CHAPTER 68: HER PRESENCE IS DOING SOMETHING TO ME

Lucas’ POV

Just then, a sharp knock echoed through the chamber door, cutting through the heavy silence that had settled after Father’s chilling words. Before any of us could call out, the door swung open with a slight push, and Alpha Darius strode in as his face lit with what looked like a genuine smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes. "Brother!" he exclaimed, his voice booming with warmth as he took a few steps inside, his arms outstretched. He enveloped my father in a hearty embrace, clapping him on the back happily.

"Brother, I’ve thought about it," Darius said, pulling back but keeping his hands on my father’s shoulders, his eyes filled with conviction and happiness. "And I think it’s a brilliant idea. Lucas as the personal guard for the triplets, it’s perfect. It’ll bind our packs tighter than ever. No other pack will dare challenge us with this alliance." His voice carried a confidence that seemed to ripple through the room, and I caught the faintest flicker of a smile on my father’s face, a rare sight that made my stomach twist uneasily at the continuous thought that my father was a green snake under a green grass.

Father let out a loud, rumbling chuckle. "Darius, you’re right," he said, his tone almost jovial, though I could sense the sarcasm behind it. He stepped back. "It’s a strategic move. Lucas will keep the triplets safe, and our packs will stand stronger together."

Darius nodded enthusiastically, his smile widening as he clapped his hands slightly together. "Exactly! And, you know, I’ve always admired your honesty, brother." His voice softened, but there was a playful edge to it as he leaned in slightly, his gaze flicking toward Liora and me before settling back on Father. "I mean, accepting that Iris was chosen for the triplets over Liora? That takes a real man. Not everyone could be so genuine about it."

My heart stuttered at the mention of Iris, and I shot a glance at Liora. Her face had gone cold, and her hands, still clenched into fists at her sides, trembled slightly without being noticed by anyone else but me. I braced myself, half-expecting her to lash out. But she stayed silent and then let out a smile.

Then she spoke. "I’ve come to understand fate and I’ve accepted mine. Besides, we all need the blessing and protection from the mother of wolves. It means nothing to let go and embrace it."

Father’s expression didn’t shift, though I caught the briefest tightening of his jaw before he chuckled at Darius’s words. "Darius, you know I always put the pack first," he said smoothly, his voice carrying a warmth that felt rehearsed. "Iris is the Mother of Wolves’ choice, and we all need her protection. It’s what’s best for everyone."

Darius laughed,"oh, well said! This calls for a celebration!" He patted my father’s back again, his enthusiasm infectious as he gestured toward the door. "Come, all of you, join me for dinner in the royal dining hall. Let’s eat, drink, and toast to our packs’ future!"

Father inclined his head, his smile still in place. "We’d be honored," he said, his tone gracious but with that undercurrent of authority that never quite left him. He glanced at Liora and me, his eyes filled with silent warnings we shouldn’t try to mess up anything. "Let’s go."

I hesitated, my mind in a mess of conscience. Had Darius overheard our conversation? The way he’d barged in, so carefree and oblivious, suggested he hadn’t, but doubt gnawed at me. I shook it off, forcing my feet to move as I followed Father and Darius out of the chamber, Liora trailing behind me. Her silence was deafening, and I could feel the weight of her anger and hurt radiating from her.

The walk to the royal dining hall was short, but the corridors felt endless, the stone walls echoing with the clink of our footsteps. Darius led the way, his stride confident, his voice carrying back to us as he chatted about pack alliances. "We’ll show those northern wolves what strength looks like!" while Father nodded along, his responses measured but agreeable.

When we reached the dining hall, the heavy doors were already open, revealing a long table set with amazing appetisers and platters of food, roasted venison, steaming bowls of potatoes, and baskets of fresh bread, different kinds of fruits and many more. The triplets, Cade, Zane, and Kael were already seated, their broad shoulders filling the high-backed chairs. Then, their eyes flicked toward us as we entered, their expressions unreadable and cold. I felt a prickle of unease as I met Zane’s gaze, his piercing eyes lingering on me for a moment too long before he smirked and focused on his food.

Darius gestured for us to sit, his smile still in place. "Come, come! Make yourselves at home!" he said, taking his seat at the head of the table. Father sat to his right, Liora and I settling across from the triplets. Liora’s movements were stiff, her face filled with composure, but when she thought no one was looking, her eyes darted toward the triplets, searching for something, perhaps, or a sign that she still held some sway over them. But they didn’t look at her.

Just as I began to scoop meals into my month, there were approaching footsteps as it drew my attention to the doorway. Iris entered, guided by her maid, Lila, who hovered protectively at her side. Iris’s blonde hair was pulled back in a simple braid, and her eyes, usually so bright, I could see they were filled with a sadness that made my chest tighten. She wore a simple blue dress meant for a Luna, the fabric clinging softly to her body, and her steps were hesitant, as if she wasn’t sure she wanted to join the dinner. Behind her, her fake mother, Clara, followed. She had smiles all over her face while Iris showed no sign of happiness in her.

Darius rose, his smile softening as he greeted them. "Iris, Clara! Welcome, please, join us." He gestured to the empty seats near the triplets, and Iris gave a small, polite nod before sitting, her hands folding tightly in her lap. Clara sat beside her.

As the meal began, Darius was in high spirits, raising his glass to toast "to family and unity," his voice warm and commanding. Father echoed the sentiment, his glass raised with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes and we all did. I forced myself to eat as I watched Iris from the corner of my eye. She picked at her food, her fork moving hesitantly, her gaze fixed on her plate. The sadness in her eyes was so very obvious, a quiet ache that seemed to radiate from her. She looked uncomfortable, her shoulders hunched slightly, as if she wanted to shrink into herself.

Liora, sitting beside me, her fork cutting into her food as I wondered who she really is and wasn’t she a maid? Why eating on the same table with everyone? At this point, I knew something about her wasn’t right. Her eyes flicked between the triplets with a mix of resentment and longing. The triplets, for their part, ate steadily, their glances toward Iris brief continuously.

I tried to focus on my food, but my thoughts kept circling back to Father’s words, his threat about Iris, and now accepting the fact that she’s the triplet’s chosen. My hands tightened around my fork. I wanted to look at Iris, to catch her eye and see if she was okay, but Father’s warning of not being involved with any form of distraction echoed in my mind. I forced my gaze downward, my jaw clenching as I chewed my meal.

Darius’s voice broke through, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Family matters so much, doesn’t it?" he said, leaning back in his chair, his glass raised again. "I’m thrilled to see everyone here, together like this. It’s a rare thing to have both packs united under one roof, sharing a meal." His eyes swept the table, lingering on Iris for a moment before he continued. "We’re stronger for it, and..."

Before he could finish, Iris set her fork down with a soft clink and wiped her mouth with her napkin. "Excuse me," she said, her voice cutting through the conversation. She pushed her chair back, the legs scraping against the floor, and she stood. Her eyes didn’t meet anyone’s, her gaze fixed somewhere distant as she smoothed her dress. "I need to... use the restroom."

Lila, her maid, was at her side in an instant, with concern. "My lady, let me come with you," she said softly.

But Iris shook her head, her braid swaying slightly. "No, Lila, I’m fine. I just need to ease myself. I’ll be back." Her voice was steady, but there was a fragility to it.

Darius gave Lila a subtle nod, his expression gentle as he signified he should let her. Lila hesitated, her brow furrowing, before stepping back, her hands clasping in front of her as Iris turned and walked toward the door, her steps measured but quick, her head bowed slightly as if shielding herself from the weight of the room’s attention.

The moment she disappeared through the doorway, the air seemed to shift, as if her absence left a void in my heart. I stared at my plate, my appetite gone as the image of Iris’s sad eyes burned into my mind.