Chapter Thirteen

THE KNIFE THEY LEFT IN ME

LUCIEN –

I walked back to the castle with my head full of noise and my chest tight. The moment I stepped inside the main hall, a guard ran toward me.

“My prince…” He swallowed hard. “The Alpha wants to see you. Now.”

Of course he did.

I nodded once and followed the guard down the corridor. Every step made my wooden leg ache, but I kept walking. I reached Father’s chamber doors, and two warriors opened them the moment they saw me.

My father stood in the center of the room, arms crossed, eyes sharp with anger.

“Lucien,” he said. “Come in. Close the door.”

I stepped inside and shut door shut behind me.

His voice cut through the air. “What is wrong with you?”

I did not answer.

“I asked you a question,” he snapped. “Why are you behaving like a fool these days? First you embarrass me in the hall, and now you walk around looking like someone stole your senses.”

I forced myself to stay calm. “You asked for me?”

“Yes,” he said. “I want to know how your search is going.”

I frowned. “Search?”

“For a bride,” he said flatly. “Do not tell me you forgot.”

My chest tightened. “I am not looking for a bride.”

“Well, you should be,” he snapped. “Your brother is ready. The pack expects it. You cannot let Darius outshine you again.”

I swallowed hard. “I never asked to compete with him.”

Father scoffed. “Because you know you will lose.”

My jaw clenched and before I could speak, the door opened again and Darius walked in Smiling.

Of course.

“Father,” he said smoothly, “you called?”

“Yes,” Father said, “I was just reminding Lucien about the bride competition.”

Darius’s eyes lit up. “Oh. That.”

Then he turned to me. “You look stressed, brother. Don’t worry. We all know romance is not really your thing.”

I felt heat rise in my chest. “Leave me alone, Darius.”

“Or what?” he asked. “You will limp at me?”

Father didn’t even tell him to stop. Instead, my father smiled at him. “Darius, I was just telling your brother that he cannot keep delaying. The pack needs a future Alpha.”

Darius sighed dramatically. “Well, if Lucien is too busy crying in corners or hiding in servant areas, I guess I can help the pack.”

My hands curled into fists. Father nodded proudly. “Good.”

I stared at him. “Good?”

“Yes,” Father said. “If you fail again, Lucien, your brother can take your place.”

“I didn’t fail,” I said.

“You didn’t succeed either,” Father shot back. “You should have a mate by now. You should have a partner. But instead, you walk around the pack chasing shadows.”

Darius laughed. “Maybe Lucien is looking for a man instead of a woman.”

“That’s enough!” I snapped.

Darius lifted both hands. “I’m only joking.”

I glared at both of them. “This isn’t a race.”

Father shook his head. “It is for you. Everything is a race for you. A race you never win.”

The words hit harder than any punch. I stepped forward. “You want to know the truth? You want to know why I haven’t chosen anyone? Because none of them matter to me. None of them feel right.”

Darius smirked. “Or because none of them want you.”

I breathed out slowly so I wouldn’t punch him.

Father waved his hand. “Stop wasting time. You need to find a bride… or let your brother take the lead.”

Darius stepped closer. “Father, if it is allowed… I want to compete with him. Both of us can search. Whoever brings a bride first becomes the new chosen Alpha.”

My eyes widened. “Are you serious?”

Darius nodded. “Of course. We both want the same thing. The throne.”

Father smiled proudly at him. “That is my son.”

I stared between them. Everything inside me twisted.

“You’re both insane,” I said. “This is not a game.”

Father slammed his fist on the table. “Your brother has a strong leg, a strong arm, and a strong wolf. He is ready. You have nothing but excuses.”

My jaw trembled with rage. “I survived something that would have killed most men.”

“Survived?” Father scoffed. “Is that your proudest achievement? Surviving?”

Darius folded his arms. “He’s angry.”

Father nodded. “He always is. A weak man hides behind anger.”

I broke.

“You want to know why I don’t care about your stupid competition?” I yelled. “Because neither of you care about me. You both just want someone to mock.”

Father stepped toward me. “You are a disappointment.”

I felt something snap.

“You ruined my life,” I said quietly.

The room fell still.

Father raised a brow. “What did you say?”

“You ruined my life,” I said louder. “You and Darius both.”

Darius laughed. “How did I ruin anything? You tripped. You fell. You broke your leg. That’s not my fault.”

My chest tightened.

Because it was his fault.

He knew it.

I knew it.

But Father never listened.

Ever.

I felt heat rise behind my eyes. “I am done.”

Father pointed to the door. “Leave before I say something worse.”

I didn’t wait.

I stormed out, slamming the door behind me.

The hall felt too tight. My breath hurt. My leg throbbed. And my  chest felt heavy.

I reached my room, pushed inside, locked the door, and leaned against it.

My heart pounded.

I tried to breathe, but my chest refused to loosen.

I walked to the bed and sat down.

But the moment I closed my eyes...

The past hit me.

It was raining hard.

The training field was muddy. The warriors practiced under the watch of Captain Rolkan. I was younger then. Stronger. Faster. My real leg still worked.

I held a wooden sword and Darius stepped in front of me.

“Try to keep up,” he said.

I tightened my grip. “I’m not scared of you.”

“Oh?” he laughed. “Let’s see.”

We clashed.

He pushed me hard. I slipped on the wet ground.

“Stand fast!” Rolkan shouted.

I scrambled up again.

Darius charged and I defended myself.

Then he swept his leg under mine.

I fell.

Again.

The warriors began to laugh.

Darius shook his head. “Weak.”

I stood again and swung.

He dodged easily.

Then he kicked me in the chest.

I hit the ground and slid in the mud.

Rolkan stepped forward. “Enough.”

Darius smiled. “He asked for it.”

I gritted my teeth. “I’m not done—”

My foot slipped.

I stumbled backward.

My heel hit a log.

I lost balance.

Rolkan yelled, “LUCIEN—STOP—!”

But it was too late.

I crashed onto a sharp metal spike sticking from the broken training cart. Pain shot through my leg. Warmth spread fast.

I screamed as the Warriors ran to me.

Rolkan ripped the spike out.

Darius stepped back with a pale face. 

Father arrived minutes later.

One look at me—bleeding, shaking, crying—and he frowned.

“Useless,” he said.

The world blurred as I passed out.

I opened my eyes again.

Sweat covered my face.

My chest rose and fell too fast.

I sat on the bed, fists shaking.

“It wasn’t an accident,” I whispered. “They ruined everything.”

I swallowed hard.

“They ruined my life.”

My voice finally broke.