Chapter 4

I saw her again, I saw my mother. The memory was so vivid, almost like it was yesterday—but it wasn't.

Ten years had passed since that night. Ten years of pretending to be weak and ten years of silence. It all came flooding back.

“Lucien… listen to me carefully.” Tears filled her eyes.

“Mother, what’s wrong?” She reached her trembling hand to touch my cheek.

“You must never show them what you are.”

I frowned, “But I’m just an omega.”

Sadness flickered in her eyes for a brief moment.

“No...” she whispered, “...you are far more than that.”

She lifted her gaze slowly toward the moonlight shining through the window. “The Luna Goddess chose you.”

I gasped as I awoke from the wolfsbane haze. I bolted upright, pain exploding through every part of my body.

A groan escaped my lips before I could stop it. I looked up, the ceiling above me was unfamiliar. White linen curtains swayed gently beside an open window, carrying in the scent of herbs and fresh air. It took me about a minute to realise I was in the recovery room.

I closed my eyes again and tried to remember. The training field, Darius, wolfsbane.

Then...

Darkness.

"You're finally awake."

I turned my head to see the pack healer standing beside the bed, crushing herbs into a small wooden bowl.

"You've been unconscious since yesterday afternoon."

"Yesterday...?"

She nodded.

I instinctively touched the side of my neck, “It still hurts.”

"Drink this." She handed me a bitter-smelling tonic.

I swallowed it with a grimace, it tasted awful.

There was a knock at the door. Without waiting for permission, it opened. The healer immediately bowed when she sighted Beta Arthur.

"Beta."

Arthur acknowledged her with a brief nod.

The healer checked the wound on my neck one last time before nodding to herself.

"...Interesting."

"What is?" Arthur asked, taking two steps closer.

"The wolfsbane left his system much sooner than I expected. He heals unusually fast."

"Meaning?"

"I've treated warriors much stronger than him who remained unconscious for two or three days after a dose like that." She frowned slightly.

"This omega got fine in less than a day."

Arthur glanced at me, "It could've been a weak dose."

She shook her head, "No…If anything, it should have kept him unconscious still." She looked at me thoughtfully.

For a brief second, Arthur's eyes lingered on me.

Then he said calmly, "Perhaps he's simply fortunate."

"Perhaps." She responded, sounding unconvinced.

She gathered her things without question and quietly left the room.

The door clicked shut.

Silence settled in the room. Arthur remained standing, his posture was as straight and composed as ever. If someone had walked in at that moment, they would never guess he had kissed me only yesterday.

"How do you feel?" he asked.

"Like I lost a fight."

"You did."

"I suppose I did."

Another silence. Neither of us seemed willing to mention what had happened in his chamber. I preferred it that way, or maybe I thought I did.

"What about Darius?" I finally asked.

"What about him?"

"What happened?"

Arthur's expression remained unreadable. "He and the others have been disciplined."

"For attacking me?"

"For violating pack law." He answered coldly.

"No wolf administers wolfsbane without the Alpha's approval."

Great! So it wasn't about me. Why did that disappoint me? And why was he here? Why was he acting like he didn't kiss me 24 hours ago? Why were his eyes so cold and unreadable? No Beta abandoned pack duties to check on an omega.

He took a quick glance at his wristwatch like he had somewhere he needed to be urgently, and then back at me. "You'll remain here until evening."

"I feel better already."

"That's an order." His tone was firm.

The familiar Beta had returned—Oddly...

At least it'll make things easier, not complicated.

He turned toward the door and started to leave but paused without looking back, "Don't overexert yourself." Then he walked out.

I stared after him, a part of me wanting to be angry, but for what exact cause? He hadn't apologized, he hadn't explained the kiss, he'd simply acted as though it had never happened.

Perhaps…it was for the best.

The stiffness in my body had eased by evening. Mira still hadn't come. That wasn't like her. If she knew I was awake, she'd be the first person through that door. I was beginning to get tired of the environment and I needed to leave, despite Arthur's orders.

I noticed the healer had gone to tend to another injured warrior, no guards stood outside. I slowly swung my legs over the side of the bed, every muscle protested. But still...I could walk. There was no reason to remain.

I quietly opened the recovery room door and slipped into the corridor, the halls were still busy like they were the previous day. Servants hurried past carrying banners, flowers and polished vases.

I kept my head lowered and made my way toward the servants' quarters. I’d barely reached the staircase when a familiar voice stopped me.

"Omega."

My heart skipped, it was Alpha Leo. I immediately bowed.

"Alpha."

He descended the stairs slowly without taking his eyes off me until he stood directly before me.

"I was informed you regained consciousness."

"Yes, Alpha."

"And yet... here you are."

"I was returning to my room."

His eyes lingered on me.

"You recover quickly."

"I've always healed well."

"Hm."

It wasn't agreement, neither was it disbelief. It was...suspicion.

His gaze remained fixed on me, as though he were measuring something invisible.

Then he asked quietly, "Why do you think Darius attacked you?"

"I don't know, Alpha."

"You expect me to believe that?"

"I have never given him a reason."

Another pause.

"Perhaps."

He stepped aside.

"You may go."

"Thank you, Alpha."

I slowly walked away, resisting every urge to look back because I felt his eyes still watching me until I disappeared around the corner.

There was something unsettling about that encounter. The questions and the observations. Alpha Leo barely notices me so why was he suddenly interested in my fight with Darius?

I reached my room just as the sun dipped below the horizon. I'd barely closed the door when it opened again. Arthur.

Was he monitoring me now? Why was he everywhere including my room?

"Why did you leave the recovery room when I specifically made my orders clear to you?"

"I felt well enough."

"I don't recall giving you permission."

I lowered my gaze respectfully.

"Forgive me, Beta Arthur. I didn't think remaining there was necessary."

Still fixing his gaze on me, he stepped closer, close enough that I could feel his warm breath.

His jaw tightened, as though he were fighting words he couldn't say.

Then—

A deep horn blasted across the pack three times, Arthur's head snapped toward the window.

Outside, voices erupted.

"ALL HAIL THE LYCAN KING!"

The cry rolled across Shadowclaw like thunder.

Arthur instinctively sniffed the air lightly—A fresh wolf scent. I could smell it too.

Someone had been standing outside my room.

Arthur's eyes hardened.

Without another word, he yanked the door open and disappeared down the corridor.