CHAPTER 4: BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

Lucien walked down the long corridor toward his office, his steps steady and unhurried.

The palace had grown quieter since the morning training session. Word traveled fast. The warriors would be on edge for the rest of the day.

As he approached the doors of his study, he noticed Beta Austin and Gamma Peter standing outside.

Two royal guards stood on either side of the door.

The moment they saw him, both guards straightened immediately.

“My King.”

One of them pushed the doors open without being asked.

Lucien stepped inside. Austin and peter followed.

The office was large but simple dark wooden shelves filled with documents, maps spread across a long table, tall windows letting in natural light. Everything was organized. Controlled.

Lucien moved behind his desk and sat down, leaning back slightly.

Austin and peter remained standing.

Lucien studied them for a moment.

“You can stop behaving strangely,” he said calmly. “Sit.”

They hesitated for half a second.

That half-second told him everything.

“I do not bite,” he added dryly.

Peter let out a small smile but you do kill. Austin followed with a faint chuckle as they both took their seats across from him.

Lucien rested his forearms on the desk.

“You look as though you’re standing before your King,” he said. “Not your friend.”

Austin raised a brow. “You did kill someone this morning.”

Lucien’s expression didn’t change. “He was corrected. Repeatedly.”

Peter crossed her legs slightly. “The training ground is tense. The younger warriors are nervous.”

“They should be,” Lucien replied.

Austin shook his head lightly. “You know that isn’t what we mean.”

Lucien’s eyes shifted to him.

Austin continued carefully, “There’s a difference between fear and respect.”

Silence settled between them for a moment.

Peter spoke next, her voice calm. “They respect you. No one questions your strength. But sometimes… they forget you’re still human.”

Lucien leaned back again.

“Human?” he repeated faintly.

Austin shrugged. “You know what I mean. You don’t laugh much. You don’t lose control. You don’t show weakness.”

“And that is a problem?” Lucien asked.

“No,” answered. “But it creates distance.”

Lucien studied them both,

These were the only two people who dared speak to him this way.

Not because they were reckless.

Because they trusted him.

“You are both free to speak your minds,” Lucien said evenly. “That privilege has not been revoked.”

Austin smirked slightly. “Good. I was worried we were next in line for execution.”

Peter elbowed him lightly.

Lucien gave them a long look, for just a second, the corner of his mouth almost lifted.

Almost.

“What are the serious faces for?” he asked finally. “You look like you’re attending a funeral.”

Austin and Gemma exchanged a glance.

“There is something,” Austin said.

Lucien’s gaze sharpened slightly. “Go on.”

Austin reached into the folder he was holding and placed a sealed letter on the desk.

“This arrived an hour ago.”

Lucien glanced at the insignia before opening it,

Silver Moon Pack.

His expression remained neutral.

“They are celebrating their pack’s anniversary,” Austin explained. “They are requesting your presence.”

Lucien skimmed the contents briefly before placing the letter down.

“I'm not attending.”

Peter blinked. “You didn’t even think about it.”

“There is nothing to think about.”

Austin leaned forward slightly. “It’s a major event. Several Alphas will be there.”

“I am aware.”

“It would strengthen alliances,” Peter added.

Lucien folded his hands together. “If our alliances depend on my attendance at celebrations, then they are weak alliances.”

Austin sighed lightly. “It’s not about dependence. It’s about visibility.”

Lucien’s eyes met his Beta’s. “If they require a reminder of who rules them, they are free to challenge me.”

Silence.

Neither Austin nor Peter doubted the outcome of such a challenge.

Peter tried once more. “It would send a message of unity.”

“It would send a message that I have time for ceremonies,” Lucien replied. “I do not.”

Austin leaned back in his chair. “You truly have no interest in events that don’t involve blood or strategy, do you?”

Lucien ignored the comment.

“My decision stands.”

Austin lifted his hands in surrender. “Very well.”

Lucien shifted slightly in his chair.

“I will be leaving the palace this evening,” he said.

Both of them straightened.

“Leaving?” Peter asked.

“I received a message from my parents. They wish to see me at the second mansion.”

Austin’s brows rose. “That sounds serious.”

“It likely is.”

Peter tilted his head. “Do you know what it’s about?”

“No.”

Austin leaned back again, a slow grin spreading across his face.

Lucien narrowed his eyes slightly. “What?”

Austin shrugged. “Maybe they’re finally tired of waiting.”

“For?”

“For you to find a mate.”

Peter laughed softly.

Lucien stared at them both.

Austin continued, unable to resist, “Perhaps they’ve decided to arrange meetings. Introduce you to suitable daughters of powerful Alphas.”

Peter added playfully, “Or maybe they’ve chosen someone already and you’re being summoned for inspection.”

Lucien’s expression turned dangerously calm.

“You both seem very entertained by this possibility.”

Austin raised his hands. “We’re just saying. You’re not getting any younger.”

Peter nodded. “The King of all Alphas without a Luna. It makes the elders restless.”

Lucien stood slowly from his chair.

The playful energy in the room shifted slightly.

“I will meet my mate when she appears,” he said evenly.

Austin tilted his head. “And if she never appears?”

Lucien’s jaw tightened just slightly.

“She will.”

There was no doubt in his voice.

Peter studied him for a moment but didn’t push further.

Austin cleared his throat. “Do you want us to accompany you tonight?”

“No.”

“Are you sure?” Peter asked. “If this is political”

“They asked for me,” Lucien interrupted calmly. “Not my Beta. Not my Gamma.”

Austin leaned forward again. “We can at least wait nearby.”

Lucien shook his head once.

“You will remain here.”

Both of them grew serious again.

“In my absence,” Lucien continued, “training continues as scheduled. Increase patrols along the northern border. I do not want surprises.

Austin nodded. “Understood.”

“Handle any disputes among the minor packs. I will not stay long.”

Peter crossed her arms thoughtfully. “ for how long?”

“Dinner,” Lucien replied. “Nothing more.”

Austin smirked lightly. “Unless they lock the doors and refuse to let you leave without a bride.”

Peter laughed again.

Lucien gave them a long look.

“If that happens,” he said calmly, “you may prepare for war.”

Austin burst out laughing.

“That’s the Lucien we know.”

Lucien moved toward the window, looking out over the palace grounds.

For a brief second, something unsettled brushed against his senses again.

Faint.

Distant.

Like something had shifted in the world.

His wolf stirred quietly.

Lucien frowned slightly, but the feeling vanished just as quickly.

He turned back toward Austin and Peter.

“I will leave before sunset.”

They both stood.

“We’ll prepare everything,” Austin said.

Peter nodded. “Travel detail?”

“I will go alone, with just a driver.”

They didn’t argue this time.

Lucien was strongest alone.

And everyone knew it.

As they moved toward the door, Austin paused.

"Lucien.”

Lucien looked at him.

“If this is about your mate,” Austin said more seriously now, “don’t ignore it.”

Lucien held his gaze.

“I do not ignore what matters.”

With that, Austin and Peter stepped out of the office.

The doors closed.

Lucien stood alone in the quiet office.

The palace felt still,

But something in the air had changed,

And he could not yet explain why.