Chapter 51 Chapter 51
Gasps erupted we Dahlia stumbled back, touching her cheek with wide stunned eyes. My chest rose and fell, anger burning in my veins. No one would speak to me that way. Not anymore.
Dahlia slowly lifted her gaze and I saw the fury in her eyes but I didn’t back down. I stared right into her eyes, my voice quiet.
"Say it again"
She was furious.
"You little...." She lunged at me.
Before she could reach my face, a voice thundered across the yard with force.
"Enough"
Everyone froze. Every warrior bowed their head instantly. Dahlia jerked back. My stomach dropped.
Lucian was standing on the ground, his gaze as sharp as blade, his jaw clenched.
He walked towards us slowly, authority and power oozing off him with every step.. The air thickened.
"What….” He said stopping, his eyes flickered dangerously from me to Dahlia. “Is happening here?"
Dahlia immediately transformed from an angry lion to a meek lamb. Her voice quivered.
"Alpha...she….she attacked me...out of nowhere" I almost choked. It was like dejavu happening. Lucian didn't even blink.
"Is that so?" His voice was cold.
"She slapped me" Dahlia whimpered, touching her cheek.
"And she's been aggressive. I'm scared of her... After she threatened me before now she hits me. I'm scared that next time she'll kill me" I scoffed.
Her theatrics were now boring.
"Dahlia" Lucian said her name so flatly, she snapped her mouth shut. Lucian turned fully towards her, his expression unreadable.
"I have given you multiple warnings about your behaviour towards other warriors and servants of this pack" He said quietly. “And you choose to ignore them" She paled
"Alpha. I wan..."
"Calling other warriors names, interrupting the training and starting fights is not allowed. You know the rules more than anyone" His gaze sharpened.
She gasped.
"I wasn't...."
"Do you take me for a fool" He asked, his voice dropping into an Alpha's tone. The entire yard bowed. Dahlia bit her lips, her eyes filled with tears.
If it was real or fake,I didn't know. He stepped closer to her.
"If you continue with this behaviour, I'll remove you from your position permanently" Shock rippled through everyone.
This was the first time, Dahlia was reprimanded by the Alpha in front everyone. Dahlia stared at him, speechless.
"But I was..."
"That's enough. This is your last warning and also a warning to others" his voice cracked like thunder.
Then without sparing her another glance.
"Training continues" he said
The warriors dispersed back to the lines and back to the drills instantly. Lucian didn't move away.
Instead, he looked at me. He took my hand.
"Come with me" Dahlia's jaw dropped.
I was in shock as well. My heart thudded as Lucian led me back to the pack house. I followed him stunned and shaken by what just happened.
The shock of Lucian defending me like that in front of everyone refused to go away. When we were inside his office and the door closed behind us, the silence wrapped around us thickly. I stared at his back before finding courage to speak.
"Why did you defend me like that?" My voice was small. “I mean in front of your pack members" I added.
He turned. I was expecting him to be angry at me but his look was warm.
"I wasn't just defending you. I was relaying a message to everyone" My breath tangled in my throat. But he was not done.
"And even if was someone else, I'd still defend the person" He stepped closer to me.
"No one gets to treat others like trash. Not in my pack and I’ve had it up to here, particularly when it comes to Dahlia”
"So you heard everything she said?" He nodded
"I arrived when you slapped her. I was not expecting that from you but you did well defending yourself against her”
"I'm used to her calling me names but for some reason I couldn't take the names she called me today" I continued. “How dare she call me a whore? I have never..." I stopped realizing I was blabbering.
"Sorry" I apologized but he shook his head.
"Go on. I like hearing you blabber. You look cute"
My heart stammered against my ribs.
"Why did you take my hand that way and lead me out of there. They'll talk. I saw their shocked expressions"
"Let them" His jaw flexed. “I don't care" I swallowed
"But why? Everyone watched you defend me against Dahlia. They would get the wrong idea about us”
"There's no wrong idea. You are my mate and it’s time everyone knew that. There's no need to keep hiding it. It’s better they know it now and know that you are not to be messed with”
My breath tangled in my throat.
I wanted to tell him, It was so soon and I wanted to keep things the way they were before. I wanted to tell him it's too early to take such a big step but what I had to say got stuck in my throat.
He took one more step closer, he was close enough that I could feel the heat of him, close enough that his scent wrapped around me and it made my wolf melt. His fingers brushed mine barely, the spark shot up my arm and I looked up at him, his gaze was soft.
"Do you have anything planned out this night?" I shook my head.
"Why?"
"I was thinking if we could spend it together. We’ll just eat and talk over dinner like the last time"
Something dark crossed his eyes and I knew he thought about how that night ended. I did too.
"Lucian.... You don't have to do this. First, you defended me in front of everyone and now inviting me for a dinner. I’ve forgiven you if this all about last time”
"I'm not just doing this for you, Ailsa, I'm doing it for myself too. How can I be a good Alpha, if I don't know how to be a good mate"
He was using my words against me. I exhaled. I was about to answer when there was an urgent knock on the door. I saw Lucian clench his jaw. The knock came again.
"Come in" His tone was sharp and I could hear the annoyance in them.
Aiden came in and bowed, he noticed my presence almost immediately and he acknowledged me.
"I'm sorry for disturbing your private time but there's something you need to know”
"What's that?"
Aiden looked at me and I knew the meaning of that look.
"I'll leave you two" I said but Lucian stopped me.
"You can talk" he said flatly.
"The council, elders have become more persistent about removing Ailsa, they said her mark
is going to bring chaos to the pack" Lucian growled.
My heart thumped, they still wanted me gone. I had forgotten entirely about my mark because it hadn’t burned recently and I didn't have those weird dreams anymore and I thought it had finally left after my last dream but I guess that was not the case. Because I still carried the mark, I was a threat.
"Those bastards are trying to start what they won't be able to finish"
"There's been a rumour going around in the village, that her mark carries powers and it killed someone inside the park but it is kept hidden".
I blinked. Killed? Lucian banged the desk.
"Find the people spreading those rumours, I want them here by morning . There would be consequences from spreading such lies. I want to know the origin”
That was not what bothered me. First it was the mark and then the attacks. Chase asking me to come back. What was going to happen next?
I didn't know what to think anymore. This mark has brought more harm than good. Every single time I think I’m finally at peace, something new happens. This was not what was in the book I read.
"There's one more thing, Alpha" Aiden said
"What's that Aiden?"
"You'll need to see this one for yourself"
"Fine. I'll see you later Ailsa. Go back to your room and rest" I nodded.
I went to my room but I couldn't stop thinking about the council’s demands. I wondered if this was related to Lorcan too. Chase said he was collaborating with them.
Did Chase tell him I'm here? No, he wouldn’t do that. I remembered Chase words; It won’t be long until Lucian finds out where you come from. Those words were still stuck in my mind. I paced around my room.
It won't be a problem right? After all, I had cut ties with them so I am no longer a part of that pack.
‘But we still need to tell him to be on a safer side’ I shook my head.
He doesn't need to know about my past. I wasn’t mandated to tell him anything about it, we hadn’t accepted each other yet. When we do, I'll tell him about Lorcan.
‘Let's hope it won't be a problem then. What do you think was so serious that Aiden wanted to show him?’
"I don't know, I've also been wondering. I figured Aiden didn't want to say anything in my presence so it maybe serious.
What if Chase was caught trying to sneak in to see me again? I shook my head, Chase wouldn't be reckless to try something as risky as that.
I just hoped it had nothing to do with Chase or anything that linked to me. There was a knock at my door and I went to see who it was. As soon as I opened the door, I stumbled back in surprise.
"You"