CHAPTER 44: I HATE YOU!

Lucas’s POV

She bowed, her head low. "Greetings alpha." She said as she couldn’t look up.

"Alpha Darius sent me to summon Master Lucas," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes then flickered briefly to me nervously, before dropping back to the floor. She bowed again, a quick, jerky motion, and turned to leave. The door creaked shut behind her.

My father’s cold emotionless gaze snapped to Liora, the fury from moments ago now tightly leashed but no less dangerous. "Keep an eye on that maid," he said. Liora nodded, her arms still crossed tightly over her chest as she shot me a cold glance. For some reason, I feel Amelia’s life was at risk. If she heard the conversation, I knew the length my father would go to keep her silent. Well, I didn’t want that to bother me now. I pushed out the thought.

I took a step toward the door, about to leave as my father’s voice stopped me. "Lucas," he said, his tone a warning. "Do not mess this up. Whatever Darius says, you keep calm. You do not act stubborn. Do you understand me?"

I didn’t turn to face him as I fought the urge to snap back but I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of a response either as I walked out without a word, letting the door close shut behind me.

I made my way to Alpha Darius’s chamber where I assumed he was. This was going to be my first time having to face Darius. He never liked me anyways and I do not like him either. That makes us perfect enemies. All I knew was what I did was right. I only stood up for the maid because it was right, because someone had to. And I wouldn’t apologize for that, no matter what Darius or anyone else demanded.

When I reached the alpha’s chamber, the doors before me were flanked by two guards at the entrance, their faces unreadable but their eyes tracking my every move as I approached. One of them pushed the door open, and I stepped inside, my expression carefully neutral.

Inside, my eyes fell on a long, dark table which dominated the center, and around it sat Alpha Darius, his elders, and his beta, their faces devoid of no emotions. Darius himself sat at the head. His piercing bloodshot eyes locked onto me as I stepped forward, standing alone before the table. My hands clasped behind my back, my chin lifted just enough to meet Darius’s cold gaze.

The silence stretched, until Darius leaned forward, his hands folding on the table, his voice cutting through. "Lucas," he called, "Having you the son of my friend, a man I consider a brother. In less than a day, you’ve laid hands on my son. You’ve disrupted the order of my pack, kid." His jaw tightened. "Do you have anything to say?"

I swallowed as my father’s warning echoed in my mind. "I acted to protect someone who couldn’t protect herself," I said. "Zane and Liora were humiliating a maid, It wasn’t something right."

A murmur rippled through the elders, their faces tightening with disapproval as one of the elders spoke. "Do you think you can come into Black Bane and dictate our ways? You’re a guest here, boy."

Darius raised a hand, silencing the elder without breaking eye contact with me. "Your intentions are not valid" he said, "And your actions have consequences. Zane is my son, and your recklessness has left him severely injured. For that, you will be held accountable." He paused and then spoke again but this time, he sounded more emotionless. "You will be locked up until his injuries heal. I’m being kind because of your father. Guards!" He called. "Lock him up." He ordered.

Before I could respond, two guards stepped forward from the behind, their hands rough as they gripped my arms. I didn’t resist, or try to defend myself, though every muscle in my body tensed, screaming to fight back but I didn’t want to cause more chaos. They pulled me toward the door, their grip bruising. The guards led me through the corridors until we reached a secluded passageway that looked like a dungeon.

The heavy iron door groaned as they unlocked and pushed it open and then shoved me inside. The walls filled with moisture, and a single barred window let in a sliver of sunlight. The door slammed shut behind me as I watched them lock it.

One of the guards sneered through the bars. "Guess you’ll learn your lesson now, hero," he said, his voice dripping with mockery. "Maybe next time you’ll think twice before playing knight." His partner chuckled. "You should be grateful you were given a lesser punishment." He added and they turned and left.

I am standing in the center of the cell, my hands shoved into my pockets casually as I paced the small space when suddenly, I heard footsteps from the cell corridor. My head snapped toward the door as I saw Liora standing there with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. She leaned against the bars as she spoke. "Well, well," she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Look at you, Lucas. Locked up like the dog you are. I hope you rot in here. Honestly, seeing you like this? It’s made my day." She tilted her head, her smile widening. "And that stupid slave, Iris? Let’s see how you defend her now."

I stepped toward the bars, my hands still in my pockets, my voice calm as I replied casually. "All I can advise you as your elder brother is to be careful, Liora," I said, my eyes locking onto hers. "You’re so desperate to be Supreme Luna, throwing yourself at the triplets like some shameless whore. But what do you end up being dumped? What if they realize you’re nothing but a scheming, heartless leech? You’ll end up alone, unwanted, a loser no man would touch or consider getting married to."

Her face twisted, the smirk vanishing as her eyes blazed with fury. Her hands clenched into fists as she spat to my face, her saliva dripping down my face. "I hate you!" She declared with so much hatred in her voice. "How dare you call me a whore?! You’ll pay for this, Lucas. I swear it. I’ll make you suffer in here, mark my words." She added as she turned on her heel and she stormed away.