Chapter 27 LUCIAN
LUCIAN’S POV
The drive back to the pack hospital felt heavier than it should have. My hands were steady on the wheel, but inside… I was unraveling. Too many things had crashed into the same damn day, the council’s doubts, the rogues, Malrik, and then Aria nearly burning up in my arms, kissing me like she was possessed by wildfire.
And now I was here, pacing the sterile hallway while healers rushed past.
I hadn’t even realized my heart was racing until Orion stepped out of his office and said quietly,
“Lucian… come in.”
I followed him inside.
Orion exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck. “How can i help?”
"I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do.” My voice came out rough.
Orion nodded. “Oh. Heats are complicated most especially hers.”
My stomach tightened. “Explain.”
He sat on the desk, arms crossed. “Aria suppressed her heat for years, trauma, danger, lack of safety and the pills. When the body goes through that, it builds. Pressure without release. Now that she’s safe, with her true mate… the heat is returning all at once. Harder. Longer. More intense than a normal cycle.”
I ran a hand through my hair. “Is there a possibility of it lasting longer than the week we estimated?”
“Possibility,” Orion said. “I've not seen a case like this before, so I can't say for certain son.”
My jaw clenched. Days of her in pain, desperate, vulnerable.
“And you’re telling me she won’t be satisfied without me.”
“That’s correct,” Orion said gently. “Her wolf won't accept anyone else but you. That’s why you must stay with her. Isolate her somewhere safe.”
“I did that already,” I said without hesitation. “I took her to the family cottage like you suggested.”
He nodded. “Good. But Lucian…” He reached into a drawer. “You also need help staying grounded.”
He placed a small dark vial into my hand.
I stared. “What is this?”
“A sedative mixture. Mild. Completely safe for werewolves. It’ll calm her when she spirals too far but, more importantly it’ll calm you. You don’t want to cross lines you aren’t ready for.” His eyes softened. “And she trusts you not to.”
I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly tight.
“I’m not touching her like that,” I said quietly. “Not until she wants it with a clear mind. Not because she’s burning.”
“And that,” Orion said, “is why I trust you with her.”
I pocketed the vial.
Then his expression shifted, serious and sharp.
“One more thing… After her heat, we need to talk. You remember when I said we needed to discuss your brother’s death?”
My heart froze in my chest.
“Yes,” I said.
“I’ve connected a few dots,” he continued. “Not enough for a full picture. But enough that you need to hear it. After her heat ends, come to me first thing.”
A cold ripple slid down my spine.
“Alright,” I said. “We talk as soon as she’s stable.”
Orion nodded. “Good. Now go prepare.”
Outside the hospital, Darius waited leaning on my car, arms folded.
“Done crying yet?” he smirked when I walked up.
I punched his arm. “Shut up.”
“Orion, lecture you? Tell you your mate is about to chew through walls and use you like a chew toy?”
“Pretty much,” I muttered.
Darius burst into laughter, loud, obnoxious and with no shame. “Oh gods, Lucian, you’re dead. Absolutely finished. The mighty Alpha brought to his knees by one tiny woman.”
I glared. “Are you done?”
“Oh no,” he said proudly. “I’ll be laughing for weeks.”
But when he saw I wasn’t laughing with him, his grin faded.
“Hey.” He nudged me. “You good?”
“I’m scared,” I admitted quietly. “I don’t want to hurt her, Darius. And I don’t want her hurting because of me. I want this to go right.”
He sobered, nodding. “It will. You’re Lucian. You’d rather die than make her feel unsafe. That alone is enough.”
I took a breath.
“Listen,” I said. “I’m going to be gone a few days. Maybe more. I need you to watch Malrik closely. And the pack. If anything feels wrong, even slightly you call me or come to the cottage immediately.”
Darius’s face hardened. “Got it. And Lucian? Watch your back. Something’s off with him.”
“I know.”
We clasped forearms, an old promise of loyalty passing between us.
The pack market was bustling as always. I loaded a cart with basic supplies, food, medicine, clothes and blankets. Then something familiar caught my scent: rich sugar, warm spice, honey-scented glaze.
Nyx’s mother’s pastry shop.
Nyx was outside arranging trays when she saw me. “Alpha! Perfect timing. Aria’s favorites just came out.”
“How did you know I’d be here?” I asked.
She snorted. “Aria’s going into heat. You think she won’t want pastries after? Please. It’s practically mandatory.”
She shoved a warm box into my hands.
“She likes the honey-almond bread, the peach-filled rolls, and the cinnamon flakes. Get all of them.”
“You sure?”
“She steals mine all the time. Trust me.”
Inside the shop, Nyx’s mother turned, saw me, and immediately wiped her hands on her apron.
“Lucian,” she said warmly. “Aria is like a daughter to me. You take care of her, yes?”
“I will,” I promised. “With everything in me.”
She touched my arm gently. “Good. Because I would walk through fire for that girl.”
I didn’t trust my voice enough to answer, so I nodded and paid for the pastries and some extra things she insisted on packing.
By the time I got back to my car, the trunk was full, the sun was setting, and my chest felt like it had a live wire wrapped around it.
Aria was waiting for me at the cottage.
Probably scared.
Probably overthinking.
Probably trying to act strong even though everything felt new and overwhelming.
I gripped the steering wheel.
“I’ll keep you safe,” I whispered to no one.
Then I started the engine and drove toward her.