Married To The Billionaire Alpha King-Chapter 98 - press conference

98

~Elara’s POV

The kiss deepened, filled with all the decades of longing, pain, and love that neither of us had been able to release. My hands gripped his shoulders, my fingers digging into his coat as I pressed closer, letting myself fall entirely into the warmth and reality of him.

He whispered my name against my lips, over and over, and I clung to it, to him, like it was the only thing that kept me tethered to the world. Every heartbeat, every shiver, every sob carried through that kiss, and I could feel the immense weight of his grief and love melting, slowly, finally, into something real and alive between us.

When we finally pulled back, just enough to breathe, he rested his forehead against mine, his hands still cupping my face. "You are here," he said, voice shaking but steady now. "You are truly here. And I will never let you go again."

I nodded, breathless, tears still glimmering on my cheeks. "Never," I whispered. "I promise. Never again."

Darlon guided me gently toward the bed, his hands firm but careful, as if he was afraid I might vanish if he didn’t hold me just right. I kept staring at him, unable to look away. His eyes were dark and intense, but there was something softer, warmer beneath it all. His lips parted slightly, and a faint blush spread across his cheeks.

"Stop staring at me like that," he said quietly, his voice teasing but tinged with embarrassment. "You’re making me..." He trailed off, clearing his throat, his fingers brushing against mine as if unsure how to act around me again.

I smiled, ignoring the flutter in my chest at the sight of him blushing after all that time. "How long have I been in this... slumber?" I asked softly, my voice still trembling from waking, from the intensity of finally seeing him again.

"Three days," he said, his tone calm but carrying that quiet weight that always seemed to anchor him.

I shook my head, blinking as the reality hit me. "Three days... I had no idea Ronan and Lira were that crazy and that wicked," I muttered, a shiver running through me. "Where is Ronan now?"

"He’s in jail," Darlon said firmly, his jaw tightening. "He’ll rot there for as long as he lives. There’s no chance for him to harm anyone else."

I nodded slowly, relief mixing with lingering disbelief. "And... Elara?" I asked, hesitating, my heart tightening.

Darlon’s expression darkened. "She seems to have fled the country, but she will be caught soon," he said, though there was a faint edge of patience in his voice.

He took my hands in his, placing them gently over his own. The warmth of his palms, the steady beat of his heart beneath them, made me feel like the world had finally righted itself. "This... this is the right moment," he said softly, looking deep into my eyes. "People must know now that we are married. That you are mine, and I am yours."

I nodded, feeling a mix of certainty and relief. "It’s true," I said, my voice catching slightly with emotion. "It’s finally true."

He smiled then, that faint, rare smile that could light up even the darkest corner of the world. Slowly, deliberately, he lifted one of my hands to his lips and pressed a tender kiss to it.

Then the door opened softly, and before I could even turn my head, someone rushed toward me.

"Elara!" Janae cried out, her voice breaking with worry and relief as she threw herself into my arms. Her hug was fierce, shaking, almost like she was trying to squeeze all the fear and worry out of both of us. "You scared me so much. I thought... I thought I lost you," she said, her voice muffled against my shoulder. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

I hugged her back, holding on tight despite the weakness in my arms. "I’m here," I whispered, my own voice shaking with relief. "I’m okay now."

She pulled back just enough to look at me, her face streaked with tears, but there was a little laugh in her expression too, that sort of unsteady laugh people make when they are overwhelmed with relief. "Do you know how worried we were?" she said, her voice half crying, half teasing. "You don’t ever do that again, okay?"

I nodded, smiling softly through my own tears. "I promise," I said quietly, feeling the weight of her words settle in my chest. "I promise."

She grinned faintly and nudged me gently with her elbow, the teasing sparkle in her eyes making my heart lift a little. "Are you hiding something from me? Like, are you... pregnant?" She said it so quickly, it was hard to tell if she was joking or just desperate to see me safe.

I froze, blinking at her in surprise, and then glanced at Darlon. I could feel my cheeks heating up even as my heart thumped in embarrassment and amusement.

Darlon’s lips twitched, just the smallest hint of a smile breaking through the storm of his intensity. "I would really love that," he said softly, his deep voice carrying a warmth that made my breath catch. "Very much."

I blinked at him, completely thrown off, and then Janae laughed nervously, waving her hands. "I....I...I’m sorry! I didn’t mean..." She trailed off, looking between us with a mixture of shock and relief.

I shook my head and let out a small laugh, a real one this time, the first I had managed in what felt like forever. "You two are impossible," I said, though my voice was soft, still trembling with emotion.

Darlon reached for my hand again, squeezing it gently, grounding me in the present, in the reality of him. "Impossible?" he asked, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Maybe. But worth it," he added quietly, his gaze locking with mine.

I noticed someone standing just behind Janae. David, Darlon’s beta, stepped forward with calm precision. He bowed deeply to Darlon first, then to me. "Alpha Darlon," he said firmly, his tone respectful but warm. "Luna."

Janae quickly followed suit, adjusting herself slightly before bowing awkwardly to Darlon. "I’m sorry, Sire," she said, her voice respectful, a little nervous. "I didn’t mean to rush in like that."

Darlon shook his head slightly, dismissing it. "It’s fine," he said softly but firmly.

Janae nodded, clearly relieved, then glanced between us, confusion and curiosity flickering across her face. She opened her mouth like she wanted to ask a hundred questions but thought better of it.

Darlon turned to David, his expression settling into something calm and commanding. "David," he said, his voice steady. "Arrange a press conference."

David straightened instantly. "Yes, Alpha."

"In two days," Darlon continued, his hand finding mine again, firm and sure. "My wife and I will be announcing our marriage to the world."

My heart skipped at the word wife. I squeezed his hand gently, nodding in agreement.

David bowed deeply. "It will be done."