The Hidden Crown

Ch8

The morning sunlight spilled softly through the frost-tipped windows, warming the kitchen. The smell of eggs sizzling, bacon crisping, and pancakes stacked high mingled with the sweet aroma of maple syrup and freshly brewed tea. Uncle Raven and I dug in eagerly, wolf instincts satisfied, while Lucian sat across from me, picking at his toast and muffin, fingers trembling slightly.

“You ready for today?” I asked quietly, glancing at him.

He swallowed hard, eyes flicking to mine. “I… I think so,” he whispered.

“Just stick with me,” I said. “I’ll make sure nothing happens.”

Lucian nodded, the faintest tremor in his hands, but he took a tiny bite of muffin. Aurora and Emma would be waiting soon, and I wanted him to feel safe, even if he didn’t eat much.

Breakfast passed in relative quiet. Lucian mostly watched, small smiles tugging at his lips when he caught sight of the pancakes stacked in syrupy perfection or the bacon curling on the plate. By the time we left, the cold air nipped at our cheeks, snow crunching under our boots.

The cafeteria buzzed with energy, trays scraping, voices overlapping, and the faint smell of fried eggs lingering in the air. I guided Lucian carefully, holding his sleeve so he wouldn’t get jostled. Aurora waved from a table near the windows, the sunlight catching her hair just right.

“Over here!” she called cheerfully.

“Everyone, this is my cousin, Lucian,” I said.

Aurora’s face lit up. “Hi, Lucian! I like your eyes.”

Lucian blinked, startled. “Th-thank you,” he murmured.

Emma sat quietly, observing, her green eyes flicking between Lucian and me. She didn’t speak, just studied, cautious but curious.

We sat down. I grabbed my tray, eating discreetly, careful to show normalcy but keep my wolf instincts in check. Lucian picked at his muffin, mostly observing. Aurora chattered, trying to make him feel comfortable, and I could see him relaxing a little, the tension in his shoulders easing.

Classes dragged. I kept a watchful eye on Lucian, whispering guidance when needed. Loud noises startled him, but I kept him grounded.

After the last bell, Lucian and Aurora waited just outside the classroom, talking quietly. Emma lingered behind me.

“Hey… Rowen? Can we talk?” she asked softly.

I smirked faintly. “Sure. What’s up?”

“I can… feel that you and your cousin aren’t just human,” she said.

I raised an eyebrow. “I can tell you’re not human either.”

Her eyes widened. “How…?”

“I can feel it,” I said.

“I… I’m a witch,” she admitted.

“Makes sense, with your green eyes. My mom had green eyes too, but I’m a wolf. And Lucian… he’s a vampire.”

Her eyes widened, but she nodded slowly. “I… get it.”

We started down the hallway together, Lucian and Aurora in front, Emma close behind. Lockers clanged and chatter echoed off the walls as students packed up their bags. Lucian’s shoulders were tight, and I stayed close, keeping him from getting jostled.

Caleb spotted Aurora and sneered. “Hey, look! It’s the freak with the purple eyes!”

Lucian stiffened. A faint shimmer brushed against his consciousness, golden and dangerous, but he suppressed it.

“Leave her alone,” he said quietly.

“Or what, golden eyes? You’re a freak too,” Caleb mocked.

Caleb shoved Lucian against the wall. Fenrir growled inside me, low and sharp, urging me to act. I clenched my jaw, keeping control.

“Hey! Let go of my cousin, right now!” I shouted, sprinting forward.

Caleb smirked. “Oh, so the freak is your cousin? And what are you going to do about it?”

I held out my hand to help Lucian up. “Come on,” I said. Lucian brushed off his jacket and followed. Aurora and Emma stayed close.

Caleb shoved me against a locker. I froze, suppressing Fenrir’s instincts. One more swing from him, and he slammed his own fist into the locker. Staggering back, he fell silent, and I motioned for everyone to move.

Aurora dug in her pocket and pulled out her phone. A soft beep sounded.

“Ugh,” she muttered, glancing at the screen. “It’s my mom… she says she’s stuck in the snow. She can’t get out to pick me up.”

Emma’s shoulders tensed. “I… I don’t have a ride either,” she admitted quietly.

I exhaled. “Alright. Looks like you’re both coming with us until your moms can make it.” I pulled out my phone to confirm with Raven.

Raven’s reply was quick. Yeah, let your mom know. We’ll get them home safely.

Shadow’s voice flowed gently to Liora. Hey love, Rowen’s having the girls come over—their mothers are stuck.

Thank you, my love, Liora replied, soft and warm. I’ll have snacks ready. See you soon.

We walked to the main doors together, the tension still lingering in the air. Snow swirled outside, thick and bright, blanketing the ground. Lucian flinched at the cold, golden eyes wide, while Aurora laughed softly, brushing snow from her jacket. Emma clutched her bag tighter, scanning the snowy landscape.

“Careful,” I murmured, guiding them down the steps. The crunch of snow under our boots sounded loud against the hush of falling flakes.

Raven’s car was parked a short distance away, headlights cutting through the storm. I motioned for everyone to stay close, weaving carefully through the drifts until we reached the warmth of the vehicle. Lucian’s hands were still trembling, but he followed without complaint, trusting me.

Once inside the car, the heater hummed, steaming windows blurring the snowy world outside. I exhaled, letting myself relax a little while keeping an eye on Lucian. The ride home was quiet except for Aurora and Emma quietly chatting, and the occasional rumble of snow under the tires.

By the time we pulled up to the house, snow was settling thick across the yard. Liora opened the door before we could knock.

“Welcome in, everyone!” she said warmly, pressing a quick kiss to Raven’s cheek. “I’ve got snacks ready. You kids can go up to Rowen’s room and hang out.”

The girls’ eyes lit up. Lucian hesitated at the threshold, then followed me upstairs. The house smelled of baked treats and warm cocoa, cozy against the cold wind outside. Aurora and Emma laughed softly as they explored, settling into chairs and couches, while Lucian quietly eased onto the edge of the sofa.

Evening settled over the house, snow thick against the windows. Phones buzzed with calls. Liora stepped aside, speaking softly to the girls’ mothers.

“Mrs. Thompson, I just wanted to let you know Aurora and Emma are settled here,” she said warmly. “The kids are safe, they’re having snacks, and we’ll make sure they’re comfortable until you can come get them.”

There was a pause on the other end. Liora smiled. “Of course. I’ll keep you updated, don’t worry. They’re in good hands.”

She hung up and came back into the room, pressing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “Everything’s fine, Rowen. Their moms know they’re safe, and we’ll make sure they’re comfortable tonight.”

The girls settled in with blankets and hot cocoa, chatting quietly. Lucian’s shoulders relaxed a little more, golden eyes flicking between us. Fenrir hummed in approval inside my mind, but I let myself breathe out, feeling the warmth of the room seep into me.

Outside, the blizzard raged on, covering the world in thick white. Roads were slick and unsafe. Aurora and Emma’s moms couldn’t come get them tonight.

I shrugged. “Looks like you’re staying the night,” I said lightly, though inside I felt the familiar protective pull.

For the first time in weeks, Lucian didn’t have to fight the fear. The warmth of the house, the chatter of the girls, and the safety surrounding us settled into his posture. Fenrir purred low in my mind, satisfied, and I let myself believe, if only for a little while… this could feel normal.