Kian’s POV
I paced my room, my fists clenching and unclenching at my sides. Lucian was back. Only now that I’m about to take father’s throne. He didn’t even attend his funeral. But he’s back now and only now. That could only mean trouble.
My half-brother had been a thorn in my side since childhood, always lurking in my shadow, always wanting what was mine. Power. Respect. The Alpha title.
And now, just when things were finally settling into place, he decided to show up.
I wasn’t stupid. I knew why he was here. He wasn’t the kind of man who returned just to exchange pleasantries. No—Lucian wanted something.
And I had a terrible feeling I knew exactly what it was.
The door to my room suddenly creaked open.
A pair of arms wrapped around my waist from behind, soft lips brushing against my ear. “You’re so tense, Kian,” Danielle purred, pressing herself against me. “Let me help you relax.”
I exhaled sharply, fighting the irritation bubbling in my chest. Not now. Not now.
Her hands slid down my stomach, but I grabbed her wrists before she could go any further. “Not in the mood,” I said flatly.
Danielle stilled. Then, as if sensing my frustration, she moved to stand in front of me, pouting. “What’s wrong, baby?”
I pulled away from her touch, running a hand through my hair. “Nothing.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Liar.”
I turned my back to her, hoping she’d take the hint. But, of course, Danielle never did.
“Who was that earlier?” she asked suddenly, crossing her arms.
I didn’t respond.
“That guy,” she pressed, stepping closer. “The one with the sharp jaw and the cocky smirk. He looked dangerous. And, well…” She trailed off, biting her lip. “Hot.”
I whipped around so fast she took a step back. My glare was sharp, my patience hanging by a thread.
“Get. Out.”
Danielle blinked, clearly not expecting that reaction. “Kian, I was just—”
“I said, get out.”
She scoffed, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “You’re seriously kicking me out over a question?”
I said nothing.
Her jaw tightened. “Fine,” she snapped, turning toward the door. “I was trying to help, but clearly, you’d rather wallow in whatever mood you’re in. Have fun with that.”
She reached for the handle but before she could leave, there was a knock–a slow, deliberate one.
I didn’t even need to open the door to know who it was. It swung open smoothly, revealing the one person I least wanted to see right now.
Lucian.
He leaned casually against the doorway, his dark eyes gleaming with mischief as he pingpong his gaze from Danielle to me. “Am I interrupting something?”
Danielle hesitated, glancing between us. I caught the way Lucian’s gaze flicked over her, appraising, amused. She flushed under his stare.
With an exaggerated sigh, Lucian stepped inside, walking past Danielle like she wasn’t even there.
Danielle, looking far too interested, lingered by the door.
Lucian smirked at her. “Stick around, sweetheart. I don’t mind an audience.”
I saw the way her breath hitched, the way her lips parted just slightly and it pissed me off.
“Danielle. Out. Now.”
She hesitated for a second too long.
Lucian chuckled. “Aw, don’t be so harsh, brother. I think she just likes me.”
Danielle swallowed hard before finally, reluctantly, leaving the room. As soon as the door shut behind her, Lucian turned back to me, smirking like he’d already won something.
“She’s not bad,” he mused, tilting his head. “Is she your girlfriend? The reason why you rejected that poor girl?”
My body stiffened at his words. I should’ve ignored him. Should’ve let it go. But the way he said it—the way he mocked me—it got under my skin.
“Not your business.”
Lucian hummed, looking unconvinced. “Really? Because it seems like a pretty big deal. I mean, rejecting your fated mate?” He clicked his tongue. “Cold, even for you, brother.”
I snapped. “I don’t owe you a damn explanation.”
Lucian’s smirk widened, his eyes gleaming with something dangerous. Something calculated.
“Well,” he said slowly, “if you don’t want her… maybe I’ll take her then.”
A low growl ripped through my chest before I could stop it. I hated that I reacted. Hated that my wolf stirred inside me, restless, agitated.
Lucian saw it and he loved it.
“You seem tense, Kian.” He grinned. “Jealous, maybe?”
I let out a sharp snarl, my wolf pushing at my skin. Enough.
“GUARDS!” My voice boomed through the room.
The door burst open instantly. Lucian sighed dramatically. “Oh, come on. Is this necessary?”
Two warriors stepped inside, awaiting orders.
I pointed at Lucian. “Get him out.”
Lucian laughed as they grabbed his arms. “Touchy, touchy.”
I ignored him. But before he was dragged out, he leaned in, voice low and taunting.
“I think you made a really big mistake rejecting that girl. She’s very pretty and she looks…pure.” His smirk deepened. “Watch me take her, brother.”
Then he turned and walked out the room. The second the door shut, I let out a string of curses, my blood boiling.