I nodded in comfort and fear at my mother's remarks. "Okay, Mom. I will keep an eye on Aris. But what do I tell her? She's already dubious of my response to Lucy and Xavier." Mom waved her hand dismissively. "Say anything you need to keep her calm. Assume you were surprised by the news, but you're over it now. Focus on the baby and your future together.
We can't let her cause difficulties while we figure this out." I sighed, knowing she was correct. "Alright, I'll do my best. But, Mom, what if Xavier actually knows everything? "What if he tells Lucy?" Mom's face was shadowed.
"Then we'll deal with it as it comes. For the time being, our primary concern is reuniting Lucy. She is the key to all of this, Alfred. "Remember that." As I walked out of my mother's office, I was filled with a variety of ideas and emotions. Lucy looked more confident and lovely standing next to Xavier than I had ever seen her before.
I returned to my room, dreading the conversation with Alice. I didn't want to speak with her, but I had no choice. I paused in front of my bedroom door and took a long breath before entering. Alice was sitting on the bed.
"Finally decided to come back?" she yelled. I tried to keep my voice calm. "Aris, we need to talk." "About what? How come you're still stuck on Lucy?" I sighed and rubbed my hands through my hair. "It is not like that. I was simply surprised by what happened. "It's over." Aris rose, her eyes burning. "Do not lie to me, Alfred. I noticed your expression as you saw her with Xavier.
"You still care about her." "Of course I care!" I yelled, my frustration spilling over. "She was my Luna!" But that doesn't mean I don't care about you and our baby. Are you saying this to me right now? I despise you!! Aris yelled.
We argued for hours, and I eventually left the room, fatigued and furious, but needing some space to reflect. I found myself at my mother's office. She looked up puzzled as I went in.
"We have to do something, Mom," I muttered before sinking into a chair. "This situation is tearing everything apart." Mom's eyes sparkled with a determined expression I recognised all too well.
"I've got an idea, Alfred. We need to use force to get Lucy back. "We will kidnap her." I stared at her, hardly believing what I'd heard. "Are you crazy?" Kidnap the Lycan King's fiancee? "Do you know what he would do to us if he found out?" He already has something against us, and you want to add to it.
"It's the only way, Alfred," she urged. "We need Lucy back, and this is how we'll do it." I shook my head vigorously. "No, mom. Absolutely not.
If Xavier discovers we attempted to kidnap Lucy, we're dead. There is no going back from that. "We have to find another way." My mother's expression tightened, but I could see the wheels spinning in her mind. I leaned back in my chair, feeling the weight of the situation bear down on me.
"Mom, we need to think about this carefully; kidnapping Lucy is not only dangerous, but also suicidal." Xavier will pursue us relentlessly. My mother walked the room, frowning deeply. "You're right," she says hesitantly. "But we can't stay here and do nothing."We need to find a way to get Lucy away from Xavier."
I nodded and tried to think of options. "Maybe... we could try to talk to her? Convince her to return willingly? Mom scoffed. "After how we treated her?" Do you honestly believe she'd listen? I winced, knowing she was correct. The memories of pushing Lucy away and betraying her with Aris came flooding back. "Then what about reaching out to Xavier directly?" I recommended.
"Try to negotiate, or at least find out what he knows?" You already did that. Mom shakes her head. "This is too hazardous. We're not sure how much he knows or what he's planning. "We need to be more subtle."
We sat quietly for a while, both buried in meditation. Eventually, Mom spoke up. "What if we could bring someone closer to Lucy? Someone she might trust, who could sway her decisions?" I stared at her, fascinated.
"What do you mean?" "Like we need an insider," Mom explained, her eyes gleaming. "Someone who can get close to Lucy, earn her trust, and gradually persuade her that she's better off with us. Someone that Xavier would not suspect." I nodded slowly, realising the possibilities of this concept.
It was less perilous than kidnapping, but it allowed us a chance to reclaim Lucy. "But who?" I asked. "Who could we trust with something like this?" Mom grinned with a calculated expression on her face." Leave that to me.
I have someone in mind who owes me a favour. Someone who could effortlessly integrate into Xavier's home without drawing suspicion." "Alright," I finally said. Let's do it. But, Mom, we have to be careful. If this backfires, we may lose everything." Mom nodded, her expression serious. "I understand, Alfred. But we must try. For the sake of our pack and our family, we must reclaim Lucy." I returned to my chambers, thinking about everything that had happened in the past.
Then I decide to sneak back to the Lycan king's home and chat to Lucy one more time. If she does not cooperate with me, I shall follow my mother's decision.
As night arrived, I decided to return to King Lycan's palace and try to speak with Lucy one more time. I knew it was dangerous, but I needed to try. If she refused to listen or cooperate...
So, I had no choice but to accept my mother's proposal. I waited until the pack was asleep before slipping out unnoticed. The trip to Xavier's palace was uncomfortable; every shadow appeared to conceal a potential threat, but I persisted, motivated by desperation and a dwindling hope that I would be able to put things right. As I entered the royal grounds, I realised I hadn't considered everything: how would I locate Lucy?
How would I go in without being caught? The location was undoubtedly guarded, particularly at night. I crept through the compound, looking for any weaknesses in the security.
Just as I was ready to give up hope, I noticed a familiar figure going through the gardens: Lucy, alone and deep in contemplation. My heart began thumping. This was my chance. I took a deep breath, moved out of the darkness, and called out to her softly. "Lucy? We need to talk. She whirled around, her eyes widening in surprise before narrowing in rage as she recognised me.
I lifted my hands, hoping to appear nonthreatening. "Please," I murmured quietly, "just give me five minutes." That's all I wanted.
Lucy gave me an angry look. For a brief moment, I thought she might contact security. But then she crossed her arms and spoke in a low, anxious tone.
"In five minutes, Alfred. That is all you will get for it. And you might as well do it properly. I nodded, feeling relieved. "Thank you," I replied, taking a step forward. "Lucy, I realise I made a terrible mistake. I apologise for mistreating you.
However, Xavier is not who he appears to be."He is dangerous." Lucy scoffed, her eyes filled with rage. "Dangerous? So you're not? You have betrayed me, Alfred. You and Aris and your mother - you all turned against me. Xavier has shown me nothing but kindness."
I cringed at her words, knowing they were correct. "I understand, and I can't take anything back. But Lucy, there's so much you don't know about Xavier and our history-" "Our history?" Lucy interrupted, her voice rising slightly.
"What are you talking about?" I looked around nervously, knowing we may be found at any minute. "It is complicated, Lucy. But believe me when I tell you that Xavier has his own agenda. "He's using you to get back at me and our pack."
Lucy's eyes narrowed. "Are you using me?" Like you did? At least Xavier shows me respect. He didn't abandon me when I couldn't produce an heir." Her words wounded, but I pushed on.
"Dear Lucy, please. I ask you to rethink. Come back with me. We can work things out and start afresh. "Start over?" Lucy laughed bitterly. "Are you insane?" How about Aris and your baby? You want to dismiss them like you normally do? I ran my fingers through my hair, frustrated. "I know it sounds crazy, but-" Suddenly, we heard footsteps coming. Lucy's eyes widened in alarm.
"You need to go," she snarled. "Now. Before anyone sees you. I reached out to her, desperately. "Lucy, please-"
She moved back and shook her head. "No, Alfred. It is too late. Whatever history you have with Xavier, whatever you believe is going on, it does not erase what you did to me. Now leave, before I contact the guards personally.
" I turned and crept back into the darkness, watching Lucy hurry back to the palace. I made my way back to my own land. Now I had no choice but to follow my mother's plan, whatever it was. I've tried to be nice. If using violence is the only option, so be it. I will get Lucy back, even if it involves kidnapping.