Irene“Don't go, Lucian! Don't step your feet out of this place, please!” I shouted at the top of my voice, gripping the bars of the cell as I struggled to get up.Luckily for me that worked. He stopped. He did! Lucian stopped to listen to me? Am I dreaming?I held the bars harder, my legs shaking even more. I wanted to scream at him, to tell him harsh words that will cause more pain in his heart.“Do you take pride in making me miserable, Lucien? Do you really love seeing me this way? You love the way I'm suffering right here in the cell?” I blurted out, my voice trembling with frustration.His face remained as pale as fuck, as if my words were nothing more than an annoying buzz in his ears.What the hell was wrong with him? Was he that heartless? How was I sure the man standing in front of me has a heart?Wel
IreneAgain, it was as if I got heartbroken anytime he decided to leave me to myself.I could not believe it when I heard the door creak open, and after I heard the sound, there was an unmistakable silence in my roomI had thought he had left me for good, not even caring to give me a proper goodbye, but here he was, standing in front of me again as if nothing had happened."I thought you left," I blurted out, wishing I could hit me with my fist continuously but I could not.I was still stuck in here. Before I could catch myself, I quickly added."I'm sorry, Lucien. I didn't mean it like that. I'm really sorry. Please, forgive me.”But I saw it. The storm that was hidden deep inside of him was still raging in his eyes.I was confused by what was happening at first until I discovered that the anger had n
Irene“I asked a bloody question, woman!” I asked again as she held the knife firmly to my neck.I was still trying to recover from the shock and my mind was scrambling to make sense of everything that had just happened.There was a fucking intruder in this house whose purpose was to stab me to death while no one was watching.The thought of that sent chills down my spine.My pulse was still racing as I stood in the kitchen, an inch away from her as I tried to calm myself.A severe headache was starting to creep in and it brought that nagging pain in the back of my head that seemed to make things worse.Who was this stranger? Why had she been in the kitchen with a knife? Positioned to kill me?The worst was that I asked a question and I was met with silence. Such disrespect.&n
IreneAfter what seemed like forever, it slipped my mind to inform Lucian about the lady I encountered. “It doesn't matter, anyway. I will tell him when I see him during breakfast,” I reassured myself. It was morning already and the sun was already shining brightly. I came to a stop as I got to the top of the stairs. My heart was still heavy with a lot of worries and my mind was clouded with unanswered questions. Last night’s encounter with the mysterious woman who I had no idea what she was up to was still fresh in my memory and the worst part? I could still hear her annoying laughter echoing as I walked down. I straightened my shoulders, reminding myself that whoever she was, I would not let anyone in this house intimidate me. Taking a deep breath, I made my way downstairs to the dining room. As I entered the dining room, I was taken aback by who I saw. “Is this not the wo…wo…woman I saw earlier?” I asked not one in particular. I still could not believe what I was seeing,. p
Lucian“Come back, Irene. I didn't mean you should leave. I said you should cool off,” I said, calling her back and she stopped, facing me with her arms around her chest.Irene was fuming in anger and it was cute seeing her this jealous. I guess this is working.“Oh, you didn't? You clearly said you wanted to enjoy your meal with your lover,” she answered and I could no longer contain my laughter.What has gone into the head of this lady?“I never mentioned she is my lover. Did I, Irene?”“Oh, what's the difference? She kissed you on your cheeks. Can you explain that?” she asked and before I could open my mouth to speak, she cut in again. “Never mind. I don't need any more explanation from you.”I leaned back in my chair, my arms folded across my chest.
IreneThe house was too quiet and I was getting bored. I decided to engage in knitting and watching over the pack. But guess what?I had been sitting in the living room, staring at the same embroidery hoop for the past hour, yet the fabric remained untouched. I had no idea what I was doing. The soft tick-tock of the clock was all I could hear in this empty room and I resolved within me to get the hell out of here since knitting was not helping. Lucian had gone off on some important pack business and I had never felt his absence so deeply. Now, I wish he was here. Shouting at the top of his voice and making me mad. “Get a grip, Irene,” I muttered under my breath, shaking my head after I found myself smiling uncontrollably at the thought of . “You are not some lovesick fool. Besides, remember you don't like him like that.”Still, my fingers kept itching for something to do. Sitting here doing nothing was driving me insane. I decided I needed to focus on something productive, some
IreneCan someone explain something to me? Why was this lady bent on frustrating me? I avoided her like a plague but she still comes running after me. I bit my fingers and slammed my fist against my forehead. I could see that the air around her carried trouble. “I hate her.”These three words were the perfect description of how I felt about her presence. As if she was not as annoying as ever, she moved through the house like she owned it. Why couldn't she behave like the guest that she is?She was beginning to make friends with every pack member she came across and she never failed to laugh stupidly with them. I was quite sure that everything she was doing was deliberate. Including her coming to meet me today.But thankfully today, I refused to let her have the upper hand. I would not give her the satisfaction of seeing me crumble in pain. “Irene, let it go,” I whispered to myself as I walked out of the living room with my heels clicking against the tiled floor. I was halfway t
LucienI have been stuck in this non ending meeting for a long time now and the only thing I wanted was to leave.Everybody was yelling at the top of their voice and I had no idea what exactly was making them this tense.Each person seated here wanted to oppress the other with their power and all this was part of what wore me down since the discussions began.“Lucien, what do you have to say concerning this?” One of the Alphas seated there, asked.“Nothing,” I responded quickly, turning my face from him. I left him puzzled because I was already tired.No one should come to me for any answer. I wish that could work because the voices around me were so loud and filled with so much desperation, yet nothing concrete seemed to come from them.The endless arguments, plans, and counter
Irene pov A month later, peace had finally returned to the pack and I could finally breathe. The air shifted and changed into something better and less contaminated. During that same time, I had been working really hard to gain the trust of the pack. "You know they're calling you 'The Gentle Luna' now, right?" Camila said, grinning as she handed me a mug of tea. I blinked and paused for a while. "Wait, what? Seriously?" I asked and She nodded at me. Her eyes were full of excitement. "It's spreading. The news is spreading outside the pack house. Even the traders in the market were saying how kind you were to the orphanage. Someone even mentioned you helped a little girl fix her broken doll. I'm so proud of you, sweetbreads,” she revealed and I chuckled, feeling warmth rise in my chest. "I didn't think people noticed that. This has to be very lovely news!” "Well, they did. And they are talking about it and they are doing that In a good way." That morning sunlight came i
Lucien “It is done, Alpha.” The guards assured me about Malcolm's additional punishment already carried out. I felt at peace at last. The traitors had been punished, and the pack would begin to heal. Though Kael was still out there, I knew he was no match for me, especially since his actions had been so wildly spread. If he were to ever be seen, he would not escape my wrath.The pack members would see that he was duly executed. Left to him, I would have killed him. He touched Irene and that alone should have made me behead him myself. Irene joined me in our room after talking to Silas. I was content that they were bonding well. She came to meet me on the bed, her warmth a gentle reminder of why I shouldn't bother about anything. She was cool, she was ice and she was fire. As we rested, Irene asked. “Lucien, why did you spare the council member's lives? I mean, you had every right to kill them, but you didn't. That's the punishment for traitors, death.”I looked at her, my eyes sea
Lucien“Long live the Alpha, long live the Alpha.”The crowd cheered loudly, content about the verdict I gave each of the traitors. It was the hardest for me to do. Tos sentence all seven of the council of Elders, but I was sure that was the right thing to do.“It's time for Malcolm Stark's verdict!” One of the guards announced. The ground fell silent as the elders were led away, their fate sealed. I nodded to the guards, my voice firm. "Bring Malcolm in."The guards returned with Malcolm, his eyes gleaming with desperation and anger. He wasn't remorseful. He didn't even reflect on what he had done. To him, he was right and everyone was wrong. He stood tall, his shoulders squared, but I saw the faintest tremble in his lips. As he faced me, his gaze darted around the room, searching for an ally or an escape.“If you're looking for where to run to, I assure you that you wouldn't move two feet without getting stabbed in your neck, so, relax and be good.” I said. The guards chained him
LucienPeris would receive his judgement today. And then the council of Elders too. I didn't want to judge them altogether. I was going to hear each and everyone's side of the story. To me, that was fair and just. I was dressed and ready for the day when Irene came to stand by my side. "It's time for Peris's judgment," I said, my voice firm.She placed a hand on my arm, her eyes searching mine. "I wish you luck, my love,” she took a pause and went on. “Peris is not a man of many words, Lucien. He is timid and loyal, in his own way. Perhaps you should allow him to speak for himself. He might not even understand half of the plan.”I nodded, considering her words. When Silas and I had been listening to the conversation they had in Kael's house, Peris seemed like the last person to understand the plan. He wasn't much of a contributor, just a sleeping accomplice. "Very well," I said. "I'll hear him out. But, why am I feeling like you want me to spare him?”She laughed. “No, silly. I know
Irene's POVI closed the door softly behind Lucien, his kiss still lingered on my lips. He said he wanted to meet with some pack members, to reassure them after the chaos of the arrest.He seemed relieved at least. That was all that mattered to me. Apart from the butterflies tingling at the pit of my belly, I was fine. It was late now and all I wanted was Lucien's presence with me. To hold me, kiss me, and feel me. I couldn't ever get enough of him. He was my strength and my weakness.A knock broke through my thoughts and I answered.“Come in,” I said, rising to my feet, heart thudding for a reason I didn't know.The door creaked open, and Silas stepped inside. He stood, his eyes somber, rimmed with guilt and sadness. He looked pale. I hadn't forgotten that he had been stabbed, his arm had been bandaged.“Silas, are you okay? You look so pale.” I said, already moving closer to him. “Did you eat at all?”“Irene,” he said, his voice low. “Can I talk to you?I nodded slowly and motione
Lucien's POV“Take them to the dungeon, make sure their screams don't disturb the peace of the house.” I ordered, my words heavy and final.The guards began to pull Malcolm, Peris, and the Elders forward, their hands were bound and their heads were lowered for the first time in years. The crowd parted for them, watchful. If not for the guards, I'm sure the pack wouldn't hesitate to kill them with their claws.Malcolm was the first to open his mouth. He was never the type to accept defeat when it came.“This is madness, Lucien!” he barked, fighting against the guards as they shoved him forward. “You’re letting emotion cloud your judgment. This is not the way of the council! You can't just discard us like that, this is barbaric!”I stepped forward, my gaze not leaving him. “You taught me the ways of this council. You knew everything, didn't you? But you still failed to live by your teachings. It's over, Malcolm.”His eyes narrowed, but before he could speak again, the eldest member of
Irene's POVI tried to sleep. The warmth of the blanket should have comforted me, but my instincts prickled beneath my skin. I was too restless. The bond between Lucien and I hummed with something heavy.Then I heard it—his voice, cold and full of command.“BOW DOWN!”“Lucien?” I echoed, and sat up instantly. My breath was caught in my throat. That wasn't a command whispered in private. That was Lucien's Alpha voice; the kind he'd used on Silas the first time we met. He told me to stay inside, but that was the last thing to do. I threw the blankets off and dressed quickly, tugging a robe over my body. I left the room and ran down the hall. I met a few guards posted around.“What's going on?” I asked breathlessly.The guards looked at themselves before one of them answered. “Alpha Lucien is exposing the traitors. The Council of Elders are being arrested.”“What?” I was shocked. Lucien hadn't said anything like that this morning. Why had he asked me not to come out? I didn't wait for
Lucien's POVThe morning sun barely broke out before I had my bath, got dressed, and crawled back into bed with Irene. She smelt nice after the thorough bath we had during midnight.“I need to meet the council,” I said, tightening the last button of my shirt as Irene stirred beneath the sheets.She opened her eyes slowly, still drowsy from the night we spent locked in each other's arms. “Good morning. What did you say?”I leaned down and kissed her gently, brushing her hair from her face. “You look so beautiful, Irene.”She giggled and kissed me. “That's not what I asked you, Lucien.”“I am meeting the pack council.” I repeated slowly. “This is something I should’ve done a long time ago, it's not too late now, though. But I need you to stay here.”Her brows furrowed, worry creeping into her gaze. “Stay here? Why?”“Because I can't risk you getting hurt again. Not like before.” I kissed her, slower this time, memorising the softness of her lips. “Please, Irene. Trust me, huh?”Her sile
Lucien's POV“I have stitched up his wound. He would come around in the morning. It's nothing serious.” The healer assured us and I gave him a nod of gratitude.Irene stood still, not wanting to leave the room.“Silas will be fine, Irene. Let's go to our room.” I whispered, pulling her away from the healer's chamber. Silas had passed out because of the blood he lost, but the healer assured us that he would be fine. I had no intention of going to the hospital, I wanted to do this low key and get to the councils when they were totally relaxed. Irene didn't argue with me this time, she just held my hand tight as I led her out. She made sure Silas was settled and he was breathing. “Will he be fine?” She asked silently, her voice warm.I nodded without saying a word. She seemed to trust my silence because she willingly allowed me to lead her down the hallway, past other rooms, until we got to our room. When we reached the bedroom door, I paused, reluctant to go in with her. She might b