Chapter Eight

Lucien's POV.

The day had been long and exhausting, but it wasn't over yet. My body ached from the recent things I had going on, and with everything stressing me out, all I wanted was a moment of peace. Instead, I found myself dealing with more drama.

I looked at the papers for the budget for the rest of the year and noted how many meetings I had to be present for. Things were difficult here.

I paced the floor of my study, trying to calm my racing thoughts. I couldn't stop thinking about Brielle. I was angry, yes, but in a way, I could understand. I hadn’t been present enough, and it must have been sort of strange for them.

That was a lie. I was too selfish to do that, to understand where she was coming from, but how could I say that? It was a cruel twist of fate for me, and I didn't know how to handle it. A leader who couldn’t lead his thoughts.

Zane walked in, looking hesitant as he saw the look on my face. I must have looked irritated.

“Lucien, we need to talk about something very important.” He said, his voice low.

I nodded, motioning for him to sit, but he shook his head.

“I think I’d rather just stand. I’m not going to be here for long.” Zane said, and I nodded.

“Fine. What is it, Zane?” I asked him, my voice gruff. I wasn’t too pleased with him, and there was a lot happening.

He sat down across from me, his expression serious.

“It's about Brielle. I think she needs someone to help her adjust to all of this. Someone she can rely on.” He had the audacity to say to me.

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice calm. I rubbed my temples, feeling a headache coming on.

“Great. And you think that should be you?” I gave a sarcastic smile.

“Yes.” Zane replied without hesitation. “I think I can help her. She needs a friend, and I can be that for her.”

The thought of Zane getting close to Brielle made my chest tighten. It hurt more than I wanted to admit, but I knew he was right. She needed support, and I was in no shape to give it to her. But they had betrayed my trust.

“Sure, but the position I found you guys in earlier didn’t seem exactly friendly. Or did you not remember that she's my mate? You couldn’t respect her?”

“You don’t deserve her!” Zane said in anger, and I turned away from him. He didn’t know what he was talking about.

I nodded.

“Of course, Zane. That’s why you came to see me. Because you just want to make things easier for her.”

“You’ve not even been doing it, so someone has to. Let it be me!” He said angrily and I studied him.

I didn’t really like Brielle, and it was my ego that was causing me to stay bonded to her. I didn’t mind.

“Well, that sounds like a great idea. I don’t want her, so you can take her.” I told Zane.

“Done talk about her like that!” Zane spat.

Oh bother.

“Like what?”

“Like she’s an object to be passed around. She’s a very good person and deserves more than that.” Zane said, and I nodded

“Spare me the preaching, brother and get out.” I dismissed him with a wave of my hand.

Just then, I heard a noise outside the study. I turned to see Brielle standing in the doorway, her eyes wide with shock. She must have overheard our conversation.

“Brielle.” I said, sitting down. “Didn’t think I’d see you here. What do you want?”

She shook her head, her expression hurt.

“I heard enough, Lucien. You want Zane to be with me because you can't handle it.”

I got up and took a step towards her, but she backed away.

“First of all, I have handled women who are far worse than you. I really am just busy, and the both of you looked very cosy when I saw you, hm?”

“Save it!” She suddenly snapped. “I don't need your pity. If you don't want me, just say it.”

Her words cut deep, and I felt annoyed with how she spoke.

“Fine.” I said, my voice cold and with a smirk on my face. “I don't want you. You're not my mate. I reject you, Brielle.”

Her eyes filled with tears, and I almost regretted my harsh words. But it was too late. The damage was done.

Zane stood up, looking extremely worried.

“Lucien, you need to fix this. You can’t just say things like that.”

I shook my head.

“It's too late, Zane. I said what I said. There's no going back on my word, even if it was possible to reverse it.”

“You don't mean that.” Zane said. “You're just scared and tired.”

“Scared?” I chucked. “Tired, though? Maybe I am. But it's done.” I said.

Zane sighed, running a hand through his hair.

“You need to talk to her, Lucien. You can't just leave things like this. Say something else.”

“Like what? She knows that I rejected her, and she knows I meant every single word that I said.” I turned to her. “Or don’t you, Brielle?”

“You're a coward, Lucien.” She said, her voice shaky. “You can't even face your own feelings.”

She turned and ran out of the room, leaving me standing there, feeling more lost than ever.

“Looks g what you’ve done! Do more than think about it.” Zane yelled at me. “She deserves better than this.”

“It’s just rejection. People get rejected all the time, so she should just accept her fate and live with it. I not that difficult, and it’s not that deep.” I said nonchalantly and took a seat.

There was no reason for me to feel bad about anything. If anything, she should. Who did she think she was to fool around with Zane?