Claimed By The Alpha King

Chapter Seven: Locked Border

"The hunters?"

I frowned immediately.

I looked at the guard standing near the door.

Then at Lucien.

"What hunters?"

The guard looked nervous.

Very nervous.

Like he had already said too much.

Lucien raised his hand slightly.

"Leave."

The guard bowed quickly and walked out of the room without another word.

The door closed behind him.

Now it was just me and Lucien.

The silence felt heavier than before.

I didn’t like it.

Not at all.

I crossed my arms.

"What is going on?" I asked again.

Lucien didn’t answer immediately.

He just looked at me.

Cold eyes.

Calm face.

Like nothing in this world could disturb him.

It annoyed me.

After everything happening, how could he stay so calm?

"There are people outside the border," he finally said.

I nodded quickly.

"I heard that already."

Lucien didn’t react.

"They are not normal intruders."

I frowned.

"Then what are they?"

He didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, he turned slightly away from me and walked toward the window.

The tension in the room grew.

I hated that feeling.

Waiting.

Silence.

No answers.

"Lucien," I called again.

He finally spoke.

"Stay inside the estate."

I blinked.

That was not an answer.

"That’s not what I asked."

Lucien turned his head slightly.

"It’s all you need to know."

I scoffed.

"Excuse me?"

I stepped closer.

"You cannot just say something like that and refuse to explain."

Lucien’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"I just did."

My chest tightened.

I was getting frustrated.

Really frustrated.

"Why do you always do this?" I asked.

"Do what?"

"Act like I don’t deserve answers."

Silence.

He didn’t respond.

That silence was worse than words.

I clenched my fists.

"I’m not a child, Lucien."

His gaze finally moved back to me.

Sharp.

Cold.

"You are not involved in this."

I frowned.

"Not involved in what exactly?"

He didn’t answer.

Of course.

I let out a bitter laugh.

"Let me guess. Another secret?"

Lucien turned away again.

"This is not your concern."

That word again.

Concern.

Everything is not my concern.

Nothing is ever my concern in this place.

I felt my throat tighten.

"So what am I supposed to do?" I asked.

"Sit in a room and wait?"

Lucien didn’t respond.

I took another step forward.

"Everyone here looks at me like I’m something strange."

"Servants whisper when I pass."

"Your elders look at me like I don’t belong."

My voice cracked slightly.

"And now you too."

Lucien turned his head slightly.

Just enough for me to see his expression.

It didn’t change.

But something in his eyes shifted.

Just a little.

Then it disappeared again.

"You are safe here," he said.

I laughed again.

"Safe?"

I shook my head.

"Nothing about my life feels safe."

Silence.

Lucien walked away from the window and moved toward the door.

I immediately followed him.

"Lucien, stop avoiding me."

He stopped.

Didn’t turn around.

Just stood there.

Waiting.

I hesitated.

Then spoke anyway.

"Are those hunters coming for me?"

A long silence followed.

Too long.

My heart started beating faster.

I didn’t know why I asked it.

But I needed to know.

Lucien finally spoke.

"No."

That confused me.

I blinked.

"No?"

He turned his head slightly.

"Then why does it feel like everything is connected to me?"

Lucien’s voice lowered slightly.

"It is not."

Simple answer.

Too simple.

I shook my head.

"You’re lying."

Lucien turned fully now.

His eyes locked onto mine.

For a moment, the air in the room changed.

Heavy again.

Dangerous again.

"I don’t lie," he said.

I frowned.

"Everyone lies."

His jaw tightened slightly.

Then he turned away.

"This conversation is over."

I stepped forward quickly.

"No, it’s not."

Lucien stopped again.

Still didn’t look at me.

But I continued.

"You brought me here."

"You took me away from my pack."

"You keep telling me to stay inside like I’m fragile."

My voice rose slightly.

"I deserve to know what is happening."

Silence.

Then Lucien spoke.

Slowly.

Clearly.

"Elena."

Just my name.

But it made me pause.

Something about the way he said it felt heavier than usual.

I swallowed.

He continued.

"You are alive because I allow it."

My breath caught.

I froze.

The room suddenly felt colder.

Lucien turned his head slightly.

His voice was calm again.

But dangerous.

"Do not push your luck."

I didn’t speak.

For the first time…

I didn’t have a response.

Lucien walked to the door.

Before leaving, he stopped.

Without turning around, he said one final thing.

"Stay inside."

Then he left.

The door closed.

And silence returned.

I stood there alone.

My heart still racing.

My hands slightly shaking.

Not because I understood what he meant.

But because I didn’t.

And that scared me more.

Because one thing was clear now.

Lucien wasn’t telling me everything.

Not even close.

And whatever he was hiding…

Was big enough for him to threaten me just to keep it buried.