The Play-Toy Of Three Lycan Kings-Chapter 445: Peace

ADAM

I had never thought peace would feel like this... warmly fulfilling. I laid on my side, propped up on one elbow, watching Sage sleep in my bed.

My mate.

The word still did something to me. It settled deep in my chest, intoxicating, grounding, all at once. After everything, after the years, I had her here. In my room. In my arms.

The doctor had insisted she be transferred here after the final examination. "Rest," he’d said firmly. "Complete rest." As if I needed convincing.

She laid curled slightly toward me, her hair fanned across my pillow like a spill of midnight silk. Her breathing was steady, her lashes resting gently against her cheeks. Without the tension that had shadowed her for weeks, she looked younger. Softer.

I brushed my fingers lightly over her cheek.

She stirred.

A soft, sleepy moan slipped from her lips, and I couldn’t stop the smile that tugged at mine. It was ridiculous how that tiny sound affected me. I leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

Her nose twitched. Then she burrowed closer, instinctively seeking my warmth, her face pressing into my chest.

I chuckled under my breath. "Clingy," I whispered softly, though my arms tightened around her without hesitation.

She fit there perfectly. As if she had always belonged.

For a moment, I allowed myself to simply exist in that feeling. No crown. No kingdoms. No treaties. Just her warmth against me and the steady rhythm of her heart.

She had lost her powers.

The thought didn’t wound me the way it once might have. It didn’t matter. Not to me. Not anymore. She was still Sage. Still the woman who had endured more than anyone should have. Still the one who had stood between our world and destruction. I didn’t care for the powers or wolflessness.

If anything, her losing those powers only strengthened my resolve. I would give her everything she deserved. Respect. Protection. Honor. And all my love.

The pack had already shown their gratitude. They understood now. They knew she had been nothing but a pawn in the queen’s hands—a carefully placed bait meant to lure us into vulnerability.

And if she hadn’t been used that way, the queen would have continued her plans regardless. Only this time, Sage might not have been there to save us.

Everything had aligned, painfully and imperfectly, but for the good of us all.

In two days, the coronation ceremony would take place here, within our pack lands. Two days after that, we would travel to the witches’ community for theirs. Two worlds recognizing the same union.

My jaw tightened slightly at the thought of the responsibilities ahead. But I wasn’t afraid of them. I was ready.

Still... my brothers were waiting in the common room. Along with my parents. And apparently half the supernatural leadership of our realm.

Reluctantly, I pressed another kiss to her cheek. Her skin was warm beneath my lips. "I’ll be back soon," I murmured.

As if summoned by the thought of duty, Daniel’s voice echoed through my mind.

Finally done drooling over your mate?

I scoffed internally. Shut up.

He laughed through the mind link. Just don’t make us wait another hour. Some of us don’t have the luxury of staring at sleeping beauties all day.

The irony was rich, considering the way he had behaved when he discovered Isla was his mate. I distinctly remembered him nearly starting a fight with Noah for breathing too close to her.

Hypocrite.

I carefully slid out of bed, making sure not to disturb Sage. She shifted slightly but didn’t wake. I adjusted the blankets around her before heading toward the door, casting one last look over my shoulder.

Mine.

Then I stepped out.

—

The common room was already thick with tension when I entered.

My brothers were there, as expected. Noah stood near the fireplace, arms crossed, his expression neutral but alert. Daniel lounged against one of the armchairs, though I knew better than to mistake his posture for relaxation.

But it wasn’t just family. Feliq, prince of the Ancients, stood near the long table, composed and observant as always. Beside him was his right-hand man, who I heard was also their healer.

Darius leaned against the far wall, his sharp eyes missing nothing. Diana stood with her parents nearby, carrying herself with surprising confidence.

Three supernatural kingdoms in one room. I felt a strange sense of privilege.

These were the people shaping the future. And I trusted them. We would deal fairly with one another. We had bled enough to understand the value of peace.

I took my seat.

My father began the meeting.

Though he was no longer Alpha, he still carried himself like one. Old habits. Old pride. I suspected he missed the seat more than he would ever admit—especially now, with the treaty between the Ancients and us placing me in a position of singular importance.

I was not just Alpha. I was the most significant lycan in our history. I could feel the envy in him sometimes. It made me smug. I didn’t show it, however.

Brekan thanked Feliq and the Ancients formally for their aid. To which, Feliq inclined his head graciously.

Then my father addressed Diana, praising her strength and leadership despite her youth. She accepted the acknowledgment with quiet composure.

I studied her briefly. Sage was right. Diana would be the perfect Queen. She had good people beside her. She would rule beautifully—nothing like the evil queen.

Discussion shifted to the treaty details. The Ancients mentioned that the abstenum could remain in our lands. If they required more for medicine or other uses, they would request it respectfully.

Then my father brought up payment for the abstenum. Compensation. I cut in before he could continue.

"My apologies, Prince Feliq," I said calmly, though my voice carried authority. "But no payment is required."

The room stilled.

Feliq didn’t look offended. If anything, he seemed unsurprised. "We have no qualms offering payment," he replied evenly.

"And we have no desire to accept it," I returned.

My father stiffened. "The pack could benefit from—"

"It will not be necessary," I interrupted, not even looking at him.

Instead, I met Diana’s gaze.

She chuckled softly. She knew. Sage must have talked to her about my father’s greediness.

My father’s annoyance radiated across the room, but I ignored it.

Money was not what had saved us. Alliances had. You didn’t put a price on that.

Yet, he tried again.

"The pack needs the resources," he pressed, attempting to catch my eyes.

I didn’t give him the satisfaction. But something else snagged my mind. A memory. Or rather—a feeling.

Sage’s face when my father had entered the cave to see her. The subtle shift in her expression. The thought I had caught faintly through our bond.

My wolf stirred uneasily. I turned slowly toward my father.

"What did you plan to do with her," I asked evenly, "when she was still Maya?"

The room went silent. He blinked. "What?"

"If we had sent her away then," I continued, my tone sharpening, "what were your plans?"

The shift in topic was abrupt. Everyone felt it. My father opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off.

"Choose your words carefully," I warned. "The Ancients can detect lies. And if you attempt one, I will ask Darius to access your mind."

Darius raised an eyebrow, mildly intrigued.

My father bristled. "How dare you speak to me that way—"

"Answer." My voice didn’t rise. There was no need for that.

Darius tilted his head. "Should I access?" he asked lightly. "I admit, I’m curious."

A snarl ripped from my father’s throat, but he slowly lowered himself back into his seat. His breathing was heavy. Fast.

The silence stretched.

Then he surrendered the truth sheepishly, shamefully.

A friend of his. A human politician. The man had wanted a young lover.

As the words left his mouth, something inside me snapped. I was on my feet before I consciously decided to move. My fist connected with his face.

He tumbled backward over the cushions.

No one moved to help him. Not Noah. Not Daniel. Not even my stepmother.

Understanding crashed over me with brutal clarity. That was why she had looked at Sage the way she had that night. She had known.

Rage burned through my veins.

I turned to Noah, whose hands were clenched so tightly his knuckles had gone white. "After the division and coronation," I said coldly, "you will take him to your region."

Noah nodded once. He could deal with Brekan however he wanted. Because if my father remained in mine, I’ll kill him.

My stepmother stepped forward, pleading softly, but I didn’t look at her. I knew she had little say where my father was concerned. That didn’t excuse it.

Seconds ticked by before the Brekan rose slowly to his full height. Humiliation rolled off him in waves.

"I will take my wife," he said stiffly, "and leave for our vacation home in the human regions."

Good. Better for him.

He turned and walked out, shoulders no longer squared in pride, but drooping.

The room remained silent long after the door closed.

I inhaled slowly, steadying myself. I had just exiled my father. And I didn’t regret it.

Not when it came to her.