The packs outcast Luna (Kaia and Theo) novel Chapter 57

Chapter 57

–Theo–

:.

I was still replaying my conversation with Father when a knock came.

Not really a knock-more like three angry punches against the door.

Only one person knocked like that.

Lucien. Of course.

“Come in,” I said, already irritated.

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He walked into my study like he owned the place, shutting the door behind him with a soft, mocking click.

He didn’t bow his head nor acknowledge me as Alpha. He just walked in grinning, hands in his pockets, his eyes roaming the study with bored disdain.

“Well,” he said. “Long time no see, big brother.”

I crossed my arms. “What do you want, Lucien?”

He raised a brow. “Wow. Straight to business. No warm welcome? No ‘how have you been?”

“Get to the point, Lucien,” I muttered, annoyed.

“You owe me for this,” he said. “Big time.”

I stared at him. “For what? Existing?”

“For agreeing to marry Elara,” he said. “I’m taking your place and cleaning up your mess. So you’ll be with that little mate of yours. You should thank me”

My jaw ticked. “The mess I caused? You mean the one Elara created when she abandoned the engagement?”

Lucien waved a hand. “She had her reasons.”

“Yeah. Elara wanted someone stronger.”

Lucien’s smirk widened. “Exactly.”

I stood, meeting him eye to eye.

Then, I chuckled a little.

“You should be glad,” I said. “You finally get to be useful for once in your life.”

His jaw ticked. “Careful, Theo.”

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Chapter 57

“Or what?” I asked. “Are you going to run to Cara and cry about it?” My smile widened.

His eyes darkened. “You think this is funny?”

“I think you barging into my study demanding gratitude is pathetic,” I said.

His expression tightened, and he looked like I had crushed his pride.

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“You know,” Lucien pinched his chin, chuckling. “You act so mighty for someone whose life depends on a stable pulse.”

Lucien stepped closer, invading my space like he always tried to every chance he got.

“How’s the weak heart doing these days?” he asked casually.

My body tensed.

He saw it and pushed further.

“Still skipping every time you train too hard? Still weaker than the average warrior pup?”

“Lucien,” I warned.

“Oh, relax. I’m just curious,” he said. “Did you tell Kaia? Does she know the great Alpha Theo is living on borrowed time? String together by luck?”

My fingers curled into fists.

“Does she know,” he continued quietly, “that she might lose you any day? That she might end up with a dying mate?”

“That’s enough!” I snapped. “What do you have against Kaia?”

Lucien stopped in front of me, staring down at me with pure hatred.

“Kaia?” Lucien laughed. “You think I hate you because of Kaia?” he said. “Or because Elara wanted you first? You think that’s it?”

I didn’t respond.

Lucien leaned forward, voice dropping to a venomous spat.

“I hate you because even with a failing heart… even with all your weaknesses… You still got the Alpha gene.”

Lucien never hid his hatred for me. I wasn’t expecting him to.

At least someone was honest with me about their feelings.

Lucien stepped closer, breath cold.

“You’re a fragile Alpha, Theo. A ticking time bomb with weak blood and a weak body. You have always been

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weak”

“I’m still the Alpha,” I said flatly.

“Yes. Only because the goddess made a mistake by choosing to give you the Alpha gene”

“And that,” I said sofily, “is why you’ll never be more than second.”

Lucien paced for a moment and stopped to face me.

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“Do you want to know why I hate you so much?” he asked. “You got father’s approval, the pack and respect. And what did I get?” He scoffed. “Mother’s delusions and a name no one takes seriously.”

“That’s not my fault,” I said.

“No?” He stopped and glared at me. “You think I don’t see how the pack worships you? Even when you’re pale, panting, clutching your chest after a fight, they still call you Alpha.”

He leaned closer. “You got everything I deserved.”

“And yet,” I said softly, “here you are, begging to be the replacement husband.”

His nostrils flared.

“You think this marriage scares me?” Lucien hissed. “Elara is still in love with you. She doesn’t want me.”

“That’s not my problem.”

“Isn’t it?” Lucien chuckled darkly. “Do you know the first thing she asked me? She said, ‘Reject me so Theo has to take me back.””

I felt my stomach twist. “She asked you that?”

“Oh yes,” he said. “She practically begged. And when I refused, she screamed your name like a pathetic child.”

I didn’t respond.

Lucien studied my face. “See? Even now, you want her to want you. You always have.”

“Lucien,” I said coldly, “I moved on.”

“To Kaia?” he mocked.” Does Kaia know? That you’ve got a failing heart? That one wrong shock could send you straight to the ancestors?”

My jaw locked.

“Lucien,” I warned again, my voice trembling a little.

“You can’t protect her,” he taunted. “You can’t even protect yourself.”

My eyes lifted with a cold warning. “Leave Kaia out of this.”

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Lucien smirked. “I can’t do that. She’s the whole reason you’re spiralling. Tell me, does she know she’s mating a man who can’t even shift without risking collapse?”

I stood up, clenching my fists. “You don’t get to talk about Kaia.”

Lucien chuckled. “I get to talk about anything I want, especially when you keep ruining everything that should’ve been mine.”

I stiffened, noticing my nostrils flare with anger.

Lucien’s voice continued dropping.

“I trained harder. I fought harder,” he turned his back to me. ” I was stronger and faster than you’ll ever be.. Somehow, the title went to the boy who fainted during shifts.”

A low growl escaped my lips.

“I was supposed to be Alpha.” My mother knew this,” Lucien said. “The Council knew it, and even half the pack knew it.” Only you and Father had a different opinion”

I clenched my fists.

Lucien ignored me and continued, “But here’s the part I enjoy most, knowing you’re one heartbreak away from the grave.”

I froze.

Lucien’s smile sharpened.

“Oh, yes. One emotional shock or betrayal. And your heart might stop.”

He tilted his head.

“What happens to the pack then? Kaia becomes Luna for a day and then a grieving widow the next?”

My voice was low, shaking with contained fury. “Shut. Up.”

Lucien stepped even closer.

“You talk about claiming her. About protecting her. But isn’t it selfish? Truly selfish?”

His eyes glinted.

“Do you want to ruin her life more than it already is?”

My breath hitched.

Lucien smirked in satisfaction.

“Think about it, brother. You bind yourself to her, and she gets a mate who’s one bad day from death.”

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He shrugged carelessly.

“But hey,” he smirked, “if you want to drag her into that coffin with you, be my guest.”

My voice came out raw. “Get out. Before I forget, we share blood.”

Lucien raised both hands, mocking surrender.

“Of course. Wouldn’t want to overwork that fragile heart of yours.”

I was shaking with rage. I stood up and grabbed Lucien’s collar, pinning him down.

But he wouldn’t stop talking.

“Say one more word,” I whispered, “and you’ll regret stepping into this room.”

He stared at me, but his pulse gave him away; he was scared.

Maybe just a little.

Once I let him go, he straightened his collar and turned to leave with a smug expression.

He paused at the door, turning back once more.

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“One last thing. If you die, the pack still needs an Alpha.” His smile turned vicious. “And I’ll be right here waiting.”

He left without another word.

He stormed out, slamming the door so hard the walls shook.

I stood there for a minute, replaying what Lucien said in my head.

I was vibrating unintentionally because Lucien had said the truth.

The one thing I feared the most.

I sank into my chair, struggling to catch my breath.

Lucien may be a hater, but he was not wrong this time,

He was right; I’m one heart attack away from death.

It would be selfish of me to drag Kaia down with me.

Loving Kaia may not kill me but dying prematurely after mating her would haunt me in my death.

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Chapter 58