Lethal Temptation (by Michelle Ray) novel Chapter 71

71 We Found Something

Lucian

+25 Points

We made our way to the clinic quickly. I’d already told Austin to call ahead and have the doctor clear her schedule-Mara came first today.

I’d promised her we’d look into contraceptives. It wasn’t my ideal outcome-I wanted children with her. But I wanted it on her terms. I’d wait. No pressure, no guilt. Just love and respect, however long it took.

When we arrived, the nurse ushered us straight into the doctor’s office. Dr. Raina-a sharp-looking woman in her late forties with blonde hair pinned neatly at the back-greeted us with a formal

smile.

“Alpha Nighthorn. Luna Mara. What do I owe this visit?” she asked, voice polished but distant.

“My wife just finished her first heat,” I said, and she raised a brow. Then, oddly enough, she smiled.

“Well done, Alpha,” she said, tone half-congratulatory, half-amused.

“Congratulations, Luna Mara,” she added with more warmth.

Mara gave her a small, tired smile in return.

I didn’t waste time. “We’re not ready for children, so we’d like to know what options are available. Something safe. Effective.”

The doctor’s expression shifted. Her eyes moved to Mara-measuring her, almost studying her.

“Luna,” she said gently. “Having a child is a gift. Especially for someone in your position. You’re mated to the future Alpha. You’d be expected to start thinking about heirs.”

I tensed. She wasn’t here to counsel us. I kept my tone even.

“We didn’t come here for opinions, Doctor. Just help.”

She backed off quickly. “My apologies.”

But her hesitation lingered. She didn’t want to be the one to prescribe contraceptives to a Luna. I understood why-every pack wanted their Alpha line secured, protected, passed down. But this wasn’t the doctor’s choice.

Then Mara stood abruptly.

“Lucian, let’s go,” she said through the link, already Halfway to the door.

What? Are you sure? I asked her quietly.

She nodded. Her voice was calm, resolved.

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“If I get pregnant, so be it. Like she said-it’s not a bad thing.”

I followed her, pausing just long enough to thank the doctor before we walked out together.

+25 Points

On the way back to the mansion, I sat close beside her in the back seat, still trying to process what

just happened.

“Why the change of heart?” I asked softly.

Mara looked out the window for a moment, then turned to me.

“I want babies too, Lucian. Your babies. Maybe I’m nineteen, but I wouldn’t be the first. And if this heat gave us a child, then… that’s not a bad thing.”

Her voice wasn’t impulsive. It was thoughtful. Like she’d already weighed this out before we even

reached the clinic.

I leaned in, kissed her gently, my hand sliding over the smooth skin of her thigh.

“Thank you, baby,” I whispered.

She kissed me back, and we made out quietly for a while-just slow touches, lingering lips, shared breath. We didn’t take it further, not there. Not in the car. But it was enough.

When we returned to our bedroom, the space had been completely transformed. The chaos we’d left behind-torn sheets, shredded pillows, half-eaten food, broken dishes-was all gone. Fresh linens, clean air, polished floors.

The staff had done a thorough job, and I was quietly grateful. I would’ve handled it myself, but I hadn’t wanted anyone to catch Mara’s scent while she was in heat. I wasn’t afraid of the consequences-I could’ve beaten down any wolf who tried something stupid-but I needed my energy. I needed every ounce of control I had for her.

Now, the storm had passed.

And whatever came next, we were facing it together.

Mara’s decision to have a baby warmed something deep inside me. I’d already loved her with everything I had, but now… it was different. Bigger.promised myself she wouldn’t regret it-not for a second. I’d be there through all of it. Every moment.

I was sitting on the couch in the sitting area, planning our vacation on the tablet when she came out in one of my old shirts-the same one she wore on our wedding night. It had a tear in the shoulder now, and she refused to let it go. She claimed it was comfortable. I thought it was adorable.

She snuggled into my side while I scrolled through destinations, her head resting against my shoulder, her warmth soaking into me.

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That’s when my phone rang. Darian.

I answered. “Hello?”

Mara sat up immediately, sensing the shift in my tone.

+25 Points

“Lucian, we found the guy. The one who owns the vehicle that attacked you,” Darian said, and I felt

the blood heat in my veins.

“You’re sure?”

“We got the plates from the CCTV at Emilliano’s-the footage you sent me. It gave us a clean shot.”

I stood up, already heading to the bedroom to get dressed. “Send me the address. I’m on my way.”

I ended the call.

“Where are you going?” Mara asked, already on her feet.

“Darian’s team tracked the bastard who owns the vehicle that ambushed us,” I said, and watched

her face tighten-shock first, then pure anger.

“I’m coming with you,” she said, firm.

I didn’t want her to see me like that-not the version of me that handled threats. That part of me

wasn’t kind. It wasn’t gentle.

“Mara, please. Stay.”

“No,” she snapped. “They tried to kill both of us. I deserve to know who and why.”

Her eyes left no room for negotiation. I gave in with a nod, and she rushed off to throw on joggers and a t-shirt. No time for anything else. We weren’t dressing for a trip-we were dressing for a

reckoning.

We rode in the back of the van with two soldiers. Mara sat beside me, tense but calm. Focused.

Ready.

She turned to me. “How did Darian find him so fast”

“Plate number,” I explained. “The car was parked outside La Puerta Del Sol. The restaurant had a CCTV camera on the street. I reached out to the manager the same day and asked for access. Once I got the footage, I sent it to Darian. He pulled the license plate from a clean shot.

Cross-referenced it. Found the owner.”

Mara looked at me like I’d just pulled off a small miracle. Her brows lifted, a hint of admiration flickering behind the fire in her gaze.

“Remind me not to underestimate you,” she muttered.

I gave a grim smile. “Remind them not to underestimate us.”

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Whatever this bastard knew-whoever he was working for-we’d get it out of him.

And we wouldn’t leave until we had answers.

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