Chapter 8
1172 Words
LUCY
Dinner was served later than usual but no complaints were made. There must have been a good reason for that. We moved over to the study room for the usual nightcap. Alpha Marcus brought up pack business and Ma immediately tensed. She hated it when this subject came up.
"The councils of elders are dragging their feet on deciding Alpha Lucas' fate after that ruthless act of his," Alpha Marcus’ voice cut through the air. I was barely awake on the couch, fighting the pull of sleep.
"Some of them are scared shitless of him and the retaliation he’ll bring to their pack." Beta Rufus injected. He was Blake's best friend and second-in-command. They'd been friends way before I came into the picture.
Ma frowned, cutting in immediately. "Can we skip the pack business and have some quality family time? You know how I feel about discussing this during gatherings like this."
Alpha Marcus grunted, ignoring her. "That's nonsense. They can't hide behind their fear and expect a savior to save them."
Rufus shrugged. "I understand their fears. Alpha Lucas is known for his brutality. We need to make the vote anonymous to protect the elders and their pack." He leaned back, stretching. "Blake, why are you sitting quietly over there? Not in the mood to chat?"
Blake didn't respond.
"Blake, are you alright?" Ma asked, her voice soft with concern from her seat across the room.
Blake muttered without looking up. "I'm fine, Ma."
Ma pressed on, sensing something was off. "Are you nervous about tomorrow? It is natural to feel that way. And we can't wait to meet her too. I've asked that the guest room be made in case she intends to stay over. Is there anything specific she would be needing?"
My jaw dropped. My jaw dropped. My eyes widened in shock. I couldn’t hide it, staring at Ma with disbelief. This was news to me. She was coming tomorrow? And Blake hadn’t even mentioned it.
Maybe he tried to, but you’d kicked him out of your room before he could, a tiny voice in my head admonished.
Blake muttered something under his breath as he stood. "None that I'm aware of. I'm heading to bed early. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day." He turned to Rufus. "Going home soon?"
"Yes," Rufus replied, getting up. "I'm leaving now. I have an early meeting to oversee before coming by the house. Early morning run tomorrow?"
Blake shook his head. "Nah. I'm going to stay indoors and get this over." He looked at me then. "Lu, you need to keep your phone beside you all the time. I've been trying to reach you all day to no avail."
My phone. I hadn’t even thought about it all day. It was certain it was in my room, somewhere. "I'll keep that in mind,” I responded, my tone sharp. “Anything in particular you wanted to talk about?"
He held my gaze briefly, then looked away. "Nothing."
Alpha Blake got up. "I should call it a night as well. You made a good choice with Raelle, son. It will strengthen your claim and you will bear strong pups."
Ma nodded her head in approval. I felt sick to my stomach. This was torture, every single minute of it and it was just getting started.
Ma turned her attention to me. "Since you won't be going to work, you can assist me around the house." She leaned in and whispered. "He must be anxious about the introduction but doesn't want to show.”
She breathed deeply, leaning back against her chair. “Everything is happening so quickly— first his transition to alpha, now he’s marking his mate."
My throat tightened. My head was starting to ache, again. "I'll help in whatever way you need me to,” I said, my voice hoarse.
She pulled me closer, her excitement evident on her face. "Do you know her? Have you heard anything about her? The only info I could find came from Luna Sophia and she knows so little—just that she graduated from a prestigious university but stays home."
I felt my brows furrow, my disinterest clear. "Why?"
Ma shrugged. "Who knows? But that's a good trait for a Luna. She’ll need to focus on her family and the pack, not her career."
I got up abruptly, my emotions stretched thin. "Ma, you should go to bed. You have got a busy day tomorrow. " I helped her to her feet, trying to keep my voice steady.
We parted on the first floor. My room was on the third, just like Blake’s.
No more tears tonight. Not for someone who has already moved on.
****
BLAKE
"You're restless and I can't close my eyes. " Rufus’ voice broke through my thoughts.
I was burning up, my body temperature higher than normal. And my head was spinning like it had a will of its own. Restless didn't even begin to cover it.
“What's troubling you, Blake? You've been this way since we came back from the meeting." His voice still in my head made the ache worse.
"I can't stop thinking about her."
"Who? Raelle?"
"No,” I answered, my voice thick. “not her. Not Raelle."
"Lucy?” he was quiet for a moment. “You said it was a one-time thing."
"I know what I said,” I muttered. “But my feelings for her remain."
I stood, unable to stay still, straining my senses to catch her voice or even the soft sound of her breathing. The house was eerily quiet.
"Get over yourself, Blake. You’ve already found your mate. She bears your mark. Abandoning her now will weaken you and could start a war."
I gritted my teeth. "Do you think I need your lecture right now?"
Rufus didn’t back down. "Relax. Calm down. We don’t want you agitated. Let's get some sleep, alright?"
I sighed. "Yeah, alright."
I tried to focus on the meeting earlier. Alpha Lucas was plotting to expand his evil dealings across the land which needed to be curbed. But anyone who stands against him gets attacked. Lucas’ has a large pack and Papa knows no one stands a chance alone against Lucas’.
Papa needed this union to work. If it did, the Witcher wolf pack would give us the strength and manpower we need to defeat Alpha Lucas.
Subconsciously, my mind kept drifting back to Lucy. The way she had looked me dead in the eyes and asked me to leave. I was losing her. But did I plan to keep her? As my what? Friend? Concubine?
I slammed my fist into the wall, letting my frustration out. Staying here wasn't helping. I needed to get out, clear my head.
I took the stairs just as a scream ripped through the silence of the night.
As I raced towards the direction of the sound, it rang out the second time. Panic slammed into me as I recognised the voice.
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