The weeks flew by, and slowly, the world around the cabin turned into a winter wonderland. The furs circling the house were laden with the white fluff of winter. The boughs creaked and groaned as the wind blew. Serena stayed near the cabin, cleaning the incredible amount of dust that had piled up in her absence, as well as cleaning the basement.
The cold cellar was packed with all sorts of oddities and relics of her family's history. A few of the rugs and crates found new homes upstairs as decor. But Serena refused to step within a few feet of the dark chest filled with pelts.
The dark wolf accent marks howled and begged for her attention, but every time her eyes wandered toward the chest, she scolded herself and left to find Lucian. So there it sat, sad and in the abandoned section of the basement.
Lucian was still Lucian, even though the weeks flew by, and Serena grew to be more comfortable around him. He never could replace Atlas, and the sparks that lit up her heart and butterflies flitted around her stomach, but he was company. The two would play games and talk late into the night as there was very little else Serena could do.
Venus had kept good on her promise. She visited frequently, but less so as her tracks were obvious in the snow, and Serena and Lucian got along well. Venus continued to bring items of clothing or food to Serena. She could tell Serena of the happenings at the pack house as well. Atlas was still searching for Serena and would spend much of his nights wandering the territory. She told Serena of Atlas' meetings with different Alphas in the area. He continued his search and brought other packs into it as she was his mate. She could not hide from Atlas forever, but for the time being, she was safe. She often spoke of Regus and Eli, keeping her informed on their doings.
One night, after Venus had ducked into the blizzard-like night. Lucian draped an arm around Serena's shoulder and pulled her close to him.
She froze, not sure if she should accept his touch, but after a mental battle, she submitted. She rest her head against his shoulder and sighed.
"That's more like it." He teased. "How much longer do you need to stay? Venus tell you yet?"
Serena shook her head and pulled at her fingernails. They were dirty and unkept, which irritated her deeply.
Lucian made no noise but continued his cuddle.
After a few moments, he spoke. This time the usual playful tone was gone, replaced by something serious that shook Serena to the core.
"I need to talk to you."
"Okay?" She hesitated. "What about?"
She pulled away from him, but he pulled her right back against him. She froze, nervous about her position.
"Stay there. It'll be easier for me."
She relaxed slightly and shifted to a more comfortable position.
"I need to tell you about what really happened when I left the Riverwood Pack. Venus, Eli, and the Elders don't even know. It is something that Atlas and I only know and took part in."
At Atlas' name, Serena froze. Her heart cooled off and froze over, refusing to hear anything that Lucian was about to say about the man who lied to her and broke her heart.
"I don't want to hear it." She said sternly.
"Well, too bad because I'm going to tell you anyway." He took in a deep breath and ran his fingers through his loosely slicked-back, greasy hair. "It was the day after Callan died that Atlas changed. Well, he changed after his mother's death too, but that was known. He had always been a quiet kid, and he never really had friends. He mistreated his sister, as I'm sure you know, but he also mistreated me. I was the closest thing he had to a friend and a brother. But he didn't want that. The day after Callan died, Altas was summoned by the Elders and branded as the new Alpha. He was 16 years old then and barely his puberty, but he was called to lead an entire pack into battle if need be. I was 18 then, just turned actually. We had our spats as I was older, and I was more involved in the pack. I felt that I should lead the pack and not Atlas. He had never made an effort to be a member, so why should he have to be the Alpha?
"The only answer I got was that he was related by blood. But so was I. I just knew it. I had to be. I protected the pack from rogues and rival packs since I was 8. Atlas only sparred with his sister or Eli. He had no real combat experience. He didn't even have a good relationship with his wolf. So I challenged the Elder's decision. I had the opportunity to change my fate. The fate of being a god damned Delta. They get nothing except contempt from the other members. They don't have any significant roles or abilities that Alphas do. So I decided to change that."
Lucian wiggled his fingers and flexed his hands until they were white as the snow outside the bay window.
"What did you do?" Serena asked, nudging him slightly with her shoulder.
He moved away and pulled his arm away from her. He sat hunched over, fiddling with his thumb. After a moment, he turned to her, his eyes dark and empty.
"I killed him." His voice was ice cold.
Serena shot up.
"How? Atlas is still alive."
Lucian rubbed his thighs and rose from the couch. He clasped her shoulders tightly and stared directly into her eyes.
"I killed the old me. I killed the one that would let Atlas walk all over me. I refused to let a child lead the pack. But by the time I was determined to do something about it, the Alpha Turning Ceremony was over. Atlas had the blessing of the moon goddess and the abilities that are only granted when you go through that ceremony. We fought, and I lost. He was severely injured as I was, but I left the pack. I was stripped of my name and station and cast out from the pack. So I became the rogue that I had fought against."
Serena's heart melted as Lucian told his story. The betrayal of the pack against one of their own struck a cord deep within Serena that she couldn't fully explain. She wrapped her arms tightly around Lucian's waist and pulled him into a hug.
Lucian froze, his mind blank as Serena hugged him tightly. Her body pressed closer to his than he ever dared to let happen. Finally, he submitted to the deep wanting that he had always had.
He wrapped his lean arms around her body and pulled her close. He leaned his head against hers and nuzzled his nose into the crook of her neck, breathing in her scent of vanilla and cranberries. He slid his hand up her back lazily and ran his fingers through her hair.
Serena shivered slightly at his touch, hating the way that she wanted it to continue. He had been there the last few weeks. He had been there to let her cry against the pillow on the couch. He had been there to make her laugh and help her in the kitchen. He had given her space when she asked for it and even when she hadn't, he somehow knew. And most of all, he had provided protection and a sense of security that Altas had failed to ever give her.
She pulled her head away from his. He looked up at her, eyes confused and wondering. His hand continued to run through her hair, nudging her back for him to rest against. But she refused. They looked at each other for a long moment, until Serena's eyes drifted to his lips. They were chapped from the cold, dry weather outside.
Both of them leaned in at the same time, their lips met hesitantly, unsure of if this should be happening. But the comfort their touch brought soon washed away that caution.