The courtroom door slammed behind them.
Glorious didn't stop walking. Her silver sequin dress glittered with each angry step, echoing down the empty hallway — empty because Luther had cleared it. Because he was afraid of what she would do.
Zolan followed two steps behind, as always. White fur cloak, head bowed, fists clenched.
"You called me your Alpha," she said without turning.
Zolan stopped , head bowed , eyes on the ground,
"In there. You told my brother I am your Alpha. When did I become your Alpha, Zolan?"
Silence. The torches flickered.
"Answer me," she turned now, eyes blazing. Not sweet. Alpha.
Zolan raised his head. His green eyes — the same green glow that had healed her an hour ago — were tired.
"The day you commanded a dying wolf to live," he said, voice low. "And I realized I could never command you to stay."
Glorious blinked.
"In Recon, every night for ten years, I stood outside your chamber. Not because Alpha supreme Luther ordered me to guard you. Because if I didn't, I was afraid you'd disappear again. Like on the battlefield. Like when they brought Alpha supreme Luther back dead."
He took a step closer. She didn't move.
"You want to fight Alpha supreme Luther for his title. You want to be Alpha. Do you know what it costs? I watched you this afternoon. You compelled one wolf to walk away, and you fell, clutching your chest, shattering mirrors. One wolf, my Lady One."
"Zolan—"
"If you fight ten Alphas, if you take a territory, you will die. And I..."
He stopped himself. Looked away. The green glow faintly left his fingertips, as if wanting to touch her but afraid.
" I thought we talked about this , I thought we both agreed on me becoming an Alpha , so why are you acting this way ? "came her voice , shaken and like a whisper .
" because I thought the Alpha will make it easier for you , but he clearly doesn't want you to be Alpha , and I opposed your decision from the beginning remember ? ".
" you need not worry about me Zolan ,. I will be fine "
" I am afraid my Lady " Zolan choked on those words .
" you do not have to be , besides if anything should happen to me , I have you to heal me "
"I cannot heal death, my lady. Only pain. So please. Do not make me watch you die."
Glorious stared at him — this wolf who had been her shadow since she was eight , who learned to call her 'my lady' because 'I love you' was not allowed .
She reached out. Slowly.
Zolan flinched, but didn't step back. Her hand hovered over his cheek, almost touching — but then she remembered, ten years ago, Damien flinching from her touch, Luther flinching. Zolan never flinched from her touch , rather ,
He leaned into it.
Her palm finally rested on his cheek. Warm. Alive. No horror stare. No sidestep.
Zolan closed his eyes.
"You never flinch," she whispered.
"Because I am already yours," he whispered back. "You do not need to compel me. I came willingly. Ten years ago, now and forever till I take my last breath .
" Do not say something like that Zolan , you know how much it hurts me "
" forgive me my Lady " he said with a smile which she reciprocated .
" okay .... Let's go back to Recon as the 'Alpha Supreme ' has commanded " he chuckled softly while she removed her hand from his cheek .
Down the hallway, a door opened. Footsteps. Lucian's cold voice.
"Princess. The Alpha Supreme requests Zolan alone."
Zolan's eyes snapped at him . The green glow vanished. He turned to the princess , head bowed , hands behind his back . He was a Beta again .
Glorious let her eyes fall on him .
"My lady," Zolan said, but this time it sounded like goodbye.
She watched him leave , following a step behind the Supreme Omega . She could guess why her brother wanted to see Zolan alone but still , she couldn't help but feel uneasy.
Alpha Supreme Luther have never been a kind-hearted wolf .