Chapter 38: Confronting Amelia

\-Lucien’s point of view-

\-In his office-

I have never felt as lost as I do now. For the first time in my life, I truly have no idea what to expect next.

I know my enemies are everywhere. I know what they want, either my life or the power I hold. What troubles me is not that they are coming for me, but how they plan to do it.

The intruder. Oakspire Forest. Alpha Connor. None of it feels random. They are all connected, and I am certain the Elders are at the center of it.

There has always been one pack in particular that refused to mind its own affairs, choosing instead to harbor open hostility toward me. Their Alpha, Roland Riddle, has been a constant thorn in my side. Even so, I have always believed he was simply digging his own grave.

So why now?

Why are they all moving against me at once?

The only thing I have ever done was reclaim what rightfully belonged to me. I am an Alpha. I was meant to be one. And I have never interfered in the internal matters of other packs.

What I did violated no laws. It broke no rules.

Yet something is happening behind the scenes. Something the Elders are desperate to accomplish, something that requires my death. And whatever it is, it is tied to Oakspire Forest.

That much, I am certain of.

All I can do now is hope Silas’s investigation into Oakspire and the so-called key will finally bring answers.

“Brennan,” I called out calmly, already aware of his presence just outside my office door. “You can come in.”

The door opened, and he stepped inside, approaching my desk with a satisfied look on his face. “Did you know your mate has made a new friend?” he said abruptly.

The news caught me off guard. “A new friend?” I repeated. “Well, I don’t see why that would be a problem. She’s still adjusting to the pack so I guess it’s natural.”

Brennan let out a low, distinctly mischievous chuckle as he settled into the chair across from me.

“That’s true, Alpha,” he agreed. “But does it concern you at all that this friend of hers happens to be male?”

His words sparked an immediate unease and my gaze sharpened.

“A male?” I asked slowly. “Who is he?”

“Kevin Russell,” Brennan replied. “One of the most powerful warriors in the pack. He’s been spending quite a bit of time with Amelia lately. From what I can tell, they have grown rather close.”

I swallowed hard and lowered my head, my expression tightening with anger as the weight of the information settled in.

“She never told me,” I said through clenched teeth. “Not once. I need her here, Brennan. Summon her.”

Brennan nodded without question and left the office.

A heavy sigh escaped me as I leaned back in my chair, my face darkening with thought.

The idea of my mate forming a bond with another man gnawed at me relentlessly. It was a thought I could not tolerate, no matter how much I tried to reason with myself.

The office door creaked open moments later, and Amelia walked in. She wore a light, cheerful smile as she took a seat across from me, completely unaware of the storm brewing in my chest.

“You asked to see me,” she said gently. “What’s going on?”

“I heard something,” I replied, leaning forward slightly. “I heard you’ve made a new friend.”

Her eyes widened briefly before she brightened. “Oh. Oh, right. Yes, I did,” she said casually. “His name is Kevin. He’s a really nice guy. It’s funny, I didn’t even realize I forgot to mention him to you.”

The ease in her tone made my frown deepen. She sounded far too pleased when she spoke about him.

My expression hardened as I straightened. “Amelia, there’s nothing funny about that. You should have told me. I don’t want you getting close to someone like him. He’s male. You’re female. And you are my mate. I can’t allow you to form this kind of friendship.”

She fell silent for a moment, then let out a slow breath before meeting my gaze. “Luc, please don’t worry,” she said calmly. “I can take care of myself. Trust me. Kevin is just a friend. Nothing more. I promise.”

Her reassurance did little to ease the tension coiled inside me. “I’m serious,” I said firmly. “Don’t get too close.”

She nodded, her expression earnest. “I swear I won’t. We’re only friends. Nothing beyond that.”

I had no choice but to nod and a small sense of relief settled in my chest at her words, perhaps because, for reasons I could not fully explain, I trusted her. It had to be the bond between us. Nothing else made sense.

I let out a quiet sigh before speaking again. “Please, Amelia, I need you to stay safe. You know there is still a potential threat lingering around. I don’t want anyone discovering your true identity until I have dealt with that danger.”

“Of course, Alex,” she replied calmly. “I’ve been careful. In fact, I’ve noticed something strange. I get this feeling when danger is close, like an instinct that warns me when a threat is imminent.” She frowned slightly, clearly confused by her own explanation.

I blinked, absorbing what she had just said. Even so, I believed her without hesitation.

She can sense danger when it is nearby. That is a rare ability, and I am glad she has it to protect herself.

“And you haven’t felt it since that day?” I asked. “No sense of danger at all?”

She shook her head. “No. I’ve been moving around the packhouse, and I haven’t felt anything. Besides, it only seems to happen when someone is about to attack or when they’re carrying a weapon.”

I nodded slowly. Perhaps there truly was no longer an intruder within my pack, aside from the one who was already dead.

“That’s good to hear,” I said, genuine relief entering my voice. “Still, I want you to remain extra cautious while I look into this situation. Promise me.”

Amelia smiled and nodded. “I will. Don’t worry so much, okay? I’ll be very careful.”

\-Third Person-

\-In Moonlit Pack-

Alpha Connor sat proudly behind his desk, looking far too pleased like he had never once had the chance to occupy the office in his life. A smug smile rested on his lips as though the room itself was proof of his triumph.

“Who cares about what happened with Nightfall Pack?” He muttered under his breath, his fingers slowly tracing the polished surface of the desk. “What matters is that I have power now. Real power.”

He let out a low laugh and nodded to himself, satisfaction swelling in his chest.

However, the smile on his face fell as the sound of a groan from outside made his ears twitch. He could also smell something was terribly wrong.

And most importantly, he could smell blood.

His eyes immediately flashed a glowing gold as he sprang to his feet, claws extended.

“Is it Nightfall again?” he thought, unease tightening his chest as memories of the overwhelming strength he had witnessed resurfaced. “Did they come back to finish what they started?”

The office door slammed open, and Connor froze.

A man stepped inside, draped in a black cloak, his face completely hidden behind a dark mask.

Fear struck first, then Connor growled low in his throat, forcing his stance to steady. “Who the hell are you?”

“Your executioner,” the masked man replied, his voice deep and cold.

Connor snarled and lunged forward, launching himself into an attack, but he never even reached his target.

An invisible force hurled him backward, slamming him into the wall and pinning him there. He struggled violently, muscles straining as he tried to break free, but his body refused to obey.

The masked man raised his hand, fingers extended.

“Goodbye,” he said calmly. “This world has no place for you.”

With a single, effortless motion, Connor’s head snapped sharply to the side. The moment the man lowered his hand, Connor’s body collapsed to the floor.

Lifeless.