Chapter one hundred and twenty two

Lucas’s POV

“Mara,” I sighed. “We need to talk.”

This sounded serious to her as her eyes widened but it was clear she didn’t want to do it with me. She was scared of what I would say.

“How about we take a walk down the garden?” I suggested as she nodded before following me out.

I strode purposefully through the castle halls, cloak billowing behind me.

I didn’t care if she followed me or not, I wanted her to be away from the alpha.

I found some of the elders at the stairs talking about what they had seen but the minute they saw me they shut up.

Such political machinations were the last thing Zach needed focusing on during recovery. Steeling my resolve, I emerged into the grand receiving hall just as formal introductions between me and some people were wrapping up, spotlight falling upon me while more generals came to ask me how the king was faring.

“He’s fine. Now please, if you’ll pardon me,” I said before moving by them.

As Mara and I strolled through the paths beneath a canopy of b