CHAPTER 24: INTERESTS MATTER

Lucien’s thumb brushed Devon’s jaw, turning his face up.

"You signed it because you trust me," Lucien said softly. "And because you want to live."

Devon met his gaze. "Is that enough?"

Lucien’s expression sharpened with a quiet intensity that made Devon’s pulse skip.

"For now," he said. "But it won’t be the only reason for long."

Devon’s heartbeat thudded so loudly he was sure Lucien could hear it. Lucien tucked the signed contract safely under his arm, then leaned down and pressed a firm kiss to Devon’s forehead. Not demanding. Not possessive. Something terrifyingly gentle.

"Rest," Lucien whispered. "I’ll announce it to the council tomorrow."

Devon stared at him in shock. "You’re going to tell everyone?"

Lucien smirked lightly. "You think I’m going to hide my husband?"

Devon nearly choked. Lucien stepped back, leaving Devon breathless, heart racing, mind spinning. Before slipping out of the room, Lucien paused at the door.

"And Devon," he added, voice low and warm, "thank you... for choosing me."

The door closed behind him. Devon sat there, hands buried in his hair, shaking in confusion and disbelief. He’d done it. He’d signed his life into Lucien’s hands. And for the first time... he didn’t feel trapped.

He felt safe. Maybe even wanted. Maybe something more.

Lucien walked out of the room with the marriage contract tucked neatly under his arm, the door clicking shut behind him. The warmth he’d shown inside faded instantly.

His expression cooled, settling back into the controlled, unreadable face of an Alpha who had learned that love was a luxury his position could not afford. Whatever softness he had shown Devon in those moments was swept aside like dust from polished steel.

Rowan appeared from the shadows of the hall, arms crossed, eyes flicking to the contract.

"He signed it," Lucien said calmly.

Rowan exhaled. "Alpha... you got what you wanted."

Lucien didn’t respond immediately. His fingers tapped the parchment, thoughtful, calculating.

Rowan lowered his voice. "You really fooled him, didn’t you?"

Lucien shot him a sharp look. "I didn’t fool him."

"Lucien," Rowan said, not unkindly, "you pretended to care. You pretended things were... personal."

Lucien turned away, jaw tight.

"It is personal," he murmured.

But the chill in his voice made it clear what he meant by personal was not emotional. Not romantic. Not the way Devon might fearfully, desperately hope.

Rowan watched him for a long, quiet moment.

"You’re using him," he said softly. "A powerful rogue with unknown magic, directly tied to Redstone... marrying him shields him under Ravenmoon territory. Protects your son. Strengthens your claim. It’s a hell of a political move."

Lucien didn’t deny it.

Rowan pressed. "Do you feel anything for him? Even a little?"

Lucien’s jaw flexed, eyes narrowing.

"What I feel," he said, "doesn’t matter."

And that was the truest thing he’d said all night.

"My pack comes first," Lucien continued. "My son comes first. I did what I had to do."

Rowan studied the Alpha’s face, searching for cracks.

There were none.

Lucien was carved from duty and discipline, shaped by burden. Whatever flicker of warmth he had allowed himself earlier was gone, locked behind armor forged long before Devon ever crossed his path.

"So you’ll keep pretending?" Rowan asked quietly.

Lucien’s eyes darkened, a shadow passing through them.

"If it keeps the peace. If it stops Redstone from touching him again. If it ensures my son lives. If it stabilizes the magic reacting to him. If it strengthens my pack." He slipped the contract into a sealed scroll case. "I’ll pretend as long as I need to."

Rowan let out a slow breath. "And Devon?"

Lucien paused at the end of the hall.

"Devon will live," he said. "He’ll be safe."

He didn’t mention happiness. He didn’t mention love. He didn’t mention choice. Lucien had secured his advantage, shielded his pack, and claimed an unpredictable asset under the guise of devotion. A cold-hearted move, precise and calculated.

Rowan watched him leave, a knot twisting in his chest. Because he knew something Lucien refused to face. Devon was already developing feelings. Already trusting. Already vulnerable. And Lucien...Lucien was willing to break him if that’s what it took to keep Ravenmoon safe.

Rowan approached Devon the next morning with the stiff body language of a man approaching a bomb he accidentally helped arm.

Devon was sitting by the window, sunlight spilling over his pale hands, quietly folding the little boy’s clothes. He looked... calmer. A bit hopeful even. As if signing that contract had given him some fragile thread of safety to cling to.

The sight made Rowan’s stomach twist.

Devon looked up with a small, uncertain smile. "Good morning, Beta Rowan."

"Morning," Rowan croaked, sounding like he’d swallowed gravel.

Devon tilted his head. "Are you... alright?"

"No. Yes. Maybe. Don’t worry about it," Rowan said too quickly, rubbing the back of his neck like it might magically erase the guilt crawling up his spine.

Devon blinked, confused.

Rowan shifted from foot to foot. He couldn’t look into those soft, trusting eyes without remembering how Lucien had sealed the contract, then walked into the hallway and turned into a block of emotional ice.

Rowan cleared his throat. "I, uh... came to check on your recovery."

"I’m fine," Devon said gently. "Lucien... I mean, the Alpha took care of me while I was unconscious. I should thank him later."

Rowan froze. The words took care of me, stabbed him straight in the conscience. He coughed so hard he nearly choked. "Right. Yes. He did... that."

Devon frowned in concern. "Are you sure you’re feeling okay?"

"No." Rowan exhaled. "I mean, yes. I mean... look, Devon, if you ever feel... confused, or pressured, or uncertain about anything..."

Devon blinked again. "...pressured?"

Rowan mentally punched himself.

"I just mean," Rowan tried again, voice cracking, "you don’t owe anyone anything. Not even the Alpha. Even with the contract."

Devon gently placed the folded shirt aside. "But... I do owe him. He saved my life. He let me stay. He gave me a place to belong."

Rowan looked like someone had stabbed him with regrets.

Devon continued softly. "No one has ever protected me before. Not like this."

And that... that’s where Rowan’s guilt almost sent him straight to the floor.

Because he’d seen Lucien’s real face.

He’d heard Lucien’s true intentions.

He knew the Alpha wasn’t protecting Devon for emotional reasons.

Not yet.

Maybe not ever.