To the North

LUCIAN

The moans echoed in my ears, fuelling my anger and pain

These were the kind of sounds I used to pull out of him. I’d know those sounds anywhere. Groaning, breathless, probably on the edge of climax now.

And then her voice next,

That snake.

Alice.

She gasped between fake, giggly moans, “So, do you think the Lycan King will kill Lucian first or fuck him first?”

I froze.

Blood drained from my face.

She was talking about it like it was a joke. Like I was already dead.

A sigh escaped my lips, I shouldn’t be surprised.

My heart skipped, but nothing hurt more than the silence that followed her words.

Andrew said nothing. He was silent.

He didn’t deny it, nor did he correct her.

He didn’t care. That was the harsh truth. He let this happen!

I shoved the door open so hard it slammed into the wall.

The room stilled.

Alice lay on top of Andrew, both of them naked and shamelessly sprawled out on the sheets I used to share with him. Andrew looked stunned. Alice just laughed like she’d been waiting for this moment.

“You let them send me there,” I hissed, stepping into the room, fists clenched so hard my nails dug crescent moons into my palms. “To die.”

Andrew had the audacity to sit up like he was surprised. “Lucian—”

“Don’t.” My voice shook. “You said you loved me. You said I was yours. I gave you everything, Andrew. My life, my family, my heart. Every goddamn thing. I stayed in your shadow for three fucking years, and you—”

“You pushed Alice!” he snapped, like that justified any of this. “You made me choose!”

“I didn’t push anyone!” I yelled back. “You know I didn’t. You just wanted someone to blame. Someone convenient, someone easy to silence and that someone happens to be me”

He was standing in front of me the next second, grabbing my arm.

Alice moved fast.

Too fast.

She lunged from behind him, a silver blade gleaming in her hand. “You should’ve died when you had the chance, mutt—!”

I ducked in instinct, and pure adrenaline.

Everything happened in a blink.

Andrew barely had time to block her attack with the dagger he’d just drawn from the beside table. His dagger knocked the knife out of her hand with force before sliding straight into her gut.

She gasped, hurt flashing in her eyes.

Blood soaked through her dress, her eyes widened with pain.

“Alice!” Andrew screamed, his hands trembling. The dagger fell to the ground.

I didn’t wait.

While he was frozen in shock, trying to catch her before she collapsed, I ran, taking a set of clothes in the process.

I stopped at the first hotel I saw downtown.

The hotel was dim, cheap, and smelled like dirt and swamp together.

It was perfect for hiding. I yanked the hood I wore over my head, my hands still trembling as I reached the front desk.

My heart hasn't stopped pounding since I left Andrew’s house.

“Just a room,” I whispered to the receptionist. “Small. Don’t care how many beds.”

Then I heard some voices behind me.

Two men were coming towards my direction.

“…yeah, apparently she bled out. The Luna-to-be. Word is she was killed by that servant boy. Lucian, right?”

My blood ran cold.

“Alpha Andrew has lost his mind. He’s putting out a bounty. Said the servant was unstable, jealous, and tried to murder them both.”

My breath hitched.

I was the scapegoat.

He was going to pin everything on me, then demand my death as retribution for Alice's.

I covered my face with my sleeve, turned around, and left like the place was on fire. I didn’t stop, didn’t think, I just ran. Tears burning at the back of my eyes.

I didn’t make it past five blocks before I slammed headfirst into someone’s solid, broad, and hard as brick chest.

I looked up.

Elias’s guards. I recognised them from the sigil on their uniform.

“S.. sorry.” I stuttered, taking a few steps back.

As I turned on my heels, preparing to leave, a hand landed on my shoulders, keeping me in place.

“Why are you dressed like that?” One asked, “Like a thief or someone with something to hide.”

“I have nothing to hide!” I whisper yelled, afraid to draw attention to us.

“Our Master will decide that.” He replied.

“What do you mean? Let me go please,”

My plea fell on deaf ears. I didn’t have the opportunity to resist besides, I was too tired anyway.

They tied my hands and dragged me like a criminal through the dirt.

I passed out and woke up as they shoved me into a room. Elias stood near the window, arms folded, his presence looming over everyone's.

His eyes flicked to me. It was cold and empty.

"Leave." He ordered.

The guards bowed and left, leaving me alone in the room with the king.

I swallowed hard. “Elias, I mean, Your Majesty—”

“Don’t bother.”

I winced. “Could you maybe help me? Just for my sister’s sake.”

His eyes went black, the rage in them took me by surprise.

“How dare you?! You don't have any right to mention her ” He snarled, “After abandoning her like she were nothing and leaving her to wonder if her brother was dead in a ditch or just too much of a coward to come home.”

I looked away, a different kind of heat burning my face.

I had no defense. I couldn't even go back home.

He was right.

“I know,” I whispered. “I don’t deserve her or anyone.”

Elias didn’t move for a long time. His eyes raked over me—judging, maybe hating. I wasn’t sure anymore.

Finally, he barked at the guards at the door, “Take him with us.”

I blinked. “What?”

“To the North. We move in two days when the cars are ready. You’re not staying here.”

My stomach twisted. “Why? What now?”

He didn’t answer. He left the room as if he were done even looking at me.

I stood there, wrists bound. I had no choice, not like my opinion mattered.

However, a hopeful thought crossed my mind as the guards came back and dragged me out.

As the Priestess, my sister, Reine, is highly respected and is the pride of the family. There's no doubt she and Elias are a perfect match. Whereas, I was seen as a disgrace who can't even communicate with my own wolf, and a shame to the family. Despite that, Reine and I have always had a good relationship since we were young.

When the time comes, I’ll explain everything to her.

Even if it’s the last damn thing I do.