63. The Weight Of False Success.

Lucy POV

I stood beside my father, but it felt like there was a wall between us.

The moment he saw me, his face lit up. Not the soft kind of happiness a father should have when he sees his daughter safe. No. This was different. Sharp. Proud. Satisfied.

He moved fast and pulled me into his arms.

“My daughter,” he said, holding me tightly. “You did it.”

His arms were strong. Familiar.

But I felt nothing.

No comfort.

No warmth.

Just anger.

I stiffened in his hold. My hands stayed at my sides. My body refused to melt into his embrace. All I could think about was why he was hugging me.

Not because I was okay.

Not because I was safe.

But because it worked.

Because the plan worked.

Because the mark appeared.

Because I was now useful.

That thought burned inside me.

I pushed him away gently, not hard enough to insult him, but firm enough to create space.

“Don’t,” I said quietly.

He paused, surprised for a second, then studied my face. He noticed it. I knew he did. But just like always, he chose to ignore it.

He smiled again, straightened his robe, and nodded as if nothing had happened.

“You were strong,” he said. “Stronger than I expected.”

I clenched my jaw.

“I don’t want praise,” I replied.

He waved his hand like my words meant nothing.

“Success deserves praise,” he said. “And this—this is success.”

I looked away.

Rowan POV

She pushed me away.

Not in anger. Not violently.

But the meaning was clear.

Lucy was distant.

I saw it in her eyes.

But this was not the time to dwell on emotions. Feelings could wait. The path ahead was more important than a moment of discomfort.

She had done what needed to be done.

That was all that mattered.

I nodded slowly, pretending not to notice her reaction.

“It worked,” she said.

Her voice was flat.

“Yes,” I replied calmly. “It did.”

I exhaled, then added, “You should know what happened at the council.”

Her eyes flicked to me, sharp and curious.

“They were confused,” I continued. “The Alpha stormed in. Furious. Dangerous.”

Lucy’s fingers twitched slightly.

“He nearly killed me,” I said carefully. “If not for Matthew, he would have.”

Her brows pulled together.

“And?” she asked.

“And they are pressured now,” I said. “More than ever.”

Lucy POV

My heart beat faster.

“Pressured how?” I asked.

My father’s lips curved slightly.

“The eclipse is drawing closer,” he said. “Time is against them.”

I swallowed.

“What if he doesn’t accept me?” I asked suddenly.

My voice betrayed me.

Rowan didn’t answer immediately.

He walked past me, pouring himself a drink, calm and steady like this conversation wasn’t tearing me apart.

“He will,” he said finally.

“How can you be so sure?” I asked.

He turned back to me.

“The mark is on you,” he said. “That changes everything.”

I folded my arms.

“And the sacrifice?” I asked. “What if the Luna God doesn’t accept it?”

Rowan’s expression hardened.

“That is not possible,” he said firmly. “The mark guarantees it.”

His certainty scared me.

I stared at him, my chest tight.

Something felt wrong.

Deeply wrong.

And then it hit me.

I hadn’t asked the most important question.

Not once.

Not before the ritual.

Not during.

Not after.

Because I was desperate.

Because I was afraid.

Because all I wanted was Adrian.

I raised my head slowly.

“Father,” I said.

He looked at me.

“Who has done this before?.. the whole ritual thing?”

The room went silent.

Too silent.

Dad didn’t respond.

He turned away.

My heart dropped.

“I asked you a question,” I said, my voice trembling.

He poured another drink.

“You shouldn’t think about that,” he said casually.

I stepped forward.

“Who?” I repeated.

He sighed, annoyed now.

“Lucy,” he said sharply, “focus on winning.”

I stared at him.

The answer was in his silence.

And it terrified me.

Rowan POV

She was asking too many questions.

Dangerous questions.

Questions that could weaken her resolve.

“This path is already chosen,” I said firmly. “Doubt will only destroy what we have built.”

She looked at me like she didn’t recognize me anymore.

Good.

That meant she was learning.

“You have what you wanted,” I continued. “The Alpha will bend. The eclipse will force him. Everything will fall into place.”

She opened her mouth to speak again.

I cut her off.

“Enough,” I said. “Focus.”

She froze.

The silence between us grew heavy.

And I knew...

She was beginning to understand the cost.

But it was too late to turn back.

Lucy POV

I stared at my father.

At the man who raised me.

At the man who dragged me into this.

And for the first time, I realized something painful.

I had never truly asked what this would cost me.

And now, whatever the truth was...

He didn’t want me to know.