117 Sudden Escalation
Lucian
I never expected Mara to take what I said to my father so seriously. Yes, the attacks had been increasing, and yes, we were training like war was coming-but I didn’t believe it would reach that point. Not yet. None of the skirmishes had required my presence so far.
And dragging the army into Martha’s mess? That still didn’t sit right with me. Her ghosts were hers. If Alaric Moongrove even existed, he wasn’t our responsibility. I still believed she made him up. A story. A shield.
Mara’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.
“Lucian,” she said softly.
We were lying on the picnic mat, completely bare beneath the dying sun. Her head rested on my chest, the steady rhythm of her breathing syncing with mine. I traced slow, lazy patterns along her back, encouraging her to speak.
“Say it,” I murmured.
She sighed and pushed herself upright. Her body caught the golden light just right-wild hair, kiss-bruised lips, soft curves. Stunning. I sat up quickly, trying not to make it obvious how badly I still wanted her.
“I know this might sound unnecessary,” she began, “but… I need to know. Does this Alaric guy actually exist?”
She looked at me, eyes searching mine. And for once, I didn’t have to fake my reaction.
“We’re on the same page,” I said, watching her closely.
“I think we should go get her parents ourselves,” Mara continued. “Surprise them. Martha won’t see it coming. If she
hasn’t fed them a script, we might get the truth. Someone in Goldenpeak has to know something-an ex-boyfriend, a
pregnancy, anything.”
Smart. Strategic. I’d already started working on that angle, but hearing it from her made me feel like we were moving as
one.
I opened my mouth to tell her so-but my phone rang.
I almost ignored it. This moment was too good, too rare. But when I saw Darian’s name on the screen, I answered. Just in
case.
“Lucian, where are you?” His voice was tight. Urgent.
“Somewhere,” I said, already tensing.
“We need to get to Driftwake now. Full-blown battle. Locals can’t hold the line.”
My blood turned to ice. I was on my feet in an instant, pulling on my shorts.
“Did you call Father?”
“He’s with me. We’re heading to Steel Corp to take the chopper.” Darian’s voice cracked slightly. “We need every able hand we have-but don’t bring Mara. Please. Promise me.”.
He didn’t have to beg. I’d die before putting her in that kind of danger.
I looked at Mara. She was already getting dressed, trying to piece it all together from my expression alone.
“Call Denis Stormborn,” I told Darin.
117 Sudden Escalation
+15 Point>
“Father already pulled him in,” Darian said over the phone. “He’s replacing Rowan on the squad. We’ll pick you up at General Mills junction in thirty minutes. Can you get there in time?”
“Already on my way,” I replied, then ended the call.
By the time I turned around, Mara had packed up the entire picnic setup and loaded everything into the trunk. She didn’t ask questions-just moved with quiet, deliberate purpose.
I tossed her the keys. “Drive.”
She caught them smoothly and slid into the driver’s seat. She looked calm, focused. But I knew better. I could feel the
tension in her posture, the fear she was trying to hide.
I climbed into the passenger seat, and as she started the engine, her voice broke through the silence.
“What’s happening, Lucian? Please.”
“Driftwake’s under attack,” I said. “We’re needed there. Full-scale defense.”
She reversed and turned the car back onto the road, speeding us away from the cliffs and the brief peace we’d found
there.
“Take me to General Mills,” I told her. “Then go straight to Nighthorn. Don’t stay alone.”
“I won’t be. The Wils-” she started.
“I gave them the day off. We weren’t supposed to be home,” I cut in.
She gripped the wheel tighter. “Then let me come with you.”
“No, Mara,” I said firmly. “My father’s leading this one.”
“Driftwake is massive,” she argued. “You’ll need every trained wolf. I can fight, Lucian. I’ve trained just like you.”
“I know you have. That’s not the issue.”
“Then what is?” Her voice cracked slightly. “I can’t just wait around, hoping you come back. You’re asking me to sit still
while everything I love goes into battle.”
I reached over and placed a hand gently on her thigh.
“Please, Mara. Do this for me,” I said, soft but steady. “I promise-I swear-I’ll come back. Driftwake is close to the island’s
shores. It’s a strategic target. We should’ve posted troops there a long time ago. My father underestimated the threat, but
we’re moving now. If we lose Driftwake, we lose control of the mines, the gold, the bitumen-it’s more than just territory.”
She nodded, her jaw tight. “I know. The economy would collapse if we lose that ground.”
I gave her a small, proud smile. “Exactly. You always see the bigger picture.”
She didn’t respond right away. Just kept driving, faster now.
“It’s three of us,” I said. “Darian, Father, and me. Three Alphas. We won’t lose this.”
She nodded again, but it was reluctant. I could see it in her eyes-this wasn’t peace. It was resignation.
And Darian was right: if I let her come, it would put all of us at risk. She could fight, sure. But we wouldn’t be able to focus. Not with her there. I’d be watching her every move, second-guessing every decision.
And in battle, hesitation kills.
This was the only way. Even if it tore me apart.
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