Chapter 173 CHAPTER 173

Chapter 173 CHAPTER 173
Lucy's POV

Marcus was making a steady recovery, and I still found a way to visit him at Alpha Kaleb's mansion under the guise of caring for him. But between the two of us, we knew the truth. We were in love.

I could feel the same excitement Lydia had felt whenever she talked about getting married. I understood it now, the restless happiness, the way the thought of a future with someone could make everything else seem distant. I felt that same excitement whenever I thought about Marcus.

When we were alone in the room, we sometimes talked about the future.

"I would make you my Luna, Lucy," he said one afternoon.

He held my hand, his thumb brushing slowly over my knuckles as he looked at me with an intensity that made my heart stumble. There was something different about the way a werewolf looked at the person they loved. It wasn't merely affection. It was recognition, instinct, and a certainty that seemed to settle somewhere beneath the skin.

I lowered my gaze, suddenly unable to hold his for too long. Because I had not told him the truth about me yet. I was betrothed to someone else. I had been told that I could not marry anyone outside my pack, and the consequences of breaking that rule were not something I could simply wish away.

Yet whenever I was with Marcus, those consequences felt like a problem for another day. For now, I was only concerned with the moment. I wanted to enjoy what we had without worrying about the future or the rules I was breaking.

I had followed rules for eighteen years of my life. Perhaps I needed to break at least one of them. Perhaps, for once, I needed to live.

Rodrick had been calling me, but I ignored every call. I made sure to leave the house very early in the morning so I wouldn't run into him. I arrived back late at night, long after most of the pack had settled into their homes. Even then, I was careful.

I changed the route I usually took home and the one I used when going to Seraphine's place. I avoided the paths where I was most likely to encounter him, taking longer routes through quieter parts of the territory instead.

It was never truly silent. I could hear the rustle of leaves shifting in the breeze, the distant movement of animals, and occasionally the faint crack of a branch somewhere beyond the trail. And sometimes, beneath all of that, I imagined I could hear Rodrick.

Whenever that thought crossed my mind, a nervous tension would creep along my spine, and I would quicken my pace. I knew I was playing with something dangerous. But every time I thought of Marcus, I found myself willing to take the risk.

Initially, I had felt nothing but indifference toward Rodrick. I had no feelings for him whatsoever. But now, I felt something. It was hate.

I hated him for trying to cage me and force me into marrying him, even against my will. The more he insisted on controlling my choices, the more that hatred took root inside me.

Mother did not make things any easier. She was always upset with me, constantly reminding me that she could throw me out of the house if I refused to obey her. One morning, after yet another argument, she finally lost her patience.

"If you do not talk to Rodrick, and I find out about it," she threatened, pointing a warning finger at me, "I will make sure you sleep outside this house."

I stared at her, my jaw tightening.

"I will disown you," she continued. "Because no child of mine is as stubborn as a goat."

Her words stung, but I refused to let her see it. I folded my arms and looked away, listening to the familiar sounds of the pack waking outside. Somewhere in the distance, other wolves were calling to one another, their voices carrying through the morning air. I wondered if they felt as trapped as I did.

Even Seraphine cautioned me when she heard about what was going on between Rodrick and me.

"You have a destined path set before you, Lucy," she said quietly. "And that path is the safest. You should follow it."

She spoke with the calm certainty expected of a moon priestess, but I could see the hesitation beneath her words. She didn't want to say it. I knew that because Seraphine had never wanted to be a moon priestess herself.

She had once told me how badly she wanted a life beyond the pack, a life where she could choose what she became instead of having her future decided for her. So when she told me to follow the path that had been chosen for me, I couldn't help wondering if she was giving me advice she didn't believe in herself.

She knew what it was like to have a life chosen for you. And I knew that, despite her advice, some part of her understood why I wanted to fight against mine.

The mating ball was drawing closer and closer, and very soon, it was all anyone talked about. Everywhere I went, I heard whispers about the preparations. The pack was already buzzing with excitement, and the anticipation seemed to hang in the air. Even the mansion had taken on a different energy, with servants moving about busily and decorations beginning to appear in preparation for the event.

"Marcus is going to officially ask you to be his mate at the ball," Alpha Kaleb said to me one morning after I finished attending to Marcus.

We were strolling down a garden path, the soft crunch of gravel beneath our feet. The morning air carried the scent of blooming flowers, and somewhere beyond the garden walls, I could hear the distant chatter of the pack.

"I don't think I will attend the ball," I said, my face falling.

"Why?" he asked.

I shrugged, dragging the toe of my shoe lightly through the gravel.

"I have no dress to wear."

I reached toward a nearby vine and began pulling absently at a loose strand, twisting it between my fingers.

"I talked to Lydia, but I don't think she's interested in helping me."

Alpha Kaleb was silent for a while. He continued walking beside me, his expression thoughtful. I could almost sense him weighing something in his mind. Then, quite suddenly, he stopped.

"I'm not engaged this afternoon," he said. "Why don't we go together and get you something to wear for the meeting ball?"

I looked up at him.

"You?"

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Yes, me."

I couldn't help smiling. I hadn't expected the Alpha to offer to take me shopping, of all things. But there was something strangely comforting about the simplicity of the offer.

"Are you sure?" I asked.

He gave a small nod.

"Unless you'd rather attend the ball wearing that."

His gaze dropped briefly to my clothes.

I laughed despite myself.

"Fine. I'll go with you."