LUCIAN’S POV
The border territory was a harsh, unforgiving place, with rocky terrain and sparse vegetation that stretched as far as the eye could see.
The wind howled across the plains, which carried the harsh scent of dust and danger.
I had been here many times before, but this time felt different.
This time, I was not just here to inspect — I was here to defend.
Jace rode beside me, his eyes scanning the horizon closely.
“Quiet,” he muttered.
“Too quiet.”
I nodded.
“That is what worries me.”
We reached the border patrol’s camp, which was a cluster of tents and makeshift barricades that had been hastily erected in response to the recent incursions.
Captain Aldric, a weathered old soldier with a scar across his left eye, met us at the entrance, with a grim expression on his face.
“Alpha,” he said, bowing.
“I am glad you are here.
The situation is worse than we first thought.”
I dismounted and walked with him toward his command tent.
“Tell me everything.” I said clearly.
He spread a map across a wooden table, and pointed to several marked locations.
“Over the past two weeks, we have had multiple incursions.
They have stolen livestock, destroyed crops, and three nights ago, they attacked a patrol.
Two of my men are injured, one seriously.”
I studied the map, with my jaw clenched tight and then looked around.
“How many warriors do you have stationed here?”
“Forty, Alpha.
But we are spread thin.
If they launch a full-scale attack, we won’t hold.”
I looked up at him and patted him lightly on the shoulders.
“You won’t have to.
I have brought reinforcements.
Two hundred warriors are stationed a few miles back, ready to move at my command.”
Captain Aldric widened his eyes with relief on his face and bowed.
“Thank you, Alpha.
We will be ready.”
I spent the next few hours walking through the camp, inspecting the troops and speaking to each soldier.
I asked about their families, their morale, their readiness.
I needed to know that the men and women who would fight for me were prepared, both physically and mentally.
Most of them were.
But a few were nervous, their eyes betraying their fear.
I stopped in front of a young wolf named Rylan, who was holding a spear with trembling hands.
Then I looked at him and asked, “How long have you been stationed here?”
He swallowed hard.
“Three weeks, Alpha.”
“Are you afraid?” I asked calmly.
He hesitated, then nodded.
“Yes, Alpha.
A little.”
I placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled at him.
“Good.
Fear keeps you alive.
It keeps you sharp.
But do not let it paralyze you.
You are a wolf of Nightcrest.
You are stronger than you know.”
Rylan’s eyes hardened with resolve.
Then he held his spear with a firm grip and said in a steady voice.
“Yes, Alpha.
I will not let you down.”
I nodded and moved on.
“King of the Border.
You really know how to inspire them.”
I smirked and threw a glance at him.
“I learned from the best.”
“Who?
Me?”
I laughed.
“No.
The opposite of you.”
Jace clutched his chest in mock offense, and said stiffly, “You wound me, Lucian.
Deeply.”
“Good.
Maybe it will teach you to be quiet.”
Then the following morning, we faced the neighboring pack’s Alpha.
Alpha Rourke was an older wolf, grizzled and battle-hardened, with cold eyes and a permanent sneer.
He arrived at the border with a small escort of warriors, with his arrogance written all over his face.
“Lucian,” he said, his voice dripping with contempt.
“I was hoping your father would still be alive.
At least he knew how to negotiate.”
I felt Jace tense beside me, but I kept my face calm.
“My father is gone.
I am the Alpha now.
And I assure you, I am more than capable of handling this situation.” I said sternly.
Rourke laughed.
“Handling?
You are barely a man, and you think you can handle me?” he sneered.
I smiled, but there was no warmth in it, and replied coldly, “I think I can handle a pack that resorts to stealing livestock and attacking patrols.
It does not exactly scream ‘powerful’, does it?”
The laughter died in Rourke’s throat.
“Watch your tongue, boy.” he warned.
“I am not a boy,” I said, stepping forward.
“I am the Alpha of Nightcrest Pack.
And you are standing on my land, threatening my people.
So let us make this simple.
Withdraw your forces within three days, or I will withdraw them for you.”
Rourke stared at me, with his eyes narrowed and asked scornfully, “You think you can make threats like that?
You are young, inexperienced—”
“I think,” I cut him off, “that you are testing me.
And I think you are about to find out that I am not the kind of Alpha who backs down.”
Then I pulled out a set of maps and spread them on the ground between us.
“I have evidence of every incursion.
Patrol logs, witness testimonies, and physical proof of your pack’s actions.
If you don’t withdraw within the time I have given you, I will take this evidence to the other packs in the region.
And we both know how that will end.”
Rourke was silent for a long moment.
Then he scoffed.
“You think you can threaten me?”
“I am not threatening you,” I said calmly.
“I am giving you a choice.
Take it, or face the consequences.”
Rourke’s eyes glinted with malice, and he leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping to a cruel whisper.
“You know, I have heard things about you, boy.
They say you are strong.
They say you are smart.
But they also say you are alone.”
“I do not know what you are talking about.”
Rourke chuckled coldly, and the mocking sound echoed through the tent.
“A young Alpha like you, no mate, no heir, no Luna by your side.
It is almost sad, really.
All that power, all that potential, and nothing to show for it.”
Jace shifted beside me, with his hand moving toward his sword, but I held up a hand to stop him.
“You think I care about your opinion?” I asked, calmly.
Rourke smiled, savoring the moment.
“I don’t think you care about much, boy.
That is your problem.
But I know one thing for sure — a pack without a Luna is a pack without a future.
And a legacy that ends with a mateless Alpha is no legacy at all.” he scoffed.
I said nothing, but I felt the words sink into my chest like cold iron.
Rourke continued, his voice dripping with false sympathy.
“What will happen when you are gone, Lucian?
Who will carry your bloodline?
Who will lead your pack when you fall?” He tilted his head, and narrowed his eyes.
“Or have you already resigned yourself to being the last of your line?”
I looked at him, and said steadily in a cold manner.
“You seem very concerned about my legacy for someone whose pack survives on stealing livestock.”
Rourke’s smile faltered on his face.
“If you are so worried about my future, you should be more worried about yours,” I said.
“Because if you don’t withdraw your forces within the time I have given you, your legacy will end a lot sooner than mine.”
Jace stepped forward, and said in a voice loud enough for all to hear.
“The Alpha has made himself clear.
You have three days.
Use them wisely.”
Rourke stared at me for a long moment, his jaw tight, and his fists clenched at his sides.
Then he turned and walked away without another word.
As his escort disappeared over the ridge, I let out a slow, steadying breath.
Then Jace glanced at me, and whispered.
“You did not let him get to you, did you?”
I did not answer.
That night, I sat alone by the fire, staring into the flames.
The day’s events replayed in my mind — the negotiations, the soldiers, the threat of war.
And Rourke’s words echoed in my head, which was very unwelcome and persistent.
A pack without a Luna is a pack without a future.
No mate.
No heir.
No legacy.
I forced myself not to think about her.
There would be time for that later.
Right now, I had a pack to protect.
A border to secure, and a future to build.
Jace walked over and sat down across from me, with an unreadable expression on his face and tapped me lightly on my shoulder.
“You did well today.
Rourke won’t forget this.”
I did not answer.
He studied me for a moment, then said, “You know, for someone who just stared down an enemy Alpha, you look like you lost something.”
I met his gaze and shrugged.
“Maybe I did.
Maybe I am still figuring out if it was worth it.”
Jace leaned back, with a faint smile playing on his lips and asked eagerly, “And?
Is it?”
I looked into the flames, my voice low and rough.
“Ask me again when we get home.”