Lucius POV
The quiet in my room felt oppressive, like the calm before a storm. Moon Whisper always had an eerie stillness, but tonight, it felt different. I glanced out the window, where the moon hung low in the sky, its pale glow casting long shadows over the horizon. The suitcase by my side was packed, and my mind was already set on what I needed to do. But my heart... my heart was another matter entirely.
As much as I had convinced myself that leaving was the only option, the mate bond still tugged at relentlessly, like an unbreakable chain linking to Kurtis and Emilia. The very idea of turning my back on them felt like a betrayal, but it was a necessary one. Too many lives depended on my decisions, and I couldn’t afford to lose focus now.
I had to take care of Xavier, I had to take care of Greyhound. This was my duty and I was bound by it.
A knock on the door pulled out of my thoughts.
"Co in," I said, already knowing who it was.
Kurtis stepped into the room, his presence filling the space imdiately. There was a heaviness in his movents, a kind of hesitancy that I rarely saw in him. He shut the door behind him and crossed his arms, leaning against it. His usual calm deanour was nowhere to be found tonight.
"Are you really doing this, Lucius?" he asked quietly, his voice low but edged with frustration. "Are you really going to turn your back on the mate bond?"
I turned to face him fully, taking in the sharpness of his jaw, and the tension in his posture. His eyes—those eyes that mirrored the bond we shared—were clouded with disappointnt and confusion. It stung, but I had to remain resolute.
"Yes," I said, keeping my voice steady. "As much as I want it—want you and Emilia—I can’t have it."
Kurtis pushed off the door, his steps deliberate as he approached . His frustration simred just beneath the surface. "Why, Lucius? Why are you denying sothing that was literally made for us? The mate bond isn’t just so random connection. It’s fate. You can’t just walk away from it like it’s nothing."
He tried to reach for but I took a step backwards. "I don’t like you like that, Kurtis. Emilia is my mate and not you. I am in no way attracted to you. As much as you think I am crazy or you think I am faking it, I an it. Please try and understand. See things the way I do. You’re an Alpha and I’m a Beta... unfortunately, my Alpha needs more. I do not have the luxury to live a care-free life."
"So, you want to die lonely?" Kurtis asked , pain flickering in his eyes. "Do you think Xavier deserves these sacrifices you’re making for him?"
I sighed, running a hand through my hair, trying to find the words that would make him understand. "I’m not walking away because it’s nothing, Kurtis. I’m walking away because it’s everything. Do you think I don’t feel it? Every second, it’s like a part of is being ripped apart. But I can’t give in to my baser instincts, not now. Too many lives depend on ."
"Lucius," he began, his voice softer now, but still laced with frustration, "I know there’s a lot at stake. But when are you going to stop carrying the weight of the entire world on your shoulders? This isn’t just about duty, this is about us. About Emilia. We’re stronger together. You know that."
I shook my head, my chest tightening at the ntion of Emilia’s na. The thought of her, of the connection between the three of us, tore at more than I cared to admit. "I wish it were that simple," I muttered. "But it’s not. There’s so much more at play than just the bond. I can’t let my personal feelings dictate my actions. We’ve been through too much—sacrificed too much—to let it all crumble because of sothing I want."
Kurtis stared at for a long mont, searching my face for any sign of doubt. I wanted to tell him that I was uncertain, that I was on the verge of giving in. But I couldn’t. I had made my decision.
"So that’s it?" Kurtis asked, his voice low, resigned. "You’re really going to leave us?"
I nodded, though it felt like soone had driven a knife into my chest as I did. "Yes."
He took a step back, the defeat settling into his features. "You’re asking to just stand here and let you walk away from the one thing we’ve been waiting for our whole lives?"
"I’m asking you to understand," I replied. "I’m asking you to take care of Emilia. She’s strong, but she’ll need you. And... watch out for Selene too. I don’t think she’s showing everything. Sothing’s off with her. I don’t know what, but she’s hiding sothing, and I think it’s dangerous."
Kurtis pressed his lips into a thin line, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You’re running away from what you’re afraid to face. I get it. You’ve always been like that. But you’re making a mistake, Lucius. One you can’t undo."
I didn’t respond, the silence between us growing heavy and uncomfortable. It wasn’t that I didn’t know he was right, at least in part. I was afraid. But the fear wasn’t just about losing myself to the bond; it was about what would happen if I let my guard down. If I allowed myself to embrace what was fated, who else would suffer because of it?
"Do you need a ride to the airport?" Kurtis asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
I hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah. That would be good."
Without another word, he turned and left the room, leaving standing there, alone with my thoughts. I glanced at my packed bag one last ti, then followed him out the door.
***
The drive to the airport was quiet. Kurtis had turned the radio on, so low hum of music playing in the background, but neither of us spoke. The tension was palpable, like a storm ready to break. I stared out the window, watching the dark forest pass by, the moonlight casting shadows on the road.
In my head, I replayed every mont with Emilia and Kurtis, every touch, every glance that had passed between us. It should’ve been enough to make stay, but the weight of my responsibility pressed down harder, reminding why I had to leave.
When we arrived at the airport, Kurtis parked and got out without a word. We walked toward the entrance, the night air cold and biting. It was fitting, really. The coldness seed to seep into my bones, matching the hollow feeling growing inside .
As we stood there, ready to say our final goodbye, the sound of hurried footsteps made both of us turn.
"Lucius!"
Emilia’s voice hit like a blow, and when I saw her, my heart clenched. She ran toward us, her dark hair wild around her face, her eyes wide and filled with tears. Kurtis stepped forward, catching her just before she reached . They both stood there, arms around each other, and I could see the anguish in their faces.
"Don’t do this," she pleaded, her voice trembling. "Please, Lucius. Don’t leave."
I swallowed hard, fighting back the lump in my throat. "I have to."
"You don’t," Kurtis said, his voice firm, though there was a quiver in it. "You don’t have to leave us."
My chest tightened as I watched them, the pull of the mate bond almost too much to bear. Emilia’s tears glistened in the moonlight, and I could feel the heartbreak radiating from her, from both of them. But I couldn’t stay. I couldn’t let myself be swept away by what I wanted.
I reached out, placing a hand on Emilia’s cheek, wiping away a tear. Her skin was warm and soft, and the touch sent a jolt of longing through .
"I love you," I whispered, my voice breaking. "Both of you. But I have to go."
Emilia shook her head, her hands gripping my jacket like it was the only thing keeping her grounded. "Please... don’t do this."
Kurtis said nothing, but I could see the pain in his eyes. He understood, even if he didn’t want to admit it.
With every ounce of strength I had left, I stepped back, pulling myself from Emilia’s grasp. The bond snapped tight, like a cord being stretched to its limit, and I felt the pain of separation deep in my soul. But I didn’t look back. I couldn’t.
"Take care of each other," I said quietly. "And take care of Selene."
Kurtis nodded, though his expression was unreadable. Emilia’s sobs filled the space between us, but I forced myself to turn away. Each step toward the airport doors felt like a betrayal, but I kept walking, pushing through the agony.
As I disappeared into the terminal, the mate bond thrumd violently in my chest, pulling back to them. But I kept going, knowing that if I stopped if I hesitated for even a mont, I’d never be able to leave.
Reviews
All reviews (0)