The Weight of the Crown

The guard led Lucian through the sanctuary's main hall, his hurried steps echoing in the vast space. Behind them, Nina followed from a safe distance, her heart pounding with worry. She knew she shouldn't be there, but something told her she needed to see what was happening.

When they reached the front of the sanctuary, Nina froze. The alpha, the formidable and commanding man she'd met just hours ago, was now barely able to stand. He was limping, his weight supported by two guards. Blood soaked his tunic, the dark fabric hiding most of the crimson but not the gravity of his injuries. His usually piercing blue eyes were dim, his sharp features twisted in pain.

"Help him inside! Where's the pack doctor?!" Lucian barked, his voice cracking with urgency.

The guards hurriedly carried the alpha into the sanctuary, laying him down gently on the floor of the main hall. Moments later, the doctors arrived, their arms laden with supplies. They pushed through the gathered crowd and immediately set to work, examining the alpha's wounds.

"Everyone out!" one of the doctors demanded. "We need space to work!"

The room cleared quickly, but Lucian remained by his father's side, gripping his hand tightly.

"What happened?" Lucian asked, his voice low and trembling.

The alpha's breathing was labored, but he forced himself to respond. "It was... an ambush."

Lucian's eyes widened. "What?"

"There was a distress call at the border," one of the guards who had accompanied the alpha explained. "We were told that large fleets of vampires were there."

"Vampires can't stay in the sunlight," Lucian said, disbelief lacing his words. "How did anyone fall for that?"

"It was true," the guard continued grimly. "There were vampires there. Only a few, though. Daywalkers-one of the rare vampires that the sun can't harm."

"So they attacked my father?"

The guard nodded. "The alpha led the troops to investigate and rectify the issue. That's when it happened. A spear, tipped with wolfsbane, was thrown. It impaled him. That's when we retreated."

"Wolfsbane?" Lucian's voice was sharp now. "We haven't seen that in centuries. Where did the vampires get it?"

The guard shook his head. "We have no idea."

Suddenly, the alpha coughed, his voice rasping. "Leave us."

The doctor hesitated. "But alpha, we need to stay here to keep you stable-"

"Leave us!" the alpha barked, though the effort sent him into a fit of coughing.

Lucian nodded at the doctors. "Just go."

Reluctantly, the room cleared, leaving Lucian alone with his father.

The alpha's breathing was shallow, his voice barely a whisper now. "My boy... I don't have much time left."

"Don't talk like that," Lucian said, gripping his father's hand tighter. "Our doctors are the best. They're going to save you."

The alpha shook his head weakly. "Wolfsbane... it's the one weapon we can't heal from. Many have tried... all have failed. This was Idris Raventhorn's doing. Him and his vampires..."

Lucian's jaw tightened, his voice filled with fury. "I'll make sure his victory is short-lived. We'll storm their castle and take them all down."

"That's what they want," the alpha rasped, his eyes glazing over.

Lucian leaned closer. "What do you mean?"

"They didn't attack us to wipe us out. If they wanted that, they wouldn't have let us retreat. They attacked to lure us to their castle. They're more powerful there. And now that they have wolfsbane, going there would be suicide. Too many of our people would die..."

Lucian's voice broke. "What should I do, Dad? Tell me what to do."

The alpha smiled faintly, his strength waning. "You'll figure it out. I know you will. You're the alpha now... after all..."

His breathing grew weaker until it stopped altogether.

"Dad?" Lucian whispered, his voice trembling. "Dad!"

The doctors rushed back in, pushing Lucian away as they tried to revive the alpha. One of them pulled Lucian aside, his voice steady but filled with sorrow.

"Time of death: 9:45 a.m."

Lucian stumbled out of the room, his steps unsteady. He retreated to his quarters, his mind numb and his heart heavy.

The night air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine and damp earth. Moonlight bathed the balcony where Lucian stood, his hands gripping the railing so tightly his knuckles were white. His silver hair, usually wild with confidence, hung messily over his eyes, his entire body tense with the weight of grief.

Nina hesitated in the doorway, unsure if she should disturb him. He had lost his father today. The weight of an entire pack had been thrown onto his shoulders. And here she was, an outsider in his world, standing at the edge of his grief, unsure of what to say.

Still, she stepped forward.

"You should get some rest," she murmured.

Lucian let out a hollow chuckle, his gaze still fixed on the moon. "Rest? That's funny." His voice was rough, edged with something bitter. "Every time I close my eyes, I see him. The way he fell. The way he looked at me like he still had so much to say."

Nina swallowed the lump in her throat. "I'm sorry, Lucian."

Finally, he turned to her. His piercing blue eyes were darker than usual, clouded with something heavy. "I don't know if I can do this."

She took another step closer. "Do what?"

"Lead. Be the Alpha. Live up to what he was." His jaw clenched. "Everyone expects me to just step in like I've been preparing for this my whole life. But I haven't. I never wanted this."

Nina hesitated, then reached out, gently placing her hand over his. "You don't have to be him. You just have to be you."

Lucian exhaled shakily, staring at their hands. "And what if that's not enough?"

"It will be," she whispered.

He lifted his gaze, searching hers. The raw vulnerability in his expression made her chest tighten. This wasn't the cocky, confident werewolf who had saved her in the woods. This was a man standing on the edge of his own breaking point, desperate for something-anything-to hold on to.

Slowly, she stepped closer, their bodies now just inches apart. His breath hitched, but he didn't move away. Instead, his fingers ghosted along her wrist, his touch hesitant, as if testing if she was really there.

"I don't think I can be alone tonight," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Her heart pounded.

A part of her knew this was dangerous. Knew he was hurting, and she was vulnerable. Knew that whatever this was between them was tangled in something much bigger than the two of them.

But another part of her-the part that had been drawn to him since the first moment they met-didn't care.

"You're not alone," she murmured.

The words barely left her lips before he pulled her against him.

The first kiss was hesitant, almost cautious. His lips brushed against hers like he was giving her a chance to pull away. She didn't.

So he kissed her again.

Deeper. Hungrier.

A quiet gasp escaped her as his hands tangled in her hair, pulling her impossibly closer. He kissed her like she was the only thing anchoring him to this world, as if letting go meant drowning.

Nina felt herself melt into him, her own hands gripping the fabric of his shirt. His warmth seeped into her, chasing away the lingering chill of the night.

Still, something nagged at her.

"Lucian," she breathed between kisses.

He stilled instantly, his forehead pressed against hers, his breathing ragged. "Tell me to stop," he said, his voice strained, "and I will."

She hesitated.

Should she?

Should she tell him to stop before they crossed a line they couldn't take back?

But when she looked into his eyes-saw the unspoken plea in them, saw the way he held her like she was the only thing keeping him from falling apart-she knew she wouldn't.

She shook her head slowly.

"I don't want you to stop."