جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 40

Confessions That Rot in the DarkLucien POVI woke before the bells, my body sore and my mind already tired. The room felt too quiet. No peace came with it. Only pressure. The kind that sat on my chest and did not move no matter how I breathed.I dressed without calling for servants. I needed the silence. By the time I stepped into the corridor, voices were already rising in the distance. The pack never truly slept anymore. Rumors moved faster than guards. Every look carried judgment. Every bow felt forced.At the council chamber, my father barely looked at me.“You’re late,” he said.“I came when I could,” I replied.“That is not good enough,” he said. “Nothing you do is good enough these days.”I clenched my jaw but said nothing. The elders spoke of borders, supplies, alliances. I listened and answered when asked, but my thoughts kept drifting. I felt hollow. Like I was standing in a place that no longer belonged to me.When it ended, my brother brushed past me.“Try not to embarra

Repercussions Lucien POVThe morning light came in through the narrow window and landed on my face. I did not want to open my eyes. My head hurt. My chest felt worse and I laid there, staring at the ceiling, and the memory came back before I could stop it.Erwin.His eyes. His breath. The way his body went still when I leaned in.The kiss.I shut my eyes hard. “No,” I whispered. “No.”It came in pieces. Not all at once. First the surprise. Then the warmth. Then the pull in my chest. Then the shame.I turned on my side and pressed my face into the pillow.“Stupid,” I muttered. “Stupid.”The door knocked softly.“My lord?” a guard called. “It’s morning.”“I know,” I replied, my voice rough. “Give me a moment.”“Yes, my lord.”Footsteps moved away. I stayed where I was.I ran my hand over my face. My heart would not slow. My mind would not settle.Why did I do that?I had been drunk. Tired. Angry. Empty. But that did not explain everything.And the worst part was this.I did not regret

Brother’s GameDarius POV~The glass left my hand before I fully realized I had decided to throw it.It smashed against the wall and shattered, the sound sharp and loud in the quiet room. Pieces scattered across the floor. Wine ran down the stone in slow lines.I stood there, breathing hard, my chest tight.“Useless,” I muttered. “All of it is useless.”I dragged a hand through my hair and paced. My boots crunched over broken glass. I didn’t care.Everything was taking too long. Everything was slipping.Lucien was still standing. Still breathing and still walking around like he belonged here.And my so-called mate was not doing her part.I stopped in front of the table and slammed my fist down making the cups rattled.“She was supposed to be a weapon,” I said. “Not a burden.”The door creaked behind me.I didn’t turn. “If you’re here to beg, save it.”“I wasn’t begging,” her voice said softly. “I was waiting.”I faced her slowly.She stood near the door, hands folded in front of her

Accusations and SilencePOV: LucienThe first thing I noticed was the noise. I was halfway through reading a report when the door to my chamber opened without warning.“Lucien.”I looked up. “What is it?”The guard hesitated. That alone was enough to put me on edge.“Speak,” I said.“Erwin has been arrested.”For a moment, I did not understand the words.“Arrested?” I repeated.“Yes, my prince.”My chest tightened. “For what?”He shifted. “He is accused of attacking Lady Elira.”The room went still.“That is not possible,” I said.The guard did not respond.I stood up too quickly. Pain shot through my leg, but I ignored it.“Where is he?” I demanded.“He has been taken to the holding quarters.”I moved toward the door. “Take me to him.”The guard stepped in front of me. “My prince, you are not permitted—”“Move,” I snapped.He did not.“Lucien,” he said carefully, “this order came from the Alpha.”My jaw clenched. “My father did not say that to me.”“He gave the order to the guards,”

Cracks in the VerdictPOV: LucienI was not inside the hall when the sentence was given. I was in the corridor outside, leaning against the stone wall because my leg had started to ache again. The voices from inside were low and tense. I could hear my father’s voice through the door. I could hear Darius speak as well. I could hear the elders.I waited.Then everything went quiet.The doors opened a moment later and people began to file out. Some looked shocked. Some looked pleased. Some avoided my eyes.That was when I knew that something was wrong.A guard stepped out and stopped when he saw me. His posture stiffened.“What happened?” I asked.He hesitated.“What happened?” I repeated, my voice sharper.He swallowed. “The council has reached a decision, my prince.”My chest tightened. “About Erwin.”“Yes.”I pushed myself off the wall. “And?”His eyes dropped. “The Alpha declared it treason.”My breath left me. “Treason?”“He has been sentenced,” the guard continued. “Execution at d