Chapter Nine

Third Person's POV

Brielle sat alone in her quarters, staring blankly at the flickering flames in the fireplace. Her thoughts were nothing but confusion and heartache. Lucien's harsh words echoed in her mind, and his rejection was not something she had enjoyed. She couldn't understand how things had spiraled out of control so quickly. One moment, she was trying to find her place in the pack, and the next, she was caught between two men who meant a lot of things to her.

Her feelings for Lucien were complex. As her mate, there was an undeniable bond between them, one that should have brought them closer. But Lucien's distance and cold exterior made it impossible for her to feel secure or loved. On the other hand, Zane had been a pillar of support. His kindness and understanding had created a deep friendship between them, and recently, those feelings had begun to shift into something more. She was torn between the bond she was supposed to honor and the growing affection she had for Zane.

Overwhelmed by her emotions and Lucien’s avoidance, Brielle decided she needed to talk to Zane. She had to sort through her feelings and understand what was happening between them. One morning, after a sleepless night, she made her way to Zane's quarters. The walk was short, but it felt like an eternity as she replayed Lucien's rejection over and over in her mind.

When she arrived at Zane's door, she hesitated for a moment before knocking. Zane opened the door almost immediately, his expression softening when he saw her.

“Brielle.” He said gently. “Come in.”

She stepped inside, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. Zane's quarters were warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the cold tension that seemed to permeate Lucien's study. Brielle took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart.

“I needed to talk to you.” She began, her voice shaky. “I can't stop thinking about everything that's happened. Lucien... he rejected me, Zane. And I don't know what to do.”

Zane's eyes darkened with anger and concern. How could Lucien do that?

He had to do better. He stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

“I'm sorry, Brielle. You don't deserve this. Lucien is a fool for not seeing how wonderful you are.”

His words brought a wave of emotion crashing over her. Before she knew it, she was crying, the tears she had held back for so long finally breaking free. Zane pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as she sobbed.

“It's okay.” He murmured. “I'm here for you.”

As she clung to him, something shifted between them. The comforting embrace turned into something more. She looked up at Zane, her heart pounding in her chest. His eyes were filled with a longing that mirrored her own. Without thinking, she leaned in and kissed him.

Then she pulled back, remembering that some of these things were happening because she had sex with Zane in the first place.

Zane shook his head and pulled her back in, crashing his lips against hers. The kiss was gentle at first, but it quickly deepened, fueled by the pent up desire they both felt. Zane's hands roamed her back, pulling her closer as their kiss grew more passionate. Brielle felt a rush of heat through her body, her worries and doubts melting away in the intensity of the moment.

They moved towards the bed, their movements urgent and desperate. Clothes were discarded hastily, and soon they were wrapped in each other's arms, giving in to the feelings they had experienced recently. The bed creaked, and the sheets were warm. Afterward, they lay in each other's arms, the reality of what they had done settling in. Brielle felt a mix of guilt and relief. She had crossed the line before, but now, it felt right.

Zane looked at her, his expression gentle.

“I don't want this to be a one-time thing, Brielle.” He said softly. “I care about you. I want to be with you.”

Brielle's heart swelled with emotion.

“I care about you too, Zane. But what about Lucien?”

“Lucien made his choice.” Zane replied. “He rejected you. You deserve to be with someone who appreciates you.”

Over the next week, Brielle and Zane's relationship deepened. They spent every moment they could together, finding comfort and joy in each other's presence. They laughed, talked, and shared intimate moments that made her happy. And it was an obvious contrast to the cold distance she had always felt with Lucien.

Their relationship quickly became the talk of the pack. It wasn't long before they decided to make it official. Brielle and Zane attended a pack event together, holding hands as they walked into the crowded hall. Conversations hushed as they entered, all eyes turning to the new couple.

Brielle felt a little bit nervous, but Zane squeezed her hand, wanting to reassure her. He wasn’t going to let go, not after they had come this far.

“Zane…”

“Nobody can do anything to us. Besides, they look like they’re admiring us more than anything else.” Zane said. “You’re beautiful, and we look great together.” He said.

They made their way through the crowd, greeting pack members and accepting congratulations. It was a bold move, but Brielle knew it was the right one. She deserved happiness, and Zane was the one who was going to give it to her.

-

Angelina, who had been observing everything from a distance, noted how fast the two were growing closer, Brielle and Zane, that is.

Initially, she had seen Brielle as a rival for Lucien's affection, but now she felt a sense of relief. With Brielle out of the way, Angelina's chances with Lucien seemed more promising. She had watched them at the pack event, and it was obvious, just how happy they felt, and how close they were to each other, causing Angelina to feel a spark of hope for her own future with Lucien.

Lucien, however, was not as unaffected as he pretended to be.

Seeing Brielle and Zane together stirred a mix of emotions within him. A part of him was relieved that Brielle had found happiness, thinking that perhaps the bond between them would fade, and he could relax, but another part of him struggled with jealousy and unresolved feelings. Every time he saw them together, a pang of regret shot through him, making him question the decisions he had made.

Determined to bury his emotions, Lucien threw himself into his Alpha responsibilities. He attended every meeting, reviewed every budget, and handled every crisis with a fervor that largely bordered on obsession.

His focus on the pack's welfare was strong, and it looked like he had hoped that by immersing himself in his duties, he could forget the problems in his heart.

Meanwhile, Angelina took the opportunity to gain Lucien's attention. She increased her efforts, offering her assistance whenever possible, and making sure she was always nearby when he needed support. She was a constantly physically present, ready to help, hoping to finally win his heart without Brielle in the way.

But Lucien, in spite of acknowledging her support, and seeing how she was trying, remained distant. He appreciated Angelina's efforts but couldn't reciprocate her feelings. His mind was too consumed with thoughts of Brielle and the mess he had made. And besides, he couldn't afford distractions, not when the pack needed him to be strong and decisive. He was aware how Angelina liked him, but he was not interested in her at all. Rather, it seemed like her presence was a reminder of the emotional void he tried to fill with duty.

On the other hand, Brielle and Zane's relationship flourished, bringing a new energy to the pack. Their happiness was contagious, and many members looked to them as a symbol of hope and resilience. Brielle felt a sense of belonging she had never known before, and she was happy that she had decided to be with Zane. She felt the peace that she had always longed for.

Lucien watched from a distance. He saw the way Zane looked at Brielle, the way she smiled back at him, and felt a hollow ache in his chest.

He knew he had made his choice, but that didn't make it any easier to accept. Maybe if he had done a better job— no! He stopped himself and then turned away, forcing himself to focus on the tasks he had to do, burying his feelings even deeper.

Angelina noticed Lucien's mood. She approached him, her voice soft.

“Lucien, are you alright?”

He looked at her, his expression guarded.

“I'm fine, Angelina. Just a lot on my mind.”

“You don't have to do this alone.” She said, stepping closer. “I'm here for you.”

Lucien merely grunted a reply.

She reached out to touch his arm, and he pulled away firmly, his walls firmly in place and his eyes on her, not angry, but passing some kind of silent warning.

“I need to get back to work. The pack needs me.”

Angelina watched him walk away, her heart sinking. She had hoped that with Brielle out of the picture, Lucien would finally notice her. But it seemed his heart was more guarded than ever, and she wondered if she would ever be able to break through.

“Maybe that Brielle has put a spell on him.” She thought spitefully, wondering why he wasn’t interested in having a simple conversation with her outside of pack duties. Was she really that horrendous, or did he still have feelings for Brielle?