Chapter 109 Chapter 109
My expression changed the moment I heard her name. My morning had been going perfectly well until this. I thought we were going to have a few days to ourselves but it’s barely been hours and we had to leave.
I walked beside Lucian, my hands at my side. I kept my gaze forward, afraid that if I looked at him too long, the disappointment would show on my face. It wasn’t fair. Lucian had apologized, softly, sincerely, pressed a kiss to my knuckles as if he could soothe the ache that formed in my chest.
“I’m sorry” Lucian said again, his voice low. “I didn’t want to leave like this. Heck, I thought we were going to spend a few days there”
“I know” I replied. And I did.
I knew he didn’t choose this interruption but knowing didn’t stop the bitterness from curling in my stomach. And it was because of Elara. She always chose the time that I was happy to start her theatrics. She existed like a thorn beneath the skin, small but impossible to ignore.
“I promise to make it up to you”
I believed him but I doubted that we would have this moment again especially with Elara still here.
By the time we reached the pack, the air felt different. Wolves slowed in their movements, bowing as we passed. I felt it then, a faint tightening beneath my ribs, it was not pain or fear but awareness. My wolf stirred.
Lucian must have felt it too. His jaw tightened, his posture shifting subtly into something sharper, his Alpha posture taking over. He leaned closer, brushing his lips against my temple.
“Go to the house” he murmured
“I’ll find out what’s happening” I nodded, though something in me didn’t want to let him go but now was not the time to argue.
I turned towards the court yard and that was when I saw her. Elara stood near a railing, the sunlight catching in her hair, she was dressed in blue, the color made her look harmless and approachable.
Her gaze lifted the moment she sensed me, her lips curving into a gentle smile that never reached her eyes.
“Ailsa. You’re back already. I was hoping to see you” she said warmly, as if we were old friends.
“What reason would you want to see me. I’m busy” I said coolly,starting to walk past her. She fell into the step beside me without invitation.
“I won’t take much of your time” she said. “I know you’re just coming back from the cabin” she said and I stopped.
How did she know I was at the cabin?
“You look surprised at that. We went there when we wanted to escape the pack so I understand” she said with a smile.
I was speechless. Lucian had told me that he never brought anyone here and Elara was saying they spent time at the cabin together.
“I admire your strength” she said interrupting my thoughts. My brows furrowed.
“I mean it. Becoming Luna is a heavy mantle. One which I failed to carry” her chuckle sounded nervous or maybe I just imagined it.
“Suddenly everyone expects a lot from you. I was so overwhelmed and that’s why I ran away. I wanted to help him. Lucian carries so much already and he’s under a lot of pressure too especially with the elders. Distraction is not something he needs now”
My frown deepened. What was she trying to say now? That I was a distraction?
“That’s none of your business, Elara” I said through gritted teeth. She tilted her head.
“Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t mean it that way. I’m just worried that he doesn’t let himself rest. He never did. Even when we were together” I snorted.
“You don’t have to concern yourself with his burdens anymore. That’s my place now” I said evenly. Her smile didn’t falter. If anything, it deepened.
“Is it?” She asked gently. “I suppose time will tell”
Before I could respond, she leaned closer, lowering her voice.
“He used to look at me the same way he looks at you. Like I was the only thing that existed in his world” she murmured.
“What are you onto, Elara?” I asked plainly.
“I’ll go straight to the point. I want you to leave him” I laughed.
She had finally shown her true color. I guess she was tired of pretending.
“You finally show yourself, huh?” She scoffed. “What makes you think I’d leave Lucian for you?”
“He is mine. He has always been mine. He still loves me and he’ll forever love me. I have his mark” she tilts her neck showing me the mark. “Do you want me to give you more reasons?”
“You haven’t even given a tangible reason. You just keep talking about the past”
“You are not the one for him”
“And you are? For someone who ran off with another man and left her so called mate, you are but even worthy. Were you really abused? Or that was just another lie to get Lucian to pity you”
“Do you want to see the marks? It doesn’t even matter what you say, Lucian has seen the marks and he believes me” I laughed loudly.
“I don’t care whatever happened to you. It’s none of my business. Just stay away from me”
“How can I? You are taking my place and I cannot stand by and watch”
“You’ve gone crazy. You should be locked in an asylum. Just one word from me and you would be thrown out of here” I threatened.
I could tell Lucian she was threatening me to leave him and he would have her thrown away.
“You can’t! You don’t have that power over Lucian. I swear to you, that you’ll be the one leaving and not me. Bet!” My anger flared, hotly.
‘Remind her that you are the Luna’ my wolf screamed but I had something else in mind.
“Be careful” I warned. She straightened, her innocent face snapping back into place.
“I only want what’s best for him” her tone changed. It baffles me how some seconds ago she was like an angry cat, ready to scratch. I had to give it to her, she could act.
She turned and walked away. My wolf snarled in my chest as I stood there watching her leave.
The line had just been drawn.
I didn’t see Lucian until late in the afternoon. He found me near the training grounds, his eyes were dark. When he touched me, I could feel that everything was not right.
“Are you alright?” I asked and he nodded too quickly.
“Fine”
But his wolf stirred beneath the surface, agitated. I felt it through the bond, a confusion that made my stomach twist. His scent was off.
“Elara spoke with me” I said quietly and his head snapped up.
“What?”
“She threatened me” I blurted out.
“What did she say?”
“She told me to leave you” it didn’t look like he believed me.
“She said that?”
“Isn’t it glaring. It’s obvious she still wants you but you’re too blind to see”
“Ailsa…” I cut him off before he could say anything more.
“No, I won’t say more about this so that we don’t fight”
“It’s not…”
Before he could answer, a guard approached hurriedly, bowing low.
“Alpha, the elders have gathered in the meeting room. They say….”
“I know what they say” Lucian cut in. He turned back to me, cupping my face.
“Stay here”
“No, I’m coming” I said firmly.
His eyes flashed but he didn’t argue. If the elders were here, then I wanted to know the reason they had come.
We found Elara speaking to the elders, they looked invested in what she was saying, her hands folded and her eyes cast downward.
“I only wish to help. The pack is uneasy. They fear outside threats, rogues and old alliances. Perhaps…perhaps if Lucian allowed me to assist..”
“Enough!” Lucian’s voice cracked like thunder and Elara was startled.
The elders recoiled. Elara turned slowly, surprise flickering across her face before turning into relief.
“Lucian” she breathed. “I was just trying to calm them”
His wolf surged wolf and furious. I felt it lash against the bond, a violent pull that wasn’t meant for me but I felt it anyways. He was trying to hold back in front of the elders.
That was when I realized Elara had done something. A scent lingered in the air. My mark tingled, my wolf snarling. Lucian staggered just slightly, his fists clenched.
“What did you do?” He demanded. Elara looked wounded.
“I don’t understand”
“Liar” he snarled.
The elders stepped back as the power radiated off Lucian, it was raw and terrifying. His wolf was almost taking over. He turned to them.
“If you’re here to question my Luna’s place, you’d answer to me” his voice was hard. “And anyone who is trying to manipulate my wolf will be treated as an enemy”
I watched Elara go pale.
“No one is manipulating your wolf. I was speaking to the elders so I could help you” she whispered.
“I didn’t ask for your help”
He took my hand then, grounding himself, his wolf calming down slowly as we held hands.
“This ends now. I’ll deal with you” he pointed to Elara.
Her gaze flicked to me, it was cold. I smiled at her, my gaze telling her what I couldn’t say right now.
I’m the one, his wolf recognizes.