Chapter 147

Chapter 147
Lucian's POV

"I said no." I repeated, voice low as thunder. "Father, Seraphina won't accept being 'brought' back."

I looked at him, this father I respected yet who often disappointed me.

"She left Blackmane Pack because no one here truly respected or accepted her. Now because she's carrying a cub, you want to bring her back? She doesn't need this kind of charity 'care.'"

"This isn't charity!" Father raged. "She's carrying my grandcub, Blackmane Pack's future heir!"

"So what?" I shot back, the anger in my chest burning hotter. "So she should be grateful and come back? Should she accept your hypocritical 'acceptance'? Father, have you thought about how much Seraphina has suffered in this pack?"

My voice rose, Alpha authority unconsciously releasing. "She was rejected, mocked, isolated. Those wolves she saved turned around and forgot her kindness. Every day she worked alone in her herb den, treating the wounded, but all she got was cold stares and ridicule."

Willow nodded, voice agreeing. "Lucian is right. That child suffered too much here. Even I couldn't stand watching it, yet you young wolves turned a blind eye."

I continued, voice full of self-reproach. "She's pregnant—it should be the happiest time, but she didn't dare tell anyone because she knew no one would bless her. She bore the fear of the cub possibly being sick alone, went to Northern Peak alone seeking help."

I paused, voice choking. "And I, as the father, as her mate, kept disappointing her because of so-called duty."

"So what do you want?" Father asked, his anger subsiding slightly.

I looked at him, at everyone present, and made the most important decision of my life.

"I'm going to Northern Peak to be by her side." My voice was unwavering. "Not to 'bring' her back, but to accompany her, support her, let her know she's not alone. Pack affairs can be handled by you and the Elder Council temporarily."

"Are you insane?" Father roared. "You're the Alpha! You can't abandon the entire pack for one she-wolf!"

One she-wolf?

Those words made my fury explode completely.

"One she-wolf?" My voice rose too, Alpha authority instantly releasing, the entire Healing Temple's air growing heavy. "Father, she's my mate, the mother of my cub! If I can't even protect my own mate and cub, what kind of Alpha am I?"

I looked at Father's shocked expression and continued, "You taught me many things, Father. You taught me how to be a strong Alpha, how to protect the pack, how to maintain tradition. But you didn't teach me the most important thing—how to love, how to cherish what truly matters."

Willow struck her wooden staff heavily against the floor, the crisp sound ringing out. "Well said! Lucian, you finally sound like a true Alpha. A true Alpha doesn't just maintain tradition—he protects everything he holds dear."

Claire said weakly, "Dwayne, let Lucian go. Seraphina needs him. And if we really want her to come back, we should change our attitude toward her first. Not because she's carrying a cub, but because she deserves respect for who she is."

Father looked at Claire, then at me and Willow, and finally let out a long sigh. "You've all been bewitched by her."

"Not bewitched." Claire said. "We finally see the truth. Dwayne, Seraphina saved my life. She's nobler and kinder than any of us. I was blind before, but now I finally understand. Willow was right all along."

Just then, Mira suddenly spoke, her voice carrying a sob and desperation. "But... but Elder Dwayne, didn't you say before that only I was most suitable for Lucian? You said I made sacrifices for the pack, that I deserved compensation."

I turned to look at Mira, truly meeting her eyes for the first time.

"Mira. I'm grateful for the sacrifices you made for the pack. I respect your courage and dedication. But gratitude isn't love, and respect isn't affection."

I looked at the tears in her eyes, guilt in my heart, but more than that—relief. "You deserve to find a wolf who truly loves you, a mate who can give you his whole heart, not just a sense of duty. That wolf isn't me, Mira. It never was."

Father turned to look at Mira, his expression complex. "Mira, I did say those things. We all remember the sacrifices you made for the pack. But gratitude isn't love, and compensation isn't marriage."

"And now the situation is different." Father's voice softened slightly. "Seraphina is carrying Lucian's cub—my grandcub, Blackmane Pack's bloodline. Whatever my opinions of her, that fact can't be changed."

Willow also spoke up. "Mira, child, you're still young. You deserve to find a wolf who truly loves you, not a mate who can only offer you duty. Let go—it's better for you and for Lucian."

I watched Mira's tears flow harder, the despair and resentment in her eyes. I knew I was hurting her, but I couldn't continue this false relationship.

Mira suddenly laughed, the sound carrying despair and madness. "Fine... fine. You all chose her, all think she's better than me. Then I'll just have to see if she can laugh to the end."

With that, she turned and rushed out of the Healing Temple, her deep red figure disappearing into the night.

I watched her retreating form, unease stirring in my chest. But right now, I didn't have time to worry about Mira. I had more important things to do.

Father frowned. "Send some wolves after her. Don't let her do anything foolish."

Several warriors immediately gave chase.

Father turned to me and sighed. "Go. Go to Northern Peak and stay with her. But Lucian, remember your identity. You're Blackmane Pack's Alpha..."

"I know." I cut him off. "But Father, an Alpha who can't even protect his own mate and cub doesn't deserve to lead any pack."

I looked at Father and added, "And if you really want Seraphina to come back, want the cub to grow up in Blackmane Pack, you should change your attitude toward her. Not because she's carrying a cub, but because she deserves respect for who she is."

Willow nodded with satisfaction. "Well said. Lucian, go. Bring that child back. I'll help you here, make the pack understand her value."

Claire said weakly, "Lucian, go. I'll help you too."

I glanced at Claire and Willow, gratitude in my eyes. Then I turned and left the Healing Temple, my steps determined.

Walking out of the temple, I looked up at the full moon in the night sky. Moonlight bathed me, as if pointing the way.

Seraphina, wait for me. This time, I won't disappoint you. This time, I'll make the right choice.

I'll prove to you that you and our cub are the most important things in my life.

Mira's POV

I stumbled as I ran, tears blurring my vision, but I didn't care. I just wanted to get away from that place, away from those cold stares, away from those words that stabbed into my heart.

"She's carrying my cub."

"You deserve to find a wolf who truly loves you."

"That wolf isn't me, Mira. It never was."

Never was?

I stopped, leaning against a large tree, covering my mouth hard to keep my sobs from escaping. My body trembled, deep red fur especially sharp in the moonlight.

No. This shouldn't be how it goes.

I jumped off that cliff. My injury, my pain, my sacrifice should have earned Lucian's guilt, his duty, his attention.

But now? Because that woman got pregnant, everything changed.

Elder Dwayne's cold stare. Lucian's firm rejection. Willow, that old hag, supporting Seraphina. Claire standing on her side too...

"It's all you," I bit out through clenched teeth, nails digging deep into my palms. "It's all because of you, Seraphina."

If not for her, Lucian would be mine. If not for her, Elder Dwayne wouldn't have changed his attitude. If not for her, I'd be Blackmane Pack's Luna.

I'd worked so hard for so many years, grew up with Lucian since childhood, trained together, fought together. I was the most suitable for him. Our bloodlines matched, our strength was equal—we were made for each other!

But that woman, that lowly she-wolf from a border pack—what right did she have? Just because she could heal? Just because she had some bullshit healer's gift?

"No, it's not fair." I muttered, tears streaming down. "This isn't fair."

I slid down against the tree, hugging my head and crying. I'd given so much, sacrificed so much—why did it end like this?

Suddenly, a thought flashed through my mind.

The cub.

Right. The cub.

The only reason Lucian was so unwavering in choosing her was because of that cub. If something happened to the cub... if the cub was gone...

I jerked my head up, a flash of madness in my eyes.

If the cub was gone, Seraphina would lose her biggest bargaining chip. Without the cub, she'd just be an ordinary healer, an outsider. Lucian might take care of her for a while out of guilt, but time would wash everything away.

And I... I'd still have a chance.

"Yes... yes... that's it..." I stood up, wiping away my tears, a twisted smile spreading across my face.

Did they think I'd just give up like this? Think I'd meekly accept defeat?

No. I wouldn't.

I, Mira Wilson, have never been a wolf who gives up easily.

I turned and walked toward my dwelling, steps unsteady but eyes unusually determined. I knew several warriors were following me from a distance—Elder Dwayne had sent them to watch me.

But it didn't matter. I'd let them lower their guard. I'd act like a wounded, pitiful creature who needed to be alone. And then...

Then I'd act.

Moonlight filtered through the leaves onto the ground. My shadow stretched long and distorted. I looked at my own shadow and suddenly laughed.

"Seraphina, you think you've won?" I said softly, only I could hear. "You think carrying a cub secures your position as Luna?"

My smile grew more twisted. "Let me tell you—this is just the beginning. I won't let you have your way. Never."