modeling success."
No one could say anything as he half bowed before the crowd.
"I am no way near perfect, but I can stand here and vouch for my child. I thank you regardless of your decision."
My tears fell before I could try to stop them, but what really hit my emotional strings was the onslaught of applause that broke out through the crowd.
"We support you, Willow!"
"William or Willow! We have your back!"
"Please live and prosper!"
"We support you!"
Multiple cries of support broke through the immense claps of approval, and I was left to absorb it all with my senses as I scanned the crowd. Not one person was against it in this sea of individuals, leaving me wondering if this would have been my reality if I came out with this tale years earlier.
No. It's because they watched me do everything I could to be the best son, only to find out that I was hiding a part of myself out of shame.
This tale may be a mixed-up lie, but the feelings ignited at the idea that I could potentially walk out as Willow in broad daylight brought me so much relief. It was like a new door of opportunity had truly opened, and if Mother Moon hadn't allowed a second chance, I never would have seen this transpire before my eyes.
Roberto rose up and moved aside while Onyx moved to put my suit coat upon my shoulders. He did it just so he could gently squeeze my shoulders in support, and his husky whisper reached my ears.
"No longer will you feel the need to hide in the shadows, Sugar."
His words made me smile as he moved away in time for Roberto to turn his attention to me. The crowd further squealed as I blinked back my tears.
"We have business to attend to. If anyone wishes to remain, I will gladly answer any other questions. If you are fans of Willow's, please come back tomorrow, for she and her business members will be dealing with a few meetings and will be leaving late," Roberto concluded.
It was our cue to get inside - Viktor and Onyx already at my sides. Roberto turned his attention to me for a brief moment, and all I could do was speak with my eyes.
Thank you.
He seemed to understand as he slightly nodded and moved away to block the view as we swiftly turned away. The cheers continued to echo as we headed to the doors, and I caught a glimpse of the officers dragging Elizabitch and her group of fakes away.
Her glaring eyes met mine that now glimmered with wicked glee, and I knew this was a situation she wouldn't easily get out of with the public scrutiny that would come slapping her in the face the moment it hit the news.
In a matter of minutes - if not seconds - the news of William De Luca's survival and reveal would be spread across NYC, and no longer would I hide the truth of my female side. I'd be able to walk with pride as Willow De Luca, and once this deal was set in stone, I'd officially be taking on a new role.
Ceo. Wolf Alpha. Princess. Royal Mate.
Somehow all these roles were awaiting me, and as of now, I'd claimed three of them. I'd have to prove myself to affirm their statuses, but in the realms of humans and business, I'd succeeded in claiming what was rightfully mine.
Only time will tell when it's my turn to claim my birthright as a Wolf Alpha.
8
Sleeping Lover And Unbreakable Habit
~DIMITRIS~
Can I get an update?
I spoke through the pack's connection, my focus solely on business as I waited for the elevator. After the eight-hour meeting with some of the most highly ranked and richest individuals in America, we managed to seal the ultimate deal for our new corporation.
None of us expected the meeting to be eight hours long, and we also didn't expect the amount of lowball offers we'd be given upfront. We may have proven our potential with William's grand reveal as Willow, but it surely wasn't enough for them to give us a good enough offer.
They knew we each were worth more than a billion dollars in assets, investments, and various properties. Adding Willow's inheritance to the table, we'd be inching closer to five-hundred billion in rank.
Yet they wanted to offer us a ten billion start. Fucking cheapskates.
It was an offer I knew would be deemed high in the realms of our shifter world, but the Forbidden didn't