Chapter Sixteen

Lucien’s POV.

“And even if we deploy our men to the side, there are other parts that the others can come in through. We have to take immediate action. What do you suggest, alpha?” Elder Tim said as he turned to me, his face serious.

What could Brielle be hiding from me? What was going on that would make her be so secretive?

“Alpha Lucien, are you here?” Another elder asked and I snapped out of my thoughts. I forgot that I was yet to answer.

“We just have to work on blocking all the passage ways that have not been authorised.” I said.

“But they may serve as places to visit as the years go by. It would be good for preserving our culture.” Another elder said.

“I’m sure that our safety is better than any place to visit, and that our culture is not based on unnecessary entry ways to the pack, don’t you think?” I asked. I wanted the meeting to go very quickly, I had personal business to resolve.

I feared that she might be going through something worse. Something that could endanger her an dher unborn child. The thought of her giving my brother a child upset me. The picture broke my very being but I was to be blamed became I was the Genesis of their relationship.

I looked up, not wanting to be absent minded again, and immediately caught Zane’s eyes. He didn’t look away, he continued to stare, and I decided that I wasn’t going to keep that up.

I checked through the corner of my eye, and he was still looking.

I wondered why he was staring so intensely. I hoped he didn't know about my affair with the mother of his child.

“So, does anyone have any other ideas? Table them before we decide now.” I said.

“I think that we should place guards everywhere and that would ensure that we will be safe from rogues and invaders.”

“No, there are too many entrances. Anyone, with proper planning would be able to get in, even with heavy security. I’m with the alpha.” Zane said, looking at me. “The best thing to do currently would be to close up the places and position guards, just in case.”

I nodded.

“You’re right, Beta Zane. I accept that, does anyone else want to argue, or maybe might have something else to say or add?” I asked, and the court was silent.

“No.” A few finally said.

“Do you have anything you want to tell us, alpha?” Zane asked, and I was shocked by how he presented the question. It felt more like an accusation than a question.

My suspicion about him been in the know was getting a close confirmation.

“No, why?” Without waiting for an answer, I continued. “So, with this, we have decided that what we’re going to do is close up the entrances and have soldiers stand at the edge of what used to be open walls.”

In the end, we’d probably build a circular wall around the place, but for now, we’d stop it here.

Everyone murmured and nodded their heads.

“Thank you for being a part of this, and for sharing your ideas and thoughts. We have come to the end of this meeting.” I hit the table sharply with my knuckles and got up to leave.

I hastened to Brielle's quarters because been in the dark sickened me and I had to know. I had to make sure if he knew or not.

“Lucien! Wait!” Zane's voice shot behind me.

I turned back.

“What is it?” I asked Zane.

He sighed and pointed his thumb back to the room.

“Meeting had ended and I thought it would be nice for us to have a quick chat.” He replied and I sighed.

“I have important things to do now, so maybe this can wait?”

Zane moved closer to me.

“Alright, Lucien. What is going on? Talk to me.”

“Me? What are you talking about?” I retorted.

“We are barely close, not since the news about Brielle been pregnant. I know she's still your mate but you didn't even tell me a congrats,"

“Is that's what's bothering you?" I asked with a fierce tone, my frustration slowly slipping into our discussion.

"That I didn't congratulate you? Well, congratulations!"

"Shove it!" He blurted furiously.

"You are always too blind to see that someone cares about you until you lose them. Thats was how it was with Brielle,Dad and even Trivia,"

"What did you say?" His words sparked a fury within me.

"call that name one more time and I will rip your head off your shoulders without blinking,"

"Are you threatening me?"

"I'm your alpha, so no. I'm telling you what will happen if you repeat those names again," I answered, breathing heavily to grab my breathe.

"You think you are some sort of smart guy? A good guy, uh?"

"I'm not but I don't let grief fuck up my way of thinking. I didn't let it consume me to a point of pushing away family and those who loves you,"

"And who is that?" I responded.

"You? The same that is fucking my mate, the you who brought her to the pack so that you can own her,"

He grabbed me by my shirt and rammed me into a wall.

"I only stepped in when you were too pussy to step up, brother!" He snapped fiercely.

"I stepped in because a good hearted being like her shouldn't waste her time crying over a brat like you. You don't deserve anything, you deserve yourself,"

"Ofcourse," I scoffed. I smacked his hands off my clothes and with a smile, I drew closer to him. He stood tall, unflinched by gaze.

"Is that what you want? Is that what you are looking for? A validation from me, you want me to numb the guilt in your heart,"

"Fuck you!" He grunted before walking out on me.

"Do you want me to validate you fucking the woman we brought in for protection? Nice job protecting her with your cock!"

"You know what, Lucien?" He turned back to me.

"You are die alone in the snow. Known only by the rumors spread by the Alpha Council, a cold meaningless fuck,"

His words mirrored the dark thoughts I had been hiding. I stood stunned as he walked away, realizing that he might had stated the fact. I might die alone with no one by side and it would all be my fault.