Chapter 96: Chapter 96 Their Pride

Addison’s deep thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a cheerful voice.

“Uncle! Addison! You’re both back!”

Mila came gliding out from within the room, her grace and elegance ever-present, but her admiration and joy sparkled brightly in her eyes. The moment she laid eyes on the Alpha King and Addison, a radiant smile bloomed across her face as she rushed forward to greet them.

Trailing behind Mila were Aiden and Kyle, darting about with the boundless energy only pups could have. Behind them, their grandmother followed at a gentle pace, watching the children play with their aunt, a helpless chuckle slipping past her lips.

The heavy cloud in Addison’s heart lifted at the sight. All the bitterness weighing her down seemed to melt away. She bent down and swept her children into her arms—one on each side—and held them close. Their laughter echoed in the corridor like sunlight breaking through the gloom.

Turning to her father, Addison’s expression had changed. Her eyes, once uncertain, now burned with quiet resolve.

“You can make the arrangements, Father,” she said. “Whoever it is… I’ll meet him.”

She pressed a kiss to Aiden’s cheek, then to Kyle’s, earning gleeful giggles from both.

The Alpha King, seeing his daughter strong and smiling, nodded in satisfaction.

As they started walking together, Mila trailed behind them, curiosity written on her face.

“Cousin,” she asked with a teasing grin, “who are you going to meet?”

“I want her to meet a promising, talented man—someone who could be a potential mate,” the Alpha King replied calmly as he gently took Kyle from Addison’s arms.

“Come here, little one. Let Grandpa carry you, alright?”

The once-fierce and imposing Alpha King now looked completely disarmed in the presence of his grandchild, his stern aura replaced by warm affection. It was a sight Addison had slowly grown used to over the past few days—her father laughing more, smiling more, and letting himself be softened by the little ones now running around the inner palace. The once-solemn halls had grown livelier, warmer, filled with the laughter of pups and the renewed sense of family.

Mila, ever curious, opened her mouth to press her uncle for more details, but before she could speak, the Queen interjected with a different question.

“How was the court meeting, sweetheart? Are you settling in well?”

As she spoke, the Queen reached out and gently took Aiden from Addison’s other arm, cradling him with ease. Addison looked at her now-empty hands, then at her parents doting over her children. She let out a quiet sigh, half-exasperated, half-amused, but her heart brimmed with joy nonetheless.

She smiled at her mother and replied warmly, “It was alright, Mother. I learned a lot today.”

The Alpha King beamed with pride as he began recounting the events of the court meeting to his mate, unable to hide how pleased he was with Addison’s performance. His chest swelled with fatherly pride, his voice laced with warmth as he praised his daughter. In his enthusiasm, he completely forgot about Mila, who trailed quietly behind them, once again left to follow on her own.

“You wouldn’t believe it, my love,” he said, grinning at the Queen. “Our little Princess has truly grown. She stood before the department heads and nobles without a hint of fear or nervousness. I only gave her a gentle nudge, and she took over from there—speaking her mind with clarity and confidence. Even my notoriously grumpy advisor complimented her afterward!”

As he spoke, his eyes sparkled with pride. The twins, though too young to understand the significance of a court meeting or political affairs, listened intently. Their wide eyes sparkled with delight, and when they realized their mother was being praised by their powerful grandfather, they broke into big, toothy grins—proud of their mother even if they didn’t fully grasp why.

Even the Queen listened with a joyful heart, her eyes shimmering with quiet pride. After all, it was she who had nurtured Addison like a precious gem, the first to recognize her daughter’s potential and support her unwaveringly through every step. Hearing others speak so highly of her little treasure filled her with a happiness that even surpassed her mate’s.

After all the twists and painful turns, Addison had still found her way back to them. And despite all she had endured, she hadn’t lost sight of her roots or forgotten the strength and talent that had always set her apart. That alone made the Queen feel both grateful and proud beyond words.

Both the Alpha King and Queen had once worried deeply, fearful that Addison, after suffering under the cruel hands of the vampires, might struggle to reclaim her place. They had prepared themselves to guide her slowly, to patiently help her regain her footing. The trauma she faced could’ve easily left her withdrawn, unable to shine as brightly as before.

They had even planned to gradually reintroduce her to court affairs, carefully preparing her to be crowned heir apparent when the time came. It was essential she appear strong and capable, ready to assume the throne, so no opportunist could exploit her perceived weakness.

But to their amazement, Addison had shown her sharpness from the start. Though inexperienced, she had held her ground before the seasoned political veterans—those old foxes who viewed the court as a battlefield. In that room, where every word carried weight and hidden agendas lurked beneath polished smiles, Addison had not only survived—she had impressed.

And the fact that those very nobles, known for their critical tongues and prideful airs, didn’t reprimand her but instead acknowledged her efforts… That alone proved Addison had more than held her own on her very first day.

To think that Addison, even after being gone for six long years, could return with such composure, as if she had simply left for training—filled the Alpha King and Queen with pride and joy. And in a way, they weren’t wrong. Addison had undergone real-world training—far more grueling than anything formal education or royal tutors could provide.

Back then, she had only theories to guide her—concepts taught by her mentors, principles read in books. But when she arrived at the Midnight River Pack, she was thrust into the heart of leadership. Everything she had learned was suddenly put to the test. She met with alphas from neighboring territories, negotiated terms under pressure, and implemented changes to protect and lead her struggling pack.

She had no one to lean on, and the odds were often stacked against her. Addison endured unfavorable deals, biting mockery, and a cold wall of isolation. She quickly learned that brute strength wasn’t enough. Survival required strategy. She needed more than muscle—she needed to be cunning, perceptive, and unyielding.

Thankfully, every time she sat at a negotiation table, speaking face-to-face with powerful alphas, there was always this strange sense of familiarity. As if she’d done it before. She wasn’t intimidated. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind.

That quiet confidence, combined with the sharp intelligence in her eyes, often caught her counterparts off guard. They saw only a young omega woman—but when curiosity bloomed in them, it was already too late. By then, they were listening to whatever she was saying.

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