Chapter 49 Denial, Drama and a Face Cup

Chapter 49 Denial, Drama and a Face Cup
Chapter 49: Denial, Drama, and a Face Cup.

DARIUS NIGHTFALL

“Lucian?” I called, voice soft with worry. What had happened?

“Don’t,” he warned, holding up a hand. The sharp tone made me pause.

Rivera immediately jumped in, voice rising with indignation. “What are you doing here? And why did you barge in without knocking?”

Lucian ignored her completely. He walked straight past her like she didn’t exist and dropped his bag onto the couch with a loud thud.

“What do you think you’re doing, Lucian?” Rivera snapped, her voice turning shrill.

“Stop, Rivera,” I cut in firmly. “He can do whatever he wants. This is my office, not yours. You’re the one who isn’t welcome here. Get out.”

“What?!” she exclaimed, pointing at him. “Because of him?!”

Lucian didn’t even glance at her. He walked around my desk until he stood directly in front of me. His intense gaze made me swallow hard. I could feel the anger rolling off him in waves.

“You look angry,” I said carefully.

You’re in trouble, human, my fae whispered.

Big trouble, my beast agreed, sounding far too entertained.

Before I could say anything else, Lucian grabbed the arm of my chair and spun it so I faced him fully. Then he stepped boldly between my parted legs, cupped my face with both hands, and held it like I was the center of his universe.

I froze, heart slamming against my ribs. His touch was warm, firm, and completely unexpected. His scent — clean, fresh, with that hint of something uniquely him — filled my senses.

Oooh lala, my beast purred. Things are getting spicy.

Lucian stared straight into my eyes, voice low and intense. “Tell me the truth. Is Rivera really your mate? Is she the White Wolf?”

The question hit like a thunderbolt.

What?! both my fae and beast exclaimed at the same time.

I stared back at him, momentarily speechless, my hands instinctively rising to rest lightly on his waist as the weight of his question — and the fire in his eyes — settled over me.

Lucian’s hands were still cradling my face, his intense gaze burning into mine. The question hung in the air like a live wire.

“What do you mean?” I asked, genuinely shocked.

“Stop! What the hell are you both doing?!” Rivera screamed, her voice cracking as it shook the entire office. She looked seconds away from exploding.

Lucian slowly turned his head toward her. A smug, amused smirk tugged at his lips, the kind that clearly said you don’t stand a chance. I had to admit, it was ridiculously attractive.

Rivera, on the other hand, was crashing out spectacularly. Her face had gone from pale to furious red in record time.

I gently shook Lucian’s arm. “What are you saying right now?”

He looked back at me, completely ignoring her meltdown. “Is Rivera really your mate? Is she the White Wolf?”

“Yes! We are!” Rivera jumped in before I could speak, voice shrill and desperate. “I am the White Wolf. He is the Split Soul. We are destined to save the world together… that’s what the prophecy says!”

Tell her to shut up, my beast groaned inside my head.

She’s on this again, my fae added with a scoff. And now she’s dragged Lucian into her fantasy. Should we just end her and dump the body somewhere? That would clear the obstacle nicely.

Yes. Let’s do that, my beast agreed enthusiastically.

“Don’t be stupid, Lucian,” Rivera continued, pointing at me. “Stay away from him. He’s my mate!”

Lucian dropped his hands and stepped back. I quickly caught his wrist, stopping him from moving further away.

“No. Shut it,” I said sharply, to both Rivera and the chaotic duo in my head.

I turned my full attention to Lucian. “We are not mates. Rivera and I are not mates, and she is definitely not the White Wolf.”

“What?!” Rivera exclaimed, eyes wide with disbelief.

“She’s delusional,” I continued calmly. “She’s convinced herself of this fantasy. Made herself believe she’s part of some grand prophecy. But she isn’t.”

“No, I really am!” she cried frantically, stepping closer. “You know it’s true, Darius!”

Lucian glanced between us, frowning. “What if she is?”

I met his eyes steadily. “I will recognize my true mate when I see them. Do you honestly think this” — I gestured at Rivera’s dramatic state — “is how a prophesied, legendary bond is supposed to look? This… mess?”

Lucian looked at me, then at Rivera again, and let out a long sigh. “Yeah… it does seem kind of frail,” he muttered. “That shouldn’t be how it works.”

“You—!” Rivera started, voice rising again.

“Get out, Rivera. Now,” I commanded, releasing a controlled wave of alpha aura.

She staggered, groaning as the power hit her. Lucian, interestingly, didn’t even flinch. He simply wandered over to the mini-fridge like nothing happened, pulled out a bottle of water, and took a long gulp.

“You’ll regret this,” Rivera hissed, shooting me a venomous glare. “I swear you will, Darius.”

She turned and stormed out, slamming the door so hard the walls rattled.

The silence that followed felt almost peaceful.

I exhaled slowly and leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temples. My beast was still quietly chuckling while my fae radiated smug satisfaction.

Lucian stood by the couch, bottle in hand, staring at the closed door like he was replaying everything in his head. I watched him carefully, noting the tension in his shoulders and the way his jaw kept tightening.

“Come here,” I said softly.

He glanced at me but didn’t move right away.

“Please?” I added, patting my lap.

Lucian raised an eyebrow, a spark of his usual sass returning. “You’re really bold after all that drama.”

I smirked. “You’re the one who barged in, spun my chair, and cupped my face like you were about to kiss me in front of her. I think we’re past pretending to be shy.”

He rolled his eyes but walked over anyway, stopping between my legs again. This time I didn’t hesitate, I wrapped my arms around his waist and pulled him closer until he was practically sitting on the edge of my desk.

“Better?” I asked.

He took another sip of water, then looked down at me. “So… she’s really not your mate?”

“Not even close,” I said firmly. “She’s been obsessed with the prophecy for years and somehow convinced herself she fits the role. I’ve told her countless times it’s not true. She just refuses to accept it.”

Lucian was quiet for a moment, processing. “And the real White Wolf…?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “But whoever they are, they’re definitely not her.”

He let out a small huff of laughter, shaking his head. “Today has been a lot. First Ryder being delusional, now Rivera… I feel like I’m collecting obsessed people like Pokémon cards.”

I chuckled and rested my forehead against his stomach. “Welcome to my world. It comes with annoying stepbrothers and delusional professors.” I whispered.

Lucian’s free hand came up to thread through my hair, the touch surprisingly gentle. “You’re trouble, Nightfall.”

“Yet you keep coming back,” I murmured, tilting my head up to look at him.

He smirked. “Maybe I like trouble.”

The air between us thickened. For a moment, everything else — prophecies, threats, ex-stepbrothers — faded into the background. It was just him, me, and this strange, addictive pull I couldn’t explain.

I tightened my hold on his waist. “Stay with me a little longer before we head back to the dorm.”

Lucian didn’t pull away. Instead, he leaned down slightly, eyes sparkling with mischief and something warmer.

“Only if you promise no more surprise mates today.”

I laughed. “Deal.”