Chapter 95: Chapter 95 Someone To Meet

Addison hadn’t realized the potential of her words, nor had she considered this larger strategy. Yet as she listened, a flicker of admiration sparked in her eyes as she looked at her father. Despite her not suggesting the full plan, the Alpha King felt nothing but pride. Her foresight had been the catalyst—and that was enough.

He was truly pleased with the outcome. The more he brought Addison to court meetings, the more she would grow. Her perspective would sharpen, her understanding deepen, and soon, her ability to lead would flourish.

This upcoming conference wouldn’t just be a turning point for the kingdom—it would be a defining moment for Addison. A chance for her to learn, to shine, and to begin stepping into the role that awaited her. And that, more than any speech or plan, was the Alpha King’s true intention all along.

“Your Majesty is truly wise!” many of the department leaders exclaimed, nodding in agreement. Shortly after, the discussion shifted to less pressing matters concerning the domain and palace affairs. Once those were addressed, the meeting was officially adjourned. One by one, the attendees departed, including the Alpha, his secretary, and the young assistant, Addison.

“You did well,” the Alpha King said, gazing at his daughter. He resisted the urge to ruffle her hair, opting instead for a simple nod. After all, they were still in the throne room, and as the saying goes, walls have ears. The three of them quietly made their way to the inner palace, where Addison could finally drop her disguise.

Once behind closed doors, the Alpha King spoke more freely.”My Princess, on my birthday, I want you to meet someone.”

At those words, Addison immediately stiffened. Her father didn’t need to say more—his meaning was clear. He was preparing to introduce her to a potential mate.

Though he hadn’t said it outright during the meeting, she now understood that the upcoming banquet would likely serve as a stage for her to meet suitable, unmated Alpha candidates. If her fated mate didn’t appear among them, she would be expected to choose a partner, but it was more likely that her father had already had someone in mind.

After all, she was a Princess. And even though she already had children, her father still believed ruling an entire domain alone would be too great a burden. She would need a consort—someone to share the throne, and perhaps, the weight of destiny.

Addison stared at her father in disbelief, her lips parting as if to speak, but no words came out. For a long time, her father had always honored the sacred bond of a werewolf’s fated mate. He often reminded her to wait—just as he had waited for her mother—because when two fated souls came together, their strength was unparalleled.

But now… this?

Her heart twisted with uncertainty. She understood the weight behind his decision. The kingdom was facing unknown dangers that crept ever closer, and if her father were to fall, she would stand alone against the darkness. Alone—with children to protect.

If this were the past, when she had only herself to worry about, she might have refused without hesitation. But now she had more than herself to consider. Her pups depended on her.

Still, doubts gnawed at her. Whoever her father had in mind—would he truly accept her children? Would he see them as his own? Could he overlook the fact that she had once been bonded with another Alpha?

Addison lowered her gaze, her chest tight with a storm of questions she wasn’t sure anyone could answer.

Addison couldn’t say for sure. Everyone knew how possessive werewolves could be. Throughout history, there had been rare cases where chosen mates dissolved their mate bonds after encountering their true fated mate—but none of those stories ended well. Even when the mate bond was broken, the original partner often remained territorial, unable to let go completely. The result was always the same: jealousy, conflict, and endless arguments.

That was why most werewolves chose to wait. The bond with a fated mate wasn’t just powerful—it was sacred. A gift from the Moon Goddess. Accepting it was a sign of respect, not just for the divine, but for the unshakable bond it created. Chosen mates were typically only accepted in cases of deep tragedy—when one’s fated mate had died and no second chance mate had been given.

But Addison… she had bypassed all of that. Her mate bond with Zion wasn’t forged by fate or divine intervention. It had been born of guilt, duty, and the weight of responsibility she couldn’t ignore at the time. And now, standing at a crossroads, she couldn’t help but wonder if that decision would haunt her future.

Addison looked up at her father, and the Alpha King met her gaze with a heavy sigh.

“Don’t worry too much,” he said gently. “If you don’t want to meet him, you don’t have to. Just… try to keep your senses open. You might find your fated mate among the crowd.”

He took a step back, his eyes softening. He had no intention of forcing her into anything—he respected her freedom to choose. But deep down, he was worried. The palace still hadn’t uncovered the mole, and the twins were vulnerable. Soon, Addison would need to step fully into her role at court, fulfilling her duties as heir and eventually ascending the throne. Would she be able to carry the weight of the kingdom and raise her children alone?

The thought unsettled him.

What if someone with ill intent used her busy schedule to strike—what if they targeted her children? The fear wasn’t unfounded. Her own abduction had left a lasting scar on his heart, and he couldn’t bear the thought of her suffering again—especially not the agony of losing her children.

He wanted her to have someone at her side. Not just a protector, but a partner—someone she could rely on when the burden grew too heavy. Someone who could stand beside her and the children when he no longer could.

“It’s alright, Father. I’ll meet him,” Addison said softly, shaking her head with a faint, almost tired smile.

She wasn’t excited about it—far from it. Once upon a time, before her coming-of-age ceremony, she had been thrilled at the idea of adulthood. That rite of passage marked the moment a werewolf could begin sensing their fated mate, and like every young wolf, she must have dreamed about it—wondering who he would be, how it would feel to recognize him among a crowd. She couldn’t remember the details anymore, but somewhere deep inside, she knew she had once been that hopeful girl, probably giddy and full of wonder.

But now? That excitement was gone.

Her heart had been worn down, broken into pieces by someone she had given everything to—her body, her love, her loyalty. And in return, she had been discarded, treated like she didn’t matter. Like she was nothing.

So no… she wasn’t looking forward to it anymore. Even though she knew that Zion and others like him weren’t all the same, the fear of being burned again kept her from stepping into the fire a second time.

Still, her father had a point. And Addison couldn’t ignore the responsibilities or the dangers that came with her position.

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