CHAPTER 70

Lycus POV

I stood beside Knox, surveying the perimeter near the gates where the reports had come in.

A rogue attack. And too damn close for comfort.

“These rogues,” Knox started, his brows furrowed. “They’re not from around here. The closest rogue settlement is at least ten miles away.”

“I know,” I replied, my jaw tightening. “Which is why I’m wondering how Aneles managed to see not too far from our borders.”

Few days after we rescued Aneles from rogue attacks, they came again.

Knox ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident. “It doesn’t make sense. Unless the rogues are shifting territory without anyone noticing.”

“Or they’re being forced to.” The thought lingered in my mind, unsettling. Rogues weren’t organized by nature, but something was pushing them closer. Something — or someone — was stirring trouble.

Knox grunted in agreement, but before he could say anything else, I pulled out my phone. The urge to check for a message from Ariana gnawed at me. But the screen remained blank.

Not even a single text.

I swiped through the contacts, finding her name with ease. Just as my fingers hovered over the keyboard, Knox snatched the phone from my hand.

“Seriously?” I shot him a glare.

“You promised,” Knox reminded me, his grin not hiding his amusement. “No calling. No texting. No ‘I miss you’ nonsense until you’ve handled your Alpha duties for the week.”

I groaned. “Why the hell did I even agree to that?”

“Because,” he smirked, “you were distracted. And I made a damn good point.”

“Which was?”

“That obsessing over Ariana isn’t going to run this pack.”

He wasn’t wrong. But that didn’t mean I had to like it.

“It’s been almost a week, Knox,” I grumbled, snatching my phone back. “You expect me to just—”

“Chill.” Knox clapped a hand on my shoulder, his grin widening. “Trust me, she’s fine. She’ll survive a few more days without you acting like a lovesick pup.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but before I could, a sudden noise interrupted us — a sharp thud followed by a muffled groan.

Knox and I whipped around.

There, sprawled on the ground, was Aneles. One of her crutches had slipped, and she winced, clearly trying to mask the pain.

“Aneles!” I strode toward her, my irritation momentarily forgotten. “What are you doing out here?”

Her dark hair was tousled, and her face flushed with embarrassment. But even as I reached her side, she tried to wave me off.

“I’m fine,” she muttered, gripping the edge of her fallen crutch. “I just lost my balance.”

I bent down, gently helping her up. “You shouldn’t be walking around without assistance. The servants can help you.”

She shook her head stubbornly. “I like to do things on my own.”

Her stubbornness reminded me of Ariana.

The memory of her flashed through my mind. The same defiance that made her impossible to forget.

“Still,” I said, steadying her on her feet, “you should be careful.”

“I will,” she replied, though the flicker of pride in her eyes told me she’d do no such thing.

I steadied Aneles as she shifted her weight onto her uninjured leg. The pride in her eyes was evident — even through the lingering pain. But that stubbornness would only get her hurt again.

“Has there been any progress with your investigation?” Her voice was steady, but I could sense the curiosity behind it.

“Not yet,” Knox answered before I could. His tone was sharp, laced with frustration. “We’re still looking into it, but the rogues left barely any trace. Whoever sent them knew what they were doing.”

Aneles frowned. “I wish my wounds had healed faster. I could’ve helped.”

I shook my head. “You don’t need to worry about that. Focus on your recovery.”

“But—”

“No,” I cut her off, though I kept my tone calm. “It’s not your burden to carry.”

The resolve in her eyes flickered slightly, but she didn’t argue further. Still, I could see the frustration lingering beneath the surface.

“Come on,” I said, adjusting my grip to ensure she was steady. “Let’s get you back to your room.”

She gave a slight nod, and I led her back to the pack house. We finally reached the room I gave her.

“Get some rest,” I said as she eased herself onto the bed. “If you need anything, let the servants know.”

“I will,” she replied, though the distant look in her eyes told me she was still thinking about the investigation.

She adjusted herself on the bed, her dark hair falling over her shoulder. Even with the faint trace of exhaustion on her face, Aneles maintained a delicate sort of beauty — the kind that seemed intentionally crafted.

But my thoughts weren’t on her. Not really.

I was already thinking about leaving, returning to the matters that needed my attention. Yet something about the way she looked at me made me pause.

“You said you were a traveler,” I said, breaking the silence. “Where exactly were you heading?”

Her lips curled into a soft, almost wistful smile. “To see my sister. She lives in another territory. I haven’t seen her in a long time, and I missed her.”

A pang of familiarity hit me.

Ariana.

The ache that came with missing her was unbearable. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her — that defiant stare, her rare but beautiful smile, the way her presence consumed every part of me. And now, I was stuck here, with an unsettling emptiness gnawing at my chest.

I forced the thought away, focusing on Aneles. “I hope you see her soon.”

She tilted her head, a soft blush dusting her cheeks. “Thank you.”

I shifted, preparing to leave. “Take care. I’ll make sure someone checks in on you later.”

But before I could turn, she spoke again.

“Wait.” Her voice was small, uncertain. “Would you… stay for a little while? Just until I fall asleep?”

Her large green eyes met mine, filled with something that was neither desperation nor demand. Just innocent longing. Or so it seemed.

It was almost convincing.

I felt something. A tug, faint but undeniable, as if there was an unseen force urging me to comply.

But then, like a crash of cold water, Ariana’s face flashed through my mind. Her laughter, her stubborn determination, the warmth of her presence.

The tug vanished.

What the hell was I thinking?

“I… Maybe another time,” I said, clearing my throat. My voice was firm, but I didn’t miss the subtle flicker of surprise on her face. Her lips parted slightly, as if my rejection had caught her off guard.

“Of course,” she murmured, quickly masking her reaction with a small, composed smile. “I understand.”

Without another word, I turned and left, the door clicking shut behind me.

But even as I walked down the dim corridor, that lingering sensation gnawed at me.

What just happened?

And why did it feel like I’d just walked away from something far more dangerous than it seemed?