Chapter 31: Shadows of the past

 Shadows of the Past

Lucien's Point of View

The night was alive with whispers, shadows dancing in the flicker of torches as Lucien stood at the edge of the pack's compound. His eyes, sharp as a predator's, scanned the treeline, his thoughts elsewhere. The forest concealed many things—secrets, betrayals, ambitions—and Lucien had mastered them all.

Elena's transformation had gone beyond his expectations. The surge of power she had displayed, though uncontrolled, was a glimpse of what was to come. She was the key—he had always known it—but watching her nearly burn Alexander alive with her raw energy? That had solidified his belief. Elena could break the entire supernatural world if properly harnessed.

Alexander. The name stirred a familiar hatred within Lucien's chest, a fire that never quite went out. He had played the loyal lieutenant for too long, his true desires buried beneath layers of deceit and charm. But not for much longer.

He turned away from the treeline, walking back toward the pack's gathering hall. His mind raced with plans, his hands clenched into fists as he recalled how close he had been to claiming what was rightfully his. The pack should have been his. The throne. The power. And most of all, Elena.

Lucien smirked, his thoughts momentarily drifting back to the moment he first saw her. She was a mere girl then, weak and unsure. He had recognized her potential even before she did. Her magic called to him, a siren's song promising ruin and rebirth.

But there was more to it than just power.

Lucien's thoughts darkened as memories flooded back. Years ago, when he was younger and far more reckless, there had been another. Alara. She had been like Elena in some ways—wild, uncontained, beautiful. But unlike Elena, Alara had been broken. Her death had been Lucien's fault, though he had convinced himself for years that it was inevitable. It was a tragedy he hadn't allowed himself to dwell on, but seeing Elena awaken her abilities brought all of it rushing back. He wouldn't make the same mistake twice.

Elena wasn't Alara, and he would ensure she reached her full potential.

As he reached the hall, Lucien's gaze flicked to the figures gathered inside. Alexander's men, his loyal pack. They were restless. He could feel it in the air, the tension thick enough to choke on. Alexander was losing control, and the wolves were sensing it. His obsession with Elena was becoming apparent, his leadership faltering. Lucien smiled inwardly. It was all going according to plan.

He stepped inside, and the eyes of the gathered wolves turned toward him. Most looked away quickly, wary of the dangerous gleam in Lucien's eyes. He had that effect on people, and he used it to his advantage.

One of the wolves, a younger member of the pack named Tristan, approached cautiously. "Lucien, the patrols have returned. No signs of movement from the neighboring packs. But… some of the others are talking. They're concerned about Alexander's… priorities."

Lucien allowed a small smile to curl his lips. "Concerned, are they?"

Tristan shifted uneasily. "They… they think his focus on Elena is clouding his judgment. We've never seen him this distracted before."

"Good," Lucien said softly, his voice like silk. "Let them talk. Let them doubt. It will make things easier."

Tristan's brow furrowed in confusion. "Easier?"

Lucien leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "Alexander is slipping. He's blinded by his obsession with the girl. And when he falls, there will be a power vacuum. You want to survive that, don't you?"

Tristan swallowed, nodding slowly. "Of course. But… what are you suggesting?"

"I'm suggesting that you start thinking about your future. About where you want to stand when the dust settles." Lucien's eyes gleamed with dangerous intent. "Align yourself with the right people, and you'll find yourself in a position of power."

Tristan hesitated for a moment, then nodded again, more firmly this time. "I'll consider your advice."

Lucien watched him go, satisfaction bubbling in his chest. The seeds of doubt were already spreading throughout the pack. Soon, the cracks in Alexander's leadership would widen, and when the time came, Lucien would be ready to take what was his.

He walked deeper into the hall, his mind working through the next phase of his plan. Elena's power was still raw, still untamed. But with the right guidance, she would become unstoppable. And once she was, no one—not even Alexander—would stand in Lucien's way.

He needed to speak with her soon, to ensure she understood her place in his grand design. But that would come later. For now, there were other matters to attend to.

As Lucien made his way through the halls, he paused outside one of the smaller chambers, the sound of voices catching his attention. He pushed the door open slightly, peering inside.

Alexander's beta, Marcus, was seated at a table, deep in conversation with a few other senior members of the pack. Their expressions were grim, and from the snippets of conversation Lucien overheard, it was clear they were discussing the growing unease among the pack. The tension between Lucien and Alexander wasn't lost on them, nor was Alexander's preoccupation with Elena.

Lucien smiled to himself, stepping away from the door. He didn't need to intervene just yet. Let them stew in their uncertainty. Let them question their leader. It would only make his eventual rise to power that much smoother.

He continued down the corridor, his thoughts returning to Elena. She was the key to everything. Her power, once fully awakened, would change the balance of power in the supernatural world. But it wasn't just her magic that intrigued him. There was something about her—something deeper.

Lucien's thoughts drifted back to Alara once more. He had loved her once, or at least he thought he had. But his ambition had come first, and in the end, it had consumed them both. Alara's death had been a reminder that love was a weakness, one he couldn't afford.

But with Elena… it felt different. It wasn't love, not exactly. It was something darker, more primal. A hunger. A need to possess, to control.

He would have her. And when he did, she would be his greatest weapon.

As Lucien made his way outside, he gazed up at the moon, the cold light casting long shadows across the ground. The night was still young, and there was much to be done. The pieces were falling into place, and soon, very soon, Alexander would fall.

And Lucien would rise.