Chosen By The Cursed Alpha King (Emilia) novel Chapter 243

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98. A Tug of War

LUCIEN’S POV

“What do you mean he’s not going with me? He’s my fucking son, Lucien!”

Naomi’s voice cracked through the quiet garden like a whip. She stood at the edge of the path, fists clenched, face flushed red with fury. Her eyes were locked on Andrea, who was curled against Adele’s chest, small arms wrapped tight around her neck, face hidden in the curve of her shoulder.

The sight of him clinging to Adele–my mate–while his own mother screamed for him… it did something violent to me inside.

I stepped forward, putting myself between Naomi and them. My wolf was right under my skin, claws itching, growl already rumbling low in my throat.

“First of all,” I said, voice dangerously quiet, “I never gave you the right to call me by my name. It’s Beta Lucien.”

She blinked, stunned for half a second, like I’d slapped her.

Then she laughed–short, bitter, disbelieving. “We have a child together and you’re still

worried about titles?”

Her words were meant to cut. They didn’t. They just made the rage burn hotter, steadier.

I took another step closer, towering over her. “You’re really pushing it, Naomi. I have the power to make sure you never see this boy again. Don’t force me to do that.”

The color drained from her face, but she didn’t back down. She lifted her chin, eyes blazing.” This is unbelievable. It’s way past bedtime. I just want to take him to bed.”

Adele shifted Andrea’s weight in her arms, voice calm but edged with steel. “We already arranged a room for him.”

Naomi’s head snapped toward her. “I’m not fucking talking to you.”

My growl ripped out–low, warning, primal. The sound vibrated through the garden.

“You will respect my mate,” I said, each word carved from ice. “You don’t get to speak to her like that.”

Naomi’s mouth opened, then closed. For the first time since she’d shown up in my life, I saw real uncertainty flicker in her eyes.

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She rubbed her arms like she was cold, glancing at Andrea. Her voice dropped, trying for soft now, coaxing. “Come to me, baby.”

Andrea stirred.

His head lifted from Adele’s shoulder. Sleepy eyes blinked open, confused.

“Mommy?” he mumbled.

Naomi opened her arms immediately, smile forced but bright. “Yes, baby. Come to Mommy.”

Andrea looked at her.

Then he looked at me.

Then back at her.

He tightened his grip on Adele instead.

Naomi’s smile twitched. “Come here, Andrea.”

He shook his head–small, stubborn, scared.

Her voice sharpened before she could stop it. “Come here.”

The snap in her tone made him flinch.

She caught herself instantly, eyes widening like she hadn’t meant to let it slip. She softened her face, made her voice small and sweet again.

“Come to Mummy,” she said, almost singing. “You know Mummy loves you, right? We can go have ice cream tomorrow. So… do you want to stay with Daddy or come with Mummy?”

The question landed like a trap.

Andrea’s eyes flicked to me–big, pleading, desperate. Like he was begging me to understand something he couldn’t say out loud.

My heart cracked.

He turned slowly toward Naomi.

“I… Andrea wants to go with Mummy,” he whispered. His voice was tiny, shaking. “Andrea will be a good boy.”

Naomi’s smile bloomed–triumphant, wicked, victorious.

“Good boy,” she purred, opening her arms wider.

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< 098. A Tug of War

Andrea looked at Adele.

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He didn’t want to let go. I could see it in the way his fingers dug into her dress, the way his little body leaned away from his mother even as he said the words. It just made me even more suspicious of the whole situation.

Adele’s arms tightened around him instinctively, protective.

Naomi stepped forward, reaching.

Before her hands could touch him-

I moved.

In one smooth motion I scooped Andrea out of Adele’s arms and settled him against my

chest.

He sagged with visible relief, face pressing into my neck, arms wrapping around me like he’d never let go.

I turned to Naomi.

My voice came out calm. Too calm.

“Andrea is coming with Daddy.”

Her mouth dropped open.

Andrea’s whole body relaxed against me–shaking less, breathing easier.

I held him tighter, one hand cradling the back of his head, the other locked around his small frame like a shield.

My eyes never left Naomi’s.

“If I say he stays,” I said slowly, each word carved from stone, “he stays.”

The garden went dead silent.

Naomi stared at me.

Then at Andrea.

Then back at me.

The triumph in her eyes flickered, died, turned to something darker–something dangerous.

She took one step back.

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But the look on her face said this wasn’t over.

“Trust me Lucien, you don’t want to start this battle with me, you won’t win.” She said…and then without another word she turned and walked away.

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