Chapter 24

[ 1,071 words ]

Lucien Volkov:

The way she cried, holding my leg, did something to my heart. She was a slave, and she knew her place, yet all I wanted to do was take her fragile body in my arms and claim it.

“She was weak… and emotional, but I didn’t see any wound marks around her neck,” the pack doctor said after examining her reports, “Following your orders, we discharged her and sent her with Helena.”

My gaze shifted to my beta, who was already looking at me. He sent me a mindlink, “Lucien. I know you want to take her to your quarters, but for that, you’ll need a very valid reason. The queen will expect an explanation.”

I ran a hand through my hair. The irony.

I couldn’t take my mate to my room, nor could I announce to the world that she was my mate.

“Why not?” Zorro tried to push forward, “Fuck all of them. She is our mate, and that’s enough.”

But my rational side knew that this wasn’t enough. I needed to prove her innocence first because if she was involved in my sister’s murder, then I would have to reject her.

My beast growled in protest, but for now, I needed to ignore him. Sharing a bed with my sister’s murderer wasn’t an option for me. No matter how attracted my beast was to her, I had a duty to fulfill.

***

I looked up and found Bradley standing in the doorway of my office.

“All settled, Beta?” I asked him, moving my attention back to the document on my desk. Goddess knew why, but I couldn’t read a single word since returning from the hospital.

The slave… Arabella had been sent back to the Omega quarters, and now I hoped she was getting sufficient rest.

“Don’t worry,” he came inside and took the seat opposite mine, “I’ve asked Helena to assign another Omega to stay close to her… someone who can take care of her .”

Poor Bradley. He was in a difficult position. He didn’t know what to call Arabella. He couldn’t call her a slave when he knew she was mated to me. Nor could he call her a queen because that required my approval.

“Have you sent someone to the Blackthorn pack?” I asked him, pushing the file away.

“I did, but couldn’t receive any information yet,” he shrugged, “Blackthorn pack is busy preparing for the next Alpha’s mating ceremony.”

I nodded and rose from my seat, walking toward the window.

“What about her duties, My King?” I heard Bradley behind me, “Once she recovers, Her Highness will expect her to return to outdoor duties.”

I didn’t turn around, “Put those duties on hold, Brad,” I murmured, looking outside, “And for Goddess’ sake, call her Arabella.”

“Yeah. Sure, man,” he paused for a moment and then spoke again, “Should I go to her and ask her about … the man who bullied her and…”

I shook my head, “No need. I’ll handle that myself,” If Brad was surprised, he didn’t let it show, “Just make sure she doesn’t perform any outdoor duties. Make her stay around my family. I think she’ll be safest there.”

“Sure, my king,” I tilted my head and found him bowing.

Arabella remained on my mind even when Bradley left my office. The documents I was reading were only words that had stopped making sense to me.

All I wanted to do was go to her and offer her some comfort. To let her know she was safe with me.

“Lucien!” I straightened when a familiar voice reached my ears. I spun around and found Amy standing in the doorway, holding her three-month-old daughter.

“Amy!”

She raced towards me with tears in her eyes, and my arms instinctively opened for her, “Amy! What a pleasant surprise!” We hugged for a few seconds before the child in her arms stirred, causing Amy to step back with a sheepish grin.

“Hey, Lyra,” I brushed my knuckle against the baby’s cheek, “Look at her. All grown up now.”

Everyone in the family knew how awkward I could be with kids.

Amy was two years younger than me and had left our pack when she found her mate. Mother had wanted her to marry into a wealthy family— someone with a respectable title.

But Amy chose to stay with her mate, Noah, who was the Gamma of a big werewolf pack. He was a down-to-earth man, and I liked him.

“Where is Zara… and Noah?” I wrapped one arm around her shoulders while carefully taking little Lyra into the other.

“Zara is with her grandma, and Noah will join us after a few days. He’ll be here in time for the big event.”

Lyra was still asleep against my chest when we entered the living room. Mother was busy chasing after Zara while Aliya giggled as she kept waving her hand to encourage our four-year-old niece. The moment the little girl spotted me, she ignored her granny and came running to me, “Uncle Lucien!”

I dropped to one knee and held her small figure, “Hey.”

“I missed you,” she said while panting.

“I missed you, too, little one,” I scooped her up and got to my feet, now carrying both girls. For the first time in a long while, I could see genuine happiness on my mother’s face.

“Candy?” I whispered to Zara, and she shook her head with a pout, “Mommy won’t allow it.”

I mimicked her by pouting in the same way.

“Boring, mommy!” I grunted, making her giggle.

“I’ve already ordered ice cream for them,” Mother approached us and took the sleeping Lyra from my arms.

Zara was still giggling when the door opened, and several maids entered, carrying huge ice cream trays.

The first one through the door was none other than her . She was on her knees, trying to balance the ice cream tray. Unlike the others, she wasn’t even wearing gloves.

“What the fuck!”

My voice boomed in the room, making everyone freeze.

“Lucien!” Mother shot me a glare, and I didn’t miss the warning in her eyes. My mind didn’t register the fear on Zara’s face, whom I was still holding. I placed her down and strode toward Arabella.

Not caring that my family was watching, I snatched the tray from her hands, “Give it to me!” I snapped, “You’re not allowed to carry anything around!”

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