Louisa's POV
"Leo is Lycidas' fucking son. He knocked up his aunt when he was fifteen and that's why he was cast away from the court. His fucking aunt gave birth to a baby boy and this boy was secretly sent to your parents. This boy is Leo. Queen Daliah wanted to look for the child, but your parents hid him so well that nobody knew his real identity. Lycidas later came to us during his exile because he was looking for this child. He fucking told me everything about it, Lucian."
"And you're telling me now," Lucian said. His lips were trembling.
That's what happens when he's mad.
"Leo should never learn about his real identity! Someone must have told him about this! Lycidas didn't want him to get involved in the court. It's a fucking nasty place for a child to grow up. He wants to fucking protect Leo..."
"By letting you take care of him?" Lucian asked.
"By letting you take care of him, Lucian. For fuck's sake, I can't even take care of a fucking woman!" I said.
Lucian was completely silent.
I could tell something was on his mind, but I wouldn't know what it was.
I would usually make him tell me what was on his mind by barking at him like a dog. But today, it just doesn't seem that it's going to work.
So, I had to update my strategy...
And I found out that I didn't have any other fucking strategies.
"Try scratching his tummy or the back of his neck," my wolf said in my mind.
"Fuck you, Finn. Fuck off," I said.
Then, I said in my softest voice, "Lucian, brother. I'm at my wits' end, man. Help me out. I can't do this anymore. It's all because of fucking Lycidas. He told me that if Leo's identity was out, he would be in great danger. That's why I couldn't tell you the truth. I have never lied to you and I have never kept a fucking secret for this long. We have to do something before that fucking kid kills me or himself. He's completely out of control now. I thought he was fine if he grows up with you, but apparently, it's very hard to change his fucking murderer's nature. He's a fucking Hawk."
Hawk was the last name of the King's family. All the royalties used birds' names as their fucking last names in this Kingdom as if they couldn't find anything else to represent themselves. Lycidas was a Hawk. Lucian was a Kingfisher. Gianna was a Sparrow and Kylo was a fucking Finch.
Lucian turned his head away from me and said, "Luke, I'm mad at you right now. I've done everything for you, but you sided with Lycidas instead of me."
I walked in front of him and said, "I chose to side with you, brother. I know that you love that fucking kid. I see it in your eyes. That's why I didn't want anything to happen to him. You're my best friend and Leo's like a brother to me. I can't let anything happen to both you and him."
Lucian looked at me and said, "And now it happens. In the worst possible way. Leo must have felt that Lycidas abandoned him and we cheated him. And now people want him dead. He's getting increasingly powerful, Luke. He no longer listens to me and I don't know how long I could hold him."
"Let's send Leo back to Lycidas," I said abruptly. "He's his fucking problem now, not ours."
"The only reason we're still alive is because of Leo. Lycidas has killed everyone from the old days except us. Nobody knows the reason behind it. Now I understand. You're raising his son for him, so of course, he can't kill you."
"I don't care. Leo has to go. I can't let someone openly defy me and stay in the pack," I said impatiently. "He's better off with Lycidas anyway. Leo's fucking mood swings remind me of Lycidas. I have a feeling that they will get along with each other."
"You can't possibly think that two bipolar can get on well with each other," Lucian said.
"Worst scenario - they end up killing each other. We've got one less problem. That's called a win-win situation," I said.
Lucian pleaded, "Luke, Leo is like a son to me..."
"Your son is still in your wife's womb. That fucking bipolar kid is a liability. If I were you, I would keep him as far away as I can from Gianna. I know he looked cute when he was little, but he's a grown-up man now and he's growing into a fucking monster."
"It's just that easy, isn't it?" Lucian looked away and said.
"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?!" I asked, feeling irritated. "I'm trying to solve a problem and make everyone happy here."
"He's been with you for sixteen years. When things go wrong, you just can't wait to kick him away like that," he said.
He's got that fucking vulnerable look on his face again.
"That's called fucking survival instinct, Lucian!" I argued. "When you see a fucking building on fire, you run out of it for your fucking life. You don't fucking burn with it because you have spent fucking sixteen years with him!"
"I have to find a way to put out the fire," Lucian said.
"Fuck, Lucian! You're fucking useless when you're emotional. Stop being sentimental and start to think! Nobody knows about Leo's fucking identity in the world except Lycidas and me! Now some fucking druids want Leo dead. I didn't hire them, so who's behind all this?!"
Lucian looked at me and frowned, "So what?"
I rubbed my head and said, "What the fuck is wrong with you today?! Do I have to explain everything to you? So you have to let Lycidas have his way. He's a fucking King now! If he wants to fucking murder his son, we fucking stay out of it!"
"Luke, Lycidas isn't in his right mind now. Whatever the reason is, killing his own son isn't the way to solve a problem. As his subjects or his friends, we have to stop him," Lucian said.
"We can't decide on Lycidas' behalf! Leo will return to Lycidas, because he's Leo's real family. That's my final decision and it won't be changed. Another thing, the King's fucking Messenger came last night. Lycidas is coming to our camp next week. Apparently, Lycidas wants to hold my wedding by himself. Anyway, it's the perfect time to send Leo back to his father. We're done with him."
Lucian looked at me and didn't say a word.
Eventually, he lowered his head and said, "Yes, Alpha."
Then, he turned back and tried to walk away.
Looking at his back, I sighed.
"This is the time for you to say something nice to win your Beta back," my wolf said in my mind.
Oh, fuck. I'll show you something nice.
"Lucian!" I ran up to him and grabbed his arms.
"Yes, Alpha?" He stayed there without looking at me.
"If I were you, I'd lock Leo up these days. Because if some fucking accidents happen and he magically sneaks away or evaporates in thin air, I'll blame no one but you," I said.