Irene “And you!” Alpha Lucian yelled, pointing in my direction, and my legs shook severely. What does this devil want from me this time? Hasn't he taken enough from me?“Follow me!” he commanded, but fear didn't let me protest or utter a word. I followed him sheepishly, and he led me to his room. He turned to me as though he wanted to say something, but he only scoffed and tilted his head slowly. “Sorry?” I asked, confused about what to do, and he clearly ignored me. Instead, the door to his room creaked open, and I stepped inside hesitantly. My heart raced as my eyes moved from one end of the room to the other as I took note of the rather cold space. The room was massive, adorned with dark furniture and dark heavy curtains blocking most of the light. It felt as unwelcoming as the man who owned it. What was I doing here in his room? I wish I could have asked him, but my lips were sealed. Alpha Lucian followed me from behind, and I could hear the sound of his heavy footsteps.
Lucian“Didn't I tell you to go to bed, young lady?” I asked when she was up on her feet again. “I don't want to. You can't force me to do what I do not want to do. I'm not sleeping,” she answered, and I rubbed the back of my head out of surprise. The girl was stubborn. There were no two ways about that. I paced the long length of my room, gripping my hair in frustration. Irene’s defiance was maddening. Every time she opened her mouth, it was to challenge and provoke me. It was as if she didn’t care about the consequences of her actions. From the look of things, she didn’t fear me. Not even a bit. I didn’t understand it. Does she not realise how easy it would be for me to end her? To silence her forever without a second thought?Does she think I could not deal with her how I wanted to? I could easily make her pay for her sins and, at the same time, make her beg for mercy. It's just a matter of me changing how I deal with her. My wolf stirred restlessly within me, growling in a
Irene’s POV“Seriously?” I blurted out immediately the door shut behind Lucian, and the sound echoed in the room. My chest heaved heavily with anger and frustration. Lucian must have seen me as a threat, or rather, if not a threat; he must have seen me as someone he could mess with. He thought he could control me, dictate my every move like I was some obedient little pet?I didn't blame him. I blame myself for being in this situation where he could order me around. My eyes rested on different objects in the room, and I sighed in frustration. Did he expect me to sit still and do nothing?The room was already feeling so suffocating. I couldn’t sit still any longer. With the Alpha gone, this might be my only chance to escape.“Remember the consequences of your action. If you escape, he will do something worse to your brother,” a voice said within me, and I shut it up immediately.“Oh, shut up!” I yelled. “You think I would be scared by such a thing? I laugh in the face of danger. I do
Lucian’s POV“Are you sure we are not wasting our time here, Lucian?” Chris asked me, and I placed my finger on my lips, asking him to shut it. I needed to concentrate. Yes, we haven't found out exactly what was happening, but I felt that something was not right. We kept pushing ourselves into the deepest part of the forest, and it became quieter and cold. My wolf became so restless, and he began pacing inside of me. I could tell he could sense something too, his instincts sharp and alert.That growl and loud noise earlier was not from one of my own. It was from an intruder. I knew my pack too well, and this was not a sound I could ignore.Beside me, Chris kept moving with ease, and he looked calm. "Lucian," he said again, breaking the silence between us. "We have been out here for over an hour. If there was a threat, we would have found it by now."I didn’t respond to him. Instead, I kept my eyes forward. I didn't want to lose focus, and he did everything possible to divert my
Irene’s POVI knew I could not sleep. Not when I was in this state. I lay on the bed and pretended to be asleep, though my heart was hammering fiercely against my ribcage.Thank Goodness. Alpha Lucian was not back yet to give me a headache. I ransacked a drawer he had left open but could not find anything reasonable. “Well, I will give it to him. He's that smart. He is!” I said to myself, hitting the bed continuously with my palm. As I lay there, all to myself. I heard the sound of footsteps coming towards my direction. I knew those footsteps were his before I saw him. The door creaked open, and Alpha Lucian stepped in. His dark energy filled the room, almost suffocating me, but I didn’t move. I kept on taking shallow breaths as I pretended to be asleep. “I know you are awake, Irene. Stop the pretence! ” he blurted out, and his deep voice cut through the silence, making goosebumps appear all over my skin.I stayed still for a moment longer, hoping he would let it go and leave
Lucian’s POV I had told them to throw the girl into the dungeon but I had other plans concerning that. I found myself in the dungeon in no time and the air in the dungeon was damp and hot. All I could perceive was a metallic scent which filled the air. In this dungeon, many people have died in there and so many people were on their way to their graves. No one dared me and went scot free. I always had a place for each of them and when I meant business dealing with them, I always did. As I walked into the dungeon, my shoes echoed against the cold stone floor as I descended the staircase. The guards at the entrance straightened as I approached and they all bowed down the moment then saw me. Although, they respected my presence. Their faces were also filled with confusion. I knew that they must be wondering why I was here by this time of the day. They were not used to me visiting the dungeons unless there was a reason, today, there was one.The rogue twelve year old girl lay curl
IreneI refused to utter a word. I couldn't seem to take my mind off the number of times I had failed to get out of this place. Now, slowly. I was beginning to accept my fate. Was that not the worst thing for anyone to do? The room felt colder than usual, or maybe it was just me. I kept my eyes on the door, waiting for Lucian to return from wherever he went. Why was I bothered about all of these? I couldn't tell. I just waited. Soon enough, Lucian finally walked in, looking a little calm. His facial expression was unreadable, but there was something different about him this time around. His usual commanding aura seemed to have subdued. It felt like it was never there, and I was surprised.What happened to the man who always comes raging in with the most powerful aura?I decided not to speak, unsure of what mood he was in. Noticing that he felt different already was like a slap in my face. Instead of talking, I watched him closely and monitored his every movement. He glanced at
LucianI had been getting too soft-hearted. Or was it only because of her?I could not tell. I had been dealing with a lot and over thinking things were not helping. Leaning against the cold stonewall of the hallway, Irene’s words kept ringing in my head. What had she done to me that nowadays, whatever she said keeps creeping inside my memory. That girl had a way of speaking that crawled under my skin. Her words kept twisting itself into my thoughts and refusing to leave no matter how hard I tried. That was not all. She accused me of being a bully, of taking pleasure in her suffering and the worst part? She was not entirely wrong.Somehow, I was beginning to think that I was a terrible person. I was making her suffer and now she thinks I derive pleasure in seeing her beg for freedom. I exhaled sharply, punching the wall with my fist before heading back to the room. I muttered some curse words to myself as if it would make me feel better. But, sadly it didn't. As I opened the do
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