[Daphne’s POV]
I wake to dawn light and Xander’s arm heavy across my waist. For one perfect moment, there’s only warmth, the bond humming, the rightness of choosing him.
Then reality returns.
“I have to go to court,” I breathe.
His arm tightens. “You’re thinking too loud,” he murmurs into my hair.
“I’m the only heir. My father needs me visible, learning to rule. The Crown Princess can’t hide in a distant pack.”
“I know.” His fingers slide through my hair. “Good morning.”
“But you just became Alpha. The pack needs stability. And we just mated.” Panic edges my voice. “Did I make a mistake?”
“Stop.” He cups my face, steady and kind. “You didn’t. Do you feel it?”
I nod. The bond thrums—solid, real.
“That’s a true mate bond,” he says. “Not forced. Not political. Hector’s shattered because it was never real. Ours won’t—distance, courts, decrees, none of it.”
“But I’ll be at court and you’ll be here.”
“And we’ll figure it out.” Certainty anchors his tone. “I can travel. The pack can run without me for stretches—Connor can cover. It’s not the same as being together, but it’s not Princess or mate. You’re both. If you gave up your birthright, it would eat you alive. I won’t let that happen.”
Tears sting. “You’d accept me gone for months?”
“I’ll accept what you choose. I trust you. I trust us. This bond isn’t a cage—it’s freedom. Wherever you go, you’re mine and I’m yours. That doesn’t change.”
I kiss him—gratitude, love, relief. The knot inside me loosens.
“I need to talk to my father,” I say. “Work out the details.”
“Then let’s get dressed,” Xander says, smiling. “The Crown Princess has decisions to make.”
My father arrives at Xander's quarters before we can go find him. His knock is formal despite the early hour, and when we let him in, he takes in our rumpled appearance, the obvious signs of what last night was, with a knowing smile.
"I came to congratulate you both," he says warmly. "A true bonding is cause for celebration. And to check on my daughter—make sure you're well after everything that's happened."
"I'm well, Father." The title still feels strange on my tongue, but right. "Better than well."
He nods, but his expression grows serious. "We need to discuss your future, Daphne. You're the Crown Princess. The kingdom's only heir. Your place is at court, learning statecraft, building alliances, preparing to rule."
He glances at Xander. "But I understand you're also bonded now. Truly bonded, to an Alpha with his own responsibilities. So I'm asking you directly: what do you want? How do we make this work?"
The question hangs in the air. Both men watch me, waiting for my answer. Not telling me what to do. Not deciding for me. Actually asking what I want.
It's terrifying. And liberating.
"I've made my choice," I say, straightening my shoulders. "I will go to court with you, Father. I will claim my position as Crown Princess. I'll learn everything I need to know about ruling, about politics, about being the heir the kingdom needs."
I pause, gathering my courage. "But while the court has you and still functions without me, this pack needs their Luna. They need stability after Hector's betrayal. They need to see that their new Alpha has a strong, committed mate who chose him freely."
My father's eyebrows rise. "You're saying you want to stay here?"
"I'm saying I'm needed here. Right now, in this moment, my duty is here." I meet his gaze steadily. "When you need me at court—for ceremonies, for politics, for learning—I'll come. I'll be visible. I'll fulfill every responsibility the Crown requires. But my home, my place, is here with my mate."
The King studies me for a long moment. Then his expression softens into something like pride. "You sound like a Queen already. Making impossible choices, finding ways to serve multiple duties at once." He glances at Xander. "You'll allow this? Your mate splitting her time between pack and court?"
"It's not my place to allow or forbid," Xander says firmly. "Daphne makes her own choices. I support them."
My father nods slowly. "Very well. You have three months before I expect you at court for the formal presentation of the heir. Use that time to establish yourself here, to solidify the pack's stability. Then we'll arrange a schedule—months at court for education, months here for pack duties. It won't be easy."
"Nothing worth doing ever is," I say, echoing words Xander once told me.
"Then there's one more thing." My father's smile turns ceremonial. "Alpha Xander was named acting Alpha by emergency decree. But for the position to be permanent, he requires formal confirmation. Traditionally, that's done by the previous Alpha or..." He looks at me meaningfully. "By the highest-ranking wolf present. Which would be you, Crown Princess. Lycan heir."
Understanding dawns. "You want me to officially confirm him?"
"I think it's fitting. You defended his claim before the pack. Now make it official."
An hour later, the pack gathers again in the great hall. Word spread quickly—the Princess is performing the Alpha confirmation ritual. Everyone wants to witness it.
I stand on the platform in my royal regalia, the crescent mark on my shoulder glowing faintly. My father stands to one side as witness. The pack fills every available space, hundreds of eyes watching.
Xander kneels before me in the center of the hall, his head bowed in formal submission. Not because he's weak, but because this is tradition. This is how leadership passes.
"Xander Silvermoon," I say, my voice carrying Alpha dominance that silences every whisper. "You have been named acting Alpha of Crescent Moon Pack. You have proven your strength, your honor, and your dedication to this pack's welfare. Do you accept the permanent responsibility of Alpha? Will you lead with wisdom, protect with strength, and serve with integrity?"
"I will." His voice is steady, absolute.
"Then by the power vested in me as Crown Princess and Lycan heir, I confirm you as Alpha of Crescent Moon Pack. Rise, Alpha Xander. And lead well."
He stands, and I feel the shift—the pack's collective recognition of his authority becoming permanent, unquestionable. His power solidifies, settles, becomes something that will last beyond emergency measures.
The pack erupts in cheers. But Xander's eyes are only on me.
I step closer, until we're inches apart. "You're officially Alpha now," I murmur. "How does it feel?"
"Incomplete without you beside me." His hand comes up to cup my face. "Stay. Build this with me. Be my Luna, my partner, my equal in everything."
"I will." The promise is easy. True. "Not because I have to. Not because of bonds or duty or politics. Because I choose you. Every day, I choose you."
He kisses me then, in front of the entire pack, in front of my father and the royal witnesses. It's not political. Not performative. Just real—two people who found each other against impossible odds, who chose each other despite every force trying to tear them apart.