Lucian exhaled slowly, tension crackling in the air between them like a storm waiting for the sky to split.
"Forget it," Lucian said at last, voice cold but controlled. "Forget everything I just said, just tell me what you actually came here to say."
Silence stretched for a beat.
Harvey straightened, clearing his throat. "Right. I came because I wanted to talk to you about Elara's place in the pack."
Lucian's expression chilled instantly.
"What about it?"
"She's doing everything she can to help our people but they are treating her like an intruder. Like she's a threat. And the attack yesterday?" Harvey's eyes hardened. "It shook her. More than she's letting on."
Lucian's fingers curled slightly at his sides, a flicker of something sharp and protective brushing through his aura before he crushed it back down.
"She'll endure," Lucian said quietly.
Harvey looked at him as if he'd spoken another language. "That's not the point. She shouldn't have to 'endure.' She should be safe here."
"She is," Lucian insisted.
"No," Harvey countered bluntly, "she isn't."
The room froze.
Lucian lifted his gaze, danger simmering just beneath the surface. "Choose your next words carefully."
Harvey swallowed but didn't waver. "Elara is one of the strongest wolves I've ever met… but she believes she's not wanted here. She thinks she's a burden. And honestly? With the way people stare at her like she's lesser, it's hard to tell her she's wrong."
A muscle twitched along Lucian's jaw.
He hated hearing the truth from someone else's lips.
Harvey pressed on. "I came to ask that you speak to her. Clear the air. Let her know she's not alone here."
Lucian's eyes flickered, a shadow of conflict twisting through him.
He wanted to refuse. He wanted to say it wasn't Harvey's business. He wanted to keep Elara at a distance where she couldn't unravel him.
But the bond pulsed silent, painful and undeniable.
And for the first time, Lucian didn't have an answer ready.
"What exactly do you think I should tell her?" Lucian asked quietly, his voice a low rumble of confusion and defiance tangled together.
Harvey met his gaze without fear.
"Whatever truth you're running from," he said. "Because she deserves that much."
Lucian didn't move. Didn't breathe. Didn't speak.
Because Harvey was right and that was precisely what terrified him.
The next day.
The pack gathered in the main hall, their faces a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. Lucian rarely called impromptu meetings, and the air crackled with unspoken tension. He stood before them, his presence radiating power, his eyes sweeping over the assembled wolves.
"There's been talk," Lucian began, his voice resonating through the hall. "Whispers. Discontent. And it centers around Elara."
A murmur rippled through the crowd,A young omega raised her trembling hand.
"But Alpha… we didn't think she mattered that much..."
"Of course she doesn't matter," Everyone looked at Bella who came forward.
She continued as the crowds continued to cheer her up, "she trying to heal a pack who doesn't care about her, as a Siberian she should have just refuse to come and be happy that our has been brought but since drop those sentiment aside why should we drop ours," her word brought guilt to the rest of the pack members.the room fell utterly silent.
He watched Bella, her jaw tight, her eyes still holding that challenging glint. He wonders if Bella would defend Elara like this if she knew that Elara was his mate.
Harvey stepped forward, expression hard.
"She's risked her life for this pack more than once," Harvey added. "And you repay her with prejudice? With coldness? With fear?"
A few wolves shifted guiltily.
Harvey's voice sharpened.
"If Elara walks away, it won't be because she couldn't handle the pressure. It will be because YOU failed her."
Lucian stepped forward again radiating pure Alpha dominance.
His voice dropped to a lethal rumble.
"Understand this clearly:
If anyone disrespects Elara again…
There will be consequences."
His aura surged, washing through the room like a storm breaking its chains.
"You will answer to ME. Personally."
No one dared to breathe.
Lucian's golden eyes glowed faintly with warning.
"Elara is under my protection.
Anyone who forgets that
will regret it."
Elara sat near her window, staring at nothing, when Harvey poked his head in.
He leaned against the doorframe with a teasing grin.
"Hey there, princess."
Elara snorted. "Really?"
Harvey stepped inside. "Something bothering you, princess?"
A laugh slipped from her, it was soft and unexpected. It loosened the weight in her chest.
"You're ridiculous."
"Only when required," he said, then softened. "And today required it."
She studied him. "Why?"
He shrugged. "Because things are going to be different now."
"How?"
Harvey hesitated for a second before saying, "Lucian talked to the whole pack today. Told everyone there'd be consequences if they crossed you again."
Elara froze.
For a moment, warmth spread quietly inside her. Lucian had defended her…?
But the warmth died just as quickly.
She said to herself. "He wouldn't have done that if you hadn't talked to him first… right?"
The fragile warmth inside her dimmed, replaced by a sharp ache.
Of course he didn't do it because he cared.
He did it because Harvey pushed him.
Elara forced a small smile. "I see."
Harvey nudged her shoulder. "Hey. He still said it. And they listened."
She nodded, though it didn't ease the sting.
Feeling she owed it, Elara found Bella later behind the hall, finishing training.
"I heard what you said today," Elara said gently. "I… wanted to thank you."
Bella wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. "It wasn't a big deal."
"It was to me," Elara insisted.
Bella sighed. "Look, I know what it's like to be judged first and understood later. And honestly?" Her expression softened. "I think you would've defended me if the situation was reversed."
"I would," Elara admitted.
"Good," Bella said with a small smile. "Then maybe we can hang out sometimes. Actually get to know each other."
The unexpected kindness warmed something inside Elara. "I'd like that,"
They exchanged a few conversations before bidding each other farewell.
Back in her room, Elara sank onto her bed, whispering a quiet prayer of gratitude to the Moon Goddess.
Even in a place where she was despised… she was being given small lights, Harvey's humor, Bella's unexpected support.
But the warmth faded as her mind drifted to Lucian.
And Bella.
A knot tightened in her chest.
Would Bella still smile at her like that if she learned the truth?
If she knew Elara was Lucian's mate?
Elara didn't want to share him… but she also didn't want to lose Bella's kindness.
The thought made her chest twist with confusion.
She curled into her blankets, whispering to herself,
"I don't know what's going to happen… but I hope I don't lose everything when the truth finally comes out."