The alpha secret heir

Episode Two: A Battle for Survival

Lucian’s lungs burned as he pushed himself to the limit, his powerful strides carrying him through the forest. Each heartbeat echoed with Kara’s weakening pulse against his chest. The moonlit path twisted and turned, but he knew every inch of these woods. His pack’s territory. His home.

He burst into the clearing where his house stood, a sprawling mansion concealed by trees and shadows. The place where he had hoped to find peace, now a battlefield. Lucian kicked open the door, his voice thundering through the halls. "Medics! Now!"

Within seconds, pack members emerged, their faces etched with worry. Lily, the head medic, rushed forward. "What happened?"

"No time to explain," Lucian growled, laying Kara gently on the table. "She’s been stabbed. Do whatever it takes to save her."

Lily nodded, her hands already moving with practiced precision. Lucian stepped back, his heart a storm of fear and rage. As the medics worked, his mind raced with a singular focus: Ethan. He had to find his son before the rogues did.

"Alpha," a voice called from behind. It was Marcus, his second-in-command, eyes wide with concern. "What’s going on?"

Lucian turned, his gaze steely. "The rogues attacked. They’re after Ethan. Kara said he’s my son."

Marcus’s eyes widened in shock, but he recovered quickly. "We’ll find him, Lucian. But where do we start?"

Lucian took a deep breath, forcing himself to think clearly. "Kara must have been hiding him somewhere safe. We need to find out where. Search her belongings. Anything that might give us a clue."

Marcus nodded and immediately mobilized the pack members. They scoured the house, searching for any hint of Ethan’s whereabouts. As Lucian paced the floor, his mind kept returning to the last moments before Kara was stabbed. The rogues' leader, Malek, had been merciless, and the memory of his cruel smile sent shivers down Lucian’s spine.

The first rays of dawn filtered through the infirmary windows, casting a pale light on Kara's still form. Lucian sat by her side, his hand tightly gripping hers, his eyes filled with a mix of determination and fear. The events of the previous night played over and over in his mind, each memory a painful reminder of his failures and the battles yet to come.

Eleanor, Lucian's mother and the pack’s head medic, worked tirelessly, her expertise and care evident in every precise movement. Lucian could see the toll it was taking on her, but she never faltered. Her presence was a steadying force, her calm demeanor masking the worry he knew she felt.

"Lucian," Eleanor said softly, glancing at him. "We need to talk."

He tore his gaze away from Kara, looking up at his mother. Her eyes held a depth of understanding and concern that cut through his turmoil.

"Come," she beckoned, leading him to a small adjoining room. Another medic remained by Kara's side, continuing efforts to stabilize her condition.

Once they were alone, Eleanor turned to him, her expression serious. "Lucian, who is this Kara?"

Lucian shifted uncomfortably, his gaze dropping to the floor. "She's... someone I knew a long time ago," he began, stumbling over his words. "We met one night. It was... it was a brief encounter, but it left a mark."

Eleanor's eyes narrowed. "A brief encounter? Lucian, what aren’t you telling me?"

He took a deep breath, struggling to find the right words. "I just found out... she has a son. Our son."

Eleanor's face went pale, her eyes widening in shock. "A son? And you didn’t know?"

"No, I didn’t," Lucian replied, his voice filled with frustration and guilt. "She tried to find me, but I was... I was gone. By the time she realized she was pregnant, it was too late."

Eleanor's shock quickly turned to anger. "You irresponsible fool!" she hissed, her voice trembling with rage. "You can't control yourself, can you? Just like your father. How could you be so reckless?"

Lucian flinched at her words, his own anger rising. "I know I messed up, Mother. But I’m trying to make it right."

Eleanor shook her head, her eyes filled with disappointment. "You're engaged to Dr. Marlowe's daughter, Lucian. Do you have any idea what this means?"

Lucian's heart sank. "I know, and I didn’t mean for this to happen. But I need to find my son. I don’t even know if he’s mine, but I need to know. I need to protect him."

Eleanor's expression softened slightly, her anger giving way to worry. "Lucian, this is a mess. But you're right. You need to find the boy. If he's yours, he deserves to know his father."

Lucian nodded, determination in his eyes. "I'll find him, Mother. And I'll protect him. I won’t let my mistakes ruin his life."

Eleanor placed a hand on his shoulder, her gaze filled with a mix of love and frustration. "Go, Lucian. Do what you need to do. But remember, this isn't just about you anymore. It’s about your family. All of them."

Lucian nodded, his resolve hardening. "I understand. Thank you, Mother."

Eleanor sighed, her eyes closing briefly. "We’ll talk more about this later. Right now, Kara needs our help. And you need to find Ethan."

They returned to the infirmary, where Kara lay, her breathing shallow but steady. Lucian felt a wave of relief, tempered by the knowledge of the challenges that lay ahead. He leaned down, brushing a strand of hair from Kara’s face. "Hang in there," he whispered. "We need you."

Eleanor turned to the other medic. "Helen, thank you. I know this isn't easy."

Helen nodded, her eyes filled with determination. "We’ll do everything we can. But Lucian, you need to prepare. The rogues won’t wait."

Lucian straightened, his resolve hardening. "I need to find out more about these rogues. Why they’re after Ethan. And I need to find him before they do."

"Agreed," Eleanor said. "We need to gather our allies, prepare for what’s coming."

As they discussed their next steps, Lucian's mind wandered to the past, to the night he had met Kara. It had been a night filled with unexpected passion and connection, a night that had left a lasting mark on his soul. But he had been reckless, caught up in his own world, and now the consequences of his actions were crashing down around him.

"Lucian," Eleanor's voice broke through his thoughts. "There's someone who might be able to help. An old friend of your father's, a tracker named Marcus. He has a talent for finding people."

"Marcus," Lucian repeated, the name sparking a memory. "I remember him. He helped us once before."

"Yes," Eleanor confirmed. "He's a bit of a loner, but he's loyal. If anyone can find Ethan, it’s him."

Lucian nodded. "I'll find him. But we need to be prepared. The rogues will come for us, and we need to be ready."

Eleanor's gaze was steely. "We’ll be ready, Lucian. We’ll protect our family."

As Lucian left the room, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. He wouldn’t let his past mistakes define him. He would fight for his family, for Kara, and for the son he had yet to meet. The road ahead was uncertain, filled with danger and shadows, but he was determined to see it through.

He made his way through the estate, the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him. Every step he took was a reminder of the urgency of their situation. He had to find Marcus, and fast.

Lucian reached the stables, where his loyal steed, Midnight, was waiting. As he saddled the horse, his mind raced with thoughts of Ethan, of Kara, and of the rogue leader's mocking words. He wouldn’t let them win. He wouldn’t let them tear his family apart.

"Ready, boy?" he murmured, patting Midnight's flank. The horse nickered in response, sensing his rider's determination.

Lucian mounted and spurred Midnight into a gallop, heading towards the outskirts of their territory. He knew where to find Marcus, deep in the forest where the tracker had made his home. The ride was long and grueling, but Lucian's resolve never wavered.

As he rode, the memories of the past night haunted him. The rogue leader's taunts, the sight of Kara's bloodied form, the desperate fear in her eyes. He pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the task at hand. He had to stay strong. He had to find Ethan.

After hours of hard riding, Lucian reached the edge of the forest, where Marcus lived in a secluded cabin. He dismounted, his legs aching from the journey, and approached the door. He knocked, the sound echoing in the stillness of the morning.

The door creaked open, revealing Marcus, a rugged man with piercing blue eyes and a scar that ran down the length of his face. He looked Lucian up and down, his expression unreadable.

"Lucian," he said finally, his voice a low rumble. "What brings you here?"

"I need your help, Marcus," Lucian replied, meeting the tracker's gaze. "I need to find my son."

What?? You have a what!