The Win-Win Situation

Lucien averted his eyes. His long eyelashes fluttered in distress when he heard Kinnon's words. Of course he remembered. It was on the first day of Alpha Camp. Young Kinnon Youngshaper invited Lucien for a "talk" and ended up confessing his love to him. Back then, both Lucien and Ronan were still struggling with their feelings and their position as Alpha heirs. Lucien never openly rejected Kinnon. He merely started dating Ronan, choosing him on account of their fated mate connection, only to break up with him on the last day of the Alpha Camp.

The blade left Kinnon's neck. Lucien's grip turned slack. The dagger fell off his hand and landed on the floor.

Suddenly Lucien felt so tired. A wave of dizziness passed through his head. He pulled his arm away from Kinnon's grip and went toward the window to open it. He needed fresh air desperately. To breathe and to cool off.

Once enough amount of oxygen flooded his brain, he was able to think again.

"Kinnon, it has been years," he said after the emotional high ebbed away. "You got married. You even have a child!"

The corners of Kinnon's lips ticked upward. He crossed his arms and approached Lucien. Once he stood next to him in front of the open window, he turned to look at the man next to him. "You are well-informed."

Lucien cut a sardonic smile. "The most promising Alpha heir from the Night Prowler Pack got married. It literally made headlines in the newspaper."

Kinnon Youngshaper married a very beautiful Alpha's daughter from a pack that was allied to his own. The reason why their wedding was publicized even in human news was that said Alpha's daughter was also a renowned celebrity in the human world.

"My deepest condolences to her passing," Lucien found himself saying. His pack sent an official letter to convey their heartfelt sympathy over the passing of Kinnon's Luna. She died during childbirth three years ago. Lucien at that time had already left his pack and cut off all connection to the werewolf world, save for occasional phone calls and messages with his sister and his mother.

"She is in a better place now."

Lucien turned to look at Kinnon's side profile. His strong jawline framed a handsome face that was stern by nature. Kinnon also turned his head to face Lucien. His dark eyes were as deep as the night. One could easily lose himself in the unknown depth.

"Did you love her?" Lucien heard himself asking.

Kinnon smiled at him. "You think?"

"I don't know."

"Maria had a lover before me. She cried on our wedding day and refused me on our wedding night. In a way, we were similar. We were both unable to stay with the ones we loved."

It was a political marriage.

"My son is three years old this year, and he needs a mother more than ever. The Elders from my pack have been pushing me to get a new Luna. So I thought... why not go for the person who I wanted all along?"

A bitter taste passed through Lucien's throat. He feared the answer but he still had to ask. "So did you kill Deacon because you want me to marry you?"

"God, no."

Kinnon leaned his back against the window frame and scoffed. "Sorry to say but your late cousin was an arrogant idiot. Under his reign, the Silent Walkers Pack was doomed to perish. You have always been the better choice. Lucien, don't you see? If you marry me, I will give you the power to rule over the Silent Walkers Pack. You can ensure your pack members' well-being."

Lucien's chest felt stuffy. Kinnon denied it, but it really sounded as if Kinnon killed Deacon so that Lucien could regain the Alpha position. Only that he wouldn't be the Alpha. He would be the Luna. A Luna was still higher in the hierarchy than a Beta. The Silent Walkers Pack will be left at his mercy, to build or to destroy. Aunt Catherine's nonsensical accusation might not be too nonsensical after all.

"Be my Luna, Lucien. Let's build our both packs together. Help me raise my son to be the Night Prowler Pack's next Alpha."

Lucien tightened his grip against the window sill. Kinnon's eyes were drawn to Lucien's neck. There was something there. A wound. Kinnon reached out and pulled at Lucien's collar to expose the mark that Ronan made on his nape. Kinnon's gaze turned icy upon the discovery.

"Did you sleep with Ronan?"

"No." The answer came right away. Kinnon exhaled out of relief. "Did you mark him?"

Another "No" left Lucien's lips.

"So this is only half a bond."

Kinnon's hand wandered to Lucien's cheek and moved to the latter's chin. He leaned closer toward the man to kiss him, but Lucien pulled away at the last second when their lips were just a hairbreadth away from each other.

"No," he said again, hugging himself from the sudden discomfort. A cold shiver ran down his spine and he was overwhelmed by immense guilt.

Although it was only half a bond, some temporary changes took place in his body. His body rejected the advances of werewolves other than Ronan. Accepting the affection of other werewolves constituted a cheating act and Lucien would pay a lot for that.

The Alpha from Night Prowler Pack heaved a sigh. He did not bother to hide his disappointment, but he still had enough grace to say "It's alright."

Kinnon rubbed against the deep red mark on Lucien's nape. "You asked for ten days. I will give you ten days to think about my proposal. Until then this mark should disappear. Then I will leave my mark on you, so everyone will know that you belong to me."

Kinnon said "everyone", but he was referring to Ronan in particular.

Lucien turned around and leaned against the window frame as well. "Kinnon, do you still love me?"

Kinnon took one of Lucien's hands and kissed his knuckles in a revering manner.

"I have never stopped."