Lucien stood in front of me, his grey eyes narrowing as if he could see right into my soul. His question still hung in the air, heavy and choking. "Are you hiding something from me, Corrigan?"
I swallowed hard, my heart racing. The truth was so close to slipping out, but I couldn't tell him. Not yet. Not now.
"No," I said, pushing the word out, hoping it sounded believable. "I'm not hiding anything."
Lucien's gaze stayed fixed on me, and for a moment, I thought he would press further. But then, with a slight nod, he turned away, his face stiffening.
"Good," he said, though I could hear the doubt in his voice. "Because I can't afford any more surprises right now."
I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding, but the tightness between us didn't fade. It only grew stronger. Lucien had been absent lately, more focused on the war than anything else, and I could feel him falling away.
"We're moving forward with the raid," he said suddenly, pacing the room again. "The rogues are too close. Alec is gaining more strength, and we need to take him down before he hits us first."
"A raid?" I repeated, my voice shaky. "Are you sure that's the best option?"
Lucien stopped, turning to look at me again. "What would you suggest, Corrigan? That we sit back and wait for them to hit us? We've done that long enough."
I bit my lip, trying to think of something, anything, that wouldn't lead to more killing. But I knew Lucien was right. Alec wasn't going to stop, and the pack was getting antsy. If Lucien didn't act soon, there would be chaos.
Still, something inside me fought against the idea. Not because I cared about Alec's rogues, but because of my father. He was still out there, somewhere in the middle of all this. If Lucien struck, my father would be caught in the melee.
"Lucien, maybe there's another way," I started, but he cut me off.
"There is no other way, Corrigan," he said, his voice cold. "The rogues need to be dealt with. End of discussion."
I stood there, powerless, as he walked past me and out of the room, his mind made up. The stress between us was unbearable, but I couldn't let it break me. I had to do something.
I had to warn my father.
Night had fallen by the time I made my move. The pack was busy preparing for the raid, everyone too distracted to notice me slipping out. I moved quickly through the woods, my heart racing with each step. I knew I was risking everything, but I couldn't let my father be caught in Lucien's attack. He might have decided to side with Alec, but he was still my father.
The forest was dark, the shadows thick and harsh. Every sound made me jump, but I pressed on, determined to reach him before it was too late. The rogues' camp wasn't far from the pack's territory, but it felt like miles as I pushed through the trees, my mind running with fear.
Finally, I saw the dim glow of a campfire through the trees. I slowed down, my breath catching in my throat. I was close, but something didn't feel right. The air was too still, too quiet.
And then I saw them.
Rogues. A group of them, standing just beyond the firelight, watching. My heart sank as I realized I had walked right into a trap.
Before I could turn and run, a familiar voice cut through the quiet. "Going somewhere, Corrigan?"
I froze, my blood turning to ice. Alec stepped forward, his dark eyes sparkling in the firelight. He smiled, but it wasn't a nice smile. It was the smile of a killer.
"You thought you could sneak in here without being noticed?" he asked, his voice dripping with mockery.
I tried to step back, but the rogues closed in around me, cutting off any chance of escape. My heart raced as Alec slowly approached, his gaze never leaving mine.
"I'm not here to fight," I said quickly, my voice shaking. "I came to warn my father."
Alec laughed, shaking his head. "Your father? Do you still think you can save him? You've already made your choice, Corrigan. You picked Lucien."
"I didn't choose anyone," I shot back, though my voice was weaker than I wanted it to be. "I just want to protect my father."
Alec's smile faded, replaced by something darker. "Your father made his choice too. He's with me now. You think running to him will change anything?"
I glanced around, looking for a way out, but the rogues had me trapped. There was no escape.
Alec stepped closer, his eyes sharpening as he studied me. "You've betrayed us for the last time, Corrigan," he said quietly, his voice cold and final. "There's no going back now."
My heart beat in my chest as I stared into his eyes, the weight of his words sinking me. I had betrayed him. I had betrayed them all.
And now, I had to face the results.
Alec's hand shot out, grabbing my arm. His grip was like iron, and I knew there was no way out this time. I was stuck, and Alec was about to make sure I paid for my treason.