Chapter 34
Lucian
My eyes are fixed on my expensive watch as the car rolls into the Crimson Shadow pack. Everything else fades into the background, the only sound the steady ticking of the watch echoing in my ears as 1 slip into a daze.
My mind is blank, my thoughts a jumbled mess, and the air around me feels suffocating–threatening to swallow mr whole,
“Alpha Lucian, we’ve arrived,” Elijah says sofly, pulling me out of my thoughts. I shift my gaze from the watch and glance outside, realizing we’re already within the boundaries of the Crimson Shadow pack. This time, we’re permitted past the perimeter, but only because of the agenda i presented to Bamarn–that fool.
I step out of the car, my hands casually tucked into my pockets as I stand tall, surveying the area. My gaze lands on the man I’d nearly killed the last time I was here–the leader of Damien’s warriors. His name? I never bothered to find out. The only reason I remember him is because I came si close to finishing him off that day… and left the job undone.
“No weapons are allowed inside, and only the Alpha’s Beta and gamma may enter,” the man says, his tone neither respectful nor ride. Yet, as 1 sweep my gaze over him, I notice the slight stiffening of his posture, the tension in his body as he avoids mering my eyes.
“Alpha=“Elijah begins, but I cut him off with a wave of my hand.
“Do as he says. “We’re not here for a fight. You and Ales will be the only ones to accompany me inside,” I say, my expression unchanging as I stride past Damien’s Gamma. My steps are light as a fearlier against the ground as I head in the direction of the study I recall vividly, even though years have passed since I last set foot here
As I walk, I can’t help glancing around, hoping–foolishly, perhaps–that I might catch a glimpse of her just one glance. Hut she is nowhere in sight The longer I search, the more disappointed I feel. When I finally push open the heavy doors of the study, my mood worsens further.
The man inside, lounging with his legs casually propped on the table, grins widely at the sight of me. His eyes light up with an infuriating mix of amienient Mnd mockery.
“Lucian Lucian! What do owe the honor of this Bible visiť“ he drawls, his voice dripping with false chicer,
My hand clenches into a fist as I narrow my eyes at him, fighting the overwhelming urge to tear him apart for that taunting smirk directed at me.
But I force myself to stay composed, walking over to the chair opposite him. I sit down, crossing any legs casually as I settle in, my fingers tapping rhythmically on the desk.
“You must have heard from your gamma, so drop the pretense, Damien, and let’s get down to business I say, my voice cold
Damien’s smile widens as he tilts his head slightly, frigning confusion. His hand strokes his chin as he pretends to think
“Hmm, what did Felix tell me again! I’m sorry, but I don’t remember much these days. You see, I’ve been busy with my new mate,” he chuckles, his eyes gleaming with amusement as he watches me stiffen in my seat. My expression darkens instantly, but he continues,
“You know, I was actually occupied right before you arrived,” he continues smugly. “I was with Elara in my room, and we
SLAM!
My fist crashes onto the table, cutting him of mid–sentence. My glare sharpens, my composure slapping as I unleash a powerful killing intent, one strong enough to bring thousands to their krices–Alphas included. But Damien? He doesn’t flinch, not even slightly
If anything, it only seems to further amuse the bastard.
“Chops, did spill too much he shrugs, the infuriating smirk on his fare widening as he leans back further in his chair.
“Damien, do not push my limits 1 biss through gritted teeth, but he scoffs. In the blink of an eye, his expression shifts to something serious…
mirroring my glare
To you take me for a fool, Lucian? You’re here because you want to form a peace treaty with my pack! You think I don’t know the real reason is because of Elara–my mate! Or perhaps,” he leans cluser, countering my killing intent with his own, now in full force, “have you forgotten what your father dide
A bravy silence Lalls over the room as the air grows oppressive. The intensity of our killing intert is suffocating, and I can feel it taking its toll on everyone else in the study. One by one, they collapse to the ground with heavy thuchs, coughing up what is likely blood
Damien – the very man who was once my childhood friend but is now my sworn enemy. All because of a tragic accident years ago, an accident
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Luckilyn Fra
Chapter 34
where my father murdered his parents.
I didn’t know all the details of how it happened, but apparently, my father went rogue and murdered Damien’s parents in cold blood–without reason. Worse, Damien had witnessed it all that day.
The world was stunned when it happened. Our packs had been close, and our parents were friends. But the shock didn’t end there. Shortly after killing Damien’s parents, my father had taken my mother’s life–his own mate–and then killed himself.
I had witnessed that one. His bloodshot eyes as he held the dagger to his neck, tears streaming down his face. He cried and begged me to run, and then, as though some invisible force compelled him, he slashed his throat without heslation.
Afterward, I tried to reach out to Damien, to explain that my father wasn’t the moister he believed him to be, that something was wrong. But Damien’s words that day had cut deeper than any blade
“What a shame he died before I could end his life myself. If you don’t want me to exact my revenge on you, then never show your face to me again -or I won’t hesitate to pierce your heart.”
Since then, our packs have hated each other. We’ve competed, dashed, and fought countless wars. And now, everything revolves around Elara- someone neither of us seems willing to let go of.
I don’t take my eyes off him, and he doesn’t look away from me. At any moment, either one of us could charge, igniting another full–blown fight that would destroy my plan to eventually get Elara back. That cannot happen. I need her.
Taking a shaky breath, I lean back in my seat, my lips pressing into a thin frown as I prepare to say the words he’ll most likely be pleased to hear.
“A peace treaty, and all the resources from the south are yours.”
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