The Future Alpha

Lucien POV:

I should have killed that feeling the moment it started.

The taste of her still burned on my lips. My fists were clenched so tight, blood slipped between my knuckles.

I slammed my hand against the wall again. The stone cracked this time. Good. Pain was better than thinking.

"What the hell was wrong with me?"

"I am Lucien Blackthorn, future Alpha of Blood Fang. No one made me lose control. No one. Especially not a worthless omega."

And yet… that moment. Her eyes. The way she looked at me like she still saw me under all this.

That damn pull between us wouldn’t die. It clawed at my chest, burned through my veins, whispering her name like a curse.

“Lucien.”

Her voice cut through my head again. I growled low, shoving the thought away.

I didn’t want it. I didn’t want her.

The door opened.

Selena walked in, her steps light but cautious — like someone walking into a cage with a beast that might bite.

She wore that fake sweet smile she was known for. “Lucien, everyone heard what happened.”

I didn’t turn. “And?”

“And they’re confused,” she said softly. “You summoned her. After you rejected her publicly. People might start to—”

I moved before she finished. One step, and I was in front of her.

Her voice cut off instantly. Fear flashed in her eyes.

“Are you questioning me, Selena?” I asked, voice low, dangerous.

“N-no,” she stammered. “Of course not, my Alpha.”

I stared at her for a long second, letting my aura roll through the room until she dropped her gaze.

Good. She remembered her place.

“Then choose your words carefully,” I said. “You forget who you’re talking to.”

“Yes, Lucien,” she whispered.

I stepped back, running a hand through my hair, trying to bury the heat that still burned under my skin. “The omega is nothing,” I said finally. “A mistake the Moon Goddess made.”

Selena hesitated, then tried her usual tone—soft and sly. “Then why let her live? She defied you in front of everyone.”

I smirked, but there was no warmth in it. “Because breaking her will be more satisfying than killing her.”

Selena’s eyes flickered with something — surprise or maybe fear — but she smiled quickly. “That’s the Alpha I know.”

I turned away from her. “Don’t flatter me.”

Inside, though, my wolf stirred restlessly. It didn’t like the way I spoke about her. It growled, angry — at me.

“Stay out of my head,” I hissed under my breath.

Selena didn’t hear it, or maybe she pretended not to. She stepped closer again, her voice honeyed. “Your father will be proud, Lucien. You’re finally showing strength.”

I didn’t answer. My mind wasn’t on my father.

It was on the girl I should’ve forgotten — the one who looked at me like I wasn’t a monster even after I tore her world apart.

And that made me furious all over again.

“Leave,” I said sharply.

Selena froze for a second, then bowed slightly. “Yes, Alpha.”

The door closed behind her.

The silence returned.

And I was left with the one thing I couldn’t command to obey—my own heart, still beating too fast for someone I swore meant nothing.

Evelyn’s POV:

Morning came too soon.

My body ached from another night of crying, my eyes swollen, my throat raw. I wanted to stay in bed, to disappear into the thin blanket that barely kept me warm. But omegas didn’t get rest. Especially not rejected ones.

The packhouse was already alive when I stepped outside — laughter echoing, boots thudding against stone floors. No one looked at me. Or maybe they did, but only to whisper behind my back.

“Poor thing.”

“She still works here?”

“The Alpha’s reject should have left already.”

I kept my head down and scrubbed the floor of the main hall, ignoring the sting in my hands. The same spot I’d fainted days ago — where Lucien’s voice had shattered everything I’d ever hoped for.

Now it felt like the stones remembered. Every time I looked at them, I saw my own humiliation burned into them.

I tried not to think about last night.

The way his hand had gripped my chin.

The way his eyes had softened, just for a second.

The way he—

No. I couldn’t think about that.

Whatever that was, it didn’t mean anything. He made sure I knew that.

By midday, I’d finished my chores and carried the basket of herbs down the path to the small house near the edge of the woods. My mother’s house. The only place that still felt like home.

When I pushed open the door, the smell of herbs and sickness mixed in the air.

She was lying on the bed, pale and fragile, her silver hair clinging to her face. Her smile, though, was still the same — warm and gentle, even when she was in pain.

“Evelyn, sweetheart.” Her voice was soft. “You’re late.”

“I’m sorry, Mama.” I set down the basket and forced a small smile. “Work kept me longer.”

She frowned slightly, studying my face. “You’ve been crying again.”

“No,” I lied quickly. “Just tired.”

Her hand trembled as she reached for mine. “Something’s wrong. I can feel it.”

I shook my head. “It’s nothing, Mama. Just… pack things.”

She didn’t believe me, I could see it in her eyes. But before she could say more, the door creaked open.

“Well, look what we have here.”

Selena’s voice sliced through the air like glass.

My heart dropped.

She stepped inside, dressed in white silk, her golden hair glowing in the sunlight that spilled through the window. Two of her friends followed, smiling like wolves who’d already found their prey.

“Oh, it’s the poor little omega,” Selena said, smiling wide. “Or should I say… the rejected omega?”

Laughter followed.

My mother sat up weakly, confusion and anger flashing in her eyes. “Selena, this is not—”

“Oh, don’t worry, Mrs. Hayes,” Selena interrupted sweetly. “We’re just here to make sure your daughter knows her place. After all, she did try to take what isn’t hers.”

I froze, my hands curling into fists.

“M–Miss Selena, please, this isn’t—”

“Quiet.” Her tone sharpened. “Do you know what people are saying? That you think you’re still his mate. That you think you deserve to stand beside him.” She laughed, shaking her head. “How embarrassing.”

Her followers laughed again.

One of them whispered loudly, “She should have left the pack already. She’s just dead weight.”

Something twisted in my chest, but I stayed silent.

I had learned long ago that fighting back only made it worse.

Selena turned to my mother, her voice dripping with fake concern. “Your daughter should be careful. The Alpha doesn’t forgive defiance. He could strip her of her title as pack member. Then who will pay for your medicine?”

That one hit home. I saw my mother’s face go pale.

And Selena knew it. She smiled, satisfied, then leaned closer to me, lowering her voice.

“Be smart, Evelyn. Accept your place. Lucien doesn’t want you. He never will.”

Her perfume was too sweet, and for a moment, it made me sick.

She turned and left, her laughter echoing in the small room.

When the door finally closed, I let out the breath I’d been holding. My mother looked at me, her eyes shining with sadness.

“Evelyn,” she whispered, “you have to be careful.”

“I know,” I said quietly.

But inside, something felt different.

Something heavy, sharp — and alive.

It wasn’t just pain anymore. It was something deeper. Something that pulsed under my skin like a heartbeat that wasn’t my own.

Maybe it was the bond still clinging to me.

Or maybe it was something else.

Something waiting.

That night, when I lay in bed beside the dim candlelight, I pressed a hand to my chest. My heart beat fast and strong.

“Why me?” I whispered to the dark. “Why her? Why now?”

No answer came — only the sound of the wind outside, rustling through the trees like a whisper I couldn’t quite hear.