Chapter 2

  The room was filled with tension, and I watched the maids move with quiet grace as they filed into the chamber, carrying an array of extravagant garments and glittering jewellery, all gifts from Dante for the upcoming mating ceremony.

The lavish display of opulence left me with an unsettling feeling. How could we afford such extravagance when rumours of our pack's financial crisis ran rampant?

  Dante's reign as Alpha had been anything but glorious. Coupled with the fact that it was plagued by crisis after crisis, he had lost the trust and support of our pack members. Yet, his hold on power remained unshaken. Loyalty, or perhaps fear, forced their allegiance.

  Looking out the window, my eyes caught the distant woods just a few kilometres away. I haven't been there for a long time.

Three long years.

  Crystal, my wolf, stirred within me, agitated. I didn't attempt to soothe her restlessness as I had done countless times during these past three years. The yearning had returned, stronger and more compelling than ever before.

  "Go," Crystal urged, her voice echoing in my thoughts. "Go."

  I rose abruptly from my vanity, startling one of the maids who was meticulously arranging jewellery. I paid no heed to her bewildered expression. Striding out of the pack house, I headed toward the woods, determined to follow the relentless call of my wolf.

  "Who's that?"

  I watched the males as they engaged in a vigorous training session, the sweat glistening on their well-defined bodies. I had just finished overseeing the female training session, and Dante had requested my presence alongside my father as he supervised the males. It wasn't an invitation I could decline, even though Anneliese would have relished this experience more than I did.

  Following Dante's line of sight, my heart skipped a beat as I spotted him, the one who had haunted my dreams for years.

Lucien Blackthorn.

His very presence sent a shiver down my spine, and Crystal, my wolf, stirred within me, agitated.

  "His name is Lucien. One of our best warriors," my father spoke with a tone of admiration, like a horse trainer speaking of a prized steed.

  "The fastest, the strongest," he continued, his voice filled with reverence. "He shows signs of becoming a master negotiator as well."

  "Mated?" Dante inquired, his gaze unwavering.

  My heart clenched at the mention of the word, and I couldn't help but hope he would remain unclaimed.

  "Not yet," my father replied, and I turned my gaze back to Lucien, who had now locked eyes with me. I quickly looked away, unable to bear the intensity of his gaze.

  "He was ahead of all the others before he matured," my father continued. "A true prodigy. There's another she-wolf who's not mated, Lorna. I believe you know her. She's as skilled as Lucien, and they have been training together."

  I felt a surge of jealousy and embarrassment as I watched Lucien and Lorna talking, their faces dangerously close. I forced myself to believe that I didn't care.

  But Dante's voice shattered my review.

"Corrigan, excuse us," he said coolly.

  I met his gaze, searching for some sign of emotion, but there was none. "What?"

  "Your company is appreciated, but no longer needed. I have to talk to your father in private."

  I left with a bitter taste in my mouth and left, the image of Lucien and Lorena still etched in my mind. The pain in my chest was a reminder of the emotions that had plagued me for years. Today, I moved into the jungle, regretting my sudden decision to escape from the confines of the house. The cool night air tickles my skin and I can't help but feel excited and nervous.

The last time I walked in the woods was three years ago, and it was a night that sticks in my memory. As I was walking in the forest, the moon shone through the thicket of trees, casting beautiful patterns on the ground. The dark memories of my previous encounters with Lucien were like echoes in the distance and louder than every step I took.

My mind wanders with confusion and disgust. I couldn't deny the pull he had on me, a connection beyond imagination. It was impossible to resist the allure of the forest and the memories they held. I arrived in the familiar desert, immersed in the silvery glow of the moon.

The air was full of anticipation and my heart skipped a beat as I knew where to start. Lucien's voice broke the silence and I woke up. "You should learn to be quiet," he drawled from the shadows, making my heart leap with surprise.

  I gasped, taking a step back as I looked up to see Lucien lounging on a tree branch above, his eyes fixed on me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.

  "Do you always stay in the woods?" I asked, my voice tinged with curiosity and a hint of exasperation.

  "Yes to the first," Lucien replied, swinging down from the tree with a feline grace. "I have a condo in the city with an amazing view. But I had a reason to believe we would meet again."

  He stood in front of me, his tall frame shielding me, and I couldn't help but feel the emotions—fear and desire.  I looked up at him nervously. "What are you doing here?"

  "Escaping fate," he replied, leaning against a tree and studying you. "It's a bit exhausting to force myself into happiness. And you?"

  I hesitated, searching for the right words. "I always come here," I said defensively, though the words felt hollow.

  Lucien shrugged and suggested, "Good for you."

  Frustration welled up within me, and I found myself blurting out, "Yes, I'll come along."

  We made our way to a nearby bar, the dimly lit interior inviting. I sat at a table, the anticipation of the evening's events hanging in the air. I tried not to check my watch repeatedly, aware that my nervousness would give me away.

  An unfamiliar voice broke through my thoughts as a stranger approached. "Hey, darling," he leered, leaning against the table, his eyes roving over me with a suggestive glint.

  I forced a polite smile and replied, "Hi." My eyes wandered to the dance floor, where couples were swaying to the  music." Would you like to dance with me?", He asked,

 I glanced at the dance floor, then back at the stranger. "No, thanks," I replied, attempting to scan the room for Lucien's figure.

  The man, undeterred, leaned in closer and tried again. "She means go away," Lucien's voice cut through the air, his presence commanding.

  The stranger turned his attention to Lucien, his demeanour disrespectful and invasive. "Well, pretty boy, I don't see your name on her. Or is it hidden beneath the clothes? I'd like to find out."

  Before Lucien's patience had run thin, and he reacted swiftly. With a quick movement, he grabbed the man's arm and slammed the side of his face into the table with the force of glasses . He pinned the intruder's face to the table and held it to his elbow. 

"You have ten seconds to apologize to the lady," Lucien's voice was stern and unwavering. "After that, you will take your leave like the good boy you are.

Understood?"

  There was silence in the air for a few seconds. The stranger's eyes widened in shock and fear.  

"Good boy,"

Lucien said with a cold smile, easing the pressure on the man's face. He released him, and the offender quickly scurried away towards the exit, nursing his wounded pride.

  When Lucien returned to our table, the tension in the room was rising and I couldn't help but feel a mixture of admiration and curiosity. I was surprised by his thoughtfulness, and I congratulated myself for the way he handled the situation.