Chapter 70 Lucian's pov

Chapter 70 Lucian's pov
The next three days passed too slowly and too fast at the same time.

Too slowly because every hour felt heavy, filled with waiting and thinking.

Too fast because before I knew it, the day of the party arrived.

The Ravenclaw pack was alive in a way I had not seen since we arrived.

The entire compound was busy.

Women moved around with baskets of food. Warriors stood guard in neat lines.

Young wolves laughed as they decorated the open grounds with lanterns and colored fabrics.

It was beautiful. A part of me felt scared. A party event meant having wolves from other clans coming.

But one thing was certain, Alpha Stephan’s clan, my father's clan won't be coming.

Elder Vincent and Stephan had managed to turn Ravenclaw into an enemy.
A thing I long to settle the moment I took my place on the throne.

I stood in our room, tightening the straps of my armless jacket. My reflection stared back at me from the mirror. I looked calm, strong, and collected.

But inside, my heart was restless.

Sienna sat on the bed behind me. She was quiet, watching me.

“You look like you are going to war,” she said softly.

I gave a small smile. “Really?” I asked, staring back to meet her gaze.

She stood up and walked closer. She placed her hands on my arms gently. “Nothing will happen. It is just a party.”

“You think so?” I asked again, now facing her.

She sighed but said nothing more. She knew arguing would not change my mind.

A knock came at the door.

“Lucian, Sienna,” a maid called from outside. “It is time.”

I looked at Sienna and she was looking gorgeous.

I remembered Alpha Jacquet had sent the clothes to her two days before the party.

A thing I didn't read the meaning of. But maybe it was time I started too.

I nodded even though she could not see me. “We are coming.”

When we stepped outside, the sound of drums filled the air. The party was already in full swing. Fires burned in large bowls, lighting up the open grounds. Long tables were set with food and drinks.

The smell of roasted meat filled my nose.

The entire pack was present.

Every single one of them.

As we walked forward, heads turned. Conversations stopped. Eyes followed us.

This was exactly what I feared.

Alpha Jacquet stood at the center, dressed in dark ceremonial clothes. He looked proud. Beside him stood Mara, calm and composed. She caught my eye and smiled politely.

Sienna walked beside me, her head held high. Her hand was slightly entwined with mine. Her dress was the talk of the night, but it suited her perfectly.

Alpha Jacquet raised his hands, and the drums slowly stopped.
“My people,” he began, his voice loud and clear. “Tonight, we celebrate unity. We celebrate new blood among us. We celebrate strength. Why don't we raise our glass cups to welcome Mara and her brother Lucian into our pack. May them bring peace and prosperity to us.” he said looking at me.

“ To Mara and Lucain!” A voice said from the crowd.

Cheers rose from the crowd.

He turned slightly towards me. “Lucian has come into our pack with respect and humility. He has shown loyalty even before being asked. Such men are rare.”

More cheers followed.

I bowed my head slightly, forcing myself to stay calm.
“Tonight,” Alpha Jacquet continued, “we welcome him officially as one of us.”

A servant stepped forward and placed a goblet in my hand. Alpha Jacquet lifted his own.

“To Lucian,” he declared.

“To Lucian!” the pack echoed.

I raised the goblet and drank, though my throat was dry.

The music started again. People laughed, danced, and ate. For a while, I stayed close to Sienna, speaking to no one unless spoken to.

But slowly, warriors came to greet me. The elders nodded at me. Some tested me with sharp looks, others with friendly words.

Alpha Jacquet watched it all from a distance.

I could feel it.

At some point, he approached us.

“You seem tense,” he said to me with a chuckle. “Relax. Tonight is for joy.”

“I am honored, Alpha,” I replied carefully.

His eyes moved to Sienna. “And you, my sister. You look well. Do you like the dress?” He flirted with her with his arms placed behind his back.

“Yes, Alpha Jacquet Thank you,” Sienna said politely.

He studied her for a moment longer than necessary, then smiled.

“Walk with me.”

Before I could say anything, he gestured for Sienna to follow him.
She hesitated and looked at me.

I nodded slowly. “Go.”

They walked away, disappearing into the crowd. My chest tightened, but I told myself there was nothing strange about it.

Still, unease settled in my gut.

Minutes passed. Then more.

The drums suddenly stopped again.

Alpha Jacquet climbed onto a raised platform at the center of the grounds. Mara stood beside him.

Sienna stood a little behind them.

My heart began to pound.

“My people,” Alpha Jacquet called out once more. “There is another matter I wish to speak on tonight.”

The crowd quieted.

“This pack has known peace for some time now,” he said. “But peace does not mean we stop planning for the future.”

I took a step forward without thinking.

Alpha Jacquet continued, “A pack without strong bonds will fall. A pack without family will break.”

I looked at Sienna.She looked confused.

Alpha Jacquet turned and held out his hand to her. Slowly, she stepped forward.

“This woman,” he said proudly, “ We all know how dedicated she has been ever since she set foot into the pack. We had grown fond of her. I won't say ‘We’ but I have.”

Murmurs spread through the crowd.

“She has endured loss. She has shown strength. And she has remained loyal to this pack even when she had every reason to leave.”

My heart sank.

“I believe,” Alpha Jacquet went on, “that it is time she takes her place fully. Not just as a member of this pack, but as a Luna.”

Silence fell over the pack.

I could not breathe.

Alpha Jacquet turned slightly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, then finally landing on me.

“And I believe,” he said slowly, “that the gods have placed the right man among us.”

The world seemed to stop.

Gasps echoed. Whispers rose.

I felt every eye on me.

“Sienna,” Alpha Jacquet said, turning back to her, “I ask you, in front of the Ravenclaw pack, will you accept me as your mate and future Luna of this pack?”

My eyes went back to Sienna who asked just as shocked as I was.