Chapter 2
Lucien’s POV
My office smelled of old leather, iron, and ink. The maps spread across my desk were marked with red strokes…border lines, rival claims, threats that never slept. My beta, Roland, stood stiff-backed on the other side of the desk, voice steady as he gave his report.
“…scouts found Red Moon pack, men near the river again. Just watching. No contact. Could be testing how close they can get before we react.”
My jaw tightened. “And we reacted?”
“Yes, Alpha,” Roland said without hesitation. “Cain led a patrol out. Made it clear the river stays ours.”
Cain, my delta, leaned against the wall near the window, arms folded, expression carved from stone. “They didn’t push back. Not yet. But they will.”
I let the silence stretch. Outside, the faint clash of steel carried in from the training fields..my wolves drilling, preparing, reminding anyone who listened that this pack was never unguarded.
“Good,” I said finally. “Keep eyes on them. If they cross the line again, I want to know before their boots hit dirt.”
Roland bowed his head. “Yes, Alpha.”
Cain gave a short nod, but his eyes flicked to the buzzing phone on my desk. “You going to answer that?”
I glanced down. Lucas. Of course. With a low growl, I snatched it up. “Dismissed.”
They left without a word, closing the door behind them.
I pressed the phone to my ear.
“No!!! No.”
“Yes, Lucien.”
“Please!! No.”
“Lucien… YES! You’re coming! You really can’t say no. Unless you don’t want to.”
Lucas’s voice was as relentless as ever, and I dragged a hand down my face, groaning.
“Come on, I haven’t seen you in almost three years. It’s time we bring the gang back together. You, me, and Darius.”
I wanted to refuse again, but Lucas had been needling me since we were kids. Silence never worked on him.
“Don’t you miss your best friend?” he pressed.
“You’re not my best friend, man.” I leaned back in my chair, voice flat. “Kael’s my best friend. Has been for years.”
“That hurts me, Lucien. You’re gonna let some guy you just met outrank me?”
“We didn’t just meet,” I growled. His chuckle grated on me.
There was no way I’d get out of this unless I caved. With a sharp exhale, I muttered, “Fine. Just this Saturday.”
Lucas’s yelp was so loud I had to hold the phone away from my ear. “Wonderful! See you then!”
The line went dead before I could change my mind.
I tossed the phone onto the desk, rubbing at the tension in my temple. My gaze drifted to the wall of photographs—grandparents, parents, generations of leaders who had carried this weight before me. Their eyes always seemed to follow me, a reminder that failure wasn’t an option.
The door opened without a knock.
“Really?” I muttered.
Camille strode in first, every step sharp, her dark hair pulled into a severe knot. “Who were you begging ‘no’ to? That was pathetic, even for you.”
Luke followed, leaning casually against the frame, hands buried in his pockets. His smirk said he already knew the answer. “Lucas?”
I scowled. “Do neither of you know how to knock?”
“No,” Camille shot back instantly, sinking into the chair opposite me. “Now answer the question.”
I stayed silent. That was enough.
Camille smirked. “You said yes.”
Luke gave a low chuckle. “Lucas wins again. I swear that guy could convince a wolf to chase its own tail.”
“He wouldn’t shut up,” I muttered.
“Classic Lucas,” Camille said dryly. “So what’s he got you roped into this time?”
“The Moon Council.”
Both of them stilled. Camille straightened, sharp interest gleaming in her eyes. “Perfect. Maybe you’ll actually speak to people instead of glaring them into silence.”
Luke stepped deeper into the room, his tone calm but firm. “It’s more than small talk, Lucien. You know what the whispers say. Thirty years old. No Luna. No heir. That makes people restless.”
A low growl rumbled in my chest, but he didn’t flinch.
“The pack has strength. That’s enough.”
Camille leaned forward, elbows on her knees. “Strength dies with you if you leave nothing behind. Heirs matter. Or were you planning to live forever?”
I gave her a warning look, but she didn’t back down. Instead, she crossed one leg over the other, eyes gleaming with challenge. “If you want people to respect you beyond fear, you’ll have to give them more than muscle and scars.”
Luke chuckled under his breath. “She’s not wrong. And you know it.”
“Stay out of it,” I snapped, but there was no bite.
Luke only shrugged, his easy grin cutting the tension. “Someone’s got to say what you don’t want to hear. And usually, that’s me.”
Camille arched a brow, amused. “Wrong. That’s usually me.”
The two of them shared a quick, knowing glance, and I felt the old sibling rhythm settle between us..one pushing, the other cushioning, both trying to box me in.
Her words cut, because they weren’t wrong. I said nothing, staring at the scarred wood of my desk.
The sounds from outside seeped back in, shouts, the thud of fists, the rhythm of bodies striking dirt. A reminder of what we were bred to be: weapons first, family second.
Luke broke the silence, his voice softer now. “We want you to be happy, brother. But the pack comes first. It always will.”
Camille added, quieter than usual, “Even if it means dragging you to where answers might be waiting.”
My hand brushed the mark on my chin, the scar that marked me Alpha. Fear was easier than love. People stepped aside when I entered a room, and I liked it that way. Fear kept order.
Still, Lucas’s words echoed. The Moon Council. Reunions. Alliances. And one name I didn’t recognize—Noland, Alpha of Hollow Creek Pack.
Small. Unknown. But something about it tugged at me.
Sean, my wolf, stirred restlessly. This trip could change everything.
I exhaled hard. “Fine. I’ll go. But don’t expect me to enjoy it.”
Camille smirked. “Too late. We expect it already.”
Luke’s quiet chuckle followed. “Just try not to terrify the entire Council this time.”
Camille added with mock sweetness, “And maybe try smiling. Once. You won’t shatter if you do.”
I didn’t answer. But in the pit of my gut, I knew—whatever waited for me at that gathering wasn’t just about Lucas or old friendships.
Something was coming.
