All Chapters of He Recognized My Worth After I Was Gone: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The next day, Lucian reported in front of my chamber like nothing happened. Tall, rigid, and indifferent. He had the masquerade in his hands that I had worn last night. Showing it to me, he asked, “Was it you? Outside my chamber?” “Kissing you and helping you in your wet dreams?” I asked sarcastically. He frowned. His muscles toughened. A flicker of fear of being caught crossed his eyes. But the next second I laughed it off. “No, it wasn't me.” I said, “If you really were doing something as absurd as this last night, you should probably look for another lady.”The color drained from Lucian’s face so quickly it was almost satisfying. For three years, I had analyzed every micro-expression on his carved, stone face—searching for a crack, a sign of affection, a warmth that was never there."My lady," Lucian said, his voice dropping into that deep, carefully modulated timbre he used to keep me at a distance. He stepped closer, the velvet masquerade mask still clutched in his gloved finge

“I have every reason to hate her!” I said, my voice cold. “But tonight it's for ruining my mother’s pendant.”“Nora would never do something like that.” He spat, “She was only cleaning it.” “And of course you would believe her!” I screamed, “Even if you have to hurt me for her lies, you would not hesitate.”Only then did his gaze fall to my arms that were dyed red in blood. He frowned. “Isadora…” he whispered my name, his eyes reflecting genuine concern, “I didn't mean to hurt you–” “Kneel!” I commanded, “You failed your duty, Lucian. You have committed the heinous, declared crime of attacking the person you swore to protect.” He immediately knelt. No question. No hesitation. The Alpha of the Shadow Pack was kneeling before me. I felt no pride. There was only pure fury and vengeance. I pulled out the Alpha Commanding hunter, a gift from my paternal uncle. I raised my hands to hit his shoulder. “This is to fail your duty, Lucian–” I did not realise when Nora walked past Lucian a

Lucian’s POVThe silence in her empty quarters was louder than any roar of battle.I stayed on my knees, my fingers pinned to the stone floor by the sheer weight of the air. It smelled like nothing. No lingering trace of winter jasmine, no heat of her anger, no soft warmth of her presence. Just a sterile, freezing draft sweeping through the open window.Do not look for me.My wolf thrashed inside my chest, clawing at my ribs in a sudden, frantic panic that made my throat tighten until I couldn't breathe. The dark magic of the Whispering Woods was still sloshing through my blood, burning my veins, but the pain in my chest felt infinitely worse."Lucian!"Heavy footfalls echoed down the corridor, followed by the rustle of fine silk. Nora stepped into the doorway, her chest heaving slightly from chasing after me. She paused at the threshold, her eyes scanning the stripped bed, the bare wardrobe, and finally landing on me, kneeling on the rug like a broken man.A long, slow smile spread a

Later that night, my beta, Rolan, showed up in my quarter. His chest heaving, his dark eyes ablaze with a fierce, unstable anger. As my Beta and closest confidant from our home realm, he had accompanied me into this territory under the guise of a loyal lower-ranking warrior. But tonight, he looked ready to tear the palace apart with his bare hands."Have you completely lost your mind, Lucian?" Rolan’s voice was a low, dangerous growl, tight with suppressed rage as he stepped into the room and shoved the door shut behind him. "A pet? She called you a dangerous pet! In front of half the noble bloodlines in this territory!"I didn’t move. I remained seated on the edge of the narrow cot, my fingers lightly tracing the sharp edge of the star-engraved dagger resting across my lap."Lower your voice, Rolan," I said evenly."Lower my voice?" Rolan stormed forward, his boots heavy on the stone floor. "I watched that arrogant she-wolf throw the dagger you forged in the dragon-fire onto a plate o

The silence that followed was heavier than the shadow-gold blade at my hip.Nora flinched as if struck, her outstretched hand freezing mid-air. "Lucian... please," she whimpered, the smooth coaxing tone falling apart into sheer panic. "I was deceived! Isadora lied to me! She made me think—""You dare utter her name?" My voice vibrated with a low, primeval growl that brought the surrounding nobles to their knees, their hands covering their ears in agony.I stepped past her, ignoring her desperate, trembling figure, and knelt in the dust. My fingers gently brushed away the dirt from the ancient crest etched into the shadow-gold ring before picking it up. I pocketed it, my gaze locking onto Nora with a coldness that made her shrink back."Three years," I said softly, every word heavy with the weight of my past foolishness. "For three years, you forced the savior of my bloodline to sleep in the servants' quarters. You took her mother's only legacy, the silver pendant, and burned it in the