Chosen By The Cursed Alpha King (Emilia) novel Chapter 244

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99. The Man In The Shadow

LUCIEN’S POV

The garden air felt heavier after Naomi stormed off, her parting threat lingering like smoke from a dying fire. ‘Trust me, Lucien, you don’t want to start this battle with me…you won’t win.‘ Her words echoed in my head, laced with that dark promise I couldn’t shake.

I stood there, Andrea still clutched tight against my chest, his small body finally going limp as exhaustion took over. His breaths were even now, warm puffs against my neck, but every few seconds he’d twitch, like even in sleep he couldn’t fully relax.

Adele stood beside me, her hand on my arm, grounding me. Her eyes were soft but sharp, scanning the shadows where Naomi had disappeared. The lanterns swayed gently overhead, casting flickering light across the path, making everything feel unsteady, like the ground might shift at any moment.

“We can’t let her near him,” Adele said quietly, voice firm. “Not tonight.”

I nodded, jaw tight. “I know.”

I shifted Andrea’s weight carefully, carrying him back toward the palace. His little fingers curled into my shirt, holding on even in sleep. Each step ramped up the tension in my chest- Naomi’s threat, Andrea’s fear, the way he’d flinched at her snap. It all swirled together, building into something dark and urgent. I needed answers. Real ones. But first, I needed to keep him

safe.

We reached the main hall. I spotted Maria, one of the trusted maids who’d been with the pack for years–kind, reliable, good with kids. She was standing near the staircase.

“Maria,” I called, voice low but commanding.

She turned, eyes widening slightly when she saw Andrea in my arms. “Beta Lucien? Is everything alright?”

I handed him over gently, making sure not to wake him. He stirred once, mumbling something incoherent, but settled against her shoulder. “Take care of him tonight. Put him in his room–the one with the big window. Make sure he’s comfortable. Bath, pajamas, whatever

he needs.”

She nodded, cradling him like he was her own. “Of course, Beta. Poor little thing looks worn

out.”

I watched her for a moment, the way Andrea’s head lolled against her, trusting even in sleep.

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It twisted something in my gut–how could a kid this small already know so much fear? Maria started up the stairs, and I turned to the guard stationed at the hall’s end–Jax, a solid warrior I trusted.

“Jax,” I said, motioning him over.

He approached quickly, eyes alert. “Beta?”

“Position yourself at Andrea’s door. No one goes in or out without my say–so. Especially not Naomi. If she tries anything–anything–detain her and call me immediately.”

His brow furrowed for a split second, but he didn’t question it. “Understood.”

I watched him follow Maria up the stairs, the tension in my shoulders easing just a fraction. At least for tonight, he’d be safe. Guarded. Away from whatever poison Naomi carried.

Adele slipped her hand into mine, squeezing gently. We stood there in the quiet hall, the weight of the evening pressing down. Her touch was the only thing keeping me grounded.

She turned to me, eyes searching my face. “I think she’s doing something to him. Something that makes him scared. The way he looks at her…the bruises…it wouldn’t surprise me if she’s hitting that kid.”

The words hung there, ugly and raw. I swallowed hard, the image of those marks flashing again. “We’ll soon know,” I said, voice rough. “I’m getting to the bottom of this. All of it.”

I lifted her hand to my lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. Her skin was soft, warm–a contrast to the cold rage building inside me.

“Thank you,” I murmured against her fingers. “For accepting Andrea. For treating him the way you did tonight. I was… I was worried. Scared, even. But watching you two…I think you’ll get along. Really get along.”

She smiled, small but genuine, reaching up to touch my face. Her fingers traced my jaw, sending a shiver through me. “I’ll do anything for you,” she said softly. “Anything.”

The intensity in her eyes hit me hard–love, fierce and unyielding. It made the tension in my chest shift, turning from fear to something warmer, steadier. I leaned down, capturing her lips in a kiss–slow, deep, pouring everything I couldn’t say into it. Her hands slid to my neck, pulling me closer, and for a moment, the world narrowed to just us.

When we broke apart, I rested my forehead against hers. “I have to go check with the patrol team before joining you in bed. I’m sorry, my love.”

She shook her head, thumb brushing my cheek. “It’s fine. Be safe.”

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I kissed her once more–quick, lingering–then watched her walk away up the stairs, her dress swaying with each step. She glanced back once, that smile still there, and disappeared

around the corner.

I released the breath I’d been holding. It came out shaky, ragged. The hall felt emptier without her, the shadows longer. For a second, I just stood there, letting the quiet settle. Andrea safe. Adele on my side. But Naomi’s threat still echoed, a dark undercurrent pulling at me.

I turned toward the border, the night air calling me. The patrols needed checking–routine, but with humans sniffing around Crescent Moon territory, I couldn’t let my guard down. My boots echoed as I headed for the side exit, mind already shifting to strategy, routes, guards.

That’s when I saw her.

Naomi.

She was at the far end of the hall, tucked into a shadowed corner near the servant’s door.

Talking to someone.

The figure was hidden in the darkness–tall, broad, unmistakably male. His back was to me, but the way he stood screamed power. Authority.

They were arguing.

Low voices, urgent, clipped.

I froze, instincts kicking in. My wolf went still, senses sharpening. I slipped into the shadows myself, pressing against the wall, straining to hear.

“…failing,” the man growled, voice deep, familiar in a way that made my skin crawl.

Naomi’s response was sharp, defensive. “I’m trying-”

“That’s not what you’re here for,” he cut her off, leaning in closer.

Her head shook. “I know, but-”

The slap came fast.

His hand cracked across her face, the sound echoing faintly down the hall.

Naomi’s head snapped to the side, hand flying to her cheek.

I tensed, ready to move, to intervene–but something held me back. Curiosity. Suspicion. Who was this guy? What were they arguing about?

The man straightened, turning to walk away.

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<099. The Man In The Shadow

The moon slanted through a high window, catching his profile.

My heart slammed against my ribs–hard, violent, stopping time.

No.

No way.

It couldn’t be.

That face–hard lines, sharp jaw, eyes like cold steel.

Impossible.

The figure disappeared into the darkness, footsteps fading.

I stood there, frozen, breath caught in my throat.

Was it him?

How?

The tension wrapped around me like chains, squeezing tighter.

What the hell was going on?

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