Chapter 137 Chapter 137
LUCIAN’S POV
The room where I prepared for battles, had never felt this heavy. Torches flickered along the stone walls, casting shadows across the long table in the center of the room. On that table was a detailed map of Lorcan’s territory, forests, rivers, patrol routes, villages, and the main pack house marked with black ink.
I stood at the head of the table, hands braced against the wood. Every muscle in my body was tense. Across from me, sat Aiden and five of my trusted warriors in the pack. Normally, whenever I summoned these men, the issue was serious.
The air in the room felt different. Tonight felt like the beginning of something that could burn everything down. No one spoke at first. Everywhere was silent while they waited for me to speak. I took a moment to calm my wolf, inhaled slowly and finally looked up.
“Lorcan has my mate”
I finally let the word out. Even though Aiden already knew, the rest didn’t know and hearing myself say it out loud made the situation real. Ronan leaned forward slightly.
“Are we very certain about this?” My gaze hardened.
“Elara told me herself”
One of the warriors swore under his breath. Another slammed his fist lightly against the table.
“Then we go get her” Ronan said immediately. I didn’t answer right away.
Instead, I stared down at the map because this wasn’t simple. If Lorcan had Ailsa, then he had leverage and if I marched an entire army across the border, Lorcan might decide to use that leverage. I didn’t want to put Ailsa in harms way.
My wolf snarled inside him.
‘No one touches her’
“I know what you’re all thinking” I finally said quietly.
Aiden crossed his arms.
“That we should gather the warriors and attack” I looked up.
“And that’s exactly what Lorcan wants”
Silence filled the room. The warriors exchanged uneasy glances. I tapped the map with one finger.
“If we invade his territory with our entire force, Lorcan will know we’re coming long before we reach the pack house” Aiden nodded slowly.
“And if he knows we’re coming…”
“He could move her” I finished the sentence.
Or worse.
The thought twisted something sharp in my chest. I straightened and began pacing slowly around the table.
“We need two plans”
The warriors listened carefully.
“Plan A is infiltration” Lucian continued
I tapped to the southern edge of Lorcan’s territory on the map.
“There’s a forest corridor here. Thick trees, low patrol presence. Four warriors could cross the border unnoticed”
Ronan leaned closer to study the map.
“You want a small team” I nodded.
“Yes.”
“Who?” I didn’t hesitate.
“Me, Aiden, you and one tracker” One of the warriors frowned.
“That’s dangerous” my gaze flicked toward him.
“So is losing my mate”
No one argued after that. Aiden nodded slowly.
“A small team has a better chance of reaching the pack house unnoticed” I tapped the map again.
“While we infiltrate, the rest of our warriors will wait along the border” Ronan’s eyes lit with understanding.
“A diversion” I nodded.
“If Lorcan realizes we’re inside his territory, our warriors attack from the border and draw attention away from us” Aiden leaned back slightly.
“That’s risky”
“So is doing nothing” i said in a low voice.
Silence settled over the room again. Then Aiden spoke quietly.
“And Plan B?”I stopped pacing.
Plan B.
The most dangerous option.
“The challenge”
The warriors stiffened. My voice was calm, too calm. The air felt heavier than before.
“If Lorcan believes he can keep my mate without consequences, then he’s mistaken” my wolf growled in agreement.
Ronan leaned forward.
“You’re going to challenge him?”
“Yes”
“To death?” I didn’t blink.
“If necessary”
Aiden looked at me, I saw the questions in his eyes.
“That would start a war” my jaw hardened.
“Lorcan already started one”
The room fell silent again.
Everyone in that room understood what it meant when an Alpha issued a challenge to another Alpha. It wasn’t just personal. It was political and deadly.
I turned away from the table and walked toward the window overlooking the dark forest outside. For a moment, I said nothing. I closed my eyes and focused.
Deep inside my chest, the mate bond pulsed faintly. It was weak but it was still there. This was the first time in days, I had gotten any sign. I tried to reach for it. For my Ailsa.
For the connection that tied our souls together. The world faded around. I felt the night wind and the distant rustling of leaves.
I felt the ache of something broken and then pain. My eyes snapped open. Aiden stood immediately.
“What happened?” I inhaled sharply.
“I can feel the bond. She’s alive”
Relief flickered through the room but my expression remained grim.
‘She’s weak’ my wolf said. My jaw tightened.
“They hurt her”
The words came out as a low promise of violence.
“Did you feel where she is?” I shook my head slowly.
“The bond is too weak to track”
But it was enough for me to know she was still fighting and breathing. She was probably waiting for me. I clenched my fists.
“Then we move” Aiden nodded.
“When?”
I turned back toward the table. My voice was steady.
“Before dawn”
The warriors rose from their chairs immediately. We put the final plan into motion and what we’ll need.
There was one more thing I needed to do. I looked at Aiden.
“Send a messenger” Aiden raised an eyebrow.
“To Lorcan?”
“Yes”
“What message?” My voice turned cold.
“Tell him this”
The room went silent as every warrior listened.
“Return my mate unharmed or face me” I spoke slowly, each word carrying the weight of authority.
“And if he refuses?” Ronan asked. My eyes burned.
“Then tomorrow night, I’ll be walk into his territory and take her back”
My wolf pushed forward. The room became silent because everyone in the room understood what that meant.
Blood, war and death.
Aiden exhaled slowly.
“Lorcan might accept the challenge” my smile was sharp.
“I hope he does”
Because if Lorcan chose to fight, I would end him. I walked toward the door. The warriors began moving to carry out their orders. But before I stepped out, Aiden spoke again.
“Lucian” I turned
“If this becomes war… are you ready for what that means?”
I held his gaze for a long moment. Then I answered quietly.
“I’ve been ready since the moment he touched her”
And with that, I stepped out of the room. The corridor stretched dark and endless before me.
Somewhere beyond these walls, Ailsa was waiting.
My wolf growled softly.
‘Soon’
My eyes glowed in the darkness.
“Hold on Ailsa. I’m coming” I whispered to the darkness.
Because by this time tomorrow, I would be standing in Lorcan’s territory and nothing in the world would stop him from bringing my mate home.