Page 17

Lucien

I pause at the door, letting my eyes scan the room briefly, a smile of satisfaction settling on my lips. I never thought I'd miss my office as much as I do.

I stare at the stack of files that never seems to reduce, a small sigh escaping me as I walk towards it, the timely clinking of my support stick reverberating throughout the room.

The pack healer insists I walk around with this stick, a carving from one of the finest mahogany trees. My wounds are not completely healed, and this helps ease the pressure of walking.

Pulling out my chair, I collapse onto it, turning to look out the window briefly. The view is still as mesmerizing as always. I draw in a deep breath, letting the smell of paper and wood fill my nostrils.I reach for the bottle of whiskey in a drawer below the wide desk, picking a glass alongside it and placing them side-by-side.

I pour a generous amount of it into the glass, bringing it close to my nose and drawing in a deep breath, letting the strong scent of whiskey burn from my nose down.

It's been so long, and I've missed the strong smell of whiskey.A knock on the door draws me back to the present, a sigh escaping my lips, "Come in," I say simply, taking a sip of my drink.The door creaks open as Liam walks in, his smile widening as his eyes land on the bottle of whiskey, "Heard you were back to work and couldn't understand why. It all makes sense now."I chuckle, reaching for another glass and sliding it toward him, "I couldn't endure one more day of bed rest even if I tried."

He nods, settling into the leather chair right across from me, "How is it, though?" he asks, nodding towards my leg.

I recline in my seat, "Better than it was yesterday is all I can say." I hate how slowly I'm healing, and the fact that I have to walk around pretending I'm immune to the whispers infuriates me a lot more.His phone rings, the loud device ruining the peaceful atmosphere. Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out the device, his frown deepening as he presses it against his ears.

"Go on," he says, his brows furrowing as he stares absently at the window, obviously lost in thoughts.

"How long ago was this?" he asks, a finger suspended in the air as he pauses his attempt to retrieve the bottle between us."Okay. Keep me updated," he adds finally, tossing the device on the table and sighing, his fingers wrapping around the bottle as he pours his glass."Well, it turns out we're not the only ones whose tragedy keeps striking." His eyes never leave the bottle until he has poured a generous enough amount.

I hold his gaze, "Did something happen?"With a light shrug, he picks up the glass, taking a long sip, "There's been an attack."

I feel my body tense, "Where?"

"Ironclaw got hit by Silver Pack this morning. They're not done determining the number of casualties they have yet, so I'm guessing it's a lot."

The whiskey goes sour in my mouth, but I force it down my throat, regardless. Ironclaw. Selena's mate is the alpha of that pack.

"And the alpha? We need to reach out, at least, and find out if they need some sort of support or anything," I answer almost immediately. It's a good idea. With both our packs together and with the strength and resources we can pull united, I think we stand a fighting chance."He died. That's the sad part," Liam's voice echoes over my thoughts, forcing my attention back to him.

"Their alpha?" I ask, just to make sure I'm hearing correctly.He nods again, the disinterest in his expression making it all too obvious that he's unaware of the fact that, in fact, he is his sister's mate.As if noticing my uneasiness, he looks at me, a brow raised questioningly, "What's with you? You seem too distressed about the news. Knew him personally?"

I nod, even though that's not entirely true. "He's Selene's fated mate. She only just found out."

He looks at me, his expression shifting from indifference to concern and then to rage, all in a split second, "And she didn't think to tell me all this while?"

"She only just found out," I repeat, lowering my gaze as I struggle to process the news. I remember how bubbly she had been the last few weeks, her phone blowing up constantly with messages and her constant need to disappear for days.

"You have to tell her yourself, you know." Liam is barely audible right now, his almost empty glass long forgotten.

I press my eyes shut, trying to imagine the easiest way I can have this conversation with Selene. Every scenario that plays in my head ends with her breaking down in tears or worse.

I nod, "I know."

I empty my glass, then slam it hard against the table, surprised when it doesn't crack. "They can't keep getting away with this."Liam nods, unable to do more than that at this point in our conversation. He has a distant look in his eyes, one that is paired with a calculating glint.The silence in the room is thick afterward, with both of us seemingly lost in thought, each one thinking the same thing. Silver Pack needs to be put in check at this point. We've all had enough of this senseless bloodshed.I sit in silence long after Liam has taken his leave, unable to get myself out there where I can possibly bump into her. But deep down, I know this is not the kind of news I intend to keep away from her, especially with how fast bad news travels.I pick up my support stick, putting one foot before the other as I make my way down the stairs to where I believe I'll find her.Just like I guessed, she's stretched on a couch, her face crumpled in a frown, her eyes on her phone.

The clinking of my stick against the floor gives away my presence, and when she looks up, her frown is quickly replaced by a smile.

"Up and about already, I see," she chides, a playful seriousness in her tone.

I settle across from her, managing a small smile, "Can't sit still. There's too much to do."

She shrugs, "You could've easily called me to come see you in your office if you needed company, a better alternative to you getting down all that flight of stairs like this."

I shake my head, not wanting to entertain her pity, "I'm alright."

Placing her phone aside, she drops her leg, giving me her full attention, "Alright then."

I sit for a while, unsure how to bring up the topic until she speaks again. "I have news." She looks unsure, and her face is a museum of emotions, a classic cocktail of guilt, fear, doubt, and a small glint of hope and excitement simmering underneath."I thought you already could tell me anything.""I know, but this is a bit different." Her eyes don't meet mine, and there's evident guilt in her demeanor, so she's certainly not aware of the situation. That brings me a little relief, but I also have no doubt whatever she's about to say has something to do with her mate. Are they getting married? Goddess please—

"I'm pregnant," she blurts out, bringing my thoughts to a screeching halt. "I'm sorry. I swear I didn't intend for this to happen. One moment, we were just talking, and the next—"

Her voice trails off, and she tucks her finger on her lap, her eyes glued to her feet.I feel my heart drop into my stomach, my mouth opening of its own accord as I process the news that, under different circumstances, would've been good.

"I'm trying to reach him, but he's not available. I was looking to share it first with him." She adds, her eyes resting on her phone only a few inches away from her."Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but I can't shake off the feeling of impending doom. I've been more nauseous than usual. My emotions are a bit all over the place, and I feel like the center of my world was moved while I slept. I've been telling myself it's pregnancy hormones, but something doesn't feel right. My wolf is restless, too.""Do you—" she clears her throat, her eyes everywhere but me. "Do you think he lost interest? Maybe he found someone else, or he decided the situation is too complicated for him?"

Her eyes finally find mine, and the fear in them damn well cracks my heart. She needs reassurance, and I wish I could give her some. I wish I could tell her I'll send someone to him or something, but I can't. I don't lie. The news suddenly feels too heavy for me.

"Selene," I begin, the sound of my own voice surprises me."I know. I know I'm probably just spinning out of control, and it's the hormones, but he always takes my calls. No matter how busy he is, he makes time for me, and this is not something I can just text him." Her eyes lit up like a light bulb just came on somewhere."Do you think I should pay him a surprise visit? I mean, we try to keep our meetings private because—" she gestures between me and her, "but I really need to see him."

She sucks in a deep breath before returning her attention to me. "Sorry, I cut you short. I just have a lot in my head right now. You wanted to say something." She raises a brow, urging me to go on.I clear my throat, unsure how to approach the topic. I decide after I can feel her eyes still watching me that it's best I blurt it out.

"His pack was attacked this morning, and he didn't make it out alive."

She pauses, her lips together, her expression changing, "Who didn't.." she trails off just then. "Who didn't make it out alive?" Her voice is a few octaves higher now.

I stare at her, making no effort to elaborate more because I can see in her eyes that she knows who.I watch the initial excitement evaporate from her expression, leaving in its stead a deep, suffocating sadness."I'm sorry.." I manage to say as I squeeze her hands in mine, communicating my support."Who's responsible?" she asks, sniffing a tear. I pause for a moment before telling her in detail everything I heard from Liam.Once I'm done, she presses her eyes shut, her hands trembling as she sobs, the kind that causes her body to jerk uncontrollably.

Seeing her like this breaks what's left of my heart, and I reach out, gathering her in my arms as she sobs, her tears soaking through the fabric of my shirt, but I don't mind.

I run a finger over her shoulder, muttering soothing words until she's calm again, her sobs coming out in silent gasps now."I have no idea what I'm supposed to do now, none whatsoever. It feels like a part of me is gone, leaving a deep void I can never fill," her words come out in short hiccups."He didn't deserve it, you know." I nod, mumbling an affirmative reply as she continues, "I need to know who did this. I need a name, anything."

"I'll see what I can do to help you with that." I make a mental note to get the word out to everyone who could provide the answers she needs that their service would be rewarded.

"I don't need you to see what you can do to help, Lucien. I need to know every detail of this attack down to the person who delivered the last blow. I'll come for them, even if it's the last thing I do. Silver Pack will feel the wrath of a wounded woman."

Another bout of sobs takes her body, and I hold her steady, my mind a maze of thoughts.

An idea comes to my mind, and I take my time to share. "Selene," I begin, causing her to raise her head, watching me with tear-stained eyes, "Now he's…" I trail off, not wanting to repeat it, "There's a vacant leadership position in their pack." I pause, waiting for my words to resonate with her.

"You can challenge their strongest warrior. You're a pure-blood wolf. I do not doubt your combat ability."

She's sitting upright now, a small space between us as she takes in what I have just said."We're still married," she said matter-of-factly.

Her response is a clear message. She's not averse to the idea. The only thing holding her back is the fact that she is still tied to me. I understand her. If anything happened to Rora, I'd be out with teeth and claws, leaving blood in my wake till I found the culprit and made them pay.

I smile despite myself. "That can be annulled if you want." She needs to take out her anger somehow. I understand her need for revenge, and I also know if she's not able to avenge his death, she'll never forgive herself.We shifters are creatures of fierce loyalty, and our love is measured in how far we will go for our loved ones. Nothing will break a wolf like not being able to express their love and loyalty for a loved one. It's pure torture. It's a gift I won't deprive her of—the opportunity to fight for a loved one, to show him how much he matters even in death, and to let the pack know he was loved.

She looks up just then, her eyes glassy with tears, "You'd do that?"I nod, reaffirming her words, "I would."

****The annulment of our marriage was a lot easier than the marriage process itself. Apparently, apart from the consent of both parties and the elders' approval, there's nothing more to it.But now, as I stand here, my position in my pack under scrutiny, I wonder if I made a mistake by letting Selene go.It's a law that if the alpha isn't seen fit to rule, anyone can challenge him to a fight. I have been challenged to fight for what is mine, the greatest insult, as my father would say. I can already imagine him wincing with disapproval wherever he is.But without a strong mate and the loss of my wolf, coupled with my inability to heal, I've always known this would happen.

As I stand there in an open yard, my legs digging into the sand, I hear the loud cheer of the selected crowd.I stare at my challenger, a well-built man with heavy-looking biceps and broad shoulders. His expression is stony, and there's an unmistakable hunger in his eyes. Intense fiery orbs size me up, probably fantasizing of the life he'll have once he's done with me.

An alpha getting challenged to prove his competence is an event that has not happened in a while. We alphas are typically the largest and strongest wolves in the pack and to challenge one is a death sentence. I guess that's for alpha's with their wolves in tack."This is going to be so fun," he snickers, cracking his knuckles. "You used to walk around like you were the shit and had all the girls throwing themselves at you. I can't wait to get a taste of all that good life."

"Seen a healer yet? I hear shit that comes from the mouth is as deadly as the one that comes from your ass. Won't want you dying of verbal diarrhea before I get the chance to bury you."

"Bury me?" he let out a humorless laughter. "I don't know if you've been paying attention, but only one of us is lacking a wolf. I'll seal your tombstone, alpha," he says my title like he's spitting a dirty word, his eyes burning with hatred.I can't deny the growing tension in my muscles. I can hide it, but I can't deny it. For all the rubbish he's been spitting and his arrogance, my contender is well-built and appears very strong. I have no doubt his wolf will be a large one.

I can only rely on my human speed to keep tackling and not give him a moment to change. The injury in my thigh chooses the moment to tingle, reminding me of my predicament, and a string of curses tumble from my lips. I am at a disadvantage as both a human and a wolf."You must've been dreaming of the title for so long, too bad you'll only be remembered as the fool who dared to challenge his alpha."His lips narrow to a straight line, and I know I've hit a nerve. I quickly harness the opportunity. "What's the problem? Daddy didn't leave anything to your name, and now you're stuck fighting others for what your father couldn't give you?" An emotional and angry fighter is hardly calculated and tends to make a lot of blind mistakes. I'm hoping he bites.

"You don't know anything about me." he seethes, taking a menacing step in my direction."Exactly my point." My response is automatic, with a light chuckle and an eye roll in tow. "A nobody, trying desperately to be seen. Tell me, is there a woman in the crowd you've promised to make Luna? I'll advise to take your words back when you still have the time."I take my stance, rage blurring my vision. "I'll love to see you try."

With that, he charges toward me, and I duck. A timely save that sends him flying into a corner. That only seems to infuriate him.

He grunts, beating his chest wildly as he charges again. This time, I am not quick to dodge his open palm, and as I feel it slam across my shoulder, I stifle a scream.

The crowd cheers, everyone eager to watch. I shake off the noise, my eyes on him like a predator.A few more kicks of his connect with my midsection, causing me to double over momentarily.I straighten, despite the biting pain in my stomach, and ball my fists as I take a defensive stance. If I'm going to go down, then I'm looking to put up a fight. This is not about to be easy for him.I get a few punches myself, but not before his elbow connects with my jaw, forcing me to stagger backward and lose my balance, collapsing into the dirt. He doesn't rush at me. Instead, he takes his time to bask in the euphoria of this moment.

I can taste the blood in my mouth as I struggle to my feet, a wave of fatigue overwhelming me as the sores from my previous injuries seem to send waves of pain around my being.I kneel in the dirt, letting the noise fade lightly. Maybe this is it. Maybe I'm not fit to rule. Just then, I catch the glint of someone out of the corner of my eye, and I turn, blinking rapidly to rid my eye of the blurriness.Standing in a far corner of our gathering is Aurora and a child I know to be Ronan, sitting firmly in her grip.

A wave of panic shoots through me as I wonder why she's here. Her hair is a caricature of what it usually is. She's always so put together, but right now, there's nothing put together about the woman staring at me.Whatever the case may be, I can't stand for her to see me like this, a shadow of the man he used to be, weak and easily defeated.Through the fog of my emotions, I miss the fist flying to my face, and my neck twists in the most painful manner, the force of the blow knocking me to the ground.Somehow, amidst the cheer from the crowd, I make out a sharp gasp, and my eyes crack open to find Aurora wide-eyed, pulling Ronan to her side and shielding his eyes from the brutality in front of him.

Maybe it was the shame, maybe it was the anger from all the disrespect I've been put through, but a surge of rage engulfs me, dulling out the audience and the noise around me.My opponent charges at me again, but this time, I'm quick to dodge his attack, rolling to the other side to give myself time to recover.

I stand, my eyes barely leaving her as I charge towards my opponent, ducking two punches of his and landing him one of my own.That seems to do it as he falls, face first, like a bag of grain into the dirt. The crowd erupts in applause, but my attention is somewhere else.But aside from Aurora, there's something else, a feeling I cannot easily shake off. It takes a moment to figure out what it is, but eventually, I do, and my eyes dart to her son.Besides the abnormal nature of her visit, something doesn't feel right. The boy doesn't look right, and for some reason, panic sinks into my bones, and an urgent need to protect him overrides the rage from earlier.It's a weird feeling, seeing as the protective instinct is something usually reserved for parents, but he turns around and looks right at me. A look crosses his eyes, and I can almost swear I see the spirit of his wolf ghost through his eyes.My eyes widen as I realize what is going on. I push past everyone in my way and charge toward Rora. I have a lot of questions.