LUCIAN

“Mine.”

The word rips through my mind like thunder, followed by another guttural growl.

I hastened out of the dungeon, keeping it tightly shut while trailing Darren back to the council hall, keeping a reasonable distance.

Something has been off about him and yet, even I can't place a hand on what it is.

“She’s ours, and you locked her up? Without food or care? What the hell is wrong with you?” Azer yelled at the back of my head and I shut my eyes briefly, folding my fist at my side as I shake my head slightly.

Azer was my wolf and quite unbearing.

I had hoped we wouldn't get to talk about the little spy girl being my mate, swamping myself with pack affairs but how do you run from yourself?

“She's a spy, Azer.” I growl back through the link we share, trying to remain rational even as his rage threatens to devour me.

I knew she was my mate the instant I saw her, but as an Alpha, emotions had never being there to cloud my judgment neither would it now.

The only disturbing thing, somewhere far deep into my soul is the fact that she doesn't recognize me.

Or maybe she did but was a smooth pretender. Whichever it is, I was going to find out.

“Does she smell like a spy? Did she feel like a lie? No. You saw her, Lucian. You felt her.” I paused in my tracks as I heaved in deep breaths.

“Azer!”

“You looked into her eyes and you felt the pull, the ache, the need to touch her, to claim her because you know, she isn't a spy.” Azer snarls at the back of my head, baring his teeth and I resumed walking.

“She's exceptionally convincing and that's why I'm not going to fall for it.” I snapped back and I watch Azer at the back of my head, standing up in a defensive position.

“You think something like that could confuse me? I’ve waited all our life for her, Lucian. And you threw her into a fucking cage.”

The image of her flashes in my mind, bruised, bloodied, curled on the cold stone floor like something discarded.

And I hate that it stirs something in me not pity or guilt. But something deeper.

Something I’ve spent a lifetime shoving into the darkest corner of my heart.

“She could still be lying.” I say to Azer, but this time, the words feel weaker like even I don’t believe them.

“As you walk into the council, you know they'll demand her dead. Whatever happens next will be your decision.” Azer says slowly and shuts off the link while Darren opens the door to the council hall.

Elders are seated in order of hierarchy and only 2 seats are left empty. Mine at the head of the table. Darren's, beside me.

“The incident of 3 of our lads dying has a very interesting timing.” One of the elders mutter after I take my seat and I just slightly drum over the table with my index finger.

“That's putting it lightly. The spy's scent was traced onto them, I warned you Alpha. I told you taking a stranger that was placed at our packs boundary was a risk.” Darren said almost immediately and I turn slightly to his direction.

“She was half-dead when i found her. If this was planned, it would be the worst coordinated infiltration I’ve ever seen.” I slam my hands on the desk, trying my best to keep myself in check.

Perhaps, it is the fact that she is my mate that makes this even more annoying than it should be.

“But effective,” Darren insists, arms crossed as if he already knows the outcome. “She’s a decoy. She gets brought in, draws your attention, and then, boom, our patrols are distracted. Three young warriors died while you were… occupied.” He drawls out the words, hands crossed over his shoulders, looking relaxed.

The way he says it, with just the right edge of accusation, makes my fingers twitch.

He thinks he’s being clever.

Too relaxed.

Like someone that had all this figured out.

I let my gaze linger on him and that's when I notice the slight smirk lying on the corner of his lips. Something is up.

“You're right, Darren. It's effective.” I stated and his face contorts in surprise as he leans in closer. It seems like he didn't expect me to give in so quickly.

“Very effective but not well thought out. I can understand her being a spy but when you say traces of her scents were on their body, that doesn't add up.”

“The lad's were in the pack when I brought her back. Not dead. Alive. She was locked up in the dungeon at the time of her death and I hadn't even left the pack. Doesn't it all seems convenient?” I question, raising a brow and Darren's gaze which were so heavily locked on me, wavered.

The elders whisper amongst themselves but I don't take my eyes off Darren. All these years, I thought I knew him. But now? Something has shifted.

“If she’s a spy,” One of the elders chimes in, “then she must be interrogated properly. No more of these light-handed tactics.”

“We can’t risk her living another day—”

“She should be executed at dawn—”

“She’s made her purpose clear—”

The voices all blend into one chorus of chaos, accusation and blind fear.

Azer snarls inside me again, and my heart thunders against my ribs but I’m not listening to them anymore.

I’m looking at Darren.

“I'm done with this meeting. We'll reconvene at dawn.” My voice rang out as I stood up immediately and with one long last piercing look, I began walking out when the voice of a gamma who has just walked in, stopped me.

“The gallows has been prepared.” The room is silent and I turn with a confused glint in my eyes.

“What gallows? Why?” I question immediately and turn around but everyone is avoiding eye contact.

No. It can't be. Were they planning on hanging the girl? Without my order?

“I suggest you keep speaking.” I ordered the gamma, with the way he was playing with his fingers, he was clearly a new recruit.

Bad move.

“It is for the spy that it is to be executed at dawn. It sends a message to our enemies.” He said I'm a low tone and I stuck my tongue out briefly before shrugging.

“Did I authorize this?” I demand, eyes flashing between them. “Did I, your Alpha, approve an execution?”

They don’t answer because they can’t.

My voice hardens further. “So tell me, which one of you thought it wise to go behind my back and make that decision?”

Their eyes flick just slightly toward Darren.

He lifts his head slowly, eyes locking with mine.

“You’re losing your edge, Lucian,” he says calmly, voice devoid of the usual respect. “We have enemies closing in on all sides and you’re too busy coddling spies.”

“Darren? Boy, I thought you were smart.” I chuckled slowly, staring at him with an amused expression.

“Do you think I don't know you haven't killed her yet because you're mated to her? This pack is watching. The spies are watching. They see the weakness in you. You should’ve killed her the moment she crossed our border, but instead…” He scoffs. “You’re slipping. Letting instincts cloud judgment. Letting her cloud you.”

“If you want to execute her, go ahead if you dare. I’m still your Alpha,” I say, voice low and deadly. “You’d do well to remember that.”

“No.” His voice cuts through the air like a blade. “Not anymore. I, Darren of the Raven Wolves, challenge you for the Alpha title.”

Bingo. The little mouse finally stepped up and revealed himself. This was never about the girl, very well then.