To Xandar’s and Christian’s relief, Greg didn’t show up for tea or dinner. Lucianne continued to introduce pack members to the King and his second-in-command as they both took note of what each pack was asking for. The wolves were surprised and grateful for the chance to be heard. Whenever Lucianne stood to take some food or drink alone, pack members she had never met would walk up to her with a problem that their pack is facing. They felt more at ease to meet her alone first before being introduced to the King himself.   She felt honored to bridge the packs with their King. The part she minded was having to risk meeting conceited pack leaders. In these situations, she will ask them a simple ‘so, can you tell me the kind of aid that your pack requires?’ before deciding whether she wanted to continue the conversation. Some Alphas and Gammas whom she had never met introduced themselves simply b

On the plane, Lucianne sat with Tobias like she always did when they traveled by plane. And he was always nice enough to offer her the window seat.   “How is he to you?”   “Hm? What?” Lucianne asked.   Toby chuckled and asked, “Your mate. Does he treat you well?”   She smiled shyly and said, “Yeah, he does. He tries really hard.”   “That’s good.” Toby said with a smile. “You know Raden almost committed suicide when he told the King not to hurt you? And on the very first night, I might add.”   Lucianne couldn’t believe what she had just heard. “He did WHAT?”  

‘Hang in there, Lucy! They’re coming!’ Juan's panicked link was evident. He himself tried to speed up his slaughter to get to Lucianne.   At the riverbank, Lucianne finally realized that this was a trap set up for her. The rogue she knocked into the river wasn’t retreating, he was leading her to the river far away from the Alphas and the other warriors. The Lycans surrounded her, eyes glazing over as they linked each other. Lucianne put a brave front but she knew the position she was in. Her chances of survival were slim. She may be able to handle one Lycan but not three at a time.   She waited for them to make a move while praying for Raden and Tate to come soon. One Lycan stood close to the riverbank, too close. And he was the first to charge towards Lucianne. Lucianne pounced just low enough to dodge his claws and held on

“Bad air traffic, ministers?” Christian asked sarcastically.   Alfred spoke nonchalantly, “Apologies for our tardiness, your Grace. The order did come on very short notice.”   “Lucy! What happened to you? Are you okay?” Sebastian cried out in concern as he took a step forward but stopped abruptly when Xandar growled at him and took Lucianne protectively by her shoulders.   Lucianne looked at Sebastian indifferently as she spat weakly, “Fine.”   Xandar’s worried voice then rang through her ears as he cupped her cheeks and stared deep into her eyes, practically begging her, “Baby, please don’t speak. Save your strength. Use the mind-link if you need to say something, okay?”   Disregarding whatever

Three hours later, Lucianne’s sleepiness started subsiding, and her senses slowly brought her back to reality. She could gather that she was lying flat on a bed and the quilt covered her body to chest-level. When she slowly opened her eyes, she realized that her right hand was laced with something rough and warm. She gasped and her body shot up in panic.   “Hey, hey. What’s wrong?” Xandar asked softly when he heard his mate’s gasp and felt the tugging of her small, smooth hand in his larger, rougher one.   Lucianne let out a sigh of relief when she saw him. “It’s just you. I’m okay. Sorry about that.”   He shook his head as he uttered, “Don’t be.” He then cautiously sat on the bed right next to her and caressed her arms to soothe his mate as he said, “It’s s