Leah's POV
Finn's face contorted with fury, his brows knotted, and his eyes blazing with unrestrained anger. The veins in his neck bulged as he fixed his glare on me. The air around us felt charged, as if the very fabric of reality was on the verge of tearing apart.
"I've already told you—it's none of your business!" Finn roared, shifting into his wolf form, his fur gleaming with a metallic sheen under the shimmering sunlight.
"Finn, you're weak now. You're not my rival. I need you to calm down and talk to me; this is important," I pleaded.
"I'm done talking to you! You manipulative bitch!" His wolf snarled, stomping its paws with an earth-shaking force. It seemed Finn's wolf was even grumpier than the man himself.
"Answer my question. Is Lucas Farrow your brother?" I repeated, my voice steady.
Finn’s wolf could hold back no longer. With a powerful leap, it launched itself at me, its fangs bared. Just as its teeth were about to sink into my flesh, a black shadow flashed by, intercepting the attack. Finn's wolf hit the ground hard, blood oozing from a deep gash across its back.
I looked up to see a towering figure standing protectively before me. "Lucas..." I whispered, my voice trembling with emotion. My savior was here, and for the first time in my life, he had come to my rescue. A wave of warmth electrified my entire being.
His broad shoulders tapered down to a narrow waist, the interplay of light and shadow on his chiseled muscles highlighting his powerful physique. Even from behind, there was an undeniable allure to his dark, handsome presence, exuding strength and rugged charm. Lucas didn’t look back, his eyes pinned on Finn's wolf.
"Enough, Finn," he commanded in a low, powerful voice.
Lucas' soldiers emerged from the woods, swarming forward to encircle Finn. The wolf looked around, shook its head, and snorted resentfully. The wound on its back was still bleeding, creating a growing pool of blood beneath its paws.
"You're injured, Finn. Your power is waning after the rejection. Please, let us help you. Let us take care of you and give Nina a proper funeral."
"No!" the beast roared defiantly.
"I'm afraid you don't have a choice, brother," Lucas said.
A soldier fired a tranquilizer dart at Finn's wolf. It struggled to stay on its feet but eventually collapsed. I rushed forward and checked on him as he shifted back into his human form. Someone draped a jacket over his shoulders. I looked up and saw Jorah, Lucas' Beta.
"Sorry, Luna. Sorry we’re late," he mumbled, guilt etched on his face.
"Jorah, I’m so glad you’re back," I said, patting his shoulder. "Thank you for not giving up on us." Despite his youth, I had never doubted Jorah’s loyalty to Lucas. That’s why I had secretly sent him a message earlier about my whereabouts and Gean Lee’s betrayal.
"I returned as soon as I received your message. Gean Lee is gone with your brother, His Majesty Leonard. I couldn’t stop them."
"I have a feeling I will see him again soon," I said, my voice laced with determination. Gean Lee had all the reasons in the world for his actions. He was a practical man who defied conventions. I had many questions about his betrayal, but one thing I knew for certain was that he would never harm my brother.
So maybe his running away with my brother was acceptable for the time being. Besides, I had far more urgent matters to address.
I carefully draped the jacket over Finn. As I straightened up, I noticed Lucas standing behind me, his expression dark and unreadable. When our eyes met, he quickly looked away. I could sense his anger.
"Lucas. I…" I began, a thousand thoughts racing through my mind, but I couldn't find the right words.
Lucas turned away and addressed Jorah in a cold, detached voice, "Take both of them to Dr. Monk. They are not to leave the lake house without my permission."
"Is he your brother?" I pressed, my voice urgent.
"Why do you want to know?" he responded, not bothering to look at me.
I remained silent.
Lucas turned back, lifting my chin with his strong hand. "Are you still in love with him?" he asked, his voice laced with suspicion.
I didn’t answer.
Lucas glanced around. The soldiers had dispersed. Jorah lingered briefly before realizing his presence was no longer needed.
"I'll be right in the woods if you need me, Alpha," Jorah said awkwardly before exiting.
"He's my half-brother," Lucas said, his voice detached. "I found out a long time ago. That's why I took him under my wing instead of allowing him to be abused by that bastard Jalin."
"Your half-brother? How is that even possible?" I frowned, trying to process the information.
Lucas continued steadily, "His mother was a whore who serviced my father. When she came to him, pregnant, my mother couldn't accept it and sent her to your brother Leo as an experimental subject. Evidently, your brother wanted to humiliate him and revealed the truth before he lost his memory. Now that he's regained his consciousness, he remembers everything."
Tears streaming down my face, I finally managed to say, "I'm pregnant with your child, Lucas."
"I know. Dr. Monk informed me," he replied grimly, pausing. "But despite that, you still ran away with him."
"Lucas, I -"
"You don’t need to explain," Lucas cut me off. "You’ve made your choice. Now, here's mine. You will remain my wife, but I don't want to see you unless absolutely necessary. Once you give birth, you will be banished. And one more thing."
His eyes bore into mine as he said, "Your father is dying of cancer and he needs to see you."