Chapter 9

The night seemed to last forever, with every hour being a struggle against my uneasy thoughts. I lay still next to Lucas, his calm breath breaking the quiet, yet my eyes stayed open, fixed on the ceiling while the soft light of dawn seeped through the curtains. My heart thudded persistently, while Astra roamed within the corners of my thoughts.

What have you done, Sia? Astra’s tone was more gentle than normal, nearly filled with sorrow.

What I needed to do, I murmured in reply, though the response seemed empty even to myself.

As the first light of dawn emerged, I felt a deep sense of exhaustion. My body hurt, and the shadows under my eyes seemed carved into my skin. However, when I noticed Lucas stirring next to me, I promptly closed my eyes, pretending to be asleep.

The mattress moved as he got up, his steps quiet as he headed toward the bathroom. The noise of flowing water permeated the room, and I remained motionless, every muscle taut as I planned my next action.

As the bathroom door swung open and he came back, I exhaled softly, stretching a bit and feigning wakefulness. I pulled the bedsheets around me, my motions deliberate and timid, my gaze lowered slightly to hint at my embarrassment.

Lucas’s golden eyes were fixed on me right away, a satisfied smile gracing his lips. “Good morning, small wolf,” he whispered, his voice soft and accommodating.

I gave him a shy smile, my hands clutching the sheets as if to protect myself.

"You’ve caught me off guard," he said, his tone lowering to something more personal. "You were amazing last night." I was aware that you had a fiery spirit, yet I had no idea how intense it was.

My stomach churned at his words, guilt gnawing at me, yet I maintained a gentle expression, my smile timid. He didn’t have to understand how each word pierced my heart like a knife.

I moved, amplifying the discomfort in my actions, and gradually swung my legs off the edge of the bed. I walked with deliberate pain, my limp more noticeable than normal as I headed to the bathroom.

Lucas was on top of me in a moment. "What are you up to?" he inquired, his tone tense with worry.

I pointed to the bathroom, my hand waving as if to brush aside his inquiry. However, before I was able to move again, his hands were on me, effortlessly lifting me up.

A soft gasp slipped from my mouth, one I couldn't hold back, as he held me close to his chest. His power was daunting, his heat penetrating through the delicate material of my nightgown.

"You ought to have mentioned something," he reprimanded, his voice steady yet kind. "There’s no need to strain yourself."

I lowered my head, concealing the chaos in my eyes, and grasped him gently, allowing him to take me to the bathroom.

He placed me down gently, his hands hovering for an instant before he withdrew. “Take your time,” he remarked, his golden eyes staying on me. "I'll be seeing you soon."

As he departed, I released a trembling sigh, my legs hardly supporting me. Astra let out a soft growl, her dissatisfaction evident, yet I paid her no mind.

After I completed my task and came out of the bathroom, I was surprised to see the elderly maid standing there for me. Her keen gaze softened a bit as she pointed to a chair where a collection of garments and a variety of luxurious jewelry were displayed.

"These are meant for you," she stated sharply. "Provided by Alpha Lucas."

My heart dropped, yet I compelled myself to nod in gratitude. She came near with a small group of herbs, extending them towards me.

“Take a whiff of this,” she directed. "It will aid in reducing nausea and sensitivity to specific odors."

Her tone was formal, yet her eyes revealed something more profound—maybe an awareness of the secret we both knew.

I received the herbs, their potent, natural aroma slicing through the haze in my thoughts.

“There's something else,” she said, presenting a stylish, state-of-the-art phone. "A present from Alpha Lucas, to assist with communication."

I paused before grasping it, the device feeling strange and heavy in my hand. She offered a brief nod and motioned for me to follow her.

The garden was stunning, with the morning sun illuminating the rich foliage and colorful blossoms in a golden hue. Lucas positioned himself by a fountain, his hands held together behind him, his aura dominant even in the peaceful environment.

He shifted as we came closer, his golden eyes warming when they met mine.

"You look beautiful," he remarked, his tone gentle. "Come."

I approached him, maintaining my pace slow and intentional, my limp gentle. Lucas’s eyes tracked my every motion, a subtle smile playing on his lips.

"You were amazing last night," he repeated, his voice soft and personal. “I knew there was fire within you.”

My stomach twisted, yet I managed a smile, my hands firmly clasped in front of me.

Lucas took my hand, gliding his thumb along my knuckles. The action was gentle, nearly loving, yet it sensed like a bind tightening around my wrist.

“You will do well in the pack,” he went on. "Remain by my side, and you will not have anything to dread."

The words lingered intensely in the atmosphere, a vow intertwined with unvoiced dangers.

As we walked through the garden, Lucas's voice became gentler, more contemplative. “My deceased mate…” He hesitated, his eyes wandering. "She was powerful, strong. However, she has been dead for quite a while now Loneliness is a harsh friend.”

I compelled myself to look into his eyes, pretending to care as my heart ached with remorse. Astra rumbled gently in my thoughts, her tone edged with caution. This is risky, Sia. You're toying with danger.

I get it, I responded inwardly. You know I don't have options.

Lucas’s golden gaze scanned my eyes, and for an instant, I questioned whether he could perceive the truth I strived so diligently to conceal.

“You remind me of her,” he spoke softly. "Not in looks, but in essence." “You have identical strength.”

I gulped nervously, giving him another slight smile. His words weren't intended to soothe—they served as a reminder of the part I needed to fulfill.

"How about breakfast?" Lucas suggested, his golden eyes warming as he took my hand. He placed a kiss on my knuckles, the heat of his lips remaining on my skin, and guided me through the corridors to an elegant dining room.

The table was prepared, the arrangement lavish and clearly werewolf-themed. Trays of flawlessly cooked meats, hot sausages, and flavorful gravies filled the air with their strong scent. The smell made my stomach churn painfully, and waves of nausea surged up that I couldn’t contain.

Lucas smoothly drew out a chair for me, his actions graceful and decisive, and I settled into it with a slight nod of appreciation. My fingers danced nervously in my lap, lightly grazing the little pouch of herbs tucked away in my dress pocket.

He sat down next to me, his presence an unyielding pressure on my awareness. "Please eat," he encouraged, his voice soft yet firm.

I grasped the herbs, carefully extracting them as subtly as possible. Their fresh, natural fragrance provided a slight relief from the overpowering smell of meat that lingered in the air like a mist.

As I raised the pouch to my nose, Lucas's voice interrupted the moment.

“Do you always appear so tense during breakfast?”