Chapter 88 Chapter 88
Something tightened in my chest when I heard her say those words.
“When did you see Lucian?”
The question left my mouth before I could soften. Before I could pretend I was only curious. Elara looked at me open eyes and a gentle smile that did not reach them.
“This morning. I hope you don’t mind me here, I missed the children and thought to bring them something” she still had that innocent smile on her face.
Something sharp twisted low in my chest, it was undeniable. My fingers curled and my breath came out too fast. She met with Lucian this morning while I didn’t even see him when I woke up. It was on the top of my tongue to send her away from here. Because she had no business being here.
How did she even know I was coming to see the children today? Because I was sure she did this on purpose. Maybe to get a reaction from me. I looked at her and she was still smiling brightly, my jaw tightened.
I turned away, I didn’t trust myself to stay. I didn’t want to cause a scene in front of the children. And then it would look like Elara is the good one. I walked away with angry steps, my spine rigid and my head high. I could feel Lina behind me almost immediately.
“Ailsa, wait. Please” she begged but I didn’t stop.
Each step toward the pack house felt heavier than the last, as if the ground had angered me. Different thoughts collides violently in my mind.
Why did Lucian agree to her requests? This was the second time he was letting her do something without telling me. Why did it also have to be the day that I decided to visit the children he let her out.
‘You should confront him about this’ my wolf urged.
“I know. This is what I planned to do” I muttered under my breath.
I didn’t care if it caused a fight anymore, I was going to speak my mind. Lina caught up, breathless.
“Please slow down. You’re not even listening to me”
“I’m listening” I snapped, then immediately regretted the edge in my voice. I didn’t sloe form anyway.
“I just don’t want to hear excuses right now”
“She’s trying to get under your skin” Lina said. I already knew that.
“And she succeeded” I said bitterly.
I had become something I couldn’t recognize lately. And it was because of the presence of Elara. My instincts were always right and I knew she is not to be trusted and that’s what I want Lucian to see.
The pack house door opened before me. Guards bowed and straightened but my pace was still fast. I had only one destination in mind. My anger grew as I neared Lucian’s office. I didn’t knock. The door to Lucian’s office swung open hard enough to hit the wall. Lucian and Aiden looked up at once.
“Ailsa!!” They both called in unison. Aiden blinked.
“You’re already back from visiting the children?” I ignored his question and faced Lucian.
My gaze locked on him, he had already risen halfway from his chair, confusion already hitting his brow.
“What is wrong, Ailsa?” He asked carefully.
“Why did you let Elara leave the pack house and go into town?” My voice shook despite my effort. Silence dropped like a blade. Lucian frowned.
“She told me she asked for permission this morning”
I said, the words spilling fast now.
“She was with the children. Playing and laughing, acting like the Luna. I thought you said she wasn’t to leave the pack” his confusion deepened.
“I haven’t seen Elara today” I laughed, a short brittle sound.
“So I’m lying now?”
“I didn’t say that but I’m surprised by this information” Aiden stood up.
“Lucian has been out of the pack house since morning. Maybe there’s a mistake somewhere. I think I should…”
“Don’t!” I said sharply then I softened.
“Please” Aiden hesitated, then he nodded.
“I’ll leave now” he looked at Lucian before turning to leave and quietly closing the door behind him. I was thankful Aiden understood me. The silence that followed after he left was unbearable. Lucian stepped closer to me.
“Ailsa….” I moved backward, avoiding his touch
“When is she leaving?” I demanded. “The seven days you gave is almost over” Lucian opened his mouth, then closed it.
“She has till has four days left” he said.
“That’s too long. I want her gone tomorrow” he reached for my hand but I moved away. The hurt flickered across his face, it was raw and unguarded.
“You need to do something about her or you won’t see me again” I said, my voice low but shaking. The word hung between us. He stiffened.
“Don’t talk like that”
“I’m serious Lucian. Don’t make me do something like choose” I stated plainly.
“I know and it would never come to that” his voice softened. “But I need you to trust me and believe me, I didn’t see Elara today”
“I trust you. It’s her I don’t trust. If you didn’t permit her to leave then who did?”
“That’s something I have to look into. I’ve been busy since I left our bed this morning. If something like that happened, I would remember”
The way he said our bed made my insides tingle and I almost forgot the reason I was angry. He exhaled slowly.
“I’ll deal with Elara. Don’t worry about it. But what was she doing in town?”
“She was sharing sweets to the children” Lucian raised a brow.
“That was the plan I had today. I wanted to share cookies to the children but she spoilt those plans”
“It’s fine. You can do it another time. Don’t let Elara spoil your plans”
“You are really taking this lightly. Are you not seeing this? Did you ask how she knew that was the plan I had today?”
“How did she know?” He asked.
“I don’t know. I didn’t share my plan with anybody. So it’s either she’s spying on me or something. I don’t like this feeling”
“She won’t stay beyond this week. I’m trying to verify her information before I take any further step”
“I just want her gone. She’s already acting like she owns this place. It also feels like she’s taking my place here” I swallowed hard.
“She can’t and she won’t. It’s not possible” he said immediately.
My shoulders sagged lightly, the fight draining out of me all at once. I hadn’t realized how tightly I’d been holding myself together until this moment. Lucian closed the distance carefully this time, waiting for me to pull away.
I didn’t. I welcomed his embrace and melted into it. This was what I needed. He rested his forehead against mine.
“I felt it the moment you got angry but I just didn’t know why” he murmured.
“I don’t want to be blindsided” I whispered.
“You won’t be. Not again” he promised and I nodded my head.
“I just don’t like that I didn’t get to spend sometime with the children like I had planned. Now, the cookies I had the cook make would go to waste”
“The servants can have them. Maybe next time, we can visit the children together?” I felt his smile but I didn’t look up.
“I would like that”
“Good” there was a pause before he spoke again.
“I’ll be traveling soon. The Alpha’s yearly meeting is close and I need to attend” my chest tightened.
I knew about the Alpha’s meeting and I understand that he needed to be there as an Alpha but I didn’t want to be apart from Lucian.
“Must you go?” I whispered.
“You know it’s important I’m there”
“Can’t I come with you?”
“I’d love for you to come but it would be better if I go alone. You’ll stay and oversee the runnings of the pack”
“Aiden can do that. Other Alpha’s come with their Luna”
“Not for this one. It’s just us Alpha’s talking about a bunch of things you would find boring” I frowned at that. I knew he was only saying this so he wouldn’t take me.
“I promise not to stay long. I’ll be back after a day and when I come back, there’ll be a small party” he said, his eyes softening.
“I’ll leave the planning to you. You can do whatever you want. That’s to remind everyone that you are the Luna” I huffed out a small laugh pulling away from his embrace.
“You always do this”
“Do what?”
“Say the right thing when I’m angry” he smiled faintly.
“But I mean it”
I reached for him then, my fingers curling into his shirt and his hands wrapped around my waist. I wrapped my hand around his neck as he kissed me slowly.
“I missed you” I murmured into this kiss, my body responding to his kisses.
“I missed you more. I can’t stop thinking about you. You are in my mind all day” I smiled at his confession.
“Why don’t you show me how much you missed me”