CHAPTER 232: _LUCIAN FREAKING STORMBORN

Elian’s POV

*****

"Shit. Shit... Bloody shit!" Lucian hopped off the dais, cursing all the way.

Meanwhile, Elian grunted, his ass still sore from their unholy deeds. He sat up, eyes fleeting to Lucian who was quick to grab their clothes scattered all over the throne room floor.

Elian’s heart jumped into his throat when the throne room system alerted again:

"Warning. Council of fangs members approaching. Estimated time of arrival... Twenty seconds."

Goddess have mercy.

"Here." Lucian flung his clothes at him, already putting on his pants. The Alpha Prince jumped around trying to slither into the pants, sighing heavily when he succeeded. "Gods, what was I thinking?"

Elian got off the dais, his legs wobbling as he stared at his clothes in his hands.

[Aww, someone’s still sore after the Alpha Prince screwed him every which way.]

"Why aren’t you putting on your clothes?!" Lucian snapped, bringing Elian’s head back to reality. "Do you..."

The Alpha Prince stopped himself, his lips parting just when he was about to button up his blazer.

Guilt flickered past his silver eyes, causing Elian to furrow his brows with confusion.

"Did I... Did I yell just now?" Lucian asked, walking to him.

Oh... That?

"I mean... Yeah, you did." Elian shrugged, lowering his gaze as he slipped into his underwear. "But it’s fine. The situation seems like we’re fucked... No pun intended. And—"

He straightened after putting on the underwear but before he could say another word, Lucian placed his hands on his shoulders.

Elian’s breath caught in his throat, his heart slowing when he looked into those silver orbs.

"It still doesn’t give me the right to yell at you. To make you scared of me." Lucian’s voice was soft. "I... I should learn how to control my emotions so I don’t lash out like that anymore."

What in the ever-loving...

"Lucian." Elian shook his head, grabbing his hands and lowering them. "I wasn’t... I wasn’t scared. Really. You don’t have to start treating me like an egg after—"

"You’re worth more than any egg." Lucian insisted, stubbornly. "I remember everything, Elian. All the moments I yelled, cursed—even flung you to the ground once. You deserve better and I’m going to try my hardest to give you that."

Warmth spread through Elian’s chest in waves, his face heating up with a blush.

[Look at them—So cute. So... Forgetting they’re about to have company any second now!]

Right. Shit!

Elian blinked, swerving his head to the throne room doors.

Right on cue, the throne room system alerted:

"Council of fangs members in front of the doors."

However, all they heard was a soft bang and then a click. But the doors didn’t budge.

Elian’s gaze narrowed as a knock sounded from the other end. "Hello? Alpha Prince? Why are the doors locked?!" Chirped a female voice.

Crap.

Elian and Lucian’s eyes locked, both smirking like little kids plotting something mischievous.

["Little kids" might not be the best—sigh, never mind.]

"I’m unprepared at the moment, Delta Reina!" Lucian barked back, stifling a laugh. "Please, give me five minutes."

There was a short pause, one so awkward that Elian subconsciously held his breath in anticipation.

He and Lucian stared at the door, waiting for what the Gamma or Delta might say.

Eventually—

"Very well." Gamma Drax’s voice was what boomed, calm and carrying a scholarly air. "Please, hurry and meet us at the war room. As you know, we have loads to discuss."

[Hehe... "Loads".]

’Shut up you wannabe comedian.’

[Oh, please. You know I’ll be perfect for stand-up comedy. Isn’t that right, folks?]

Who the fuck was it talking to?

"I understand, Gamma," Lucian responded, his voice solemn now. "I’ll be there shortly."

With that, there was silence at the other end, giving Lucian and Elian breathing space. Their eyes met again, this time followed by wry smiles from both sides.

"The moment I’ve been dreading." Lucian sighed, turning away from Elian.

The Alpha Prince adjusted his blazer, straightening out the edges. Elian swallowed, finally tearing his eyes from him and focusing on putting on his clothes.

"The Empire lost its Alpha king and Beta in one night." Lucian continued, parting aside strands of his hair. "Every major werewolf council will be on my neck, hoping I pick a worthy replacement as Beta. And that’s if they even see me fit to be Alpha—"

"Hey." Elian interrupted him, already fitted into his shirt. "Don’t do that."

"Do what?"

"Sell yourself short." Elian flung his pants over his shoulder, moving toward him. He placed a hand on his face, caressing his it. "You’ve been by your father’s side all your life. I assume you’ve been preparing for a day like this... Right?"

Lucian’s eyes dimmed but he nodded slowly. "Yes. But I never expected it to happen so soon."

He chuckled dryly. "Thought father would hug the throne for another century before thinking of stepping down."

They stood there silently for a few seconds. No words. No intense staring. Just their hearts beating in tandem, the bond thrumming with warmth.

"You’re Lucian freaking Stormborn." Elian finally found the words, closing his eyes briefly before forcing the Alpha Prince to look into them.

Lucian’s gaze softened, his eyelashes swatting slowly as Elian continued.

"The white wolf of Lunaria. An Alpha class wolf who’s faced the leader of the most elusive organisation on the continent and lived to tell the tale."

Lucian arched his brow. "Pretty sure we all survived Garrick last night. Ugh, I don’t even want to remember it." He groaned, resting his head on Elian’s shoulder.

The latter froze, taken by surprise by the action. However, the corner of his lips soon curled into a smirk.

"But only one of us lost his memories and struggled to get them back," Elian whispered, brushing his fingers through his hair. "No one is as qualified as you are, Lucian. And if you can’t believe that... Who will?"

That seemed to finally snap some sense into the Alpha Prince.

Lucian drew in a breath, standing straight and nodding. "You’re... You’re right." A smile settled on his face, broad and sure.

[Way to go pep talker.]

Elian ignored the system as Lucian finally turned to face the throne room doors.

"Let’s go hear what those old coots have to say."

Elian nodded, not registering what he said at first.

But then it clicked. A cold shiver ran down his spine, the words sputtering out.

"Let’s? As in—"

Before he could finish, Lucian grabbed his wrist, dragging him to the large golden doors. Elian gasped, shaking his head.

"Me? Follow you? I–I—"

"You’re going to be my royal consort anyway." Lucian glanced back with a wink. "You might as well start getting yourself used to the ropes now."

’Fuck me sideways!’

Elian’s throat tightened as he struggled to put on his pants while being dragged to the door.

"C–Can you at least let me put on my pants first?!" He whined, heart thudding faster.

Gods, this won’t end well...