If her future subjects were to follow her, truly follow her, she would have to confront these challenges head-on. She had to face the whispers, the shifting loyalties, and prove her worth. If she were easily shaken by someone who wasn’t even a true rival, how could she be expected to command a kingdom filled with dominant Alphas, each with their own pride and temperament?
Respect in their world came from strength and competence. That was the very reason the Alpha King had to be the strongest, the most capable of them all. Not just to lead—but to rule over the fiercest, to make even the most dangerous among them submit, whether through diplomacy... or sheer force.
Although he knew the rumors about Mila would eventually reach Addison, he needed to see how she would respond. Would she react with anger, throw a tantrum, or feel hurt and aggrieved? Or would she rise above it, composed and dignified like a true monarch, showing everyone that such baseless talk was beneath her? A true leader does not need to prove themselves with words; they are born and raised to lead.
He wanted Addison to grow into the kind of leader who didn’t retreat when things became difficult—strong, yet not cruel; fierce, yet just. Only by going through trials like this would she learn that complacency leads nowhere, and that worrying without action is simply a waste of precious time.
Oddly enough, he also found himself growing excited. He knew his daughter couldn’t remember much, so it felt like teaching her everything from the beginning. But when Addison proactively requested to join the border patrol, it showed she understood her priorities. Amnesia or not, her core self hadn’t changed—and that reassured the Alpha King.
Now, his only remaining concern was the seal on her wolf.
"Alright, I trust you’re already familiar with the basic border patrol protocols—the signals and procedures. But when it comes to the patrol schedule, positioning, routes, and defensive measures, those are things you’ll need to learn directly from the Patrol Team. You may not remember everything, so listen carefully to their instructions and to the partner who’ll be assigned to you."
The Alpha King’s voice echoed softly down the hallway as they walked, sounding less like a commander and more like a concerned father.
"And remember—you can’t afford to be reckless like before. Aurora is still asleep within you, waiting for you to help her awaken. If something goes wrong out there, she won’t be able to protect you. That means you have to rely solely on yourself."
Though it may have sounded like he was nagging, there was a deep worry beneath his words, tinged with a bit of nostalgia. He was reminding Addison that things had changed. She wasn’t the same fearless warrior who could dive into battle headfirst, knowing her wolf would heal her and lend her strength. With Aurora sealed, even a single misstep against a rogue could be fatal. She had to be cautious now, more than ever—and he needed her to understand that.
Would Addison forget? Of course not.
She had spent three long years in the Midnight River Pack, living at the bottom of the pecking order. Technically, she was the Luna—but in reality, she was little more than a placeholder, a decoration. Her presence was tolerated, not respected. In terms of strength and influence, she was nearly invisible.
So no—she could never forget how weak she had once been.
And that memory was exactly what drove her now. She had to work harder, push herself further, especially with two pups depending on her. She couldn’t afford to falter. She needed to stay sharp, stay strong, and most importantly, remember.
Unbeknownst to Addison, word of her foresight and competence had started to spread. For her, it had merely been a matter of offering suggestions and gently steering discussions in a more productive direction. She didn’t feel as if she’d made any significant contributions.
But to the department leaders and nobles, her insights had been more than enough. She had demonstrated a well-rounded grasp of trade, politics, strategy, and situational awareness. Her quiet strength and clarity of thought had not gone unnoticed—and that alone was enough to spark admiration and curiosity.
When word spread that the impressive new assistant from the court meetings would be joining their squad for training, curiosity ran high. Those who hadn’t yet started their shifts lingered at the patrol office, eager to catch a glimpse of this person. So, when Addison stepped forward and knocked lightly on the already wide-open door to announce her arrival, all eyes immediately turned to her.
They scanned her from head to toe, skepticism flickering across their faces. The men in particular frowned and exchanged glances. No matter how they looked at Addison, something didn’t quite add up—she was simply too short for a man.
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This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶
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