Moonborn Heir Novel Chapter 25 – Dinner with Lucian feels like a fragile reprieve from the storm that looms over us.
The scent of roasted meat and herbs fills the room, comforting and warm, yet I can’t shake the tension gnawing at the back of my mind. Lucian watches me as I pick at my food, his gaze thoughtful, searching.
“These recent skirmishes with Shadow Ridge wolves…they’re more frequent, more relentless,” I murmur, setting my fork down. “It’s like they’re testing us, gauging our defenses.” Lucian’s eyes narrow slightly, but there’s a calm confidence in his demeanor that I wish I could mirror.
“We’ve faced worse,” he says, his voice steady. “Darkfang’s warriors are strong, resilient. Kael and his pack will push, but they won’t break us. Our loyalty, our unity — that’s what will carry us through.” “
But our Darkguard wolves seem so tired, Lucian.” I glance down at my plate, struggling to keep my worries from spilling over. “Every attack, every battle, it takes a toll. I’m afraid…I’m afraid that one day we won’t be able to hold them off.”
He reaches across the table, taking my hand in his. The warmth of his touch, the strength behind it, eases some of the worry that coils within me. “We’ll be prepared,” he reassures me, his tone unwavering. “And we’ll face whatever comes. Together.”
For a moment, I manage to smile, leaning into the comfort he offers. But as his hand squeezes mine, my heart aches with something heavier, something deeper. The weight of unspoken fears presses on me, and I can’t hold back any longer. “You’ve seemed…sad lately,” he says, his tone gentle but perceptive. “Distracted. What’s weighing on you?”
I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “It’s Rhea,” I admit softly, feeling the sting of our fractured bond all over again. “Ever sine she…mated with Cade, things have changed between us. She’s different. And Cade…Lucian, I don’t trust him.”
Lucian’s face hardens slightly, a flicker of doubt crossing his eyes. “Cade’s been loyal to me for years. He’s fierce, dependable.” I shake my head, biting my lip. “Maybe…but I’ve seen him sneaking off at night during patrols.
When I confronted him about it, he denied it, even though I know what I saw. He’s hiding something, Lucian, and it worries me.” Lucian frowns, his brows drawing together in thought. “Are you sure? Cade…he’s always been by my side. I trust him.”
I meet his gaze, my voice soft but firm. “Lucian, I wouldn’t bring this up if I didn’t feel it was serious. Something isn’t right. He’s hiding things from you, and I think it’s dangerous to ignore that.”
He exhales slowly, the reluctance evident in his expression, but he finally nods. “If you feel this strongly…then I trust your instincts.” His hand tightens around mine, his expression one of careful resolve. “What do you think I should do?”
I hesitate, feeling the weight of my words. “Replace him as primary beta,” I say quietly, meeting his gaze. “We need someone we can rely on without question, someone whose loyalty is unshakable.”
Lucian studies me, his eyes searching, and then he nods. “If that’s what you believe, then I’ll do it. We’ll find someone who can help unify Darkfang, not divide it.”
Relief washes over me, and I manage a small, grateful smile. He trusts me — truly trusts me — and the warmth of that realization fills me with a sense of security I didn’t realize I needed. He leans forward, his hand sliding to the back of my neck as he pulls me close, his gaze tender.
“You’re remarkable,” he murmurs, his voice low and reverent. “You have this strength, this courage…You’ll make the most incredible mother, Talia.”
His words bring a warmth to my cheeks, and I blink back the tears threatening to spill over.“
Lucian…I couldn’t do this without you, ” I whisper, resting my forehead against his. His thumb brushes along my jawline, and he tilts my face up to look at him. “We’re in this together. Always.”
Just as I start to lose myself in his embrace, the doors to the dining room burst open with a force that echoes through the mansion. I jerk back, heart pounding, as Cade strides in, his face dark and set, eyes blazing with urgency.
“Kael’s forces,” he announces, his voice clipped and brimming with intensity. “They’ve mounted another attack.” Lucian rises in an instant, his body tense and ready. “Where?” “From all sides.” Cade’s eyes flash, a glint of satisfaction barely concealed. “They’ve surrounded us.”
A cold chill races through me, dread settling like a stone in my stomach. “Surrounded?” My hand instinctively moves to my stomach, where our child — my child — rests, vulnerable in the face of this threat. Lucian’s hand brushes my shoulder, grounding me. “Stay close to me,” he says, his voice a low, determined growl. “We’ll get through this.”
But Cade’s gaze lingers on me, an almost taunting gleam in his eyes. “I warned you,” he mutters, voice laced with something dark, something unsettling. “You were too soft on them. This is what happens when you show weakness.”
Lucian’s eyes narrow, his jaw tightening. “This isn’t the time, Cade.” Cade shrugs, his expression hardening. “Just saying, Alpha. We need to act fast if we want to save Darkfang from falling tonight.” The weight of his words settles over us, and Lucian’s hand tightens on my shoulder.
I see the fire in his eyes, the fierce resolve I’ve come to trust. He turns to me, his gaze unyielding. “Talia, stay here. I’ll handle this.” “No,” I say, my voice firm, surprising even myself. “I won’t hide while they threaten our home. Let me fight alongside you.”
He hesitates, conflict flashing in his eyes, but then he nods, a grim understanding passing between us. This is our fight. Our pack. “Then let’s go,” he says, his voice a low, determined growl.
I follow him, my heart pounding as we move toward the fray, knowing that this night will test not only Darkfang’s strength but my own. And though fear claws at me, I feel Lucian’s presence steadying me, a beacon in the chaos. For our family, for Darkfang, we’ll face whatever comes. Together.
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