Chapter 118

Lucianne’s eyebrows raised at the Duke’s question, and she said, “That really depends on you, Christian.

You can come with Xandar and I to Forest Gloom, or you can remain here to guard Annie while we’re

gone.”

“Annie?” The Duke’s expression hardened at the mention of his mate.

Lucianne explained when the room fell silent, “I’m being honest with you here, Christian. I don’t know

what the rogues have in mind. These…simultaneous attacks on the strongest packs could be a trap for

anything. If the Tacticians had done their research, which I’m sure they would have, they’d know that we

now have access to Lycan warriors to defend our packs. And they would know that you and Xandar

would come with us to fight, just as you two joined us in the Jewel Pack. I don’t know if the declaration of

rogue attacks is just to distract us. And I don’t know if, while we’re gone, the rogues would go after Annie

and use her as…”

“Bait.” Christian finished with a worried look and he continued muttering, “Bait to bargain for whatever it i

s that they really want.” He was clearly conflicted. He wanted to help but Annie was the most important

thing in his life. 1

Lucianne put his conflicted thoughts to rest when she assured him, “You should be with Annie, Christian,

just in case. We’ll be fine. And Xandar can keep you updated.”

Christian’s eyes glistened, and he lifted up her hand to kiss it formally as he uttered gratefully, “Thank

you for your understanding, my Queen.”

Lucianne rolled her eyes at the Duke at his love for formalities as she said, “One of these days, I will get

you to call me by my first name, Christian.”

Xandar scoffed as he muttered, “Good luck with that, babe.”

Xandar and Annie knew that Christian loved addressing people he respected by their titles if they had

one, except for his own cousin where he found ‘Cuz’ to be more appropriate.

Lucianne shook her head in dismay and said, “Well, let’s make a move. Forest Gloom is quite far from

here. We should head there now.”

After rounding up the Lycan warriors, the wolves split up and took flights to their designated packs.

Christian offered his jet to them since he wasn’t using it. And Xandar’s jet dropped off the pack leaders

and Lycan warriors for Red Eclipse and Midnight on the way to Forest Gloom.

Tate chatted amicably with Clement and Felicia during the journey, his back facing Lucianne so he

wouldn’t have to see her on Xandar’s lap as he stroked her long hair and pecked kisses on her temple

from time to time. Clement, who sat opposite Tate, had to constantly look away whenever Xandar was

close to offer Lucianne intimate gestures so that the uneasiness in his chest wouldn’t bother him as

much.

They reached Forest Gloom when it was half an hour to midnight. Lucianne linked Juan to check on Blue

Crescent, and her Alpha assured her that they were fine, that their warriors were on full guard on all

sides and comers of their pack. Hale had gotten everyone to hide in panic rooms as they waited for the

ordeal to pass.

Lucianne ended their mind-link and turned her focus to Forest Gloom.

Beta Nina and the warriors were ready as they waited for their Alpha and the others he brought with him.

They deployed their warriors according to Lucianne’s instructions without question. Even the Lycan

warriors did not doubt her ever since they heard that their future Queen took down their General, their

best warrior and the King one after the other.

Lucianne, Xandar, Clement, Tate and a few of Forest Gloom’s own warriors stood guard at a forest

opening where allies and rogues normally come from. They waited for about six minutes before the

dreaded paw prints hit the grown in quick and swift rhythms. Xandar linked a few more Lycans to join

them.

Lucianne linked Juan, ‘They’re here. What about Blue Crescent?’

‘Nothing yet. Please be careful, Lucy. Don’t go anywhere on your own.’ His worry was evident from his

link.

I’ll try not to.’ She ended the link before her overprotective brother began lecturing her again.

Juan, dissatisfied that his sister cut him off their link, then mind-linked Tate, ‘Take care of her, please. But

don’t go overboard.’

Tate linked back without hesitation, ‘You know I will, Juan. I always will, even without you asking.’ 2

‘But don’t go overboard.’ Juan reminded him. They both knew what that meant. Lucianne had a mate

now. And they loved each other. Tate shouldn’t try to take Xandar’s place seeing that Lucianne was

happy with him.

Tate stole a glance at Lucianne before he linked Juan back, ‘Yeah, I know. I won’t do that to her.’

‘Good. Stay safe.’ Juan wished him luck and ended the link. The overprotective brother then linked

Clement with the same request, who promised as Tate did.

After a moment of silence among the defenders of Forest Gloom, Lucianne said, “The others around the

pack aren’t detecting anything. It’s just us. Blue Crescent is still getting nothing.”

Tate checked in with Toby before he reported, “White Blood is still clear too.” He then linked Zeke and

Lovelace before muttering ominously, “Blood Eclipse and Midnight are clear as well.”

Lucianne then said, “They knew I’d be here.”

Xandar’s arm went across her shoulder and he looked deep into her eyes as he uttered firmly, “We won’t

let anything happen to you, Lucy.”

Her eyes were stern when they fixed on Xandar’s assuring ones. She spoke in a firm voice, “Do your

best to not let anything happen to anyone, my King. This fight isn’t for me or for any single individual. It’s

for everyone here and everyone hiding inside those panic rooms right now.” 1

Xandar felt the strength of her voice, and she emitted an inspirational energy, an authority, that made you

listen. Even the Lycans behind him and the wolves around them snapped up in response to the aura they

felt radiating from Lucianne when she said those words.

Xandar smiled in admiration, and bent down to peck a sweet kiss on the back of her hand before he

said,” As you wish, my Queen.”

Lucianne suddenly averted her eyes because her senses caught something. The rogue’s steps were

slowing down. They were nearing Forest Gloom. When the first rogue came into view, unshifted,

Lucianne’s eyes widened as she exchanged surprised glances with Clement and Tate, who were both

equally shocked.

There were murmurs of disbelief among the warriors of Forest Gloom as their eyes converged on the

shirtless man with a tattoo of a paw print on the left side of his muscular chest.

The rogue, who was separated from them only by a river, smirked cockily as he said, “Well, well, well.

Long time no see. Did you miss me, Lucy?”