Alphas Of Blackridge

 Elena’s POV

“He’s a prisoner?" My blood ran cold as I stared at Lucian, waiting for him to explain. But he didn’t. Instead, that infuriating little smile appeared on his face.

“What happened to him?”

Lucian glanced over my shoulder. “The introductions can't wait.”

"What?” I blinked. 

He walked past me as though the conversation was over. Apparently, it was. And I wasn’t going to convince him otherwise. Still, I felt some relief now that I knew who had Julian.

“Come, dear.”

I turned around. “Lucian.”

He didn’t stop walking. 

“Lucian!” I screamed and he finally looked back at me. I narrowed my eyes, if my eyes could shoot blasts, he'd be dead. 

“Come along.” He insisted. Son of a gun.

I followed him to the inner grounds where the alphas were still waiting. Nobody had moved very far from where Lucian had left them, and the ground was covered in blood.

Now I was expected to stand beside the man who had killed an alpha as if nothing had happened.

Lucian's arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer to him so that for a second my legs left the ground. I stiffened, but he didn’t move. 

“Everyone,” he called everyone to his attention even though he didn't have to. All eyes were already on him. "This is Elena Black.”

My stomach twisted at the name, as if I had swallowed a firecracker and it were ready to explode. Lucian looked down at me before continuing.

“My wife.”

A murmur passed through the grounds. Lucian sounded proud. I wanted to hit him where the sun doesn't shine. He was looking at me with that puppy love look. I rolled my eyes, pathetic. Lucian turned his attention back to the gathered Alphas.

“Some of you knew her as Elena Lancaster. That name is no longer relevant.”

His eyes flicked toward me, gleaming with amusement. He was enjoying this.

“The Lancaster family once led one of the strongest territories,” he continued. “They were one of the Alpha houses that controlled this region before my reign.”

I hated hearing him say it. Six years ago, those Alphas had stood against Lucian and were defeated.

I looked at the older Alphas surrounding us. They weren’t simply showing respect to their Emperor. They were afraid of him. I couldn’t blame them. I had watched him kill one of them just five minutes ago.

Lucian introduced them one by one, but I barely remembered their names. 

“This is Alpha Darius.” he said, reaching the last alpha. Alpha Darius was one of the younger Alphas, probably around Lucian’s age, with dark green eyes and brown hair with the kind of face women would go crazy for.

He was handsome. Very handsome but not nearly as handsome as Lucian, unfortunately.

I mentally slapped myself. Why was I comparing them in the middle of this?

“Congratulations on your new position, Luna.”

His gaze lingered on me for a second longer than necessary before he bowed his head to me. Even though they were all alphas, they still bowed to the strongest amongst them, and as Lucian's "beloved" wife, I'm afforded the same respect. 

"Thank you.” I smiled politely. 

When he straightened, his eyes briefly met mine again and Lucian’s arm tightened around my waist. Darius glanced at his hand, then at Lucian. His eyebrows lifted as if to say, relax man. I almost laughed.

I quickly lowered my gaze, but it was too late. Darius had seen my smile. His expression softened into one of genuine amusement.

“That will be all.” Lucian announced to the alphas, sending a glare towards Darius's way as they all began leaving. They practically fled, disappearing into their cars as quickly as they could.

I waited until the last one was gone before turning on Lucian.

“Now my brother," I started. Lucian looked at me innocently.

“What about him?”

“Where is he? I want him released,” I demanded, crossing my arms against my chest. 

“No.”

He started walking toward the house, completely unbothered.

“Please!" I begged, maybe it was the desperation in my voice that made him slow down, but he did.

 "There's only one place I want to hear you beg, in the bedroom as I fuck you,"

A shiver ran down my spine and he started walking again, I followed close to his heel.

“He’s my brother,” I continued to plead. Lucian didn’t even slow down.

“An Alpha heir,” he reminded me. Julian wasn’t just my brother. He was an Alpha heir, one of the strongest young Alphas in Blackridge. As long as Julian was alive, he could become a challenge to Lucian.

“Where is he?” I cried. He stopped and turned abruptly, I hit into him and almost stumbled back, but he caught me. He lifted his hand and gently wiped my tears from my cheek.

He stared at me for a long time, frowning.

“He's safe,"he answered at last. 

“You said he’s your prisoner.”

“He is.”

“Then how can he be safe?”

Lucian glanced at me over his shoulder.

“Because I am the one holding him.” He said and started walking again. 

Son of a gun. I murmured under my breath, glaring daggers at his back. 

“What did you say?”

“Nothing.”

“You said something.”

“I didn’t.”

His eyes narrowed and forced a tight sarcastic sweet smile. 

“I said nothing.”

“You called me something.”

“I called you Lucian.”

“No.”

He stepped closer, and my traitor of a heart immediately started beating faster.

“You called me something else.”

Damn his supernatural hearing.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I didn't look at him. A slow smile spread across his face.

“You’re a terrible liar, my dear.”

I was glaring at him, but he looked satisfied with himself, if this was a cartoon, smoke could come out of my ears and nose. 

“Don't call me dear," I put emphasis on the word dear. 

He leaned down to my height, eyes soft and I was mesmerized by them and the flicks inside them, without warning, he kissed me, hard. I pursed my mouth, remaining strong, fist clenched at my side. 

He pulled away, his thumb ran over my mouth gently. I want to bite it until I taste blood in my mouth, until I rip it from his hand.

He has my brother, I won't antagonize him. I will try my best to reign in my temper. 

"I'm going to work, I'll see you later in the evening, dearest," 

Fuck. I lunged at him as he turned his back, my legs wrapped around him as my hands came to the front, trying to wrap my hands around his throat.

"YOU SON OF A GUN!" I screamed, he was chucking. The mother fucker was chuckling! 

The audacity! 

"I WILL FUCKING KILL YOU IF YOU CALL ME THAT AGAIN!"

I was a mad woman, kicking and screaming. He jerked and shifted, I ended up in his front, and grabbed my waist, so I don't fall. I started heading as I squeezed but the bastard was just looking at me with eyes full of amusement, I felt like a joke to him.

I was breathing heavily, glaring at him with all my energy. 

Lucian looked at me for a moment, unfazed. Then a slow smile spread across his face. I wiggled off his arms until he put me down. 

“So adorable,” he murmured. “Like a tiny Chihuahua barking at me.”

My jaw dropped. Before I could respond, he tapped my nose once with his index finger.

“I’m going to work. I’ll see you later.” he winked and walked away.

I remained there, heaving and fuming. Through my peripheral vision, I saw Percy staring at me, shaking his head softly. 

"Oh, honey, you snapped!" Loretta said, giving me a worried look. The guards around were staring at me, stunned.

I did snap. But what was it about Lucian calling me dear that made me want to commit murder?

Loretta took me inside, where the house had finally gone quiet. The servants had disappeared, and rain had begun falling outside, drumming against the tall windows.

She practically force-fed me breakfast before leaving for the city for work. We had agreed that she would go about her life and visit me whenever she could. She hadn’t wanted to leave me alone, but I begged her to go. I promised I would be alright and reminded her that she could come back whenever she wanted.

I watched her leave through the window, then turned to look around. The Lancaster home had been built in the Pacific Northwest long before Blackridge became the sprawling modern city it was now. My ancestors had chosen the land because of the forest, the mountains, and the distance from neighboring territories.

When night came, I returned to my bedroom. It was still exactly the way I remembered it, only somehow smaller now. The walls were painted a deep charcoal, contrasted by cream curtains that framed the tall windows. My old poster bed was in the center of the room, its dark wooden frame carved with the initials James and I had engraved into it when we were younger.

A large television sat across from the bed, while two dark wooden nightstands flanked either side. Warm light spilled from the lamps beside the bed, casting soft shadows across the room.

Everything was familiar. Except the picture of James and me on the bedside table was gone. Only the one of Julian and me remained, untouched. I stared at the empty space for a moment. James hadn’t been allowed inside.

My eyes narrowed. Lucian. He must be the one who removed it. I swallowed, tears filling my eyes again. I haven't spoken to James. I didn't know what to say to him, he was heartbroken. 

I removed my coat and dropped it over the chair before heading to the bathroom. Inside I stared at the mirror. 

"Mrs. Black." I scoffed. I still couldn’t believe it.

I touched the ring on my finger and stared at my reflection. I had married the man who had conquered my family’s territory. The man who had killed an Alpha in front of me. The man who was keeping my brother prisoner. However, despite all of that, my mind kept returning to one thing.

His mouth.

I groaned and closed my eye, taking in deep breathe.

"Get a grip Elena."

The question had never left me. Why do you love me Lucian? Why did you choose me?

After a long shower, I wore my nightdress. A simple white silk dress, and brushed my hair before going to bed.

I had not yet fallen asleep when the door softly opened and I sat up to see the intruder who entered my room.

I froze.

No.