Defying the Rogue Alpha
Chapter 62: Miserable

Chapter 62: Miserable

One thing Lucas was absolutely sure of as he left the training ground was that Ava was going to make his life miserable for Sarah’s little stunt.

The way Ava had walked away, calm, composed, and smiling, had been nothing short of terrifying. That woman could bottle up emotions like a master alchemist.

Lucas groaned, running a hand through his hair. Sarah was becoming unhinged, having no boundaries.

Shoving his hands in his pockets, he strode toward his office, pushing Ava’s impending wrath to the back of his mind. There was a more immediate problem waiting for him.

Dorian was back.

He walked in to find his Beta already seated, a grim expression plastered across his face.

"I was beginning to think you were never going to return," Lucas said, sinking into his chair with a heavy sigh.

Dorian raised an eyebrow. "My investigation took me to the human territory."

Lucas sat up a little straighter. "And?"

Dorian leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "I tracked down black market silver bullet traders."

Lucas’s jaw tightened. His chest still ached from the last one he’d taken. Thanks to Ava, he had healed but silver in a werewolf was unforgiving.

"The one that was pulled out of you was purchased in human territory," Dorian continued, voice steady, calculated. "So, I followed the money."

Lucas nodded. "Good. Who do I have to tear limb from limb?"

Dorian hesitated.

Lucas narrowed his eyes. That wasn’t a good sign.

"The good news," Dorian said, carefully measuring his words, "is that I know who purchased the bullet."

Lucas’s fingers curled into a fist. "And the bad news?"

"You’re not going to like the answer."

Lucas’s patience thinned. "Just tell me."

Dorian exhaled sharply, locking eyes with him. "You did, Alpha."

Lucas blinked. Once then twice.

Then, he scoffed. "Are you high on something the humans gave you?"

Dorian didn’t flinch. Instead, he reached into his bag and pulled out a file, sliding it across the desk.

Lucas snatched it up and flipped it open. His eyes skimmed the pages, taking in a long list of purchases; clothes, bags, jewelry—and right at the bottom, bold as day, ’a silver bullet.’

His stomach dropped.

The card number was his.

But he hadn’t bought this.

Then his gaze froze on one key detail.

It was his black card.

The one he had given to Ava.

Lucas slammed the file shut, nostrils flaring. "I gave this card to Ava."

Dorian nodded, his face unreadable. "Exactly, sir. It seems to me that she bought the silver bullet with your card."

Lucas let out a sharp breath, his mind racing. "Listen, I know you don’t approve of her, but get your head out of your ass for a second and think." He leaned forward. "The gun was aimed at her. Why the hell would she buy a bullet meant to kill herself?"

Dorian didn’t waver.

"All of which," he said calmly, "can also be explained if you stop thinking like a man in love and start thinking like a leader."

Lucas’s eye twitched.

Dorian continued, voice smooth, unwavering. "The shot was fired the moment you got to her. That’s suspicious. If you look at this as a strategic plan instead of a tragic coincidence, it makes sense. I’ve heard whispers of her working with someone in the Crimson Pack. The said person could have gotten the bullets on her behalf."

Lucas clenched his fists.

Dorian’s voice pressed into his mind. "Used your card, so there would be controversy about it. She might claim it was stolen. And saving your life? That’s just part of the act. That was to make you trust her enough to make her Luna."

Lucas shot up from his seat, knocking his chair back. "No. Dorian!" His voice was a growl, his wolf on edge. "Not one more word. You don’t know Ava."

Dorian stood as well, unwavering. "You have to let me finish this, Alpha." His voice was hard and unrelenting. "My job which is bound in blood is to keep you safe. And I’ll be damned if I let you walk into your bed with a traitor."

Lucas’s breath came fast, chest rising and falling.

Dorian’s next words hit like a brick.

"I believe she poisoned herself to get rid of your child."

Lucas’s mind went blank.

The room felt too small. The walls closing in.

"No." His voice came out hollow. "No. That’s..."

Dorian’s eyes softened, just a little. "Alpha, you need to take this seriously."

Lucas’s heart pounded.

Ava had nearly died from that poison. He had stayed by her side for days. Watching her suffer.

And now Dorian was telling him she did it on purpose?

"I have to talk to her."

Lucas moved toward the door, but Dorian stepped in front of him.

"I suggest you don’t do that."

Lucas bared his teeth. "Move."

Dorian stood his ground. "If I’m going to interrogate her, you cannot see her until the investigation is complete."

Lucas’s breathing shallowed.

"If you go to her now," Dorian continued, voice lower, persuasive, "she’ll know something’s wrong. She’ll spin a story, plant doubt. Give me time, Alpha."

Lucas’s jaw ticked.

"In the meantime," Dorian added, his lips twitching into something almost amused, "I suggest you visit any of the other concubines. They can help distract you."

Dorian shrugged. "I’d rather face your wrath than let my Alpha be taken for a fool."

Lucas groaned, dragging a hand down his face. If Ava was really a traitor, he might have to kill her with his own hands.

Lucas stepped closer to Dorian, his movements slow and deliberate. The room suddenly felt charged, as if the air itself held its breath. His golden eyes locked onto Dorian’s, sharp as daggers.

His voice, when he spoke lethal. Each word carrying the weight of an unbreakable oath.

"If you hurt her," he said, voice tight with barely restrained fury, "if you hurt one hair on her head, I will rip out your throat and leave your body rotting in the town square."

Dorian’s expression didn’t falter. He had known Lucas for years, had seen him at his best and at his worst. But right now, he was dealing with a man in love, a simp, one not in control, whose decisions were being controlled by a woman.

Dorian didn’t even blink. Instead, he simply tilted his head slightly, his voice steady, calculating.

"Alpha, I cannot do my job if she doesn’t feel threatened."

Lucas’s breath came in sharp, his wolf scratching beneath his skin, demanding violence.

"Find another way!!!"

His roar shook the walls, the sheer force rattling the glass on his desk. Dorian stood his ground, but Lucas had already turned away, his chest heaving.