The Secret Heirs of the Lycan King (by Misha K) novel Chapter 45

**When Midnight Winds Carry Secrets Toward Worlds Yet Unknown**

The moment Bella stepped out of my office, a profound emptiness enveloped me, as if the very air had been sucked from the room. I leaned back in my chair, my eyes glued to the door she had just passed through, longing for her presence to fill the space once more. My heart thudded in my chest, a relentless drumbeat echoing the wild chaos inside me. The rut season was on the horizon, and with it, my primal instincts surged like a tidal wave, demanding to be acknowledged. I craved her with an intensity that was both exhilarating and terrifying, a duality that left me breathless. My Lycan stirred restlessly beneath my skin, a beast urging me to claim her, to whisk her away to a sanctuary where we could escape the world’s watchful gaze.

Ever since she had shown me that ominous message, a dark cloud of dread had settled heavily over my thoughts. Every instinct within me screamed that she was vulnerable out there, alone in a world fraught with danger. I grabbed my phone, my fingers shaking as I dialed Troy’s number, desperation clawing at my insides. The line clicked, and he answered on the second ring, his voice a mix of curiosity and concern. “Yeah, Alpha?”

“I need Bella to move into the villa,” I stated, cutting straight to the heart of the matter. There was no room for hesitation; urgency coursed through my veins.

A heavy silence hung between us, and I could almost visualize Troy’s incredulous expression. “You’ve lost your mind,” he finally muttered, disbelief dripping from his tone. I could picture him running a hand through his hair in frustration. “Tasha is already in the villa. Do you want me to die young? What have I done to deserve this, Your Majesty? Please tell me I misheard you.”

“You didn’t mishear,” I growled, my voice low and fierce, a warning lacing my words. “Bella’s in danger. Someone is threatening her, and I refuse to let her or the kids remain unprotected. Another round of those threatening messages has surfaced! I can’t just sit idly by while she’s at risk.”

Troy let out a long, exasperated groan that resonated through the phone, a sound that mirrored my own frustration. “Alpha, do you even realize what you’re saying? She’s a human! Why are you so fixated on a human? You’re inviting her into the ‘royal villa.’ You might as well paint a target on her back and send a notice to the Elders that you’ve officially gone rogue.”

“I don’t give a damn,” I snapped, my patience fraying. “She’s coming, and that’s the end of it.” My voice was firm, unwavering.

I could envision Troy pinching the bridge of his nose, his frustration palpable. “Okay,” he finally relented, albeit hesitantly. “But how serious are you about her? This isn’t some fleeting affair. You’re talking about defying the Council, the werewolves, and the Elders.”

“I’m dead serious,” I replied, my conviction unshakeable.

The silence that followed was thick with tension, a weight that pressed down on us both. Then, I heard him exhale slowly, as if weighing his words with careful thought. “Alpha, maybe you’re just obsessed,” he suggested, attempting to reason with me. “It happens. You’ve been alone for far too long. She’s vulnerable, sweet. Any man would feel protective. But this? It’s dangerous for both of you.”

“Troy—”

“No, listen to me,” he interrupted, urgency creeping into his tone. “There’s a massive divide between you two—status, power, nature. You’re a Lycan king. She’s merely human. Do you genuinely believe this can end well? You’re risking not only your crown but her life as well. You need to stop before it spirals out of control.”

I clenched my jaw, my heart already racing beyond reason. With a rough voice, I declared, “No, Troy. I’ve already let her slip through my fingers once. That won’t happen again. Only death will separate us now.”

The silence on the other end was heavy, laden with frustration and disbelief. “Alpha,” he said, desperation creeping into his voice, “for the Goddess’s sake, why? Why are you doing this?”

I found myself staring at the photo frame on my desk, the pack’s crest glinting in the light, and felt the truth ignite within me like a flame. “Because she’s my mate,” I admitted quietly, the words spilling from my lips as if I had been holding them back for far too long.

For a full minute, Troy was silent, processing the weight of what I had just revealed. Then I heard a sharp intake of breath, the creak of a chair, and a soft curse escape him. “Your… what?”

“My mate,” I repeated, the reality of it settling over us like a shroud.

The line went dead, and within ten minutes, Troy burst into my office, his face a mask of disbelief and shock. I could sense the whirlwind of emotions battling within him—tension, surprise, and incredulity. “You can’t be serious. That’s impossible,” he breathed, his voice barely above a whisper. “There hasn’t been a true Lycan mate in—hell, centuries. And with a human?” He moved behind my chair, gripping the back as if it were a lifeline.

“I felt it the very first moment I laid eyes on her. My Lycan recognized her instantly,” I explained, my conviction unwavering.

Troy’s eyes widened in astonishment. “You first saw her five years ago.”

I nodded, feeling the weight of that secret hang heavily between us.

“And you kept that from me?” His expression twisted with hurt, betrayal evident in his gaze.

“Speaking of the kids,” I said, shifting the topic, “did you manage to gather any more information?”

“I spoke to some witches,” he replied, his expression serious. “They told me something peculiar. Apparently, there’s a witch with immense power who’s been missing for five years. Some say she’s their queen, while others dispute it. No one knows where she’s gone. Some believe she’s hiding among humans, using a spell strong enough to erase her own presence.”

I frowned, the implications of his words sinking in like a stone. “And?”

Troy continued, “If anyone could create a potion powerful enough to mask scent for five years, it could be her. It’s possible the kids were spelled by her. There’s no other explanation.”

A shiver ran down my spine, a cold realization settling in. “Then Bella’s in more danger than we thought.” Witches were cunning and cruel. For a moment, all I could hear was the sound of my own breathing as I contemplated the threat messages, the fire, the photos. Could it be that witch? No, it didn’t make sense. Why would she want Bella to leave me? Or perhaps she did. Maybe she wanted me for herself. Did she know me?

Troy stood, sensing my unease. “I’m getting Bella and the kids to safety NOW! But we need to keep an eye on Tasha. She’s been restless lately. I feel like she’s plotting something. She even mentioned Samhain—talking about going to the pack and preparing for the festivities.”

I frowned, contemplating the implications of his words. Samhain was only ten days away, and she was already acting like she was my Luna? Despite my anger, it provided a good opportunity to rid myself of her while Bella settled into the villa. “Let her go,” I replied decisively. “It’ll keep her occupied.”

Troy nodded and left, and just then, my phone buzzed with a message. It was from Maya.

“Kindly don’t forget Grandma Isla’s 80th birthday this Sunday.” The thought of attending filled me with dread, but the family was pressing hard for my presence.

As the weight of my decisions settled in, I found myself standing at the precipice of a tumultuous path. Bella was not just a fleeting infatuation; she was my mate, a bond that transcended the boundaries of our worlds. The realization ignited a fierce determination within me, a resolve to protect her at all costs. The very essence of my Lycan surged forward, blending with my human heart, urging me to embrace this connection despite the inevitable chaos it would unleash. I could no longer ignore the danger surrounding her, nor the truth of our entwined fates. The stakes had never been higher, and the looming threat of the witch only intensified my urgency to bring her into the safety of the villa. I would face the Elders, the pack, and the consequences of my choice, but I would not let fear dictate my actions. I had chosen love, and with it, I would fight.

Yet, as I prepared to welcome Bella and her children into my life, the shadows of uncertainty loomed large. The whispers of doubt from Troy echoed in my mind, reminding me of the risks involved—the potential for heartbreak, the danger to Bella’s very existence, and the upheaval it could cause within the pack. But amidst the swirling storm of emotions, one truth remained steadfast: I would never reject my mate. The fear of losing her was far greater than any threat from the Council or the witch. I could feel the winds of change stirring, carrying with them secrets and destinies yet unknown. As I took a deep breath, I steeled myself for the challenges ahead, knowing that love was worth every battle. With Bella by my side, I would forge a new path, one where our bond could thrive against all odds, and together, we would confront the darkness that sought to tear us apart.