm. Her small frame threatened to crumple, so I wrapped my arms around her without hesitation, holding her upright. My hands gripped her firmly but subtly so no one would dare question her strength.

"Kryzen, what’s happening?" she whispered, her voice trembling as much as her knees.

"Steady, Briella," I murmured back, keeping my voice calm despite the rapid drumming of my own heart. "You’re safe. They’re just excited to see you."

Her bright green eyes were saucers as they scanned the sea of faces before us. The crowd outside the healing center was larger than I had expected, each person’s gaze locked on her with an admiration that bordered on reverence. I could sense her confusion, feeling it radiating off her in waves.

"How did they all know I’d be here?" She blinked rapidly, trying to process the scene unfolding around us.

"Word travels fast when hope is involved," I explained, keeping my tone light. "They’ve been waiting for hours, hoping for a glimpse of the woman who fought darkness with every fiber of her being and won."

"But... I’m not..." She faltered, searching for the words that wouldn’t come.

"Shh." I tightened my hold, a silent reassurance. "Just breathe, Briella. You don’t have to be anything but yourself right now."

She glanced up at me, her eyes still wide with confusion and a hint of fear. In that moment, I realized how much she embodied the spirit of Embervale—resilient, beautiful, and utterly unique.

"Thank you, Kryzen," she said softly, her voice steadying. "I just didn’t expect any of this."

"Neither did I," I admitted, allowing myself a small smile. "But sometimes, life has a way of surprising us, especially when we least expect it."

I held Briella close, her slight frame leaning into mine for support. It was support I would readily give for as long as she needed it.

"Kryzen," she whispered, her gaze still locked on the sea of faces before us, "look."

I followed her line of sight and found far more than just the people who resided in Celestial Valley. I felt a surge of warmth at the sight of our comrades, those brave souls who had stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us in battle. Among them, I was surprised to see the Alphas and Lunas of Embervale’s packs making their presence known.

"It seems we’re not alone in this next Chapter," I said softly, trying to infuse my words with the reassurance I thought she sought.

"Indeed." Her voice was barely audible above the crowd’s fervent murmurs. "But why all of them, Kryzen? Why now?"

A part of me swelled with pride at her side, seeing the personification of courage and kindness that she represented to so many. Yet, another part—a darker, more protective part—knew the weight of what was to come. The honor they wished to bestow upon her shoulders was as daunting as it was deserved.

"They’ve come to show their gratitude," I replied, my grip on her tightening ever so slightly, "and honor the one who fought when others might have fled. They want to see the Luna of Embervale."

She turned her head to look at me, her green eyes searching my face. "And you? What do you think about all this?" There was a vulnerability in her question, a seeking of solace in the midst of overwhelming change.

I paused, choosing my words with care. "I think... I am beyond proud of you, Briella. But I also fear for the burden you’ll be asked to bear."

Her eyebrows knitted together, a crease forming between them as she processed my concern. "A burden?" she echoed, confusion lacing her tone.

"An honor too," I quickly amended, not wanting to dampen the spirit of the moment entirely. "But yes, a heavy one. You’ve already given so much of yourself."

She looked past me to the faces watching us with hopeful eyes. I knew she felt their expectations as surely as if they’d spoken them aloud. I wanted to shield her from it all and keep her from any more pain or duty. I also understood that Briella was not one to shy away from a challenge, especially not when it meant so much to those she cared about.

"Whatever comes," she said, her voice gaining strength, "we’ll face it together. Right?"

"Always." It was a vow, plain and simple, and one I intended to keep until my last breath. “There will never come a time where you will have to face anything alone, Briella. I am yours, now and forever.”

We took a step farther out of the healing center. Voices melded into a symphony of cheers that seemed to resonate with the very heartbeat of Embervale. I held Briella close, feeling her pulse flutter wildly.

"Kryzen, what’s happening?" Briella’s voice was thin, barely audible above the clamor.

I tightened my grip on her slender shoulders, grounding her. "You’re their hero, Briella," I said, my voice steady despite the storm of emotion threatening to break through. "You’ve banished the darkness that shrouded our world. These people," I gestured to the crowd, "are here to thank you."

Her lips curled into a shy smile, a tentative bloom amidst a field of adulation, and she raised her hand in a timid wave. The crowd erupted, chanting her name like a sacred mantra, their gratitude cascading over us like a benediction.

"Thank you, Briella! Thank you!" The words were a constant refrain, each utterance reinforcing the unbelievable truth of the moment.

As the noise swelled around us, figures of authority wove their way through the crowd, their presence parting the masses as a ship parts the waves. The Alphas and Lunas approached, their faces etched with the same gratitude.

"How do you feel, Briella?" The question came from one of the Alphas, his voice tinged with concern.

Before she could answer, another voice joined in. This time, it was from a Luna, her eyes kind but piercing. "We have come to ask something of you and bestow upon you a title worthy of your courage."

Briella’s hand slipped from mine as she faced them, her strength returning. Her mouth opened, but no words found their way out. She was speechless, caught in the gravity of the moment.

"We wish to name you the Luna of Embervale," the Luna continued, her gaze unwavering. "It is only right as Amaya’s granddaughter and the savior of our world."

The weight of the honor pressed down upon us both. Briella stood frozen, her breath catching in her throat. I knew that she felt the mantle of responsibility settling upon her shoulders. I didn’t think she believed Matthias and myself when we told her what she was or who she was.

To be queen of this realm, her realm, was more than a title. It was a destiny born from the lineage of light and the heart of a warrior. Briella was the beacon that Embervale needed, even if she couldn’t see it herself yet.

I stepped forward, feeling the weight of every eye upon us. "Thank you," I said, my voice carrying across the sea of faces that looked to Briella with hope and reverence. "But please understand, Briella is still recovering." My hand found hers, a silent pledge of support and solidarity. "Your love and support mean the world to her."

Briella’s grip on my hand tightened for a fleeting moment before she let go, her resolve hardening like steel forged in fire. She shook her head as if dispelling the fog of disbelief and took an unyielding step away from me.

"Listen," she began, her voice surprisingly steady despite the tremor that had just visited her limbs. "I did what anyone else would have done in my place. I am no hero." A murmur ran through the crowd at her words, but she held up a hand, demanding their silence.

"I stand here before you, not as a queen or a savior, but as someone who loves this land and its people." Her bright green eyes, mirrors of the verdant valleys of Embervale, scanned the faces before her. "The darkness threatened us all, and standing against it wasn’t a choice. It was a necessity."

Her words flowed with an earnestness that could only come from a heart that knew both joy and sorrow and pain and healing. "I am Briella Black, granddaughter of Amaya, yes. But more than that, I am one of you. I am no more special than any warrior or healer among you. We each hold the light within us."

The crowd erupted in cheers again, their voices rising in a crescendo that seemed to shake the very ground beneath our feet. They saw her humility and strength, and they loved her all the more for it.

"Long live Luna Briella!" they chanted, their adoration washing over us in waves.

I stood by her side, pride swelling in my chest. This woman, this fierce and tender-hearted warrior, had captured the hearts of her people not through grand gestures or royal blood but through her unwavering spirit and boundless empathy.

As the chants echoed into the evening sky, I knew our journey was far from over. But whatever came next, we would face it together.

I knew this response hadn’t been what she’d expected or wanted. I stepped forward to embrace her again, wrapping my arm around her and giving her hip a comforting squeeze.

The Alphas and Lunas exchanged knowing glances, their eyes reflecting a mixture of respect and hope. "Briella, you’ve shown us the true heart of a leader," one of them said. "Embervale could flourish under the guidance of someone like you and Kryzen."

"Please," another added, "take all the time you need to consider it."

I watched her as she stood there, the setting sun casting a golden glow on her wavy hair. She nodded slowly, her voice steady yet soft. "Thank you. I will think about it. But for now, if you’ll excuse me, I would really like to go home."

"Of course, Luna Briella!" cheered someone from the crowd, igniting another round of applause and cheers. The sea of people before us parted like a river around a stone, making way for her passage.

"Let’s get you home," I said quietly, guiding her through the parting crowd, feeling the weight of their stares on our backs.

We walked in silence, the fading light casting long shadows across the path. As we reached the house, Kai and Kellan were waiting. Their eyes immediately lit up at the sight of us.

"Finally," Kellan exclaimed, his teasing grin spreading across his face. "My sister, the queen, eh? And here I was thinking I’d be Alpha first."

Briella flinched slightly at his words. I sent him a sharp glare, which he shrugged off with ease. Kai stepped forward, his expression etched with concern.

"Listen, Briella," he said gently, wrapping her in an embrace that seemed to pull her back to solid ground. "This is an incredible honor, but you have to do what feels right for you. Embervale has managed without a ruler. Don’t let this weigh you down."

She pulled back, looking into Kai’s earnest eyes. I saw the flicker of doubt pass over her features. Her lips formed a thin line. She glanced between us, her bright green eyes clouded with uncertainty.

"Thank you, Kai," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I need some time to think."

"Take all the time you need," I reassured her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "We’re here for you, no matter what you decide."

Kellan clapped his hands together, breaking the tension. "Well, let’s not stand out here all night. We’ve got plenty of catching up to do, and I, for one, am starving."

"Typical Kellan," Briella chuckled, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she followed him inside, the heaviness of the day’s revelations trailing behind her like a silent shadow.