Chapter 119

Lucas' POV

"We have to do something.'' I spat, resisting the urge to slam the doctor's head into the wall. She was being useless.

"Alpha, something happened. All the tests barely show any signs of life in Elara's body, it's as if only the baby lives.''

I growled, hands snapping around the doctor's neck before I could stop myself. I picked her up, slamming her back against the wall so hard she blacked out.

"Son, we need to talk.'' My father was standing across the doorway, that smug expression on his face.

"I don't have the time for your nonsense,''

"It's about your sister.'' He says. My shoulders drop, a chill runs down my spine.

"Joseph,'' I called out to the guard standing outside the door. Take the doctor to the infirmary. When she wakes up, let her know that how long she lives is determined by how well she treats my mate.''

Joseph nodded, dragging the doctor out. It had been one day since I sent Aurelio back into Matthew's to save my sister.

"What happened?'''

"Your incompetent beta couldn't save my only daughter. '' My father says, gritting his teeth like he was irritated.

"Where is Aurelio?''

"You're worried about him and not your sister?'' My father raises a brow, blocking my exit.

"I don't trust a word that comes out of your filthy mouth, I'll hear it from Aurelio instead.''

"Wow!'' He let out, walking further into my office, utterly disappointed. "You've abandoned us, your family, your species, and you choose inferior werewolves.''

"Believe it or not, dad, strength isn't measured by how big our wolves are. If anything, the werewolves are stronger than us.''

"Oh really, how'd you figure?'' He asks with a condescending tone. He stands close to me, his breath on my face. He was challenging me, pressing my buttons, riling me up so I'd lose control.

"The werewolves outnumber us 30 to one. If they wanted to, they could rise up and fight back. Instead, we've made them so afraid of us that they think we're gods. Untouchable creatures that they can never measure against.''

My father scoffed, shaking his head. "Fear is power, Lucas. It's what keeps order. Without it, they'd turn on us like rabid dogs."

"And what happens when they stop fearing us?" I shot back. "What happens when one of them realizes they can fight back, and the rest follow?"

His eyes narrowed. "Then we remind them why they should be afraid."

I clenched my jaw, my fists curling at my sides. "That's the problem with you. With all of you. You think brute force is the only way to rule."

"It is the only way." He took another step forward, daring me to challenge him. "Strength is the backbone of our kind. Not diplomacy. Not unity. Strength."

"And yet," I sneered, "you needed me to fix your mess. Without me, you stand no chance against the witches.''

"Says the man who got compelled!''

"Says the useless father who stood by while his Sabrina almost died.''

My father growled, his lips peeling back to reveal sharp canines. "You're nothing without me, boy!" he roared, lunging forward and shoving me back with raw force. The impact sent me stumbling, but I caught myself, planting my feet firmly against the carpet. My patience had finally run out.

I swung first, my fist connecting with his jaw in a sickening crack. He barely flinched before retaliating, landing a brutal punch to my ribs. Pain shot through my body, but I didn't stop. We clashed, exchanging blow after blow, neither of us willing to back down.

"I'll teach you to respect me!" he bellowed, gripping his shirt and tearing it away as he prepared to shift.

"You claim respect, yet you throw tantrums instead of looking for solutions!"

I wiped the blood from my lips, my breathing ragged. "Mom's in the infirmary fighting for her life, unable to tell us who attacked her like that. Amaris lives in the pack wearing a face we don't even recognize. Sabrina is missing. The witches are coming back. Alpha Matthew is mobilizing all the werewolves to finally fight back! And all you can think about is fighting me?!"

I took a step closer, my voice a dangerous growl. "FINE! You want a fight? I'll give you one!"

A sharp pain shot through my body as I dropped to my knees, grinding my teeth. My bones snapped and shifted violently. This wasn't normal. This wasn't how shifting was supposed to feel. My wolf surged forward too quickly, too aggressively. My vision darkened as the transformation consumed me.

My father hesitated mid-transformation, his eyes locking onto mine with something I never thought I'd never get used to-fear. He knew. He recognized this darkness. My Lycan wolf had taken over, unrestrained, uncontrolled. Without Elara as my light, there was nothing holding me back from complete destruction. I was back to the old days. Back to my first shifts where my wolf was a creature of pure bloodshed and pain.

"Wait, no!" My father cried out in panic, but it was too late.

I launched at him, my claws sinking into his flesh. One hit, another. I grabbed him by the neck and slammed him into the floor with enough force to shatter bone. He let out a pained roar, but I didn't stop. I was ready to end him. Without thinking, I dropped down and sunk my teeth hard into his chest.. My fangs broke his chest cavity, I didn't care. I'd rip his heart out with my teeth.

"Lucas!" A voice broke through my bloodlust.

I snapped my head up, my fangs dripping with my father's blood. Standing in the doorway was the High Priestess. My instincts screamed to rip her apart. I could hear the blood rushing through her veins, sense the fragility of her bones. It would be so easy.

Then I looked down at my father-The Mighty Lycan King-lying nearly lifeless beneath me. What was I becoming?

"Elara's awake."

The words hit me like a lightning strike. The chaos in my brain momentarily halted. My grip loosened, and my wolf howled in agony as my bones snapped once more. Shifting back had never been this painful. It felt like I was ripping my own body apart just to regain control.

When I finally morphed back, I threw on the nearest set of clothes and bolted past the priestess, down the halls, and straight into Elara's room.

There she was-sitting up in bed, alive, glowing, with light in her eyes.

I opened my mouth, but no words came. My entire body ached for her, but I didn't know if she wanted me close. Before I could decide, she reached for me, pulling me into her arms.

She pressed herself flush against me.

"Oh, Lucas," she whispered. "You don't know how long I've waited for this day."

Thank the Moon. My mate was back.