Walked Away 73

73 The King’s Mark (Part 1)

Hudson POV

As soon as that ba**ard steps out of the office, I turn to Connor. “Augustus and Gregory aren’t going to let

this go. They have tasted power and, despite the reason all of this started, they want to keep it. They may not

be able to take me on directly, but they will rally the support of other packs. If you have alliances, Connor,

now is the time to call them. Explain the situation without telling them about Della. I will speak to the Alphas

if they want proof that I’m alive and well.”

“Invite them here if you need to, but make sure it is Alphas you trust. It is time the kingdom was taken back

into the rightful hands of the Royal Lycans and not for my own rule, but my sons.” I watch Ace stiffen beside me. I know this is a lot for him. Thinking he was human all his life, then finding out he is a Lycan and now

learning he is to be king. It would be a lot for anyone. I will be there with him every step of the way.

“He is the rightful king now and someday my granddaughter will be the ruler of all supernaturals. I will no longer allow a few selfish wolves to take away my son’s birthright or the kingdom’s rightful leader. I was complacent but no more.”

“I will make the calls. What about my mom? You said you know where she is,” Connor says. “I do know where

she is. Cassandra has taken her to what is left of the castle that used to be the Royal Lycans home. The last place I was truly happy as Amethyst said.” My thoughts go to the beautiful red head, which is my second chance at happiness. “I know you’re all worried, but Evelyn is safe until she delivers the pup. Cassandra will

not do anything to jeopardize the pup. I’m going to need at least a week to prepare Della.”

“What do you mean to prepare Della? You can’t expect her to fight the witch. She is powerful, dad. Even if

Della has powers, she is only a child,” Ace says, his voice laced with concern. I turn to face my son. “Ace,

Della is more powerful now as a pup than Cassandra will ever be. I know you are worried about her safety, but

she won’t be going alone.”

“You, me, my men, and Olivia will be with her. We will protect her just as she will protect us. We will leave in one week to bring Evelyn home and end that evil b**ch.” I can see he is torn, and I understand why. I remember feeling the same way when Cassandra led Lorraine away. I believed I was doing the right thing at

the time, and it nearly destroyed me to lose them, but this is different: Della is already showing how powerful

she truly is with each passing day.

Despite all that, she is his pup no matter her powers. As a father, his job is to protect her. I move forward,

placing my hands on his shoulders. “We will protect her with our lives, Ace. She is my grandpup and I plan on getting to watch her grow into the beautiful, powerful young woman she is meant to be.” He nods, but I can still see he is struggling with his pup being anywhere near Cassandra.

“Ace, why don’t we go find our girl? I bet you’ll feel better if you talk to Amethyst. Besides, I’m sure Waylen is losing his mind about his new mate,” she says and I chuckle. “He is actually being a really good boy” I say, and he growls. “F**k you Hudson. I’ve been patient. I want my mate now,” he growls. “I’m happy for you, dad. Mom would be too. Amber is a really good woman who had a sh**ty first mate and sh**tier pups. I think the goddess is making up for all that by making you her second chance. Go get your mate,” Ace says.

I pull him in for a hug and do the same to Olivia. Hell, I even round the desk and hug Connor and Becca. After all, I consider them my family now too. I swear I don’t remember being this nervous with Lorraine, but maybe

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73 The King’s Mark (Part 1)

that’s because I was young. I thought nothing could go wrong when you found your mate. I thought we had all the time in the world. I push thoughts of the past from my head and make my way down the long hallway.

When I reach the steps, the scent of honeysuckle is faint, but it surrounds me. I make my way down the stairs and the scent gets stronger with each step. When I step into the kitchen, my smile fades when I find my mate sitting on the floor with Della in her arms. I round the counter and fall to my knees at her side. She gasps, and before she can stop me I pull them both onto my lap. Della giggles, but my mate still hasn’t said

anything.

“Grandpa Hudson isn’t Nana Amber pretty,” she says. “She is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” I feel a moment of guilt, but then Ace’s words come rushing back. My mate’s cheeks pink, and she drops her gaze. “That’s the bond talking,” she says. Before I can say like hell it is, the sound of footsteps has us looking

toward the entrance to the kitchen. Olivia smiles when she rounds the counter. “Come on sweet pea. Nana and grandpa have a lot to talk about,” she says, winking at us.

Ace scoops Della up and they leave without another word. Leaving us alone on the kitchen floor. Amber goes

to stand, but I hold her in place. “Amber, can I have your eyes?” Her stunning green eyes meet mine and !

smile. “Now let me make something perfectly clear. You are absolutely right that I feel the bond with you, but

that doesn’t change the fact that what I said earlier is the truth.”

She rolls her eyes and I fight the urge to chuckle at her sassiness. Without a word, I stand with her still in my

arms. “What are you doing,” she asks, and I realize I haven’t told her my name yet. “Hudson is my name and to

answer your question, I’m taking my gorgeous mate somewhere away from prying eyes to show her just how

much I meant what I said.”

She makes a few more comments about being too heavy to be carried and about her age, but I ignore them

until I reach the room I’ve been staying in. Once we are inside, I set her on her feet and lock the door. When I

turn back, I can feel Waylen trying to take control. “Not yet, we need to reassure our mate before we ravish

her.” He reluctantly recedes in my mind. I place my hands on her shoulders and guide her until she sits on the

edge of the bed.

I immediately fall to my knees in front of her. “What are you doing, Hudson” she asks. “I’m kneeling before my

queen. The only time a king kneels is before his queen.” My words finally seem to register. “Are you saying

you are the real king,” she asks. “I am and you, Amber are my queen.” “Hudson, I never expected to have a

second chance after I rejected my first mate. He made me feel unworthy at every turn, and now you’re telling

me that I’m to be the mate of the king. It doesn’t make sense,” she says.

I swear if I had the ba**ard in front of me I’d rip his throat out for making her feel less than or doubt herself. I

take her face in my hands and revel in the feeling of tingles that dance on my fingertips. I never thought I

would feel them again. “Amber, being king doesn’t make me any better than those I was to govern over. The

goddess doesn’t make mistakes, Amber. You are mine, and I don’t care how long it takes to show you that you

are perfect.”

Tears roll down her cheeks and I wipe them away with my thumb. “Now as much as I want to know everything

about you, my Lycan wants his mate. Will you accept us Amber? Will you be the first and only woman to ever wear my mark?” She looks at me confused, but instead of asking questions or answering, she bends down

and presses a kiss on my lips. F**k, I hope I don’t embarrass myself because a kiss already has my c**k

standing at attention.

She pulls back and her eyes meet mine again. “I accept our bond Hudson. I want you to make me yours. I

73 The King’s Mark (Part

want you to mark me and I want to mark you,” she says. My heart pounds against my chest. She accepts our bond. I never thought I would know what it was to have a complete bond. I fight the tears that threaten to fall I will spend every day making sure she is never sorry for accepting our bond, for accepting me.