Mated To The Beastly Alpha
Epilogue

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As they returned to Dark Moon, Nicole's heart raced with conflicting emotions. She was now their Luna, the leader of the pack, but memories of her past as a slave made her feel unworthy of such a role. However, she put on a brave front, determined to hide her fear and insecurities from the others. As they arrived at the pack's territory, Nicole couldn't help but feel a rush of nerves. Liam held her close, offering silent support as they made their way to her former quarters.

Liam sensed her unease and wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. "You're safe now, Nicole. No one will hurt you here," he reassured her, his voice filled with love and tenderness.

She appreciated Liam's comfort, but deep inside, the wounds of her past still throbbed. Nicole's footsteps echoed through the halls of Dark Moon as she hurried to her former quarters, her heart racing with a mix of anticipation and nervousness.

Entering the room, Nicole took a moment to collect herself. The space felt both foreign and familiar, a juxtaposition of her past and present.

The weight of the Luna's responsibilities pressed upon her, intensifying her unease. She knew that the pack looked up to her and expected her to lead them with strength and wisdom.

The walls seemed to close in on her and the faint scent of fear still lingered in the air. Despite being back at Dark Moon, her new home, she couldn't shake the residual fear that haunted her.

"You're going to be amazing, Nicole," Liam whispered, his voice filled with conviction. "You've endured so much and risen above it all. You have the strength within you."

She appreciated Liam's comfort, but deep inside, the wounds of her past still throbbed. Being the Luna of the pack brought its own set of responsibilities and expectations, and Nicole couldn't help but feel unprepared for the role she was thrust into. Her time in Crimson had left scars that ran deep, even the idea of being a leader and making decisions for the pack both excited and terrified her.

Sitting across from Liam, Nicole gazed into his eyes, the love and understanding he emanated soothing her restless soul. "I... I'm scared, Liam," she admitted hesitantly, her vulnerability surfacing as tears welled up in her eyes.

Liam reached out, gently wiping away her tears with his thumb. "It's okay to be scared, my love. We all have fears and doubts, but remember, you are not alone on this journey. We are in this together and I have unwavering faith in your strength and resilience." With Liam's encouragement, Nicole felt a flicker of hope ignite within her. She realized that she didn't have to be perfect, that she just needed to be herself and lead with her heart.

Their love had brought her out of the darkness, and with Liam by her side, she knew she could face anything.

The first order of business was to address the pack and the Council. Nicole knew she had to assert her authority and prove herself capable, despite her internal doubts. As they made their way to the gathering, she held her head high, trying to exude confidence. However, before facing the pack and the Council, a thought came to Nicole's mind. She should deal with Shane and Asha first. Confronting her past tormentors head-on was necessary for her own closure and strength.

She stopped suddenly and looked at Liam, "I can't move forward without addressing Shane and Asha. I need to face them and let them know that they no longer hold power over me."

Liam raised a brow but nodded. Nicole led the way to the dungeon, her steps filled with a mix of apprehension and resolve. As they entered the dimly lit chamber, the sight of Shane and Asha sent a surge of emotions coursing through her veins. Shane's eyes lit up in a way that used to make her shiver with disgust, "Well, well, well. Look who decided to grace us with her presence. What brings the Luna of the Dark Moon down to the depths?" He mocked.

Liam growled and opened his mouth to retort, but Nicole stopped him.

"I see you're not suffering enough," she sneered, wondering where her bravado came from.

"Oh, how touching. The little slave has found her voice." Asha mocked.

Liam let out a low growl and so did her wolf, but Nicole smiled and waved her hand.

"Asha, Shane," Nicole began, her voice firm and steady, "you've caused enough pain and suffering. I won't let you break me anymore."

Asha scoffed, "Oh, look at the little Luna, pretending to be strong. You're nothing but a weak, pathetic girl."

Nicole felt a spark of anger flare within her, but she remained composed. Instead of engaging in a futile argument, she let her actions speak for her.

With a swift motion, she slapped Asha across the face. The sound echoed through the dungeon, leaving a stunned silence in its wake. Asha's eyes widened, a hand reaching to touch her stinging face.

Nicole raised her bloody claws which had dug into Asha's face in the air. She could feel the power coursing through her veins, she could also feel Liam's pride floating through the air. He was happy with her actions and she loved it. Asha let out a high-pitched scream. "You dare-" Asha blurted.

"I dare, Asha. I'm no longer the girl you could manipulate. I've learned from my past, and I'm stronger for it." Nicole growled.

Asha's expression shifted from arrogance to shock, clutching her cheek in pain. Shane, too, seemed taken aback by Nicole's assertiveness. Liam moved forward, wanting to intervene, but Nicole placed a hand on his arm, signaling for him to let her handle it. "I won't kill you with kindness, Asha," Nicole declared, her eyes ablaze with determination. "And I won't stoop to your level either. I'm stronger than you ever thought I could be."

Shane's arrogance wavered, his eyes showing a spark of fear. He had heard rumors of the power Nicole possessed, but now he was witnessing it firsthand. "You won't get away with this. My pack will come for me." He said, trying to regain his bravado. Nicole grinned in his direction. "Your pack is gone, Shane. And everyone will think twice about crossing us again once I'm done with you."

Both of them whimpered, their fear pooled in the air. Nicole turned away from them, a newfound sense of empowerment coursing through her veins. "You'll be dealt with by the Council, but right now, I have more important matters to attend to." With that, Nicole left the dungeon, her head held high. Nicole's heart felt lighter, a sense of closure washing over her. The weight of her past had loosened its grip, and she knew she was ready to face the challenges ahead. "Thank you for being there with me, Liam. I needed to do that."

Liam, who was amazed and even found her sexier, pushed her to the wall, rubbing his hardened length on her and making her gasp as his mouth hovered over hers, "Always, Nicole. We face everything together, remember?" Nicole gulped, "Yes, together..." She stuttered, "Let's go and address the pack and council. It's time to show them the strength of our unity."

"Agreed," Liam said, but didn't let go. "But that show of power had me wounded."

Nicole's body automatically came alive.

"You said they were waiting impatiently. We want to give them a good first impression." Nicole smirked.

"Yes we should, shouldn't we?" Liam murmured, kissing her roughly, but for a short moment.

He broke the kiss, his eyes twinkling at Nicole's flushed state.

Just then, James and Garrett came along, interrupting their moment. They separated with smirks on their faces, both of them knowing that they would have the time of their lives as soon as the meeting was over.

As they made their way to the Council's chamber, Liam couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and admiration for Nicole. He had seen her grow from a frightened girl to a resilient and fierce leader. He knew that she would be an exceptional Luna for their pack.

In the Council chamber, Nicole faced the elders and the other pack leaders, standing tall and unyielding. She recounted her journey, her struggles and her determination to protect the pack and its future. Her words resonated with those present, and she could feel the tide of support turning in her favor.

The Council acknowledged her as the rightful Luna of the Dark Moon, recognizing her strength and dedication. It was a moment of triumph for Nicole, and she felt a weight lifted off her shoulders. The pack's acceptance and faith in her abilities gave her the confidence she needed to lead them forward.

With newfound determination and the support of her mate and pack, Nicole was ready to embrace her role as Luna and face the challenges that lay ahead. She would prove to herself and to everyone that she was more than capable of leading with compassion, strength, and resilience.

Together, Liam and Nicole would forge a future where the shadows of their past could no longer haunt them and where the bonds of love and unity would guide their pack towards prosperity and harmony or so they think.

Little did they know that the war was far from over. This was just the beginning.

There was even greater danger awaiting them.