Chapter 8 - The Fall of the Traitors
Alpha Corvin scrambled toward his sword, his face twisted in sheer desperation. But before his fingers could touch the hilt, a massive armored hand reached down and grabbed him by the throat, lifting him three feet off the ground.
King Walter held the treacherous Alpha in the air with one hand, his grip tightening like an iron vice.
"You dared to lay hands on my wife," Walter growled softly, his voice dangerously calm.
"Wait... please... Walter! We can share her!" Corvin choked out, his eyes bulging as he struggled for air. "We can rule the entire continent together!"
Walter didn't bother answering. With a single, swift motion, he slammed Corvin onto the stone altar, snapping his sword in half and breaking his hold over the southern clan forever. Corvin's surviving soldiers immediately threw down their shields, surrendering without another word.
As the noise of battle faded into silence, Walter turned toward me.
The terrifying war-king was gone. In his eyes was only awe, reverence, and a deep, raw vulnerability. He slowly walked toward me, dropping his blood-stained battle-axe onto the ground.
He stopped a foot away, lowering his massive frame until he was kneeling before me on one knee.
"My Queen," Walter whispered, bowing his head. "The realm is yours. My life is yours."
I stepped forward, reaching out with both hands to gently cup his rough, scarred cheeks, lifting his face so he had to look at me.
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"Stand up, Walter," I said softly, tears of relief finally spilling down my cheeks. "A king does not kneel to anyone."
"I am not kneeling to a queen," Walter said softly, rising to his feet and pulling me fiercely into his arms, wrapping his heavy cloak around me. "I am kneeling to my mate."
