Mated To The Scarred Alpha

LUCIAN

"You can’t be serious,” Theron finally speaks as I head to the pack infirmary. I had sent Leah with the medic in the only car that wasn't affected in the crash, and I couldn't let her wake up without me by her side.

"I am,” I replied coldly.

He runs a hand through his hair, stepping back. "Lucian, that’s... You’ve never believed in second chance mates. Not after what…”

A low growl escapes my lips before he can finish.

"Don't you dare mention that name….”, he bows immediately, respecting my Alpha voice. Mentioning my ex is a crime, even for him.

“This one is different.” I continued, my voice softening. “ She's special.”

"She’s weak." He scoffs.

“She's been through a lot,” I snap, my Lycan bristling, already fed up with Theron’s constant needling.

Theron doesn't respond immediately. His jaw ticks, lips pressed into a tight line. I know he's not questioning me as Alpha. He's questioning me as his brother, he's the reasonable one.

"You’re changing," he mutters.

"Maybe.”

“Alpha” the medic approaches before Theron could speak again. "She’s stable, but she needs rest. She lost blood. Her head injury... it’s not deep, but a few hours later and…"

"I don’t need the details," I cut in sharply. "Take me to her”

“Yes Alpha”, the medic says with a bow as he leads the way.

The room smells like blood and antiseptic when I step in. Theron stops by the door as I step in.

“You can leave now”, I tell the medic and backs away with a bow. Leah stirs slowly as I enter, her head tilting towards the sound of my boots as her gentle eyes find mine.

“You stayed…” she murmurs, her voice hoarse.

“I’m the Lycan Alpha my little flower, I'm not in the habit of abandoning people in my care.” I fold my arms, watching her carefully.

“That’s… comforting,” she whispers, and a strange smile tugs at her lips. “I think.”

I look away, my jaw tightening. The bond pulling me, it tauts like a snare around my ribcage. She shifts slightly and winces. I move instinctively, catching her before she falls off the edge of the bed.

“You should lie still,” I say, voice quieter now. My hand is warm against her back, her hair brushing my forearm like silk.

Her eyes search mine slowly. “You saved me.”

“You’re not that easy to kill,” I mutter, turning to pour water into a cup.

She smiles again, making my Lycan purr, but I mask it with a stern look.“That sounded almost like a compliment.”

I hand her the cup. She sips, then coughs a little. I pat her back once, then withdraw before my hand can linger.

She goes silent, her eyes searching mine like they're looking for some kind of answers.

“I saw you shift,” she says finally. “Your Lycan.”

I nod.

“Do you always fight like that?”

“Only when someone tries to take what’s mine.”

The words leave my mouth before I can stop them. Her eyes widen slightly. I shift on my feet, looking toward the door.

“You should rest,” I say. “We’ll talk later.”

But she reaches out, her fingers brushing my wrist. “Do I really belong to you, Lucian?” her voice is barely a whisper.

I pause, the room feeling smaller.

“Yes my little flower, you're mine."

Her hand slips away.

“Why choose me then?” she asks.

I don’t answer. I can’t.

A knock interrupts the moment. Theron enters without waiting, his eyes flicking to Leah and then to me.

“Alpha, we need to talk. Now.”

I straighten. “Outside.”

We step into the hallway. Theron doesn’t waste time.

“We’ve got more sightings of those wolves, two on the southern border. But they were gone before patrols arrived.”

“They’re testing us. This better not be what I'm thinking, Theron”.

He nods grimly. “We need to move fast. Whoever they are, they’re coordinated.”

I glance back toward the infirmary door.

“She doesn't heal like the rest of us,” Theron says, following my gaze.

I stiffen. “We’ve had this talk.”

“No,” he says. “We danced around it.”

I shoot him a cold look. “Don’t push it.”

He backs off, hands up. “Alright. But if she’s staying, she needs to be trained. Hard.”

“She will be,” I say. “By me.”

Theron grins. “Can’t wait to see that.”

I return to the infirmary. Leah is awake now, sitting upright. Her cheeks flush when she sees me again.

“I heard,” she says.

“I heard,” she says.

“You were listening?”

“I might be weak, but I’m not deaf,” she replies, wryly.

I tilt my head. “And?”

“I want to train. I don’t want to be baggage.”

I study her. There’s steel behind the soft surface. Good.

“Then be ready,” I say. “Training begins tomorrow. No excuses.”

She nods, serious. “Yes, Alpha.”

I turn to leave but pause at the door.

“You should eat something. Theron brought food.”

“I will. After you leave.”

I smirk faintly. “Smart girl.”

She doesn’t look away. “Lucian?”

I glance back.

“You’re hard to read,” she says softly.

“I’m not a book meant for just anyone,” I reply.

Her face hardens, like she's disappointed. I nod once.

“Sleep. You’ll need it.”