Chapter 76

Chapter 76
Lucien’s POV

I stood motionless, my arms crossed over my chest as I glanced at the three people before me—Felicia, Kael, and Darren. The air between us was thick with questions no one wanted to ask out loud. Tension brewed like a storm cloud, and I could feel the uneasiness growing in my gut.

Darren was standing a little too close to Felicia, and Kael had that unreadable look in his eyes again. I knew I should say something, assert my authority, but my mind kept going back to what I had just seen moments ago,the shifter that turned into me. And then… into Darren. That single incident had shaken me more than I dared to admit.

Was someone out there toying with our bloodlines? With our faces? With our lives?

As I struggled to piece it all together, I heard footsteps approaching. Swift. Graceful. Familiar.

I looked up.

There she was.

My mother, Luna Celestine.

Clad in a flowing silver robe that shimmered in the sunlight, her posture regal, her expression poised,yet concerned. She had that timeless look about her that always made the world pause. But today, her presence didn’t bring me peace. Instead, it twisted my gut tighter.

“Mum,” I said, straightening my shoulders.

“Lucien, I’m here,” she said as she finally reached us, her eyes sweeping over the strange trio before landing on Darren.

Her brows furrowed instantly. That’s one thing about my mother,she never pretended not to notice what mattered. And she never forgot those who wronged us.

“Darren?” she muttered, her voice low, sharp, and filled with layered emotion. “What exactly do you want here?”

I stepped forward before Darren could respond. “No, not Darren, Mum.”

She blinked at me. “Then what is it?”

“There’s a problem,” I said firmly. “A serious one. Someone or something is shifting into the people I trust.”

Her mouth parted slightly. “What?”

“I saw it with my own eyes, Mum,” I continued. “A shifter. He turned into me. Then into Darren. And I don’t even know who he really is. He disappeared before I could catch him.”

Celestine’s gaze narrowed. “Where exactly did you see this happen?”

“By the eastern ridge,” I answered. “Near the old training ground.”

“Why didn’t you say anything earlier?” she asked, her tone now urgent.

“Because I don’t know who to trust anymore,” I said honestly, my voice low. “This isn’t some rogue pretending to be strong. This… this feels bigger. And it started the moment we got word that Diane might be alive.”

Felicia’s head jerked slightly at that, her hands instinctively coming to rest on her stomach.

“Diane?” she echoed softly. “Are you sure?”

“No. I’m not sure of anything,” I replied.

Darren’s smirk faded. “You think the shifter has something to do with her?”

“I don’t know,” I replied, turning toward him. “But if anyone knows how to twist minds and bend appearances, it’s the rogues she was taken by.”

There was a long silence between us. Celestine’s gaze hadn’t left Darren, though. I could tell she was battling something inside, old wounds, maybe. Or unanswered questions she wasn’t ready to confront.

“This doesn’t explain why Darren’s here,” she finally said, softer now but no less suspicious.

“He came to talk,” I replied. “To build… peace.”

She let out a bitter laugh. “Peace? With the one who tried to burn this pack from the inside out?”

Darren stepped forward. “That was the past, Luna. We’ve all done things we’re not proud of.”

“You don’t get to rewrite history just because you showed up without a sword,” she snapped.

Felicia gently touched her arm. “Maybe we should give him a chance.”

Celestine turned her gaze sharply to Felicia, but then something in her expression changed. “You’re glowing,” she murmured, voice softening. “The pregnancy suits you.”

“Thank you,” Felicia said, her smile small but sincere.

The wind rustled the trees gently, the leaves whispering things only they could hear. I noticed Kael was too quiet. He stood slightly apart, hands folded behind his back, eyes trained on the horizon like he could sense something we couldn’t.

“You alright, Kael?” I asked.

He nodded once. “I just… have a feeling.”

“What kind of feeling?” Celestine asked, stepping beside me.

“Like we’re being watched,” he replied without hesitation. “Has anyone else noticed how the air feels… off?”

“Off?” Felicia echoed.

“Thicker. Heavier. Like magic lingers somewhere close.” Kael’s gaze finally met mine. “Like someone’s preparing something.”

Suddenly, Felicia shifted uneasily beside me. She winced and took a step back.“Are you okay?” I asked, immediately reaching for her arm.

She nodded quickly. “Yes. Just… a little dizzy.”

“You need to rest,” I said, placing a hand on her lower back, guiding her gently. “We’ve had too much going on today.”

“No,” she said quickly. “I want to stay. I need to know what’s happening.”

Darren moved a little closer to her, concern on his face, but I gave him a warning glance. He stopped immediately.

Then, something strange happened.

Kael turned suddenly, his eyes wide. “Do you hear that?”

We all paused. Silence.

“What do you hear?” I asked.

He pointed toward the tree line. “There’s someone there. Watching us.”

I turned to one of the guards stationed nearby. “Send a scout. Now.”

The guard nodded and took off immediately.

Celestine folded her arms. “I don’t like this. Whatever’s coming, it’s close.”

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew past us, stronger than anything before. A shadow flickered between the trees. I stepped forward, shielding Felicia instinctively.

“I saw it again,” Kael said, his voice rising. “The shifter. It’s him.”

Before we could move, another gust of wind passed through the clearing, and this time, it brought with it a strange scent. Not familiar. Not pack.

Darren growled low in his throat. “That’s not from here.”

The guards reassembled behind us, weapons drawn.

“Eyes sharp,” I ordered. “He’s not getting away this time.”

We all turned to face the woods, but before anyone could take a step forward, a soft gasp pulled my attention back.

“Lucien…” Felicia whispered.

I turned.

She was standing still, her hands suddenly pressed tightly against her stomach, her eyes wide in fear.

“What is it?” I asked, rushing to her side.

“I-I don’t know,” she said, her voice trembling. “Something’s wrong…”

Her knees buckled slightly, and I caught her just in time before she hit the ground.

“Felicia?” I said, panic creeping into my voice.

Her face had gone pale, and she clutched her belly with both hands, breathing heavily.

“It hurts… it hurts so bad…”

Luna Celestine rushed forward, pushing past Darren. “Get her inside. Now!”

Kael stepped beside me, already moving to help support her weight.

And then… just before we carried her back to the mansion, Felicia looked at me, her eyes clouded with fear and pain.

“Lucien… it’s the pup… something’s happening to the pup…