CHAPTER 213: _A DISASTER BREWING

Lucian’s POV

*****

"What do you mean the Dark Hand is here?" He asked with a growl after dragging Elian to a corner away from everyone else.

He helped the omega rest on a nearby white marble pillar, placing his left hand on his shoulder to ground him while focusing on Aurora’s voice coming from his communication ring.

"It’s a long story but it’s exactly as you heard it, brother." His sister gave a shuddering breath like someone who’d been through hell. "I... I got attacked."

Lucian’s heart dropped to his stomach while Elian made a sound despite his drowsiness.

"Who got attacked?" A voice from the party forced Lucian to snap his neck toward it.

Kyren and Beta Axel approached, the former having his eyes entirely glued on Elian while the Beta blinked at Lucian curiously.

"The Alpha king and Luna Queen are asking after you, Lucian," Axel muttered when they got there. "But who—"

"Aurora got attacked." Lucian blurted hastily before bringing his attention back to the communication ring.

He felt Kyren gently pulling Elian away from his left hand’s grip, forcing him to briefly glance at the Rogue king.

The latter flashed him a small smile devoid of warmth that said, ’I’ve got this from here. ’

It irked Lucian but he didn’t have time for a scuffle as Aurora’s voice filtered through again:

"I went out into the city and found an open store. Long story short, I got attacked by..." She swallowed, her voice shaking with dread. "... By someone using Magnus’ body."

The second Magnus’ name was mentioned, Lucian’s brows furrowed.

They all turned their necks to Kyren who had his left arm looped around Elian’s waist for support. The Rogue king arched a brow.

"What?"

Axel cleared his throat. "No offence, Lord Kyren... But you killed the guy. Remember?"

Kyren’s eyes glinted with reminiscence. "Yes. I recall sinking my claws into the bastard’s skull and watching his body fall to the desert sands. Are you—"

"You didn’t fucking get rid of the body?!" Aurora snapped from the other end. "Of course you didn’t. He was an Alpha for the moon’s sake!"

Kyren parted his lips at first but eventually let out a scoff. "Oh, princess. Do you know how many Alphas I’ve killed in my lifetime?"

"Bravo to you, dear cousin." The sarcasm from Aurora was thicker than a glacier. "But now, because of your pride, the Dark Hand took his body and used it like some kind of... Puppet. It had black veins on it and everything."

Lucian’s mind flashed with an image when he heard those words.

Black veins.

It was a bit foggy in his mind but he remembered it.

He and Beta Axel were duking it out with a reanimated corpse belonging to the spy he placed in the Dark Lands. Black veins had covered the man’s body like worms.

"Black veins seem to be the signature of the Dark Hand’s corruption and curses," Kyren muttered casually, his eyes a bit distant. "But what does this have to do with their people being here?"

All eyes turned to Lucian’s communication ring, waiting for Aurora to answer.

And eventually, she did. "It’s a lot to explain, but we’ll tell you when we get there. I’ve got the pill and—"

"Wait a second." Lucian frowned. "Did you say we? You and who?"

His protective instincts kicked in and even though he couldn’t see her, he had this nagging feeling that his sister was hiding something.

Or someone.

"Quit poking and just stay alert, Lucian." Aurora heaved. "All of you. Keep Elian safe and watch out for anything suspicious. Report to mom and dad if possible."

Lucian was about to speak when Elian suddenly shot one arm forward, wrapping it around his shoulders. He gripped Kyren firmly with the other, giggling like he was drunk.

"Daddies, I need saving." He drawled, his violet eyes dimming while his scent spiked.

Lucian swallowed hard, his wolf snarling with need. He fought for control, looking away from Elian and shifting from his hold.

He couldn’t afford distractions.

"No, Lucian, please!" Elian yelped, his voice aching.

The Alpha Prince froze, his back facing Elian and Kyren.

"Don’t leave me, please. Not again."

What?

He cast a glance at Axel beside him before spinning around to face Elian.

When he saw the look in his mate’s eyes—a look of someone who’s faced abandonment too many times to bear—he felt something twist in his mind.

A memory flashed through his head—Elian on the floor, staring up at him while he gazed down on him with disdain.

Rejection.

The word echoed in his mind like a distant object he couldn’t reach no matter how much he ran to reach it. And when he put more effort... A headache hit him so hard he was forced to grit his teeth and look away.

"Lucian? Hello?" Aurora called worriedly. "What’s happening back there? Is Elian—"

"He’s not in the best of conditions as you might’ve heard." Lucian cut her short, his tone strained. "Please, just... Just hurry up with the pill."

With that, he hung up, brushing his right hand through his hair.

He couldn’t bear looking at Elian again, so he kept his back facing him, trying hard to ignore the awkward silence.

The only clear sound now was the echo of laughter, chattering and soft music from the ball.

"So the Dark Hand has agents here." Axel was the first to break the silence, folding his arms in front of his chest. "Let’s head back to the party before—"

"There you boys are." The Luna queen’s voice came piercing through, forcing all of them to turn around.

Elowen’s heels clicked on the marble floor, her eyes sweeping past their faces worriedly before landing on Kyren and Elian.

"Is... Is something wrong with Elian?" She pointed at the omega, who now had his body resting on Kyren.

Lucian parted his lips, embarrassment flushing his cheeks. He didn’t know what to say and admitting Elian was in heat was not an option right now.

So—

"Oh, Elian’s fine." Kyren took charge, his voice sharp. "The poor lad just had too much to drink."

As the Rogue king spoke, his magic flowed out, masking Elian’s pheromones before they could get noticed by the Luna Queen. And by the rest of them.

Lucian could barely think with Elian’s sweet scent clouding his mind.

Anyway, Elowen furrowed her brows, skimming her gaze past their faces one last time.

Eventually, she shrugged with a smile. "Poor thing. I guess he’ll have to sit out the next segment of the Ball. The new moon toast."

The new moon toast.

It was an ancient tradition during the ball where the empire’s spiritual leader and the Alpha king led everyone else in a toast from a ceremonial wine.

The toast is meant to mark new beginnings under the light of the new moon as well as peace.

"Where’s your sister, by the way?" Elowen clasped her hands together. "Every member of the royal family must be present for the toast."

She flicked her eyes to Kyren when she said that last part. There was something about the way her eyes glinted when they fixed on the Rogue king.

Lucian couldn’t quite place his fingers on why...

"Aurora went to get some air but she should be here soon," Lucian answered coolly, walking up to his mother. "Come on, mother. Let’s go sit."

The Queen was stunned at first when Lucian wrapped an arm around her shoulders but soon relaxed at the rare show of affection, resting her head on his.

"Oh, my sweet boy." She whispered, pinching his cheek as they walked back toward the party. "Tonight will be a new Chapter in your life. You wait."

Her voice held a promise. One that felt oddly ominous to him.

He looked over his shoulder at Kyren and Axel, watching as they both trailed behind, Elian held closely by the Rogue king.

"I sure hope it’s a good Chapter, mother." He mumbled, bringing his eyes forward again.

Elian’s heat. The watchful scrutiny of the Northern wolves. The hidden truth of Kyren’s lineage. And now the presence of the Dark Hand.

A lot was happening in one night.

And although Lucian didn’t have his full memories... He knew a disaster was brewing tonight.

One that might indeed change everything.