The Fall Of Lucian
Chapter 37

Adara runs to Bardas and hugs her wolf.

-I thought you’d never come back, I was so worried about you.

-I’m fine, relax, my moon,” she licks his cheek and strokes his muzzle.

“Are you hurt?

-No, I’m not. You can rest easy.”

That news soothed the chestnut’s heart, since those days he was away she couldn’t sleep at all.

-What has happened? The people of Deisy’s village are very worried about their alpha, they wanted to return, but I stopped them from leaving.

-The prince prefers to omit certain details from his moon, it’s best that she doesn’t know anything about it.

-And Deisy?

-She’s fine, a little hurt, but she’ll be all right.

The brunette seemed to be reassured by his answer.

-What happened to those people, Bardas? To your men? -Adara asks him as they walk to the entrance of the house and he in his wolf form.

Lucian has had a grandson, he got mixed up with Deisy’s people looking for a she-wolf to do his bidding.

-And has he succeeded? -The brunette stops and confronts her wolf.

-No, he didn’t. Someone in that pack confirmed to me that he didn’t make it. He’s the one who killed all those people, hurt Deisy and killed her beta.”

-Did he get away?

-I killed him, and I burned his body. He was the last survivor of Lucian’s offspring.”

Adara lets out her breath along with a relieved smile.

-Does that mean it’s over?

-That’s right, we won’t be bothered anymore. We just have to wait for our parents to show up and tell us if they were able to finish Lucian off.”

It was the only thing they had to wait for…

[…]

That night, Bardas and the wolves of Deisy’s pack informed them that they could return to their village in the morning; that their alpha was waiting for them to start anew. The prince asked everyone to make no mention of the wolf that attacked them, and the people agreed.

With the first rays of the sun, the albino wolves departed for their homeland, thanking the blue moon pack for their hospitality. Adara bade them farewell in the company of the prince, the pack turned into wolves and set off into the forest.

-Do you think it’s all right to send them off without guards?

-They’ll be fine, besides, I don’t think the alpha would be too happy to receive royal guards.

That was true, Adara thought. At least they had solved that problem, but they had the most important problem of all.

-It’s been a long time, and our parents haven’t returned. I’m so worried, Bardas,” her wolf hugs her tightly.

-They will come back, I assure you, they are strong wolves.

She knew it, but she was still worried.

-THE ALPHA IS BACK! IT’S THE ALPHA AND THE KING! THEY’RE BACK!

The couple hears the shout of the guard who was watching from a wooden tower. They both run to another entrance of the herd to wait for the alphas to enter.

And when the alphas appear, Adara’s heart leaps with excitement as she sees the king enter the pride.

-Father! -Bardas exclaims, running towards the wolf.

Behind him came Ethan, which brought a smile to the chestnut’s lips. She also ran towards him to hug him in her wolf form.

-Dad, you’re back, you’re back…” She hid her face in the wolf’s neck. I couldn’t stand this anguish.

-I’m fine, my little puppy,” she breaks off and smiles, the wolf licks away her tears, which brings a bigger smile to the chestnut’s face.

But then her smile fades, and that’s when it dawns on her.

-Father, where is mother?

Both Bardas and Eren look at the young girl who stopped hugging her father.

-What happened to my mother?

-Well, she…” the wolf turns his head back just as his wife emerges in her wolf form from the bushes. She’s had some changes.

Adara watches a beautiful grey she-wolf approach her and eventually licks her face. When this happens, the rest of the pack joins them to greet them.

-I’ve come home, daughter.

-Mother, you are beautiful…” The young girl hugs her tightly.

Then Megan appears in the company of JB and the rest of the blue moon members. They all welcomed the new she-wolf.

That morning was one of welcome, joy, tears and emotions… at night, the village celebrated the arrival of their alpha together with his wife, Ethan asked Eren to spend the night in the pack and stay to celebrate.

He also asked the matriarch to heal his wounds, as nothing could be done for his ear, but for the rest of his wounds, yes. The king agreed, but in the morning he made sure to leave, as his queen must have been waiting with great concern.

-Ethan looks very happy with his wife’s health, I see that Shery has regained her youth,” said Bardas in conversation with his father around a huge fire they had built.

The town was in high spirits, there was plenty of food, and many others were dancing with their partners. While Ethan stayed close to his wife, and his daughter was with them every step of the way.

-I’ve regained my youth, but she’s still an older woman, in spirit. Although that fact will not affect her life, she will not age like a normal human.

-So, what is she? -Eren looks at her and smiles at her husband with amusement.

-She is like your mother, a hybrid. Not born of wolves, she is accepted all the same,” the king takes a drink from his metal jar. I know you love Adara, and I’ve noticed that you mark them. That’s a problem, son. You have to marry her off.

-I will.

-Bardas, you have to go home with me tomorrow,” the king firmly asserts. This pack already has a leader, and another one would be extra. Ethan has many moons to go before he retires, you must think about that.

His son looks out at the raging fire, the logs were crackling, the smell of food was everywhere and the happiness of many could be felt in the air.

The young man looks up and observes his moon from afar, she kind of senses that he is looking at her and looks for him with her eyes. Adara smiles sweetly at him, which in turn makes him stand up seriously.

-I know that, father.

-Then settle your affairs tonight.

The prince turns and walks off into the forest.

Adara scrutinizes her partner’s movements and frowns, at first he seemed calm, but then he became very serious and she doesn’t like it.

-Go to him, daughter, I think he wants to talk to you,” says her smiling mother.

-But you…

-Your father and I have a lot of catching up to do, nothing will happen.

-Besides, you should talk about that thing you have on the back of your head,” she says with shame, putting her hand to the back of her neck. If he’s marked you, he should be held responsible.

-Megan tells me you’re past your first heat, I’m sorry I wasn’t with you, daughter.

-Don’t worry mother, I understand, the reward is that you’re okay.

Shery smiles and caresses her face.

-You look so much like your Aunt Eve, if she were here, she would be so happy to see you enjoying your love. She always believed in true love.

-Mother…” whispers the young girl.

-Go to the prince, and don’t keep him waiting.

-But don’t do anything naughty.

-Daddy.

The young girl smiles and runs to find her prince.

-I don’t think he’ll stay,” says her father, looking at her.

-I don’t think so either.

-We’ll be left alone, as far as I can see….

-I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” says the smiling brunette.

-What are you up to?

-You remember that night we made love,” Ethan frowns.

-What about it?

It had been a month before Shery’s illness took a turn for the worse.

-The witch told me a pup is forming inside me, Ethan, I’m pregnant.

The alpha turns his wife around to confront her.

-It can’t be, I gave you a poison to drink, and all those medicines you took. The witch put you in a pool of b***d that you were in for so long, it’s impossible for a baby to survive.

-She told me that your b***d kept him protected from the poison she gave me to heal me. I believe he will gestate,” she touches her belly. I can feel it, he’ll be strong.

Ethan smiles and looks at his wife’s belly. She was going to have another puppy, now that Shery was a wolf she could handle giving birth to a puppy.

-Do you think you can handle bringing him into the world?

-Yes I can…” he smiles broadly. I’ve overcome a lot, I’m going to get through this.

-Then we’ll do it.

[…]

Adara went into the forest in search of her wolf, and found him at the end of the forest. Where the younger wolves were training.

-Why so alone?

-It took you so long to come,” he says, sitting on a log.

-My parents were giving me a talk about love,” he answers, walking in circles around him. Why did you come all this way? Is something bothering you?

-Tomorrow I have to go back to the castle with my father, Adara.

She stops behind her wolf’s back, sees the back of Bardas’ neck, but says nothing.

-Bardas…

-I want you to go with me, Adara,” he stands and looks at her. I can’t leave you here.

She gives him a wan smile.

-Do you want to take me?

-I’d be crazy to even think of leaving you. Will you go with me? -She swallows.

-Yes, I’ll go with you.

The brunette throws herself on her wolf and hugs him tightly.

-I would have died of sadness if you left me.

-No, never.

-Bardas…

-Marry me, Adara.

She separates from him and looks at him with astonishment, but happiness at the same time.

-Yes, I do want to marry you.

They k**s tenderly to confirm his words.

[…]

Farewells are always sad, Shery was saying goodbye to her only daughter, but with the hope that she would visit her often. After telling her the news of the new puppy the brunette was happy for her parents and why they would start to enlarge the family.

Ethan shakes Eren’s hand goodbye.

-It was a good crusade my friend, I hope we don’t have to go through this again.

-I hope so too.

-Thank you for helping me save my people from that wolf.

-And you for bringing my wife back to life.

They both look at each other and smile.

-I hope you have many cubs, let me know when the one on the way is born. My wife and I will come to see him and give him a blessing.

-Thank you my friend.

-Your daughter will be safe in my castle, don’t worry.

Ethan nods and looks at his daughter who was looking for a way to say goodbye to him.

-You’ll always be my baby, no matter what happens, you know you can come home.

-I know,” she smiles.

-I’ll see you a few days before your wedding, okay?

Adara k****s her dad and takes Bardas’ hand, then looks at her parents. They look as happy as I remember them before.

-Time to go,” the king proclaims.

Eren transforms into a wolf, followed by his son and finally Adara. The three of them set off on their way to the castle.

They were greeted joyfully by everyone in the pack.

-Well, future pack kings, let’s see how fast you have become these days,” says the king to the youngsters. Try to reach the speed of an alpha.

-Come on my moon, let’s show this wolf that we are no weaklings and that we can rule wisely when it is our turn.

Adara and Bardas picked up the pace, catching up with the king, but at the same time not so much.

-They are still puppies.

-Mama will kill you when she sees you have no ear,” her son mocks.

-I’ll see you in the castle.

And with those words, the huge wolf set off at a brisk pace, leaving his son and his betrothed behind.