Chapter 56
Chapter 56
–Lucien–
I should’ve been pissed.
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After all, the Circle had just shoved me into a political marriage with Elara, the she-wolf who spent her entire life pretending I didn’t exist.
But when the hall erupted into chaos.
And the second Elara screamed like her lungs were on fire…
I burst out laughing.
Not a courteous chuckle.
A full, ugly, can’t-breathe, cackle.
Gods, the look on her face, pure betrayal, it was insane to look at.
I had returned to Shadowclaw to watch Theo ruin his life with someone he doesn’t want.
I didnt expect to be thrown into the hullabaloo.
I wiped tears from the corners of my eyes, still snorting, when a familiar storm of perfume and rage stalked toward me.
My mother. Cara.
I could unmistakably recognise her walk. Anytime she was seething with rage.
Mother’s jaw was locked so tight she could’ve bitten through a rod.
“Lucien,” she snapped. “You’re laughing? Really now? After everything? After that… that girl, Kaia, stole Theo right from under her and threw you into the mess”
She was seething and actually vibrating with rage.
I leaned against the wall, arms crossed, my grin refusing to die.
“Mother,” I said sweetly, “I’m having the best day of my life p>
My mother blinked at me, confused.
“What? What are you talking about? Have you lost your damn mind p>
I shrugged. “What? Were you expecting me to mourn and cry? Throw a fit because Theo and his little stray found each other p>
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Chapter 56
Mother’s eyes narrowed.”Lucien, what’s going on with you? Explain yourself p>
I pushed off the wall, walking in a slow circle around her, enjoying every second.
“All my life,” I said, “I’ve watched Theo get everything. The attention. The power. The girl p>
“Elara was his,” she snapped. “She was meant for p>
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“No. Elara was never meant for him,” I cut in. “She was in love with what he represented. The perfect Alpha.The crown holder p>
I smirked. “And now? She gets me p>
Mother stared at me, stunned.
“You sound happy about this p>
“Oh, I’m more than happy,” I said. “I’m ecstatic p>
“Lucien p>
“Mother.” I stopped in front of her. “I have wanted Elara Varkon since I was sixteen p>
Her eyes widened. “You… what p>
“Of course.” I laughed again. “She was beautiful. Fierce. Ambitious. Completely out of my league-and too busy trailing behind Theo like a cursed shadow p>
Mother blinked, struggling to process what I was saying.
“And now,” I said smugly, “the Moon or fate, or whoever holds the highest power, has decided to drop her right into my arms p>
I saw my mother’s jaw drop. “You actually want to marry her p>
“Oh yes.” I flashed a grin sharp enough to cut.
“All my life, Theo had her attention. Now? She’s mine. Not by force. Not by trick. By decree of the damn Alphas Circle p>
Mother was still glaring at me, confused, furious, but her tone softened just a touch.
“You’re serious p>
“Completely.” I leaned in. “And isn’t it deliciously ironic? The girl who called Theo weak ends up with his stronger and perfectly healthy younger brother p>
Mother almost smiled.
Almost. Because she didnt let it show, but I could guess something was brewing in her mind.
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Chapter 56
“But Kaia-” she started.
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I cut her off. “Let Theo and his little mate be happy for as long as they can. Let him think he outsmarted everyone p>
I turned my gaze back to my mother.
“Me?” I murmured, wicked satisfaction curling in my chest. “I just won the prize I’ve been starving for. And who knows? I might end up inheriting her father’s pack as well”
Mother exhaled, stunned. “…You’re impossible p>
“And you’re welcome,” I said. “Aren’t you happy? Your favourite girl gets to be your daughter-in-law p>
Mother shook her head, glaring at my audacity.
“I swear to the Moon, Lucien, if you mishandle this opportunity p>
I laughed again, already walking away.
“Oh, I won’t mishandle anything,” I said over my shoulder.
“I’ve waited years for Elara p>
I grinned.
“And now she’s finally, finally within reach p>
–Theo–
I found my father alone in the packhouse garden, seated on the old stone bench he used to place me on when I was little.
Back when we were happy with my mother before she died, things went up in flames between us.
Father and I used to be best of friends, but things aren’t the same anymore.
Father wouldn’t be returning to the northern packhouse until Lucien and Elars get married.
When I walked into the garden.
I saw him. He looked older today.
Older than the last time I saw him, a few days back.
Maybe shame is ageing him faster than usual.
“Theo,” he said when he saw me.
And there it was in his eyes.
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Chapter 56
Guilt. Regret. A father who knew he’d failed his son.
“Have a seat,” he beckoned to me, moving away to make space for me.
I sat beside him, but the silence between us was thick.
“You don’t have to explain,” I murmured.
But he shook his head.
“No,” he whispered. “I owe you that. I owe you more than that p>
His hands trembled slightly, the way they used to after battles.
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“The promise I made to Alpha Garrick,” he exhaled shakily. “I should never have agreed to it. I was desperate. We were under attack, and he saved our lives. I thought securing an alliance through marriage would protect our pack p>
He looked at me then, really looked for a good minute.
“But I didn’t think of what it would do to you p>
My stomach twisted.
“Father p>
“I gambled with your future,” he said, voice breaking. “I took away your freedom before you even became a man. And for what? Because I panicked? Because I wanted to look strong? You were just a boy, Theo. I didn’t even ask if you wanted her p>
He covered his face with his hand.
“It was selfish. Shortsighted. I put you in a cage and called it duty p>
The wind carried the faint scent of pine. I swallowed hard; the pressure in my chest was thick and painful.
“You didn’t know she would leave,” I said quietly.
He dropped his hand and met my eyes with a weak smile.
“I didn’t know a lot of things. But I should have known better than to promise my son’s life away p>
He touched my shoulder; his hands were warm and trembling.
“I’m sorry, Theo. Truly sorry. You never deserved this. And watching you suffer for a mistake I made…” His voice cracked. “It’s the worst punishment I could ever have p>
My throat tightened.
He wasn’t the mighty Alpha right now.
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Chapter 56
He was just my father-tired, ashamed, and hurting for me.
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“I wish I could forgive you,” I said, even though it burned. “But this wasn’t the hurt you caused me”
He nodded slowly. “I don’t expect you to. I only pray you won’t let my mistake destroy your happiness p>
He squeezed my shoulder.
“Fight for the girl you truly want. Don’t let my past dictate your future p>
“I won’t but,” I raised my head, afraid I would cry. “Did you think of me once? Years, Father, for years did you once think of me p>
He looked at me, getting a hint of what I’m driving at.
I didn’t mean to say it.
But once the words were out, I couldn’t take them back.
“Did you ever think about me? At all p>
My father froze.
“Theo… of course I did p>
“Don’t do that,” I said quietly. “Don’t lie because it sounds better. After Mom died, you disappeared. You buried yourself in the pack and left me alone.
He looked like I’d slapped him.
He swallowed hard. “I was grieving. I didn’t know how to be a father or carry anything without her p>
“So you stopped trying?” My voice cracked. “You stopped trying with me p>
My father sighed, rubbing his face. “I thought you were better off without my mess p>
I laughed bitterly. “Right. Better off watching you pour every ounce of affection into Cara and Lucien p>
“I needed you. Even when I pretended I didn’t, I needed you.” I snapped, my hands clenched.
He stiffened. “Theo p>
“No,” I said. “Say it. You didn’t have space for me, but you had space for them. For her. For the son who wasn’t yours. For the wife who wasn’t my mother p>
He flinched.
I pressed harder, because the ache in my chest had lived there for years.
“You looked at Lucien like he was the best thing that happened to you,” I said. “You let Cara walk all over you. You let them act like they were the real family, and I was just… what? A reminder of the woman you lost p>
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Chapter 56
“Theo, that’s not p>
“It is,” I whispered. “And you know it p>
Silence stretched between us, heavy and bruised.
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My father couldn’t say anything. He sat there with his shoulders slumped, and for the first time in father looked small.
life, my my
“Every time I looked at you, I saw your mother,” he said quietly. “Her eyes. The strength she held and the fire she carried. And it hurt. I couldn’t look at you without breaking down p>
I blinked, my throat tight.
“And Cara?” I asked.
“She was… easy,” he admitted. “She didn’t expect anything from me. Lucien didn’t remind me of what I lost p>
My chest felt like it was splitting open. “So you replaced me with them p>
“No,” father said firmly. “I ran from my grief. And I let them fill the space I should’ve filled myself. That was my failure, not yours p>
“I’m sorry. Every year that passed, the guilt got worse. I should have been there. I should have fought for you instead of drowning in my own pain p>
I looked away, trying to catch my breath despite the burn in my chest.
“Then why didn’t you say anything? Why wait until now?” I asked, my eyes burning.
“Because I was a coward. And because I thought you hated me.” He said, lowering his eyes.
“I didn’t hate you. I just… stopped expecting anything from you p>
He stepped closer, almost afraid of me.
“Theo… I was wrong, a coward.” He admitted, sadly. “I thought staying busy would make the pain easier. I didn’t realise it made me lose you p>
I didn’t answer.
“I’m proud of you,” he said. “Even if I didn’t raise you the way I should have…. You still became the man your mother wanted you to be without my help p>
“I-I dont think…” My voice was hoarse. “We can’t fix this in a day p>
“We don’t need to,” he said. “Just… let me try p>
I let out a shaky breath.
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.