260 The Call to War
Lucian
My father’s expression was carved in stone, the weight of his presence pressing against the air. It didn’t faze me, but I could see Mara struggling with it-her posture tight, her gaze fixed anywhere but on him.
“You need to calm down, Father,” I said, glancing toward where she sat on the couch. She looked
uncomfortable, bothered.
He drew in a few slow breaths, trying-failing-to let go of some of the heat in his temper. Seeing the strain
in his restraint, I offered him a way out.
“Why don’t we head back home? We can discuss how to move forward there.”
His eyes shifted to Mara. “I want Darian, Rowan, and Mara there. We need all the wisdom we can get.”
Mara’s eyes widened in surprise, and I could feel the wave of disbelief and pride radiating off her. Vander
had never invited her to sit in on a military discussion before.
“It’s time to finish this bastard,” my father said through gritted teeth.
The truth was, he’d been the target all along. The audacity of that man-to claim my father had stolen from him. Meanwhile, he was the thief-stealing people, money, lives. We each had a pound of flesh to take.
“We’ll meet you at home, Father,” I said.
He gave a short nod and left without another word.
I linked Rowan. Meet us at the mansion for the meeting.
What about Denis? he asked back.
Delta Denis has a personal issue to handle. I’ve granted him indefinite leave.
There was a pause, then silence from his end.
“Shall we?” I asked Mara, who was still glowing from the invitation. I offered my hand-not because she needed help to stand, but because I wanted to give it.
“It’s just a meeting, Mara,” I said as she rose. “I still won’t let you fight if it comes to that.”
Her smile faltered.
I decided to remind her why-what had happened the last time she’d shifted to fight.
“Unless you want to go through what you went through last time,” I said.
Mara shook her head quickly. She didn’t need reminding. I’d learned just how much pain it had caused her -and I’d been furious she’d put her body through that kind of strain. Shifting while pregnant, especially once a woman was showing, was strictly prohibited. But my wife had gone ahead anyway, damn the
consequences.
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And the worst part? I couldn’t even fully blame her. My father had needed the help.
“I need you to promise you won’t get in a fight, no matter what, Mara. I need you to promise me.”
She hesitated, then gave a reluctant nod. But her lips stayed closed.
“If your life is in danger, Lucian,” she said finally, “I’ll damn the consequences.”
8 Points)
I knew she meant it. And as much as I hated it, I couldn’t fault her for it. If our roles were reversed, I’d do the same. I just had to hope it would never come to that.
“Where are we going?” she asked, breaking the moment.
I sighed. “I wanted to take you out… but my father’s meeting takes priority.”
Her brows lifted in mock formality.
“Home,” I said, straightening my shoulders in imitation of Vander’s stern presence. “We don’t want to keep
Alpha Vander waiting.”
She giggled, soft and sweet, and it pulled a warmth through me. She always looked more beautiful when
she smiled.
If I could help it, I’d keep that smile on her face every day for the rest of our lives.
We arrived at the mansion with Rowan in tow. Inside, I learned Darian was already there. My father and
Darian were waiting in the office.
I grumbled under my breath. I’d been hoping for a shower-maybe even time alone with Mara-before the
meeting, but that was gone now.
In the office, Darian sat on the couch, quiet and self-contained. My father paced like a caged wolf, though his earlier fury seemed to have simmered down. I didn’t ask how-probably didn’t want to know.
“Are we all here?” he asked, motioning for me to sit at the desk. It was his way of reminding everyone l
was still-in charge.
“Rowan’s right behind us,” I replied.
He exhaled through his nose. “Very well.”
Right on cue, Rowan entered, energy practically radiating off him. The man loved his job more than anyone
I’d ever met.
Mara took the couch beside Darian, Rowan joining them a moment later. For a fleeting second, they looked like they had back at the academy-three friends loitering between drills.
When everyone was settled, my father cleared his throat-only for the door to open.
Martha stepped in.
The sight of her puffy eyes told me why she’d been crying. Lacy was locked away.
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“You can’t have a meeting about dealing with Alaric without me,” she said, her voice steady but her eyes burning with determination.
“Go to bed, Martha,” my father said, his tone dismissive.
She shook her head… then did something none of us expected.
In one swift motion, she pulled off her blouse and turned her back to us.
Silver scars crisscrossed her skin, angry and jagged.
I looked away instantly.
Mara gasped beside me.
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