Gareth did not say anything at first.
He simply turned toward the tens of thousand wolf beastfolks kneeling before him.
Of course, not all of them could see him clearly from afar, but the strength radiating from his body was enough.
Even if they had only caught a glimpse of him, the Alpha Wolf’s aura was enough to make any wolf beastfolk kneel, even though Gareth was still at his weakest.
After all, he and the other beast monarchs were fated by the moon.
They were meant to rule and to be the strongest of their respective species.
He had thought he would be happy to return home, and his people would surely be happy as well, because his presence gave them confidence to go on with their lives without worrying about being invaded by other monarchs.
But he was not happy right now.
Instead, he was rather angry knowing that the entire pack had already wanted to crown a new Alpha after he had been missing for only six months.
What would happen if he were gone for a year or more?
Would they truly forget about him?
Did they really think that the other monarchs would simply sit still once they knew their Alpha had been replaced by someone as weak as Roland?
He darted his eyes toward Elder Wulfric first and demanded, “Tell me what is happening here, Wulfric.” The Elder gulped and reported truthfully, “We were about to coronate Roland as the new Alpha to replace you for the upcoming Court of Moonlight.” “And do you think the other monarchs will sit still knowing that the West Wolf territory has no monarch to protect it?” Gareth pointed out.
“W-we don’t have a choice, my Alpha.
The Court of Moonlight will start in a week.
We have to go with a sovereign figure,” Elder Wulfric tried to reason, but he dared not raise his head.
He knew that what they had done was basically treacherous and would humiliate the West Wolf Pack in front of the other monarchs.
Gareth then turned his head toward Roland.
His deep blue eyes darkened as he looked at his older brother.
“I was poisoned and almost assassinated.
Where were you and Klaus at that time?
Since you two are my betas.” Roland’s body stiffened before beginning to tremble, as if he were enduring tremendous distress.
“I’m sorry, brother.
I was out feasting on beer and wine with some fellow soldiers that night.
I thought that since you would be crowned the next day, it would be nice to celebrate, even if you weren’t there to be with us,” Roland reasoned.
“I didn’t know there was a conspiracy behind our backs.” Gareth did not have a big reaction to that answer.
It was almost as if he was not angry at Roland, but at the same time, he was not willing to trust him immediately either.
“Then, where is Klaus?” “Klaus is dead!” Willow wailed as she recalled the traumatic event.
Another expression finally appeared on Gareth’s face.
He was at a loss, unable to believe what he had just heard.
His ears began ringing as his mind recalled his best friend, the wolf he had grown up alongside.
The pack was rife with conspiracy, clashes of interest, and ambition.
But Gareth had always been able to trust his best friend to stand behind him.
Klaus had been the one person he could finally lower his guard around, aside from Lily, of course.
Gareth took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, but his chest was heaving constantly as if it were about to burst.
He was unable to find a way to contain the rage and frustration building inside him.
How could his life have been turned upside down in just one night of conspiracy?
“How did he die?” Gareth asked the wailing Willow.
“He…
he went back to the castle earlier than the rest of us during the drinking feast.
He said he wanted to make sure that you were safe,” Willow replied.
“But when we searched for him the next day, he was already lying dead on the ground near your door.” Gareth imagined that Klaus had probably been worried about him, which was why he had gone back to check on him even though Gareth was supposed to be the strongest wolf of their generation.
Had Klaus not gone back to check on him, he wouldn’t be…
dead.
Gareth looked around at his surroundings.
The West Wolf Pack was the second most populated territory in the beast realm, and with such a large population came a plethora of troubles.
Of course, Gareth knew that he could not simply point at anyone and brand them as the conspirator behind his assassination and Klaus’s death, even if he had the authority to do so.
He just wanted to know if he could spot anyone who did not seem pleased by his return.
However, his focus was soon broken by Willow, his supposed mate, who had been arranged by his late mother to become his Luna.
“Gareth, you…
you need to finish the coronation.
Everyone is here to officially crown the new Alpha,” Willow reminded him.
“With it, nobody will dare to question you anymore, and your position as the Alpha of the West Wolf Pack will be solidified.” Gareth nodded.
Of course, he had to claim his birthright.
He, just like the other beast monarchs, was fated for it.
Thus, he let go of Willow and walked toward the throne before sitting upon it.
As everyone saw their Alpha return to his rightful throne, they followed suit.
Willow stood on his right, Roland on his left, while Elder Wulfric nodded toward the announcer once again.
“We are here to witness the coronation of our Monarch, Alpha Gareth of Vaelwynd.
May his reign flourish with peace, prosperity, and an abundance of game for us all.” The announcer then changed the final part of the traditional proclamation, adding, “May he never leave the West Wolf Pack, and may he reign with undisputed power!
Glory to Alpha Gareth!” Then, all the wolf beastfolks witnessing the coronation followed suit.
“Glory to Alpha Gareth!” “Glory to Alpha Gareth!” Elder Wulfric slowly placed the wooden crown with the deep blue sapphire atop Gareth’s head, officially cementing his rule over his homeland.
The crown belonged to him once again.
His people had acknowledged him.
His position as Alpha had been restored.
However, Gareth was not happy at all.
Because even after his coronation, he knew he was still far from fulfilling the promise he had made to himself.
He was still far from creating a safe haven for Lily.