Chapter 76 Chapter 76
LUCIAN’S POV
“I don’t want to start a war” Ailsa said softly.
“You’re not starting a war” I replied. She didn’t look convinced. Then I remembered something.
“Why were you coming to see me earlier? Did you have something to say”
“N-no….” She was avoiding my eyes and I knew she was lying.
“Then why were you there?”
“I just wanted to see you because I was missing you” she said shyly. A smile spread across my face. It made me happy to know that she wanted to be around me as much as I wanted to be around her.
“You could have just told me through the mind-link and I would have been here in a minute especially if you were waiting for me just like last night” she blushed heavily at that.
“I’m tired now. I need to rest” she said rubbing her eyes. I knew she was trying to make me leave because she was uncomfortable and I understood. I gave Ailsa a kiss on her temple before leaving.
“I’ll see you later”
The door closed softly behind me but the weight followed. I stood at her door, longer than I should have. My hand was still warm from where it had cupped her face, her fear was still humming through the bond long after I let her go. She was trying to be brave. I felt it in the way she held me even as uncertainty curled tight in her chest. She had heard more thane she should have.
That was on me. I could have been more careful. I didn’t want her to find out about the elders until I had solved it. I walked the corridor with measured steps, nodding to the guards and acknowledging bows. My expression was calm but inside my wolf paced, restless and furious.
‘We have to take care of this problem quickly’ my wolf insisted.
“I know” I muttered under my breath.
Aiden was waiting in the office, just as I left when I felt Ailsa’s distress. His arms were crossed and his jaw set.
“She knows?”
“Yes”
“How much?”
“Enough” Aiden exhaled sharply.
“How does she feel?”
“She feels bad. She thinks I’m taking a big risk by not listening to the elders”
“This would make things more complicated”
“No” I replied, rounding my desk and pouring myself I drink that I had no intention of enjoying. I took one sip, then set the glass aside.
“The elders are moving faster than I expected. I still don’t get why they won’t let you rest. What if someone else is backing them?”
“There’s not a time the elders are not being backed by someone” I said coldly.
I leaned back in my chair, curling my fingers sprint the glass. The image of Ailsa alone in her room, worry and doubt in her eyes, burned behind my eyes. I had promised to protect her and that’s what I would do.
“They think they can frighten me into compliance. They think using threats would make me too kneel” I said. I would like to watch them try.
“And will it?” I met Aiden’s stare.
“You should be the last person asking me this. You know me more than anyone else”
“I know you won’t bend but if they use something against you?” I shook my head.
“She’s not the problem, her past is. If we can find out a little about her past we would be able to stop this”
“They can’t even use her past. Other Alpha’s have had rogues as mates so why can’t I?”
“It’s not just about being a rogue, her mark too”
“Aiden, it seems like you also think that Ailsa shouldn’t be by my side” I raised a brow.
“No, I don’t think that. Ailsa is the best person to be by your side but I’m just worried about her. This is going to be difficult for her. I’m trying to be rational here and think of a plan to get the elders off your back” I growled, my wolf surged forward.
“I would burn every council seat to ash before I give her up” I said quietly.
Aiden didn’t argue. He just nodded once.
“That’s what I was afraid you’d say because they’re coming” I straightened.
“How soon?”
“Soon enough not to be stopped”
Good. I wanted them to come now. So I would be done with this once and for all. Before, they would get here I just needed to put a few things in place. I stood, issuing commands.
“No one enters this pack house without my approval. Not even emissaries. I want any letter entering this pack house to get to me. Someone might be sneaky in this pack” Aiden raised a brow.
“You’re closing the borders?”
“No. I’m fortifying them”
“You’re doing all this for Ailsa. You love her” Aiden said.
Did I? It was too early to say I loved her. I really cared about her and I had this urge to protect her from everything.
“I care about her” I said firmly.
“You don’t realize it yet. You’re just scared to admit it”
“That’s enough, Aiden. Go on and do as I asked you and let me know if there’s a problem” he nodded.
“I’ll see you later”
After Aiden left, the office felt too quiet. I took another sip of my drink, swirling the liquid, just the way my thoughts were. I stood and moved to the window, staring out at the pack I had sworn to protect with my life.
They trusted me and my judgement. They had never challenged me and soon that would be tested.
I could already imagine the elders arrival, I knew they would try to get some of my pack members to their side. I imagined their faces when I tell them I won’t be denouncing anybody.
They underestimated the difference between an Alpha who ruled by consensus and one who ruled by will. They had forgotten what it meant to challenge me. I had been quiet for a few years and they think I’m now a weak Alpha. I closed my eyes briefly, trying to gather my thoughts together.
Ailsa’s presence brushed the edge of my awareness through the bond, she was anxious and at the same time trying not to panic. One particular thought disturbed me greatly, I didn’t want to think about it because I feared it might come to pass.
‘She won’t leave us’ my wolf tried to convince me.
Even though he thought that, I knew Ailsa. If she thinks leaving would stop whatever was brewing, she would do it. I didn’t ever want that to happen. I only hoped that she trusted and believed in me to protect her. The urge to return to her was strong and instinctive.
Later, I promised myself. If I went to her now, I would soften. And softness was a luxury I could not afford.
I summoned my inner council members, trusted warriors and those who understood power not as inheritance but as survival. Orders were given and risks planned. Alliances were weighed and discarded. Every decision carried one unspoken truth, Ailsa would not be denounced.
Night fell without ceremony.
When I finally returned to my chambers, exhaustion weighed heavy on my shoulders. I paused outside the door, sensing her before I saw her. She was awake and waiting. I entered quietly. She looked up instantly, relief flickering across her face before it changed into composure. She was so beautiful that it made my heart ache.
“You’re late” she said softly.
“I had things to prepare” I replied.
“For them?” she asked.
“Yes” She nodded, as if she’d expected that answer.
We stood there, facing each other, the air thick with everything we weren’t saying.
“It’s going to be a long fight” I said finally.
“I know” she mumbled. I crossed the room and took her hands.
“But we’ll come out victorious. They don’t have any right to choose for me. You are not alone. I just want you to be strong and not give up. Not now, not ever” Her fingers tightened around mine.
“Promise me something, Lucian”
“Anything. Just let me know and I’ll do it”
“When they come, I want to be aware. Don’t lie to me or keep it away” she said quietly.
The request struck deeper than any demand. I didn’t want her to know about their arrival. I knew this would be sorted soon. But since I had already promised to let her know then I had to do it.
“I won’t” I said. She searched my face, then nodded. I held her tightly.
We didn’t speak of anything more. We didn’t need to. The bond pulsed between us was steady, unbreakable, dangerous.
As I held her that night, one thought echoed through my mind, sharp and unwavering, Let the elders comeThey would learn exactly what kind of Alpha I was.
And exactly how far I would go to protect what was mine.