The Villain Alpha's Cursed Mate-Chapter 141: A Royal Boon

Special thanks to ⁠♡⁠♡; Kissimee, Mamma Nuvola and Shdwrdrgn for being the top three golden ticket contributors for this month! I really appreciate the support! I thank all of you as well for your endless support! And I will continue to do my best to deliver the best! <3

—--------------------------------------

Esme’s gaze drifted from the murmuring crowd and settled intently on Donovan. She studied him with an intensity as if he’d spoken in some foreign tongue she struggled to interpret.

"It’s the truth," the man who was previously in charge of the crowd, and had bravely joined the others in last night’s battle, stepped forward amidst the onlookers.

"You structured everything according to the laws of Illyria," his voice rang out as he continued. "Yet you claim it was the cursed one beside you who defeated our Alpha. A female ruling an entire pack? From the day book’s history, such a notion remained unheard of. No title exists for such a role. Still, the people have considered that ’Luna’ would be a better fit – a role with power equal to that of an Alpha. But... you bear no mark, meaning you have no mate?"

A ripple of whisper spread across the crowd below, and Esme’s hand drifted to her neck, where the mark of a mate should have been. Donovan hadn’t marked her yet, though the bond between them remained intact.

Neither had broken it, binding them as one regardless of tradition.

But how is that supposed to be the main concern here?

She killed their Alpha only because he was a demon trying to harm her, so she reacted in defense, and not out of any ambition for his territory. If she associates and accepts this role, won’t that endanger Donovan and the others? If Lennox learns about the unexpected shift in power, who knows what he’ll do.

Before Esme could voice her doubts to the people below, another figure stepped forward from the crowd, "There’s something else to consider," his voice was steady and authoritative as he began. "The king must agree to the new role. Just as he pointed out, a female leading a pack is completely unheard of, especially since she hasn’t been marked by a male who would take up the title for the North. Consulting the king and the council is essential before we make any further decisions."

A murmur of agreement spread through the crowd, and Esme felt nothing but trapped in the middle of it all. Should the king discover her allegiance to Donovan, he could very well condemn her for it. His hatred for Donovan would surely cast a dark shadow over her fate, should all this be brought to light.

But then what should she do?

The crowd suddenly fell silent after coming to an agreement, as if waiting for Esme to state her own opinion regarding the matter. The way all eyes were suddenly fixed on her made her fidget, until Donovan intervened.

"The matter will be addressed shortly," he said, placing a hand on Esme’s lower back to help her steady herself. "If you’ll excuse us."

Relieved for the reprieve, Esme quietly followed him, and they slipped away to the balcony. The balcony, sheltered by stone archways, offered a view of the wild, sweeping, snowy landscape that was bathed in muted sunlight. A cool breeze drifted through, and it carried the scent of pine and damp earth.

Esme paced relentlessly, her thoughts spiraling as she replayed the events that led to Thadius’s death. "This is bad— tell me it isn’t bad! But I know it is. What do you think I should do? I don’t know what needs to be done. Lennox will come after you if he finds out about all of this. He’s the king after all, and I don’t think he’ll react positively to the news that you saved him from hungry demon wolves."

"He won’t. And if I ever run into him, I’d kill him too, so I understand him from a mutual perspective," Donovan replied offhandedly. His casual tone struck Esme as unhelpful; this wasn’t the kind of dark reassurance she needed. Yet, she knew that Donovan wasn’t entirely bluffing— he had been avoiding Lennox just as carefully.

"Where are the drugged ones?" she asked, shifting the topic, and Donovan leaned against the balustrade.

"They’re around, but they’re not exactly pleased. Leonardo had this idea to use his speech to make them forget about all of last night’s ordeal. But that wasn’t exactly the best approach to take against people like them, so I suggested a different one; make them... explode."

He made an explosion gesture with his hands. "That way, they won’t bother us in the future. I’m thinking ahead."

"Excuse me?" Esme’s eyes widened in shock. "You told Leonardo to do what to them?!"

"He didn’t listen to me, though," Donovan crossed his arms, unperturbed by her reaction. "He’s the second person in Illyria I find difficult to control. But don’t worry, they’re still alive... for now."

Esme didn’t want to dive deeper into what was truly going on in his head. She was particularly unsure of whether she was ready to face Lennox and the council again. Even if she went through with it, what would she say? That she’d killed the Alpha of the North and saved their lives, so they owed her—?

Esme’s eyes lit as a sudden idea struck her. But before she could voice it, Althea’s familiar voice cut through her thoughts.

"Esme!" Althea cried, rushing forward to envelope Esme in a tight embrace. "I’m so glad you’re awake! I was terrified something had happened to you when Don brought you back! Are you feeling better now?"

Esme blinked in surprise, but a genuine smile soon softened her expression, touched by Althea’s heartfelt concern for her. She nodded to Althea’s inquiries, and behind her, Lothar approached to confirm her health, whilst a sense of relief flooded Esme to see them both unharmed.

"Where’s Revana and Acheron?"

"They’re both tending to their wounds. They suffered minor injuries, but nothing to be deeply concerned about since they heal fast." Lothar assured Esme when he saw how worried she looked for a moment.

Althea also nodded in agreement, "And the battle ended up being in our favor since we saved the king, which means there’s a chance we can use the Royal Boon to secure our protection from the king."

Esme’s eyes brightened, glad that even Althea remembered something regarding the Royal Boon. Whenever a pack saves the king’s life from grave danger, they earn the right to a ’Royal Boon’— a binding oath by the king to fulfill one wish of the rescuing pack. If she chooses to take the role as the Northerners newly appointed Luna, then it would serve as a big advantage for Donovan as well.

With that power, she would be able to bring the topic before Lennox, and she could use the Royal Boon to secure their protection, shielding Donovan and his people from any future retribution.

Once she made her request, Lennox would be bound by an oath to uphold it, unable to act against her wish. That’s the essence of a Royal Boon – a blessing from the king in gratitude for an extraordinary act.

"Donovan," Esme said, turning to him with resolve, "I’ll speak to the council myself. I’ll go along with their terms and take on the new title of Luna of the North. To use the Royal Boon, it can only be invoked by someone of power from Illyria, and this title gives me enough authority. I know what I need to do to keep you and everyone here safe."

"But are you certain it’ll work?" Lothar asked, his voice filled with concern. "They despise us as much as we despise them. A peace treaty could keep us grounded, but only if they’re willing to honor it. I worry about the king’s council— they may try to twist your words."

Esme felt glad she had people like them to warm up to, and she appreciated their loyalty and care. But, she was determined to protect them however she could, even if it meant standing before Lennox and his council herself.

"Don’t worry," she reassured them. "I just need someone to take me to Leonardo so I can speak to them and convince them to return without drawing a fight. We’ve had enough fights for the season."

"I’ll take you," Althea volunteered, and Esme gratefully followed her out of the balcony. After their exit, Lothar came to stand beside Donovan, leaning against the balustrade with his arms crossed.

"You’re aware that if she becomes Luna of the North, she can have as many mates as she wants, right?" Lothar reminded him, casting a sidelong glance at his friend, but Donovan smirked, the sun rays accentuating his features.

"I’m not someone who fancy’s sharing," came his clear retort. "and I’ll make sure they understand that, unless, they have no wish to see another breaking dawn."