152 Dreaded Breakfast
Mara
Lucian made love to me that morning with a depth I hadn’t felt in weeks–tender but needy, as though he was clinging to this moment of peace after surviving a storm.
I could feel the weight lifting off his shoulders, the unspoken relief that Richard was finally in good hands…
and that Tina was no longer a threat to what we’d built.
She was gone.
And with her departure came a quiet kind of freedom.
While I stood in front of the mirror, pulling on my dress, I found myself thinking back to the day I packed up
my things and left this very mansion.
Back then, I truly believed Lucian was still in love with Tina. That he hadn’t chosen me fully. I was so sure, I
ran–and nearly lost everything. It felt like a lifetime ago.
I giggled at the memory, soft and low.
Lucian glanced up from the bed, where he was putting on his watch. He looked painfully good in a crisp white
T–shirt and well–fitted jeans. His beard was a little wild, but gods, the man made unkempt look devastatingly
attractive.
“What’s so funny?” he asked, smirking.
“I was just remembering the night I left the mansion,” I said, still smiling. “Thinking you still loved her. And
how I ended up going into heat that very night.”
He laughed, deep and genuine. “Honestly? I did think about that. I remember wondering how you would have
fared alone at that hotel. All feral and miserable.”
“I would’ve called,” I said, turning to face him fully. “Swallowed my pride, ditched the drama, and called my
darling husband to the rescue. No shame.”
Lucian stood and walked over to where I was struggling with my zipper. His hands slid around my waist and
pulled me back gently against his chest. I felt his breath warm against my neck as he whispered, “And I
would’ve come. No hesitation.”
I leaned back into him, my heart swelling at the sincerity in his voice.
“She’s out of our lives now, Mara,” he murmured. “It’s just you and me. No more guessing where my heart is
No more texts, calls, or scenes. No more barging into our bedroom begging for attention.”
He turned me slightly, his lips hovering just above mine. “Just us. You, me, and our baby.”
I placed a hand gently over his mouth before he could kiss me.
“And Richard,” I said firmly. “Me, you, our baby, and Richard. Once he’s strong enough, I want him home,
His eyes softened instantly, his grip on my waist tightening ever so slightly.
“Thank you,” he whispered, “Thank you for making my life easier than it could’ve been.”
Then he kissed me. Passionate. Full. Certain.
152 Dreaded Breakfast
When we finally broke the kiss, I turned back around and let him finish zipping up my dress.
“I’m not looking forward to breakfast,” I admitted, glancing at the clock. “Left to us, we’d be eating in bed, still in our pyjamas.”
“Left to us, we’d have cancelled breakfast entirely,” he said with a small smile.
But we couldn’t.
We had to escort Tina. As much as I hated to admit it, it was necessary. Alpha Vander had been furious yesterday–lips trembling, hands clenched, eyes filled with that barely restrained rage of a man pushed too far. If we hadn’t accompanied her to pack her thing, I don’t doubt he would’ve hit her. Maybe worse.
Tina didn’t deserve many things… but no woman deserved that.
She was lucky we’d come with her.
Still, I had no intention of speaking her name at the table this morning.
Today, I had only one focus: protecting what was mine–and holding tightly to the peace we’d fought so hard
to earn.
We walked hand in hand down the corridor toward the breakfast lounge on the right wing. As we approached,
the low murmur of voices faded into silence. When we stepped in, all eyes turned to us.
Everyone was already seated. We were late–but not a single person had touched their food.
“Finally, Alpha Lucian and Luna Mara graced us with their presence,” Martha remarked, her voice lined with
sarcasm.
I let it slide. It wasn’t worth a reaction. Lucian, ever the gentleman, pulled out my chair. I gave him a grateful
smile and sat down.
My eyes went first to Tiffany. She met my gaze and smiled. Emma was asleep in her stroller beside her, and Darian had one hand protectively resting on Tiffany’s as they sat close together. The sight warmed me more than I expected, and I felt tears pricking the corners of my eyes. I blinked quickly, not wanting to draw
attention.
Things were… finally failing into place.
“Your best friend still has a long way to
go, Mara,” Tiffany linked me, her tone dry and teasing. I nearly laughed out loud but settled for a subtle smirk. Despite everything, I knew those two would be okay. Unlike Lucian and me, they didn’t have a Tina in their story. That alone gave them a head start.
“Good morning, Alpha Vander. Luna Martha,” I greeted politely. Alpha Vander gave me a warm smile and
returned the greeting with ease.
“Good morning, Luna Mara,” he said before nudging his wife.
Martha offered a grudging, “Good morning,” and I nodded calmly. I could feel Lucian’s jaw tense beside me
The rest of the table offered their greetings, and we returned them graciously, I still didn’t understand why Lacy was seated with us, she wasn’t family, wasn’t a Nighthorn. Her presence was odd and unnecessary, but! didn’t comment.
“Alpha Nighthorn, Luna Mara, Lacy spoke up suddenly, “thank you for allowing me to resume my work on the ground floor as a clerk. I want to earn my place and assure you I won’t disappoint.”
152 Dreaded Breakfast
I gave a diplomatic nod, though internally I made a note. She wasn’t going anywhere near a position of real power. Not in Steel Corp. Let her shuffle papers if it gave her purpose, but that was where it would end.
“So,” Alpha Vander said, breaking the awkward quiet, “the doctor says Richard will be alright?”
Lucian nodded. “Yes, Father. Dr Ivanova believes the hole in his diaphragm may close on its own. If not, they’ll perform surgery. Either way, he advised that Richard stay at Neev for the time being, so they can monitor him closely. The drugs Tina took were harmful, we still don’t know the full extent of the damage.”
Alpha Vander’s expression was pained, but he nodded in understanding.
“I think you should leave the child there,” Martha chimed in coldly. “He has no Alpha Mark, and your wife is already expecting.”
Lucian visibly cringed.
I turned to her calmly. “I want him home with us once he’s healthy.”
She looked stunned, but I held her gaze.
“Lucian’s child is my child too,” I added, my voice unwavering. It was deliberate. A jab. A reminder of the way she had treated Lucian because he wasn’t her son. I wouldn’t be her. I wouldn’t be cruel. I wouldn’t make my
love conditional.
Martha’s lips thinned.
“I’m glad the two of you have worked things out,” Alpha Vander said, trying to ease the tension. “I’m happy for you. Truly.”
Then, his tone darkened.
“But I still can’t forgive that b***h for what she did to my grandson.”
I didn’t blame him.
The table fell into silence after that, broken only by the clink of cutlery and the occasional quiet murmur. No
one dared mention Tina again.
We had just finished eating when Darian shifted in his seat and spoke–his voice casual, but the question
anything but.
“So… has Alaric Moongrove threatened you lately, Mother?”
The fork in Martha’s hand paused mid–air.
.
Lucian adjusted in his seat beside me, straightening ever so slightly. He didn’t speak. He didn’t have to. The weight of his silence was enough.
The table turned to Martha.
Waiting.
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