Chapter 117 Chapter 117
AILSA’S POV
I couldn’t stop smiling as I walked back to my room. My body didn’t stop tingling. I shouldn't still be thinking about it. But I was.
I reached the room and laid back against the bed, staring up at the ceiling as warmth crept up my neck all over again.
Lucian's desk.
The way he had looked at when I initiated the kiss. The way surprise had melted into hunger, into something raw and desperate. The papers scattering. The sound of his breath rough against my ear. His hands gripping my waist.
My heart thudded just remembering it. I pressed my palms against my cheeks. Initially, I had went with the plan of seduction but it flew out of my mind when I saw Elara walking out and smiling.
"You're ridiculous” I muttered to my self.
But I couldn't stop smiling.
It had been reckless and emotional, heated by jealousy. Yet beneath all of it had been something undeniable, connection. Something fierce and grounding. Something that made me feel chosen and wanted. Not just as Luna. As Lucian’s. My wolf purred lazily and contented.
Yes, Ours.
I rolled onto my side, hugging a pillow. The past few days had been busy, planning the Wolf Ball, making sure there was adequate supplies of foodstuff and drinks. I hadn't seen Lucian properly. And today had exploded into fire and passion and almost-argument.
Maybe that was what love looked like. It was messy and real. It made me feel alive. But did Lucian feel the same way?
‘Of course, he does. He won’t give you assurance if he didn’t’ my wolf ever ready to defend Lucian said.
I didn’t want to doubt him again. I just want to hear those words from his mouth.
I closed my eyes, replaying the way his forehead had rested against mine afterward. The way his voice had gone soft when he'd said my name. A small ache of longing settled in my chest. I missed his warmth already.
My smile slowly faded. Because beneath the warmth, something felt off. It was faint at first. My wolf shifted uneasily causing me to frown.
"What is it?" I murmured
Then…It hit me. A violent, sharp tug through my chest.
I gasped, sitting upright as if something had physically struck me.
The bond.
It wasn't pain but anger.
My breath shortened as emotions, definitely not my own slammed into me, agitation, anger and confusion.
"Lucian” I breathed.
Something was wrong.
Another wave crashed through me, heavier this time. A pulse of power so strong it made my vision blur.
I staggered to my feet. This wasn't ordinary anger. I knew his anger. I had felt it before, his anger was controlled. But this felt unstable. It felt like he couldn’t control himself.
My heart dropped into my stomach. Without thinking, I ran . The corridors blurred as I moved, trying to get to him quickly. Guards straightened as I passed.
"Where is the Alpha?" I demanded of the nearest one.
"In his office, Luna”
I didn’t wait for more. I also didn’t want to think about why he was still in his office. Another wave rocked through my chest, so strong my knees almost buckled. Something inside him was fighting. My wolf snarled. Someone is pushing him. The thought made my blood cold.
As I neared the office, the air had changed. It wasn’t my scent that I knew. Two guards stood outside his door, tense and wary. I only hoped he hadn’t harmed someone. My pulse roared in my ears.
“Open it”
The door swung inward. The first thing I noticed again was the scent. My wolf recoiled. And then I saw him. Lucian stood near the center of the room, his back rigid and fists clenched at his sides. Papers lay scattered across the floor. Heat rushed up my cheeks when I remembered what happened few hours ago.
But I saw a crack split the edge of his desk. Then I noticed his breathing was uneven.
"Lucian” I whispered softly.
His head snapped toward mine. For a heartbeat, his eye color became darker, his wolf was trying to take over. My heart nearly stopped. But then…it changed back instantly as if recognizing me.
"Ailsa…” he said roughly.
"What happened?" He didn't answer immediately. His jaw flexed. His hands trembled before he forced them still.
"Leave us” he ordered the guards. The door shut behind me. Then there was silence.
I approached him slowly and cautiously not because I feared him, never that but because I wanted to know what put him in this state.
"You're scaring me” I admitted softly.
That did it. His expression cracked. Lucian crossed the distance in two strides and pulled me into him roughly. He breathed in my scent. I wrapped my arms around him instantly, pressing my cheek to his chest. His heart was racing.
"Tell me” I whispered. His breath shuddered out.
“My wolf has become restless, something is wrong” my stomach dropped.
"Elara”
It wasn't a question.
"Yes. I spoke to her an hour ago”
He pulled back just enough to look at me, hands still gripping my shoulders.
"I called her to warn her. She's doing something to my wolf” His jaw clenched. Fury bloom inside of me.
"How?"
"I don't know” he admitted, and that frightened me more than anything.
“Like I said, she was here” he continued. "Her scent still lingers and it’s making my wolf crazy and he reacts”
The words scraped against my heart. I forced myself to stay calm.
"React how?" He hesitated.
"Heat. It's like something is scratching beneath my skin” my wolf snarled violently. I dug my nails into his arms.
"She's trying to use her mark to wedge herself between us” I said quietly.
"Yes. And it makes me angry that I can’t control it”
“That’s why I suggested we call a witch”
Another pulse shuddered through the bond, weaker now that I was close. I felt his wolf through the bond, he was calmer. The realization made something fierce awaken in my chest.
"I thought about it and maybe she wants me to doubt you. And she wants you to question yourself” his eyes darkened.
"She succeeded earlier” my throat tightened.
That was the truth. I doubted him when I walked into the office earlier.
"She wanted me to see your shirt. She smirked at me outside your office and that’s why I barged in” His eyes flashed dangerously.
"She approached you?"
“Not directly. She didn’t need to say much” I said.
"I wanted to see the state you were in first before I know what her smirk was for. She had already made it clear to me, that she wants you” Lucian's hands tightened.
"She also implied that I was a distraction to you and needed to leave” I finished. A low growl tore from his throat.
"That ends soon”
I stepped closer, pressing my palm to his chest over his heart.
"Listen to me” I said firmly. He met my gaze.
"You are not losing control and I trust your wolf not to give in to her demands or whatever she’s doing”
His breathing slowed.
"She cannot touch what we have unless we let her” his forehead dropped to mind.
"I almost did” he admitted hoarsely.
"No. You didn’t” I said. My voice trembled slightly, from fear of how far Elara was willing to go.
"I’ll make sure she doesn’t get to me again. But Elara needs to go” his eyes sharpened.
"I know that more than you. I’ve seen the damage she has caused and yet her claims of being abused haven’t been verified”
"The truth would come out soon” His brows lifted slightly.
“Do you know something that I don’t know?”
"No, I don’t know anything. You’re the one that has the final decision, you can make her leave now if you want” I said quietly.
“I know. But I have to be precise dealing with this”
"Yes” I whispered.
Another pulse moved through the bond, it was calmer now. My wolf danced happily.
Ours.
Lucian exhaled slowly.
"So, how is the preparation for the wolf ball coming?” he asked.
“It’s going very well. There is little to be done and everything would be ready” I said.
“You know a lot of people would be here. Alpha’s and Luna, from different places” I nodded.
“My enemies might be here too. And everyone in this pack would be attending. Including Elara” he added.
“She might cause problems with other people there” I murmured.
“I’ll see that she doesn’t try it”
A knock interrupted us then. Aiden entered, eyes scanning quickly.
"You’re done?” Lucian nodded. Aiden's expression was grim.
“There's movement at the borders. It’s minor though” I stiffened.
"We need to get it under control before the wolf ball” Lucian said.
"It’ll be handled before then”
“Do we have a list of everyone coming?” Lucian asked Aiden.
“Yes. The guards and warriors are going to be put at different positions to ensure everything goes well” Aiden said.
“And Elara needs to be watched. Hopefully we’ll get what we are looking for on that day” Aiden nodded.
I didn’t know what they were talking about. I didn’t ask either. Lucian turned to me.
“You’ll need to get a dress for the ball” I nodded.
I knew that already. I had already planned to get the most beautiful dress for the ball.
“You can go into town and select something. Take your maid with you and a guard” I nodded.
I realized then how much Lucian trusted me and cared for me. Elara was not going to separate us. I decided then to step up, I won’t be the frightened girl who had once run from her past. I was Luna now. And I would not let anyone tamper with my mate.
Lucian brushed his thumb along my cheek.
"If you need anything, just let me know” he said quietly. I smiled at me.
“I’m sorry and thank you also”
“Why?” I asked.
“For being here”
“I’ll always be here with you, Lucian. We’ll face everything together” I squeezed his hands.
"I won’t let you go not even if you wanted”