Chapter Seventy Nine
LUCY
The thought that Chris could be in danger bothered me for days. After my encounter with the old lady in the woods, I couldn’t keep her warnings off my head. How could I return to a place where I wasn’t welcomed? I could be in danger if I returned to the hallowed manes pack and Chris too could lose his position as alpha if I showed up again at the pack. But his life was in danger and going back was the only option I had.
“What seems to bother you, Lucy? You’ve been lost in thought for a while now,” my mother said in a worried tone.
I didn’t want to bother her with my issues. I had promised her that I would stay away from the hallowed manes until it was right for me to return there. “Nothing is wrong, mother. I just miss the good old days at the rogue pack,” I lied.
My mother sighed, placing a hand on my shoulder. “I miss those days too, I miss those happy days. But it’s good we are here, we get to forget all of the sad memories and create happy memories for ourselves.”
I nodded. Happy memories indeed. How could I ever be happy when I was on the verge of losing everything? My best friend was dead and my mate’s life was in danger. How could I make happy memories here in a strange land?
“A kiss for your thoughts, darling,” my mother said, her eyes searching mine.
“Mother,” I said calmly, “I need to return to the hallowed manes pack.”
My mother’s eyes widened in shock. “Why do you want to go back there? You told me all that happened to you and how you weren’t welcomed there.”
“But Chris needs me. He could be in danger and I have to be there to keep him safe,” I replied.
“What about you? You could be in danger too, our family is not welcome in that pack,” my mother convinced me, but my mind was made up.
“I know all of that but I have to. I’m sorry Mother, im going back to help Chris in any way I can. Cade has been captured so there’s a chance that father’s name will be cleared from all allegations,” I explained, hoping she would understand.
She sighed. “I see that you’ve already made up your mind. I’m not stopping you but promise me you’ll return to me safely.”
“I promise,” I assured with a hearty smile.
Early the next day, I kissed my mother goodbye and journeyed back to the hallowed manes pack unaware of what awaited me there. But whatever it was, I was willing to fight tooth and nail just to see Chris safe.
I arrived at the hallowed manes pack late at night. I snuck into the palace under the cover of the darkness. My next plan was to confront Cade where he was held in the dungeon before going to meet Chris. I never knew that fate had other plans in store for me.
As I got close to the dungeon, I bumped into Chris who didn’t seem to be in a good mood. He was accompanied by some of his guards and I didn’t want to be seen by those guards.
Immediately, I pulled Chris aside to a secluded corner. His presence was like a balm to my troubled soul and I began to pour my worried thoughts to him.
“Why did you leave without saying a word to me?” Chris inquired.
“I know but I had to. I was following the elder’s instructions,” I said in defense.
“Those traitors have no right to detect what happens in my pack and you should know that,” he said. “You are the LUNA of this pack and they have no right to kick you out.”
“I’m sorry,” I pleaded. “I’m glad you are okay. I thought something had happened to you.” My voice was etched with concern as I spoke.
He pulled me in his arms, his hand caressing my hair. “I understand. It’s a good thing you’re here now ’cause things are about to go sour in this palace.”
“Sour? What do you mean?” I asked. My thoughts drifted back to what the old lady had told me. Could his life truly be in danger like she said?
“Those treacherous elders plan to strip me of my position as alpha of this pack and give my throne to Cade,” he said.
“They can’t do that. Cade is an enemy of this pack, he killed your father and mine,” I said, my temper rising. My jaw tightened, and my fist clenched in rage as I heard of their evil conduct against Chris and the throne.
“Cade is not responsible for my father’s death, Lucy. I know it sounds absurd but he isn’t,” Chris said to my surprise.
“What do you mean? He killed your father and now he’s planning to steal the throne from you,” I said.
“For some reason, I believe his words. If he did kill my father, the Cade I know would brag about his deeds just to get on my nerves,” Chris explained. Yet, I found no meaning to what he said.
How could he possibly believe Cade’s words? The words from a man of sorrow seeking a chance to be freed.
“Don’t believe anything he says, Chris. That man is a liar and a deceiver, he would do anything just to get himself out of there,” I said.
“I know, but something tells me to believe his words,” Chris said again.
I paced around the corridor, thinking of what he had said. Nothing seemed right to me anymore. Chris was here trusting the words of that bloody traitor and criminal rather than listening to me.
“What about my father then? Did he deny the fact that he killed my father too? Did he?” I questioned.
“Relax, Lucy. I know you have your doubts but just hear me out,” Chris said. “We will go back there and get the truth from him about your father, until then you have to calm down.”
I shrugged, not knowing what to say. “I’m not doubting you, it’s just that….”
“Shhhhh. Enough now, okay,” he said, placing his index finger on my lips.
“Good girl,” he said again before planting a kiss on my lips.
We were still reeling in the moment when we heard a loud noise from another corner of the palace. Chris pulled my hand, leading me to where the noise came from.
To my surprise, Lothar was having an altercation with the elders and the guards. I freed myself from Chris’ grip and hid to avoid being seen by the elders.
Inaudible conversations had ensued between Cbris and the elders and I was curious to know what it was. I moved closer to get more details on their conversations.
“I’m sorry alpha Chris, these men seek to release Cade without your consent,” one of the guards said.
“What gave you the right to go against my decision? I see that you all have bitten more than you can chew and I’m going to make you all pay for your treacherous act,” Chris said, his voice laced with anger.
“You are not our alpha anymore. It has been unanimously decided that Cade be released and named alpha of the pack. Besides, he remains a member of your bloodline,” one of the elders scorned.
My heart broke when I heard those words. Chris was going to lose his position because of me. I wished there was something I could do to salvage the situation but I couldn’t think of anything. Hot tears rolled down my cheeks as I continued to blame myself for his misfortune.
“Why are you crying?” Chris said, holding my hands.
“I heard all they said. How can they think of giving your rightful position to that traitor? I’m sorry for all that is happening, it’s all my fault,” I sobbed.
“What are you saying? None of this is your fault, Lucy. They have always been enemies to the throne and will do all it takes to steal the throne from me,” Chris comforted.
“I need you to stop blaming yourself and be by my side. Fight by my side, help me reveal who this traitor truly is,” he added.
Those words were enough to bring back my self-confidence. “We need to get more information from Cade, everything he knows will be helpful at this point.”
We journeyed to the dungeon and the sight of Cade brought painful memories I thought weren’t there.
“It’s good to see you again, Lucy,” Cade said.
Ignoring his pleasantries, I wasted no time in asking him the question I was there for. “Did you truly kill my father?”
“I did. Your father was a weakling and couldn’t stand to fight for his rights. He broke my trust so I killed him,” Cade said with no remorse.
“You bloody traitor!!” I screamed. “My father was nothing but loyal to you, you are the one who broke his trust.”
Cade continued to spill out how much of a weakling my father was which made me boil in rage. I pulled out my blade and charged towards him but Chris held me back.
“Let’s get out of here,” he urged. “I’ll make him pay for hurting your family.”Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.
At Chris’ chambers, I couldn’t help but recall all the good times I saw my father share with Cade. They were the perfect duo and were loyal to each other.
Cade had promised to help my father clear his name. Things had gone sour when they both left the rogue pack only for Cade to arrive covered in blood and with the news of my father’s death.
I had always thought my father had been attacked by a wild creature unknown to me that Cade was responsible for his death all these years.
There was no way I would forgive him for betraying my father. He would pay with his life.
That was a promise.