The world outside is still echoing from Noah's announcement.
But inside the private, heavily secured quarters of the Miller estate, all is silent. Too silent.
Noah stands at the edge of the grand balcony, wind tugging at his sheer black robe. The stars above him are indifferent. Below, the city glows with the weight of legacy and fear.
A soft knock.
Lucien enters without waiting for permission.
He doesn't need it.
Lucien:
quietly
"You handled that beautifully."
Noah:
"Handled? Lucien, I just publicly mated four of the most dangerous alphas in the world. My family wants to cage me. Their families want to kill me. And my own mates don't trust me."
He turns slowly, eyes sharp but tired.
Noah:
"You call that handling?"
Lucien crosses the room in a few calm strides and places his hands on Noah's shoulders.
Lucien:
"Yes. Because you made them feel. Panic, lust, fear, rage — it means you've broken their control. That's power."
Noah:
whispering
"I don't want chaos. I want them to love me."
Lucien:
leans in, voice dangerously soft
"Then make them need you first. Love will follow."
Noah closes his eyes. His head rests briefly against Lucien's chest — just for a moment. The only place he's ever allowed himself to collapse.
Noah:
"Do you regret letting me bond with them?"
Lucien doesn't answer right away.
Then:
Lucien:
"No. I regret not gutting their fathers before they could hurt you."
Noah:
"Lucien—"
Lucien:
"But I trust your vision. I always have. If this is how we take control, then I'll walk beside you. Even if you bond with ten more alphas, I'll still be the one who saw you first."
Noah:
"You think they'll obey?"
Lucien:
"They will… or they'll break. And if they don't accept you soon, I'll make them bleed until they beg for your forgiveness."
Noah smirks, but there's a flash of real emotion in his eyes — not love, not lust. Something deeper. Gratitude. Twisted, codependent, unwavering gratitude.
Noah:
"You're sick."
Lucien:
pulling him closer
"Only for you."
Noah:
"They'll come for us, Lucien. The families. The council. Maybe even the gods themselves."
Lucien:
"Let them. I've waited twoyears to make you untouchable."
He leans in, presses a kiss to Noah's throat — not possessive, but reverent.
Lucien:
"And I'd burn the world for one more night with you."
Noah exhales slowly. Then he whispers:
Noah:
"Then burn it. We're not done yet."
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