Chapter 4

LUCAS'S POV

I took one last look at the girl crouched down on the floor and I sighed. She looked a mess.

We had been walking through the forest when Landon had caught the scent of blood and naturally we thought someone was being attacked by a rogue so we had rushed to track the person down but we had clearly not expected to see ….her.

Her face was matted with blood and mud, obscuring her features but I could tell she was actually quite pretty and judging from the looks that my brothers gave her, I knew they were thinking the same.

“Think we can stop somewhere and get her new clothes and all?” Landon asked, tilting his chin up at me.

As the oldest of the triplets and the heir to the throne, I was laden with a lot of responsibilities and sometimes, I wondered how it would be like if I wasn't.

I looked up at the sky already beginning to show signs of the sunrise. “Let's camp here. Matthew and the others will catch up with us soon. For now…” I looked down at her.

She was hugging her knees to herself and I felt bad for her. “Astrid?” My voice was cold but my gaze sharp.

She looked up at me, her eyes wide with fear. “Yeah?”

Logan kicked dust up with his boot, muttering something incomprehensible under his breath.

“Are you hungry?” I asked, my hands on my waist.

Her lips parted but no words came out, it was almost like she was hesitating.

“Logan, attend to her. Landon, with me. Let's scout out this place and hope to be back in a few hours so we can continue our journey” I nodded to Landon who looked at Logan with an expression that clearly stated that this was a bad idea.

I knew Logan didn't like werewolves… not after the attacks that had been happening recently but I needed Landon with me and I wasn't going to let her be alone. “Stay here” I ordered before leaving with Landon.

A few hours had passed and Landon and I were standing at the edge of the forest , our sights already on the fortified wall of the packㅡBingo.

“Alright. This route is safe. Let's go grab the others” I took a step back, retreating into the dense foliage but Landon just smirked.

“They're here already” He rested his weight on one leg as he looked behind me and I did too, in time to hear the sound of footsteps.

So they had followedㅡthat solved the problem of walking back.

A few minutes later, they emerged with Logan leading, clearly not wanting to stay close to the girl while our guards which were supposed to catch up with us were flanking her.

“Ready to gㅡ” Landon paused and so did I as we caught sight of Astrid. She was clean already, clearly they had stopped at the river or something and she was now wearing one of Logan's shirt and trousers even though they looked too big on her small frame.

I blinked awayㅡfocus, Lucas.

“Let's go”, I muttered.

We stepped out of the forest and I waited for Astrid to catch up with me, sneaking glances at her and noting that she looked scared and nervous. I could read memories… that was my power … I could read her and I wanted to.

“Astrid… you don't have to be nervous” I placed a hand suddenly on her shoulder, making her jerk in surprise. As soon as I touched her, flashes of events and a mirage of emotions coursed through me before I quickly pulled away.

Oh.

She didn't know what I had done, she simply looked up at me as we neared the gates and shook her head, a pitiful look on her face. “Just let me go” She pleaded.

Logan who was beside her, scoffed. “Shut up, Astrid. Just walk”

She shut up immediately, a distraught look on her face as the door to the pack opened and I looked up at the walls to see the sentinels looking at us already.

They knew we were here.

As we walked in, Astrid moved closer to me and I stole a look down at her trembling figure, her eyes wide as she took in our surroundings. Could she stop trembling? It was beginning grate on my already frayed nerves.

A group of people were approaching us and from the look of them, it was the Alpha. That was confirmed when they came into clear sight.

“Alpha Lucas” The man smiled and I did a quick sweep of him. He was youngㅡNot what I was expecting definitelyㅡ he looked almost… naive.

Something felt off if he was the one who had ordered for Astrid to be kicked out of the pack but by the way she tensed behind me, I knew he was.

“Alpha Ren?” I guessed as he extended his hand out for a shake.

He nodded and looked around my company. “I didn't realize we were expecting the entire Lycan royalty” He looked surprised.

There was no trace of a smile on my face. He didn't deserve itㅡ A man who threw out a helpless woman to die after cruelly breaking the mate bond and leaving her weak?ㅡ he deserved death at best.

“Well, we like to bring surprises” Logan muttered, his hand resting on his sword when he noticed Ren's eyes fall on Astrid who stepped out from behind my broad back.

The speed at which his face paled and shock and confusion warred in his eyes was comical and suddenly a part of me wanted to know more about their past. “Aㅡastrid?” He stuttered and I could hear his people behind him gasp also.

She didn't say a word, she was nervously fiddling with her shirt and suddenly, Ren exploded with anger. “You are no longer allowed in the pack! Guards!”

“Whoa whoa” Logan stepped forward but Landon already drew out his sword and pointed it at Ren who stilled at the sharp blade, his guards yelling and drawing out their swords at us also.

I stood there calmly, my gaze narrowing on Ren who was breathing heavily. “I don't think we need to get into a bloodbath during our first meeting… I assure you that you will not win” I paused and took Astrid's smaller hand in mine to pull her forward. “Astrid Miller is under the protection of the Lycan society and will be treated as a member of such. She is no longer a member of this pack but is now an advisor in our ranks… anyone who speaks ill or does bad to her will answer to my sword” I announced loudly for the growing onlookers to hear.

The crowd was silent, shock written on their faces and was that…contempt?

“Good. Now… lead us to our quarters”