Defying the Rogue Alpha
Chapter 201: Cowardice

Chapter 201: Cowardice

Kade nodded. "Or get rid of you completely. Either a rival Alpha who’s jealous... or afraid."

Lucas’s jaw ticked. "Cowardice," he spat. "If they want a fight, they should come face me."

"They want to turn your own people against you. And with the council’s invitation, it’s the perfect setup."

Lucas stood now, moving to the window, staring out into the courtyard.

"Protect the Luna..." was all he said.

"With all due respect, Alpha," Kade said, jaw tight, "you are the one we need to focus on right now."

Lucas slowly turned from the window, the fading sunlight casting long shadows across the room. His blue eyes, so often calm and calculating, now burned with a wild, furious devotion.

"If I’m the target," he growled, "then Ava is in danger too. By association." the mask of alpha steel faltered just long enough for Kade to catch it. "I am not going to lose her again, Kade. Do you understand me? I’d rather walk into hell with open arms and a welcome banner than let that happen."

The sheer desperation in his voice almost stunned Kade into silence. Not because it was unbecoming, Lucas had always worn his love for Ava like armor but because it made him human. And humans, even the most powerful alphas, bled.

"I’ll say it again," Lucas said, a breath short of a growl. "Protect the Luna. With everything. But tell her nothing. I won’t have her worrying. Not in her condition. Not with my child in her."

Kade exhaled slowly, biting back the instinct to argue. "Alpha... she will find out. Rumors move faster than the truth ever could. Faster than Herod’s death even. You know this. Someone whispers it over breakfast, and by sundown it’s everywhere."

Lucas’s eyes flared gold. "Then make sure no one yaps around her!"

Kade stood his ground, used to the weight of alpha wrath, though it always managed to tickle his survival instincts in unpleasant ways.

Lucas advanced on him. "You just stepped into your Beta role, I know that. And so far, you’ve done more than I could’ve asked for. But hear me when I say this...failure? Is not something I tolerate. Not when it comes to her."

There was no threat in his voice. Only truth.

"Your mission is simple, Kade. Protect your Luna."

Kade dropped to one knee, head bowed. "With my life, Alpha."

Lucas gave a short nod, then turned back to the window because if he didn’t, he might not be able to hide the worry flickering in his eyes.

Kade rose to his feet and headed for the door, swinging it open. As he stepped into the hallway, his eyes landed on one of the guards standing just outside the office.

Kade narrowed his gaze and pointed a firm finger at the man’s chest. "Do not move a muscle. If he twitches, you twitch. If he sneezes, you better drop into a combat stance and prepare to avenge his dignity."

The gamma blinked. "Yes Sir!"

Kade marched off, muttering under his breath. "Protect the Luna, don’t let her hear the whispers... easy enough. No pressure."

As he disappeared down the corridor, his thoughts were already racing through strategy. Ava wasn’t just a Luna. She was the Alpha’s heart walking around in a woman’s body.

And he was the poor bastard stuck between loyalty, silence, and the fury of a pregnant Luna if she did find out.

Gods help him.

Kade strode toward the barracks. Assigning a protective detail to the Luna wasn’t the hard part, it was dealing with her questions that made him want to fake an injury and disappear into the infirmary for a week.

He rubbed his temples, already trying to concoct a plausible lie. "Tell her it’s part of increased security drills? No, too flimsy. Say it’s on the Alpha’s orders? That’s true, but then she will hound him and then he will strangle me. Say it’s... a new wellness protocol for expecting Lunas?" He groaned. "Its official. I’m fucked."

Still, he had his orders. And between facing Ava’s inquisition or Lucas’s wrath, he chose the woman whose fury came with love.

*****

Inside the grand, high-ceilinged conference room of the fortress, Lucas sat at the head of a dark table, the long polished surface reflecting the storm brewing in his blue eyes.

He didn’t stand to greet the members of the High Council as they entered. He didn’t offer a handshake.

The three councilmen walked in. Lucas had to grip the armrest of his chair to stop himself from launching it across the room.

They took their seats.

Lucas scowled at them, long and hard. "Gentlemen," he began. "How can I help you this fine day?"

The councilmen exchanged looks.

Finally, Councilman Eryx cleared his throat and leaned forward. "First, we would like to begin by saying... congratulations. On the return of your mate. And on... defeating Herod of the North."

Lucas’s smile was cold enough to freeze an ocean. "So generous of you to remember. Especially since the last time I stood in your presence, you had me and my brother thrown into a cell for asking for your help. Which, if memory serves, you refused. So, cut the crap! Why are you really here?" Lucas snapped.

"You were always an impatient Alpha," Eryx said, lounging in his seat. "How in the world were you ever able to defeat your enemies with such a short fuse?"

Lucas didn’t miss a beat. His eyes glinted. "By having nothing to do with cowards like you."

Thorn, the council’s peacemaker, cleared his throat

"Listen," Thorn began, as though he hadn’t stood silently while Lucas and his brother rotted in a council cell, "I know we didn’t handle the matter of your invasion of the North properly. But at the time, that was what we thought was best for... balance."

Lucas arched a brow so high it was practically airborne. "Balance? My wife was taken by Herod. Which brings me back to my original question. Why are you here?"