Four Days Later
Four doting men.
Four days of healing.
One stupid fucking council meeting we have to go to in order to extinguish the fires blazing over Vlad being killed and usaccepting Derek into our dynamic and society. No one trusts him–which I get–but it’s not their choice to make. Even so, we are so early into taking over that we have to kiss ass at least a little so people don’t freak the fuck out any more than they already have.
Apparently, Cian was piloting the jet, and there was audio set up so he knew exactly when to throw Vlad off balance so he could be taken down. They knew there was a chance things would go that way, so they prepared for the worst-case scenario.
I groan when Adrian pulls me out of the truck. I’d much rather be at home, but no. These idiots want to argue. I love this society, but some of these men can be a pain in my ass sometimes.
Everyone else went ahead of us, so Adrian and I are the last to get here. I don’t know why so many people are at the school today, but I guess it’s just more people to yell at.
When we walk inside, Adrian leads us to the auditorium instead of the conference room. “Where are we going?” I ask. He just smiles at me, saying nothing. I stop when we get to the door, and he pulls it open. I see that the place is packed with people, and I am frozen.
“Do you trust me, Little Dove?” Adrian asks with a soft smile as he cups my face.
“Always,” I say with a soft sigh.
“I told you that you’d be queen some day, Little Dove. Let our people bow to their queen,” Adrian says. I can’t form words, so I just nod.
We walk into the room filled with what looks to be the entire society. A woman comes up to me and right away starts attaching a microphone to me while a man does the same to Adrian. When we get to the stage, Raul, Brent, and Derek are also with us.
I don’t know what is happening, but I am taking this chance to do what I promised Adrian I would do. When Brent hugs me, I whisper in his ear. “Tell Jax it’s time,” I say quietly so that the microphone can’t hear me. He just kisses my cheek, but winks when I pull back.
“I want to thank everyone for coming out today,” Adrian says to the crowd. “Alania doesn’t have any idea what I’ve been planning, so you all will get to see her very unfiltered reaction.”
“As long as you are taking responsibility for my reaction,” I say sweetly.
“Always,” he says. “Ready?”
“Uh,” I laugh.
“I would like for everyone to stand, please,” Adrian says to the crowd of people. Everyone stands, and Adrian, Brent, Raul, and Derek go down on one knee in front of me, prompting everyone in the crowd to do the same.
“Oh, you asshole,” I say tearfully as I cover my mouth to keep myself from outwardly sobbing.
“Alania O’Mally Santos, you are an amazing woman who has breathed life into not just this society, but also me. I never expected to fall as hard as I did for you, but I wouldn’t change a single second of the time we’ve had together. I have had the absolute pleasure of watching you go from this terrified, feral girl into this confident and undeniably brave woman—I am so honored to be here with you today.” Adrian takes my hands into his and squeezes. “Alania, I told you that I’d make you queen, and that is what I am doing today. I want to make it known that you may submit to me, but I will happily go to my knees for you just to have the honor of being in your presence. Your dedication to bettering us as individuals so that we may thrive as a society has set the standard for how we treat one another and the level of abuse we should never allow… Before today, the highest honor within this society was Headmaster, but after a vote among the entirety of The Society and council, that title will now be superseded by Queen. Henceforth, the queen holds the highest honor. We may rule side by side, but I will always hold you on a much higher level than myself. I love you with all of my heart and soul, Little Dove. You deserve the world, and we plan to give it to you.”
Raul takes my hand and pulls me to stand in front of him, and tears are rolling down my cheeks.
“My sweet girl,” Raul says. He has a smile on his face and tears in his eyes. “From the first day, I knew you’d be the one to make waves and force change. I wish more than anything that Fiona were here to see us through to the other side of this war, but I amfinding solace in knowing she is looking down on us. Her death hit us hard, but it was you who showed me that the only way to get to the other side was to revel in the darkness and make friends with the demons that lurked along the path. No matter what is thrown your way, you handle it and push forward. It is my absolute honor to be on my knees for you today. You deserve more than anyone can ever give you, but we will still try.
Derek smiles sweetly as he takes my hands, but his eyes flutter when I take his face between my hands. I owe this man everything for saving me. “Alania, I have been thinking for days about what I would say to you in this moment, but all I can come up with is thank you. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for giving me a purpose. Thank you for letting me love you. I will never be able to thank you enough for what you have done for me, without knowing the struggles you pulled me through. I think what solidifies this feeling for all of us is knowing that even though half of the amazing things you’ve done you don’t notice, but even if you did, you’d still do them. You’d go above and beyond to help everyone. You have left your mark on this world without the recognition you deserve. Thank you… so much.”
I am almost sobbing when I hug him to my chest. He wraps his arms around me and we hold each other for a moment. When I am calmer, he lets Brent pull me to him.
“You’re going to make me ugly cry,” I sniff, making everyone chuckle.
“You have a way of lighting up a room, even through your darkest days. You hid your pain and focused on how you could help others. You have sacrificed every inch of your soul forthe others around you, and you’ve never once complained. You never once made excuses. I will regret not pushing you more to open up as a kid because maybe I could have saved you from the pain. Maybe I could have lessened the suffering… but even as I say that… I know you’d still take the brunt of everything just to make someone else’s day just a little bit easier. You are what this society needs at the top… You told me once that you’d rule the world and make all the bad people pay, and I am so fucking honored to be the one to help you with that.”
Brent stands and takes my face between his hands. The crowd cheers when he kisses me, but no one moves. Adrian starts to, but his Dad shakes his head, and he stays on his knees. I motion for Derek to stand and wave Jax over. He brings with him the rest of the guards, who promptly spread out and cover the exits. This school doesn’t allow weapons, so I know we are safe.
“Little Dove… What are you up to?” Adrian asks. Raul is already crying, sensing what I am about to do. I step in front of Adrian and cup his cheeks.
“Adrian, I made you a promise, and I have been sitting on it for a while now. Since we are all gathered, I want to take the opportunity to fulfil that promise,” I say. The room is dead silent, no one knowing what I am doing.
“Alania…” Adrian says softly.
