Chapter 557 Her Decision

Chapter 557: Chapter 557 Her Decision

But now...

Now, as the crowd welcomed her with genuine warmth, those shadows began to loosen their grip. The weight that had once crushed her confidence, that had followed her like a ghost even into the present, started to lift.

And for the first time in what felt like forever, Addison felt something break free inside her, like she was finally stepping out of the past that had once defined her, leaving behind the pain that had held her captive for far too long.

She no longer needed to question her worth or doubt her ability to lead. For the first time, the weight she had carried for so long felt lighter, as if something invisible had finally slipped from her shoulders.

The image of who she had been, standing before the Midnight River Pack as their Luna, uncertain and constantly scrutinized, stood in stark contrast to who she was now. The difference was like night and day.

And she knew what had changed her.

It wasn’t just her determination that changed; it was the people who stood by her. The ones who stayed, even through misunderstandings, anger, and setbacks. The ones who quietly supported her, who pushed her forward when she faltered, who reminded her of her strengths when she couldn’t see them herself.

There were those who never stopped believing in her, never stopped standing at her side. And even those who had once wronged her... some had tried, in their own ways, to make amends.

All of it, the struggles, the growth, the lessons, flashed through her mind like fragments of a life she had fought hard to build. She realized just how far she had come.

But more importantly—

She wasn’t alone anymore.

As much as she had gained experience, she had also gained something far more valuable: people who truly cared for her. Her gaze shifted, landing on Zion, Levi, and Maxwell, who were all watching her intently, clearly seeing the storm of emotions in her eyes.

And though he wasn’t there, she knew, without a doubt, that Chase was nearby, hidden in the shadows, quietly ensuring her safety as he promised he would.

"Thank you..." Addison’s voice came out as a fragile whisper, thick with emotion, yet it was enough. Zion, Levi, and Maxwell all heard her.

Their expressions softened, gentle smiles forming as they looked at her with quiet affection, their unspoken words reflected clearly in their eyes — reassurance, pride, and something deeper they didn’t need to voice.

The intensity of their gazes made her breath catch, a warmth spreading through her chest that almost felt overwhelming. Unable to hold it for long, she turned her attention back outside, focusing on the passing scenery as she steadied herself.

And in that quiet moment, she made a decision.

Tonight... she would tell them about the children.

As that decision settled firmly within her heart, the carriage finally arrived at the entrance of the Royal Palace, where her parents stood waiting at the forefront of the crowd.

The moment Addison saw them, her chest tightened painfully.

It suddenly felt as though a lifetime had passed since she last stood before them. And now that she looked closely, she realized something she had failed to notice before, they had grown older.

Not merely with time, but with burdens.

Though werewolves possessed far longer lifespans than ordinary humans, the endless responsibilities, political pressure, and years of carrying the kingdom on their shoulders had still left traces upon them.

Compared to the last time she saw them, both the Alpha King and Queen looked more worn, more exhausted, as though the weight of the world had slowly chipped away at them little by little.

And at that moment, Addison finally understood something else.

While she had been fighting desperately in the West to protect their people there, her parents had also been fighting their own battle here in the Royal Capital, surrounded by schemes, uncertain allies, and enemies hidden in plain sight.

Every day, they carried the pressure of ruling while never knowing who truly stood beside them and who waited for them to fall.

The realization made her nose sting sharply as her vision blurred with tears.

The instant the carriage stopped and the Royal Guard opened the door, Addison no longer cared about dignity, image, or the countless eyes watching her. Overcome with emotion, she rushed forward like a child and threw herself straight into her father’s arms.

In that moment, nothing else mattered.

Her journey to the West had taught her many things, but perhaps the most important lesson of all was the value of family, and how terrifying it was to almost lose them before truly appreciating what they meant to her.

The Alpha King watched helplessly as his daughter burst out of the carriage the moment the doors opened, rushing straight into his arms without a second thought. Though Addison was already a mother herself now, in his eyes she would always remain his little princess, the precious child he had loved and cherished since the day she was born.

So he instinctively caught her without hesitation, his powerful arms wrapping around her as he lifted her off the ground with ease. Holding her close, feeling her warmth and hearing her shaky breathing against his chest, eased a tension inside him he hadn’t even realized he had been carrying.

Moments later, the Queen hurried over as well and embraced Addison tightly from behind, unwilling to let go after being separated from her daughter for so long. The royal couple practically smothered Addison between them, clinging to her as though afraid she might disappear again if they loosened their hold.

In the end, Addison was the first to surrender.

Laughing weakly while struggling to breathe, she quickly patted her father’s arm in surrender, genuinely beginning to feel suffocated from their overwhelming affection.

Meanwhile, as the family reunion unfolded before the crowd, Addison’s three fated mates finally stepped down from the carriage one after another. Their gazes followed Addison with quiet affection and indulgent smiles as they slowly approached.

Only after the Alpha King reluctantly set Addison back onto the ground, and the Queen managed to compose herself, did the three men straighten into proper posture before respectfully bowing toward the royal couple in greeting.

"Your Majesty, we have returned," Zion said solemnly as he lowered his head in respectful submission before the royal couple.

"Your Majesty, thank you for welcoming our return," Maxwell followed calmly, bowing just as deeply, his eyes lowered with quiet reverence.

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Hello again, everyone. I’m really excited to share some wonderful news with you all. My book "The Alpha’s Regret: Return of the Betrayed Luna" has officially expanded beyond its audio drama adaptation and is now available on Amazon, where you can grab the first volume. On top of that, the first volume of the audio drama is also out on kokoroaudio.com for $6.99.

I’m incredibly grateful for all the love and support you’ve shown me, and I hope you’ll continue to follow and enjoy Addison’s journey with her fated mates. Every Golden Ticket, Powerstone, and gift you send truly means a lot; it keeps me motivated and inspired to keep writing. Thank you so much, my little goddesses.