Lucien"You are lucky you have a thick skull. Sometimes, I wonder if you feel pain with these wounds on your body," Irene said to me as she began tending to my wounds.Her touch was unbearably soft, and I wished this could go on forever. I enjoyed the way she was taking care of me like I was some little child."This is nothing compared to what I have had before, Irene. I doubt if I feel any pain. Besides, I'm a man. Do you expect me to cry like a child?" I asked her, and she smiled.She dipped the cloth into the bowl of water beside her, wrung it out, and pressed it gently against the cut on my cheek.The sting was nothing compared to the ache in my chest. That ache had nothing to do with bruises or broken bones. It was entirely different."Oh, really? I see. I never expected you to cry out anyway," she said, and I tried to smile."I have had worse. That's just the point," I muttered, and she shot me a look, unimpressed."Stop saying that. It's not something to be proud of," she scold
Irene"Who the hell was knocking at this hour?" I asked again through gritted teeth.I was already mad that my pleasurable moment had been disrupted by this knock.“Should I go and get the door?” I asked Lucien because the knock on the door was only getting louder as each second went by.I clicked my tongue on the roof of my mouth. I was torn between frustration and concern because of the sharp and relentless pounding on the door.My breathing was still uneven, and my body was still heated up from Lucien’s touch, and now… this.Lucien groaned behind me, his hands still resting on my waist, and he refused to let me go."Ignore it," he muttered, and his voice was thick with irritation. "Whatever it is, it can wait. Let's finish what we started,” Lucien said, trying to take my mind away from what was happening.I tried to focus on him, but the knocking only grew more desperate.Something was wrong.I exhaled sharply, stepping away from Lucien’s warmth and pulling my dress tighter around
IreneAfter dealing with Silas’ issues, I found myself in Lucien’s room while he was out.I missed that cocky bastard. I found myself looking for things in his room. I didn’t know what exactly I was looking for, but I kept searching."What else are you hiding from me, Lucien?" I asked, tracing my fingers over the leather-bound journal on his desk.I knew I shouldn’t be doing this. But the moment I saw my father’s name written on the edge of a page, I had every reason to.I felt guilty for a while because I was intruding on his privacy, but…I wasn’t going to apologize.I had been waiting for answers but had found none, and he had also refused to talk to me about it.His handwriting was bold and easy to read, and I pierced my eyes through every word."The pack deserves better.""I will do anything to protect them, even if it means making impossible choices.""Irene... if she ever knew the truth..."I sucked in a sharp breath, and my heart fell. This was all written by Lucien, and it wa
IreneWhy the hell was the document a secret? This was not making any single sense to me."You knew,” I thundered and the words left my lips as they crashed into his ears.Lucien stood frozen, watching me. Maybe he didn't know what to say but I could only tell that he was faking everything.He was pretending to be sad as I accused him of everything. He was aware of how seeing this was towards me.He knew I felt bad just because of what I saw and all he could do was to stand there and say nothing?Come on, Lucien. He needed to do better, and I am not going to leave without a fucking explanation.I took a shaky breath, gripping the document tighter in my trembling hands."You knew my father wasn’t guilty,” My voice shook but I forced myself to keep speaking because I was going to demand answers from this already dumb man. "You had proof, Lucien. You had Proof that could have saved him, and you did nothing. Why are you so heartless?”I asked, pouring out my heart to him.I was beginning t
IreneI was already tired of asking numerous questions without getting answers.Nothing seemed to be working for me anymore, and I had given up. It was clear that no one cared, but I was still doing everything I could to get the truth.I was only fooling myself in the long run."Maybe you are just being foolish!"The harsh thought came to me, unbidden and as sharp as a dagger.I had gone through a lot in the few days, and with what I was thinking, I was not going to get over this torture anytime soon.I sat on the edge of the bed, my arms wrapped around myself and my head lowered.My heart was heavy with frustration curling in my chest like a restless beast.Lucien shut me out. Again!I couldn't count the number of times he did that to me, and now, I was left to my hopeless self.No matter how much I pushed, no matter how many questions I asked, he refused to give me the answers I needed."It is your father’s wish."That was all he would say over and over again. As if that was suppose
Irene"You are still in pain?" I asked as I saw Lucien writhing in pain.Lucien barely reacted to my words and blatantly ignored me as if I was talking to myself.That was quite rude. I was only showing that I cared about him, and now he was pretending as if no one did.Fine! If that was what he wanted. Whatever suited him then.I tried to ignore him, but I couldn't. My conscience was pricking at me, and I had to attend to him."Lucien. Are you still hurting?" I asked again, this time my voice was louder, and his back was turned.I had expected to see him healing by now. I expected him to be stronger and sharper, the way he always was.But he looked weaker than before. He looked like something was slowly eating him inside, causing him to look so pale.I stepped closer to him with my hands akimbo. I didn't like the fact that I was kept on the edge."Lucien, please talk to me. I have been here for the past few minutes asking you some questions, yet all you do is ignore me," I complained
IreneThat was not the end. In fact, whatever issue we both had continued, and it made me want to talk more to him.“Is there anything you are expecting me to say, Irene? I need to know because you keep calling me back like you're forgetting something,” he said, and I nodded.He was right. I was forgetting something, and that was because of him."If you want me to leave, then I will have to go back on my word. I would have to tell everyone, and I don't fucking care what you have to say that would stop me,” I revealed to him, and my voice rang through the room. My voice was so sharp that even a deaf person could hear me.Lucien stiffened at the sound of my voice, and his eyes flickered with shock, anger, maybe even fear.I didn’t care much about that because I had long told him all I had to say."You wouldn’t do such a thing. Stop switching up immediately just because I said you can leave if you want. Don't you crave freedom again?” he asked, and I laughed.He was making sense, and he
Lucien I couldn't run in circles anymore. I had to tell her the truth."They want me dead, Irene," I informed her, making sure she heard me properly.Irene’s face twisted in confusion, and she readjusted her dress on her body, moving closer to the table beside her."I'm sorry. I swear, I don't understand what you mean by that," she answered, and I knew she was only playing me around. I was going to tell her everything anyway. I had already made up my mind."Alright. I will explain. I said the Council…" I started, bringing my voice low. "They have been plotting this for months and maybe years. They want me out of the way so they can replace me with Chris. They want to dethrone me," I explained, and Irene blinked, shaking her head.She couldn't believe what she was hearing, but it was the truth."They want to replace you with Chris? Your Beta?" she asked, and I nodded.Was there anyone else named Chris that she knew? I was talking about the one who followed me around, claiming he had m
Irene pov A month later, peace had finally returned to the pack and I could finally breathe. The air shifted and changed into something better and less contaminated. During that same time, I had been working really hard to gain the trust of the pack. "You know they're calling you 'The Gentle Luna' now, right?" Camila said, grinning as she handed me a mug of tea. I blinked and paused for a while. "Wait, what? Seriously?" I asked and She nodded at me. Her eyes were full of excitement. "It's spreading. The news is spreading outside the pack house. Even the traders in the market were saying how kind you were to the orphanage. Someone even mentioned you helped a little girl fix her broken doll. I'm so proud of you, sweetbreads,” she revealed and I chuckled, feeling warmth rise in my chest. "I didn't think people noticed that. This has to be very lovely news!” "Well, they did. And they are talking about it and they are doing that In a good way." That morning sunlight came i
Lucien “It is done, Alpha.” The guards assured me about Malcolm's additional punishment already carried out. I felt at peace at last. The traitors had been punished, and the pack would begin to heal. Though Kael was still out there, I knew he was no match for me, especially since his actions had been so wildly spread. If he were to ever be seen, he would not escape my wrath.The pack members would see that he was duly executed. Left to him, I would have killed him. He touched Irene and that alone should have made me behead him myself. Irene joined me in our room after talking to Silas. I was content that they were bonding well. She came to meet me on the bed, her warmth a gentle reminder of why I shouldn't bother about anything. She was cool, she was ice and she was fire. As we rested, Irene asked. “Lucien, why did you spare the council member's lives? I mean, you had every right to kill them, but you didn't. That's the punishment for traitors, death.”I looked at her, my eyes sea
Lucien“Long live the Alpha, long live the Alpha.”The crowd cheered loudly, content about the verdict I gave each of the traitors. It was the hardest for me to do. Tos sentence all seven of the council of Elders, but I was sure that was the right thing to do.“It's time for Malcolm Stark's verdict!” One of the guards announced. The ground fell silent as the elders were led away, their fate sealed. I nodded to the guards, my voice firm. "Bring Malcolm in."The guards returned with Malcolm, his eyes gleaming with desperation and anger. He wasn't remorseful. He didn't even reflect on what he had done. To him, he was right and everyone was wrong. He stood tall, his shoulders squared, but I saw the faintest tremble in his lips. As he faced me, his gaze darted around the room, searching for an ally or an escape.“If you're looking for where to run to, I assure you that you wouldn't move two feet without getting stabbed in your neck, so, relax and be good.” I said. The guards chained him
LucienPeris would receive his judgement today. And then the council of Elders too. I didn't want to judge them altogether. I was going to hear each and everyone's side of the story. To me, that was fair and just. I was dressed and ready for the day when Irene came to stand by my side. "It's time for Peris's judgment," I said, my voice firm.She placed a hand on my arm, her eyes searching mine. "I wish you luck, my love,” she took a pause and went on. “Peris is not a man of many words, Lucien. He is timid and loyal, in his own way. Perhaps you should allow him to speak for himself. He might not even understand half of the plan.”I nodded, considering her words. When Silas and I had been listening to the conversation they had in Kael's house, Peris seemed like the last person to understand the plan. He wasn't much of a contributor, just a sleeping accomplice. "Very well," I said. "I'll hear him out. But, why am I feeling like you want me to spare him?”She laughed. “No, silly. I know
Irene's POVI closed the door softly behind Lucien, his kiss still lingered on my lips. He said he wanted to meet with some pack members, to reassure them after the chaos of the arrest.He seemed relieved at least. That was all that mattered to me. Apart from the butterflies tingling at the pit of my belly, I was fine. It was late now and all I wanted was Lucien's presence with me. To hold me, kiss me, and feel me. I couldn't ever get enough of him. He was my strength and my weakness.A knock broke through my thoughts and I answered.“Come in,” I said, rising to my feet, heart thudding for a reason I didn't know.The door creaked open, and Silas stepped inside. He stood, his eyes somber, rimmed with guilt and sadness. He looked pale. I hadn't forgotten that he had been stabbed, his arm had been bandaged.“Silas, are you okay? You look so pale.” I said, already moving closer to him. “Did you eat at all?”“Irene,” he said, his voice low. “Can I talk to you?I nodded slowly and motione
Lucien's POV“Take them to the dungeon, make sure their screams don't disturb the peace of the house.” I ordered, my words heavy and final.The guards began to pull Malcolm, Peris, and the Elders forward, their hands were bound and their heads were lowered for the first time in years. The crowd parted for them, watchful. If not for the guards, I'm sure the pack wouldn't hesitate to kill them with their claws.Malcolm was the first to open his mouth. He was never the type to accept defeat when it came.“This is madness, Lucien!” he barked, fighting against the guards as they shoved him forward. “You’re letting emotion cloud your judgment. This is not the way of the council! You can't just discard us like that, this is barbaric!”I stepped forward, my gaze not leaving him. “You taught me the ways of this council. You knew everything, didn't you? But you still failed to live by your teachings. It's over, Malcolm.”His eyes narrowed, but before he could speak again, the eldest member of
Irene's POVI tried to sleep. The warmth of the blanket should have comforted me, but my instincts prickled beneath my skin. I was too restless. The bond between Lucien and I hummed with something heavy.Then I heard it—his voice, cold and full of command.“BOW DOWN!”“Lucien?” I echoed, and sat up instantly. My breath was caught in my throat. That wasn't a command whispered in private. That was Lucien's Alpha voice; the kind he'd used on Silas the first time we met. He told me to stay inside, but that was the last thing to do. I threw the blankets off and dressed quickly, tugging a robe over my body. I left the room and ran down the hall. I met a few guards posted around.“What's going on?” I asked breathlessly.The guards looked at themselves before one of them answered. “Alpha Lucien is exposing the traitors. The Council of Elders are being arrested.”“What?” I was shocked. Lucien hadn't said anything like that this morning. Why had he asked me not to come out? I didn't wait for
Lucien's POVThe morning sun barely broke out before I had my bath, got dressed, and crawled back into bed with Irene. She smelt nice after the thorough bath we had during midnight.“I need to meet the council,” I said, tightening the last button of my shirt as Irene stirred beneath the sheets.She opened her eyes slowly, still drowsy from the night we spent locked in each other's arms. “Good morning. What did you say?”I leaned down and kissed her gently, brushing her hair from her face. “You look so beautiful, Irene.”She giggled and kissed me. “That's not what I asked you, Lucien.”“I am meeting the pack council.” I repeated slowly. “This is something I should’ve done a long time ago, it's not too late now, though. But I need you to stay here.”Her brows furrowed, worry creeping into her gaze. “Stay here? Why?”“Because I can't risk you getting hurt again. Not like before.” I kissed her, slower this time, memorising the softness of her lips. “Please, Irene. Trust me, huh?”Her sile
Lucien's POV“I have stitched up his wound. He would come around in the morning. It's nothing serious.” The healer assured us and I gave him a nod of gratitude.Irene stood still, not wanting to leave the room.“Silas will be fine, Irene. Let's go to our room.” I whispered, pulling her away from the healer's chamber. Silas had passed out because of the blood he lost, but the healer assured us that he would be fine. I had no intention of going to the hospital, I wanted to do this low key and get to the councils when they were totally relaxed. Irene didn't argue with me this time, she just held my hand tight as I led her out. She made sure Silas was settled and he was breathing. “Will he be fine?” She asked silently, her voice warm.I nodded without saying a word. She seemed to trust my silence because she willingly allowed me to lead her down the hallway, past other rooms, until we got to our room. When we reached the bedroom door, I paused, reluctant to go in with her. She might b