Chapter 39
Lucian raises his hand to his check, his eyes returning to their normal green hue. His eyes are wide with shock, and something else I can’t quite fathom. It’s in this moment, after I’ve done something 1 shouldn’t have, that I realize just how badly I’ve messed up,
I swallow hard, my throat dry as his fingers trail down to his lips, brushing against the small cut I’d caused. My heart nearly stops when he swipes the blood from his lip and stares at it, his expression unreadable as though his brain is struggling to process the right before him.
The silence between us is suffocating, not a single soul daring to move. That is until Lucian’s eyes brightens, and the corner of his lips curve into a wide, unnerving smile that sends a shiver racing down my spine
Lucian never smiles. In all the years I’ve been by his side, I’ve never seen him crack a genuine smile not one that wasn’t laced with cruel amusement. And yet here he is grinning like I’ve just handed him the greatest gift in the world.
His grip on my wrist loosens slightly, but before I can even think of stepping back, he tilts his head back and starts laughing. The sound is deep. raw, and unhinged, echoing through the garden like thunder. It sounds almost like a laugh of joy, but I can’t help but shiver at the display of madness before me.
What the hell?” I mutter under my breath, unable to hide the unease creeping into my voice.
Lucian’s laughter slows, his gaze snapping back to me, and his eyes glint with something unsettling. “Oh, Elara,” he says, his voice dripping with amusement, “you’re full of surprises, I didn’t think you had it in you.”
“You know,” he continues without waiting for a response. “no one has ever slapped me like that and lived to see another day
My stomach drops. That sounds like a threat, right?
“But strangely,” he muses, releasing my wrist only to grab both of my hands in his grip, “I don’t want to kill you. In fact. His lips curl into an unsettling grin as he leans closer. “I think you’ve just knocked some sense inso me. Elara. His grip tightens slightly as his expression softens in the most disturbing way possible. “I think I like you more now–to, I love you.”
1 freere, my mind struggling to process the madness unfolding before me. Did he just say.. he loves me! After I slapped him? What in the name of the moon goddess is going on.
His grip tightens around my hands, his green eyes glistening with a risted sort of excitement, as if he’s just uncovered the greatest revelation of his life. “Elara,” he says again, softer this time, almost tender. “you’re exactly what I need. Strong, fearless. perfect.
My stomach chains. “Lucian, I begin my voice firm but trembling slightly. “let go of me
He ignores my words, leaning closer, his expression unnervingly sincere. “Don’t you see? You’re not like anyone else. You challenge me, and I.. I like that I want that.”
Tyank at my hands, trying to break free, but his grip only tightens again. “You’re insane.” I hiss, glaring up at him.
His lips curl into a smirk. “Perhaps. But you’re the only one who can handle my insanity. Tell me, Elara. He pauses, his gaze boring into mine. “Would it kill you to admit that you still feel something for me! Don’t you want to go back home with met 1-1 realize how much I have lost and 1 want you back
I open my mouth so reply, but the words die in my throat when 1 feel a presence behind me–so close that my back brushes against him, and his warm breath fans against my neck. My body tenses immediately, a chill running down my spine.
mirkin
“I think you might have hit his head a bit too hard, comes the low, husky voice behind me, and I swear I can feel the smirk in his tone.
I want to focus on what he’s saying, I really do, but how am I supposed to co
concentrate when–well, it’s no big deal. Just me, sandwiched between Two Alphas. One in front of me with a maddening smile and the other practically glued to my back, radiating heat like a furnace.
If this isn’t the most awkward situation I’ve ever been in, I don’t know what is
My face redders at the speed of light at this close proximity, I should be glad that the garden is off–limit because if anyone walks in at this moment to see this then I might actually die
Damien must have sense my unease i
sense my unease because he leans closer before speaking “Lucian, let her go.”
Lucian doesn’t even flinch. His smirk only deepens as he glances over my head at Damien, then back at me. “Not until she admits it. Go on, Elara.
1/2
Chapter 39
Tell me–do you hate me as much as you presenil to?”
1 grit my teeth, “I don’t hate you, Lucian,” I say coldly. “I despise you.”
His laughter rumbles again, softer this time, his grip finally loosening. “Ah, Elara,” he murmurs, “We’ll see how long that lasts”
I stare at him with wide eyes as he leans back, his posture straightening. His smile vanishes at lightning speed, replaced by his usual stoir expression.
Did the man have multiple personality disorder, or was my mind just playing tricks on me?
I want to believe it’s the latter, but despite his stoic expression, there’s something lingering in his eyes–something that makes a shiver crawl up my spine.
“Well, I guess five minutes are up, bu don’t worry. Elara–we’ll be seeing each other again,” he says, adding a subile wink. My mouth flies open. ready to retort that no one is worrying in the first place, but before I can, he pats my hair like I’m some pet. Then, with infuriating nonchalance, be walks past me.
I whip around, watching as he stops beside Damien and places a hand on his shoulder. “The peace treaty is now in effect, which means I get to come here whenever I like. See you soon,” he says, a smug grin tugging at the corner of his lips,
Damien’s eyes flick down to the offending hand, his expression darkening. He scoffs, brushing it off like it’s dirt. “Don’t think you can just come here whenever you want
But Lucian doesn’t wait to bear the rest. He walks away, completely ignoring Damien’s words, his stride light and annoyingly confident.
“Hey! I mean it, don’t come here again!” Damien shouts after him, his frustration evident. When he gets no response, he muters curses under his breath, glaring at Lucian’s retreating figure.
“Sigh, what have I done!” Damien says quietly, but I catch the hesitation in his voice. He stiffens when he feels my piercing gaze on the back of his head.
1 hear him gulp, but before he can say anything else, 1 turn on my heel and walk past him, making my way out of the garden with frustration simmering beneath
skin
As I walk my mind races. I can’t help but think how everything today has gone completely off the rails.
I slept with Damien, Lucian’s behavior is unsettling, and now thanks to that damn peace treaty, he’ll be here anytime he wants. I be forced to see him every day.
One thing is clear–this is just the beginning. And something in my gut tell me things are about to get a whole lot worse
