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    Ellie POV


    Nn had been standing in front of the mirror for far too long.


    Not admiring himself-he never did that-but staring at his reflection like it might challenge him to a fight if he looked away first. His shoulders were tense beneath his shirt, jaw set, posture rigid in that way that meant he was already preparing for battle.


    I watched him from the edge of the sitting room, curled into one of the armchairs with my legs tucked beneath me.


    "You''re going to wear a hole through the ss," I said lightly.


    He blinked, as if only just realizing I was there. "Hmm?"


    I sighed and stood, crossing the room until I was behind him. I slid my arms around his waist, resting my cheek between his shoulder des.


    "You''re wound tighter than a bowstring," I murmured. "If you don''t rx, you''re going to exhaust yourself before the debate even starts."


    He exhaled slowly, leaning back into me despite himself. "It''s being broadcast across the entire kingdom, Ellie."


    “I''m aware,” I said dryly. "I helped you rehearse for thest three interviews. This is not new."


    "This is different," he said. "All the alphas. One stage. No edits. No spin. Just... me."


    "And them," I reminded him. "You''re not walking into an ambush alone."


    His hands came up to rest over mine, grounding both of us. It feels like one.”


    I stepped around him so I was facing him, cing my hands on his chest. I could


    feel his heart beating-strong, steady, but faster than usual.


    "Then let''s practice," I said. "One more time. Humor me."


    His lips twitched faintly. "You''re enjoying this."


    "Immensely," I replied without shame. "Now sit."


    He did, reluctantly, lowering himself onto the sofa while I perched on the armrest beside him like an examiner preparing to interrogate a suspect.


    "I don''t want to y interviewer again, you get too into the role," he grumbled.


    Despite hisining, I could see the amusement in his eyes.


    I cleared my throat dramatically. "Alpha Nn of Silver Fang. Thank you for joining us tonight."


    He rolled his eyes. "You''re terrible."


    “Answer the question,” I said, pointing at him. “There''s no hiding now, this is the big leagues! First topic: your record as alpha. Critics say your leadership relies too heavily on fear. How do you respond?"


    I looked at him curiously. It was more than just his critics who thought that. Everyone knew that Nn had taken an iron fist approach from the start, but he was backing away from that now. He had to be able to justify the change.


    He didn''t hesitate this time. "Fear was a tool I used when I believed it was the only one avable. I was young and it was all I knew. I won''t deny that. But fear doesn''t build loyalty-it only dys rebellion. My leadership now is about ountability and trust."


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    I nodded approvingly. "Good. Concise. Honest."


    He rxed a fraction.


    I let him have the moment before pushing again. After all, this debate wasn''t going to be easy. They wouldn''t be giving him fluff questions to avoid making him angry. He had to be prepared to react to questions that would very likely piss him off.


    "Next," I continued. "Your rtionship with your mate and children has been a major focus of this campaign. Some say you''re letting personal matters cloud your judgment."


    A faint, dangerous smile curved his mouth. "Anyone who believes protecting my


    family clouds my judgment doesn''t understand what judgment is for."


    Iughed softly. "Also good. Maybe soften the delivery just a touch."


    He huffed. “I''m not apologizing for them. Our kids are safe because of the decisions


    you made and that''s not something they get to judge."


    "I know," I said gently. "You don''t need to apologize. Just try not to re a hole through the camera lens when it gets brought up. Because it will be brought up, maybe more than once."


    He studied me for a moment, then nodded.


    "I know. It''s a popr topic right now, I won''t be able to avoid it. I''m prepared for that, Ellie."


    "So am I," I assured him.


    I took a breath, shifting slightly. "Final question."


    This one mattered. It was a basic question, but the one that people would pay the


    most attention to. The one they would likely end on.


    “Alpha Nn,” I said more quietly, “what is your vision for the future of the kingdom?"


    The silence that followed was immediate-and heavy.


    Nn''s gaze drifted away from me, unfocusing as it fixed on something only he


    could see. The tension didn''t spike this time; instead, it sank deeper, like weight settling into his bones.


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