Defying the Rogue Alpha
Chapter 77: Arrangements

Chapter 77: Arrangements

Nelly studied him for a moment before offering a small, knowing smile. "Thank you, Alpha."

A simple response. No bitterness, no argument.

Lucas had always respected her. She had entered this arrangement understanding it for what it was.

He turned to Lily, who grinned at him.

"Same goes for you," he said.

Lily stretched her arms. "Honestly, I was thinking of telling you I would like to leave anyway. I wasn’t doing anything for you anymore. I didn’t want to live my life forgotten."

She glanced at Nelly. "Maybe we should take a trip."

Nelly chuckled. "I was thinking the same."

Lucas smirked. At least two of them were taking this well.

Then he turned to Sarah.

After a beat, she finally spoke.

"You’re just going to turn us away? Turn me away?" Her gaze locked onto his. "Alpha, I was your favorite."

Nelly let out a short scoff.

Lucas sighed, bracing himself. "Sarah..." He softened his tone. "I understand that this is difficult. I know you may have formed an attachment to me, and I won’t say that what we had meant nothing. But this is my decision. It’s not going to change."

Sarah’s nails dug harder into the cushion, but she remained outwardly composed.

"Forge your own path," Lucas continued. "I will give you all the support you need."

Sarah’s throat worked as she swallowed back the bitterness threatening to spill over.

Tears burned the edges of her eyes, but she blinked them away fast.

After a long pause, she nodded. "Fine."

Lily cleared her throat and shifted in her seat. "Can I stay until after the ceremony?"

Lucas turned to her, brow raised.

"Ava might need my help," she added.

Lucas nodded. "You can do anything you want, Lily."

Nelly leaned back against the cushions, looking thoughtful. "I think I’ll stay, too. But after that? I’m heading to the human territories to have the best time of my life." She turned to Lucas with a smirk. "At your expense, of course, Alpha."

Lucas chuckled. "Of course."

Nelly deserved that. If anyone knew how to enjoy life, it was her.

Then there was Sarah.

She sat there, unmoving, calculating.

"I will stay," she said finally.

Lucas studied her. "For how long?"

Sarah met his gaze, unwavering. "Until you realize just how much I love you."

Ah.

Lucas let out a quiet sigh.

He wouldn’t argue with her. Wouldn’t try to change her mind.

She had made her choice.

But his heart was already spoken for.

Ava owned it.

Ava owned him.

*****

Dorian stood to the side as Lucas introduced Ava to the Silver Pack council. His face remained neutral, but deep inside, resentment twisted his gut.

The meeting went as expected. Ava, now recognized as Lucas’s mate, had gained the council’s approval. Her wolf had finally emerged, erasing any objections to her taking the Luna position. The council had settled on the wedding date without hesitation.

Dorian clenched his fists behind his back as he watched Ava stand tall beside Lucas. She radiated confidence and arrogance. His lips curled slightly. Let her bask in this victory. She has no idea what’s coming.

When the meeting ended, Ava stepped outside, inhaling deeply, as though the fresh air outside the stuffy council chamber was the first real breath she had taken in hours. Dorian followed behind, his steps measured, his mind calculating his next move.

He made a show of escorting the council members out, offering polite nods and handshakes before turning back toward the entrance. That was when Ava’s voice, smug and dripping with amusement, reached his ears.

"I am going to be your Luna, Dorian. One way or another, I am going to finish you."

Dorian paused mid-step. Slowly, he turned to face her, his face betraying nothing but a faint smirk of his own.

"Wedding is in what, six days?" His voice was casual, but there was an underlying menace to it. "I still have time to make you disappear."

Ava laughed, full of wicked delight. "I have been bullied, attacked, poisoned, tortured, set up, shot at and so much more. And yet, here I am, standing, thriving." She took a step closer, eyes gleaming. "You lost, Dorian. Accept it. And when you do, start counting down the days to your own earth-shattering fall."

Dorian’s breath was steady, controlled, but deep down, rage seethed beneath his skin. Ava had no idea what he was capable of. No idea that, even as she basked in her so-called triumph, he was already setting the pieces in motion for her destruction.

Before he could retort, Lucas’s voice cut through the charged air.

"Hey, Ava. Come here. I need to show you something."

Ava turned to her mate with a sweet, almost innocent smile before casting one final victorious glance at Dorian. Then, without another word, she strode inside.

Dorian exhaled sharply. Six days. That was all he needed. That was all he had.

As soon as they were inside, Lucas shut the conference room door with a quiet click.

Ava arched an eyebrow. "What’s going on?"

Lucas didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he walked to the chair at the head of the table, sat down, and pulled her onto his lap effortlessly.

"Now that the announcement has been made, the pack women are going to swoop in," he muttered against her neck. "I better get as much of you as I can before they steal you away."

Ava chuckled, running her fingers through his dark hair. "I can’t believe I’m going to be Mrs. Raventhorn."

Lucas lifted his head, eyes glinting with amusement. "You better believe it, my little virgin."

She playfully swatted his arm. "You really need to stop calling me that."

"Never," he murmured, undoing the first button of her shirt. His fingers moved deftly, teasing over her collarbone.

Ava sighed dramatically. "I have to pick a dress."

Lucas’s hand, which had been sliding down her waist, stilled. "I would much rather prefer you with nothing on."

She laughed, oblivious to the way his gaze darkened with desire. "And I should invite Jake and his mom."

Lucas groaned. "Jake can’t come. He’s busy with the Bloodhound Pack, taking over and whatnot."

"Oh, there’s so much to do..."

"Ava." Lucas gripped her waist tighter, his patience wearing thin.

"Hm?" She was still lost in wedding planning thoughts.

"Focus." Ava giggled at the frustration in his voice. "It’s not funny."

"Actually, it is," she teased, her fingers tracing lazy circles on his chest. "I love you, Alpha Lucas Raventhorn."

His expression softened, and a slow, wicked grin spread across his lips. "That’s more like it."

Then, in a swift motion, he captured her lips with his.

His hands, strong and sure, moved to undo the rest of her shirt, exposing smooth skin beneath. Ava gasped as his lips moved lower, trailing hot kisses down her neck to her collarbone.

He stood, lifting her easily, and laid her back onto the conference table. His hands moved with purpose, undoing the button of her pants and sliding them down, leaving her exposed to his hungry gaze.

"You are perfect," he murmured, lifting her leg and kissing each toe, each movement reverent.

His hands explored her, claiming every inch.

Lucas made quick work of his own pants, pushing them halfway down. Then, slowly, he entered her, merging them as one.

Ava gasped, her fingers tangling in his hair, pulling him closer as he moved within her.

Every stroke, every whispered name, every fevered kiss, Lucas made it clear.

She belonged to him.

And he belonged to her.

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