h4Chapter 34: The Creation Of The Love Triangle/h4

Athena

We returned to the manor when summoned—tired, silent, and still bearing the tension of the morning’s blood sport in our bones. Our quarters felt colder than usual, and the scent of fear—muted but persistent—clung to the halls like mildew.

Just before noon, a servant arrived.

"Lord Genrik requests your presence for lunch," he said, bowing low. "In the main dining hall."

I caught Lucas’s eye.

Another show for us most likely.

"Of course," Lucas replied, his voice smooth but wary.

We dressed quickly, keeping our des close and hidden. Whatever game Genrik was ying, we weren’t stepping into it blindly.

The dining hall was drenched in sun. Tall arched windows let in golden light, illuminating the polished floors and long table already set for a feast. Roasted meats, golden potatoes, and trays of fruit and cheese filled the center. It felt opulent. Almost too deliberate.

Genrik rose from his seat at the head of the table, smiling as we entered. "Ah, good. You made it. Please—sit. I thought you probably wouldn’t be in the mood to dine together with me."

We did, cautiously. He waited until our tes were filled and wine poured before speaking again.

"I must admit," he said, cutting into a slice of venison, "I admire yourposure. Most nobles wouldn’t stomach watching traitors punished, let alone understand why it’s necessary."

Lucas didn’t answer. Neither did I. We just ate slowly and quietly.

Genrik chuckled, unfazed. "Still, I brought you here today not just to dine. I wanted to introduce someone important." He turned to the double doors at the side of the hall. "Come in, my dear."

The doors opened.

And in stepped a young woman.

She was tall as him and quite eleven at.. she was dressed in soft silks that whispered with each step. Her hair was dark as ink, coiled into intricate braids. Her eyes storm graynded on Lucas first and didn’t move.

"This is my daughter, Elira," Genrik said with pride. "She’s just returned from the Capital—afterpleting her studies. She is one of the few who passed their trials with distinction."

Elira bowed gracefully, her eyes never leaving Lucas. "It’s an honor to meet the werewolves that work directly for the king."

Lucas stiffened beside me. He smiled politely, but I felt the shift in his posture. He didn’t like being cornered.

"The honor is mine," he said.

Genrik poured more wine. "I was hoping the three of you could spend some time together. Elira’s been very curious about the king and those who work for him."

I felt it then. The real game behind Genrik’s warmth. He wasn’t just trying to tter Lucas.

He was offering him something.

His daughter.

His legacy.

And a bond that would make it harder for Lucas to oppose him if things ever turned sour.

Lucas sipped his wine. "We’re only staying for a few days, Lord Genrik. I’d hate to impose on your daughter."

"Nonsense," Genrik said, waving a hand. "Elira is strong. And curious. She can keep up with any wolf."

Elira tilted her head slightly. "Would you spar with meter? I’ve been told I need a better opponent."

Lucas smiled again, tighter this time. "Perhaps."

I watched Elira carefully. She was clever. Not just some spoiled noble daughter—she was weighing him. Every word, every nce, was calcted. And she wasn’t doing it on her father’s behalf.

She seemed to have her own mind. Her own goals.

And I wasn’t sure if that made her more dangerous—or less.

Genrik pped his hands, pleased. "Good, good. Then perhaps we can all spend the evening together. Share stories. Build something stronger together."

My gaze flicked to the windows. The beast still waited. The Kurd was still buried in its cursed flesh.

And here we were smiling through meat and wine, while the monster was ruining the people that lived here.

Lucas caught my nce. He understood my look.

Elira followed us the rest of the afternoon.

Not in an overt, chattering way—but like a shadow you couldn’t quite shake. She stayed close to Lucas’s side, asking questions he only half-answered. Laughing too brightly at jokes he didn’t tell. Her silken sleeves brushed his arm more than once.

Lucas, to his credit, endured it with that t, polite smile he must have mastered over years of dealing with nobles and would-be allies. But I knew that look. He was already calcting how to escaping the situation.

At one point, she leaned in, brushing an imaginary leaf from his shoulder with a deliberately slow drag of her fingers. "You’ve barely said a word all afternoon, Lucas. Am I truly that boring?"

Lucas stepped back slightly, a flicker of difort behind his eyes. "No. Just tired. I have a lot on my mind, you know. And I didn’t exactly sleep so wellst night."

"Oh," she purred, walking a circle around him now. "You’re having issues sleeping?. I can have the healers draw a healing bath for insomnia"

"I should check on the horses," he said suddenly.

I blinked. Horses?

"They’re... uh... used to my scent. If I’m not around, they get anxious." He nodded to no one, turned, and disappeared toward the stables without another word.

Elira watched him go, her face went nk.

And then slowly she turned toward me.

We were alone now. The wind stirred between us, brushing strands of her dark hair across her face. She didn’t move to fix it.

"He’s mine," she said.

She said it just like that.

There was no hesitation, no smile and not even a mask to cover up her true intentions.

I folded my arms. "Is that so?"

She stepped closer, chin tilted slightly. "You don’t carry his scent. So you’re not mated right?"

"No."

"And you haven’t imed him either."

"No."

Her lips curved. "Then why are you always at his side?"

"Because we’re on a mission," I said evenly. "Not that it’s your concern."

"I think it is," she said. "If I’m to be his mate, I need to understand the... bonds that already surround him."

I didn’t flinch. "You’re assuming he wants a mate."

"I can make him want one. I can make him want me."

A beat passed between us. The birds had gone quiet. Somewhere, the wind rattled a shutter.

I shrugged. "Good luck."

That made her blink. "You don’t care?"

"I care about the mission," I said. "And doing what I’m supposed to do. If you want to waste your time chasing a wolf who clearly just lied about horse anxiety to get away from you, be my guest."

She narrowed her eyes.

"And don’t mistake his politeness for interest," I added. "He’s a soldier. We’ve both seen what obsession looks like—and he doesn’t wear that face for you."

Her breath hitched. A tiny thing. But I caught it.

I turned and started walking back toward my room. "Besides, I don’t need to mark someone to prove my worth."

Behind me, I heard the rustle of her skirts as she stood alone in the garden. She must’ve been super infuriated.

Two Days Later

Elira didn’t confront me again.

But she was always there. Treating me like I didn’t exist.

At every meal, every gathering, every walk along the estate grounds, she made it a point to ce herself beside Lucas. It was a bit subtle at first, something like an offer to refill his cup, a hand lingering a moment too long on his arm, a question asked in a low voice that only he could hear.

Then came her dramatic performances.

Sheughed louder now. Tossed her hair when he entered a room. Brushed past me with a deliberately timed sway of her hips. During supper, she even spilled her wine and leaned into him, her fingers curling around his wrist as she whispered, "Clumsy me..."

Lucas didn’t pull away fast enough.

Her eyes flicked to mine across the table. It was so sad to watch her do all of that just to prove a point to me. She must have really felt that I had some form of interest in Lucas. No way... that flirt...

I didn’t respond to her provocations.

Later, in our quarters, Lucas dropped into a chair with a groan. "She’s relentless."

"She wants you, that’s not exactly a bad thing," I said, tossing a nket over the foot of my bed. "Who’s to say you cannot develop a love interest during a mission. I bless your union. Iughed out loudly after saying all that."

"Even if I were to want a love interest, it definitely would not be her." He rubbed his face in frustration.

"Why not? She’s really fine." I murmured.

Lucas leaned forward, voice low. "Is that what you really think?"

I nodded. "Yeah I do. Besides you both getting together is not exactly a bad thing. That’s how people stay in power."

Lucas looked at me. "Are you sure you’re not bothered?"

I met his gaze. "Why on earth would I bothered?"

His jaw tightened. "That’s not what I asked."

"I am not bothered, but I am a bit confused about why you asked me that question.

He didn’t say anything again, he just turned away, but I saw a faint smile curve across his lips.