DUSK'S POV
I didn't believe him at first. I thought he was making it up and wondered why he'd fabricate something like that.
How could Lucius kill his own father? If so, why was he so distraught after his father's death? It felt like a joke to me, but the expression on his face said otherwise. He had a dead serious look.
"Lucius, you don't mean to say this is the truth, right?" I asked him.
"It's the truth. I killed my father. If I didn't kill him, I wouldn't be telling you this," he said, and I stared at him speechlessly.
"Your father. You killed him?" I asked, although it felt like I was saying it more to myself than to him.
"Who else can match my father in battle if not me?" he asked.
"That makes sense, but why? I know he wasn't the best father, but why?" I asked. He sighed and kept the tray on a table next to him.
"I didn't have the intentions of killing him, but his demands became too much. He kept on insisting I reject you... And I couldn't do that. He saw you as weak, and I pointed out to him that you were no longer weak. But he was still so adamant. It escalated into an extreme fight that night, and I was forced to kill him," he said, and I stared at him unbelievably.
"You killed your father because of me?" I asked, and he nodded slowly.
"I couldn't reject you. I knew if I did, he'd kill you right away, and that did not sit well with me because there was no need for that," he said, looking at his hands.
"But you were so sad. Why? You were so broken, it gave Athena the advantage to take control of you," I said, and he sighed.
"Of course, I'd be broken. I killed someone, and it wasn't just anyone. It was my father. I couldn't believe myself. He haunted me in dreams, chasing me and telling me I never cared, and that's why it was so easy to kill him. That was the reason why I couldn't sleep. My mind became a jumbled mess, and I guess that's how Athena took control of me," he said, and I put a hand on his.
"We've all made mistakes. A lot of mistakes, but mistakes make us stronger and better."
"Mistakes like freeing Athena?" He asked, and I smiled.
"Freeing Athena wasn't a mistake; I understood her and decided to help her. But a mistake of mine is..."
"Go on," he said, and I laughed.
"It's so awkward to say and a bit embarrassing too."
"It's okay, I won't think much of it."
"Oh, I'm sure you would."
"Come on, just say it," he said with a smile.
"I once used a love potion on you," I said, and his eyes widened.
"Are you serious?"
"Well, you were acting all nice. I had to see if it was love. So, I used it to see what you were like in love. Then later, I used it because being with you reduced all the bullying I got. I needed you to love me so I could be safe," I said, and he chuckled.
"You didn't need to. I loved you already. It just took me so much time to realize, admit it," he said, and I laughed.
Everything seemed perfect at that moment, and we made love right there. And this time, it was a different thing because we both had realized and admitted we were in love with each other.
~
After about a week, Lucius asked to see me. Since that night, all had been roses and love between us, and I wondered why he asked to see me with such a tone in his voice.
"Do you love me?" He asked as we sat in the garden.
"That's so sudden. I won't give you an answer," I said, and he laughed.
"Then, will you be my Luna?" He asked, and I looked at him.
I gave a smile and nodded slowly.
"I will be your Luna," I said, and he looked shocked.
"Just like that? I thought you hated my pack," He asked, and I laughed.
"Yes, I hate your pack, but I love you," I said, and he smiled. "But, there's something in the way. I'll be your Luna, but not right now. There's something I need to do," I said.
"What's that?" He asked me, and I sighed.
"My pack. I won't fully be at peace until I defeat them. When I do, I'll be ready to become your Luna," I said to him, and he nodded.
"Rest assured. My men will go out tomorrow. We'll fight and claim your pack," he said, and I laughed.
"Look at you speaking like it's so easy?" I said, and he laughed.
"Don't you trust my men? Well, okay, they won't fight tomorrow. I'll send my spies first to see how things are. Then tomorrow, we'll negotiate with the Alpha and make them admit defeat; otherwise, we'll fight to the death," he said, and I smiled.
"Okay, that's better," I said.
Lucius' men set out the next day to spy on my Kingdom, and when they returned at night, they had a whole load of information to deliver.
~
I followed the men with Lucius with me, but I covered up my face. I didn't want to reveal who I was yet.
Lucius tried negotiating with them, but my father, who hadn't changed at all, stood firm, trying to protect his pack.
Lucius gave the signal to his men, and the attack came so suddenly that my father's men had no time to defend themselves. Before any more damage could be done, they surrendered.
I watched my two sisters as they had fear in their eyes. They had never known fear all their life. The fear they felt at the moment was the one I felt when I was told I'd be auctioned. The fear of not knowing what's going to happen.
However, when we got to the castle, I heard someone was nowhere to be found. Someone I wanted to see, someone I had questions for.
My mother.