Chapter 2 I will marry you

The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife.

"We're running out of time, Alex," his mother said firmly, her voice ringing across the long meeting table.

Alex sat at the head of the table, arms crossed, his eyes cold as ever. The air around him was heavy with the authority he carried. He didn't say a word.

Lena stood in the corner, nervously squeezing her hands. Xavier leaned back in his chair, watching the conversation unfold like a show he'd seen too many times before.

"If you don't choose a mate," the eldest cousin said, "then by law, the position of Alpha will pass to me. You know the council won't delay any longer."

Alex's jaw tightened, but he still said nothing.

"You have two weeks left," his mother added. "Two weeks, or the council will vote. They want a Luna, a proper partner at your side. Without her, they believe the pack is vulnerable. You know what this means."

"I don't need a Luna," Alex said finally, his voice sharp. "I'm doing just fine on my own."

"You're not listening!" his sister snapped. "They'll take your title, Alex! You've held this pack together through war and peace, and now you're going to let it go just because you won't choose someone?""I won't be forced," he said darkly.

The room went silent. Everyone knew how stubborn he was. They had argued this same point for days, but nothing had changed. He wouldn't pick anyone. And the women they'd introduced him to high ranking she-wolves, wealthy daughters of other alphas-he dismissed them all.

Just then, the door opened quietly.

Lucian stepped inside, holding a silver tray of drinks. She had been sent by Lena, as usual, to serve during the family meeting. She walked slowly, carefully placing the glasses in front of each person. Her hands shook slightly, but she kept her head down and her mouth shut.

She didn't mean to listen. She really didn't.

But as she reached Alex's side, she heard the words clearly:

"If he doesn't marry within two weeks," his cousin said, "I'll take over. The council already supports me."

Lucian paused.

Her chest tightened. Not because she cared about who ruled the pack. But because in that moment, something inside her stirred.

What am I doing here? she asked herself. Why am I still cleaning floors and serving tea when Grandma is still in that hospital bed, waiting?

The money she earned wasn't enough. Not nearly. Her days were long, her nights quiet and filled with worry. And yet, she kept going-kept hoping for a way out. For a miracle. And then it came.

Not in the form she expected. Not in light, or kindness. But in pressure and power.A mad idea sparked in her chest.

The glass tray trembled in her hands as she turned back toward the table. Everyone was still talking. Still arguing. Still going in circles.

So she took a step forward. "I'll do it," she said,

Every face in the room turned toward her. Alex's head tilted slightly, his eyes darkening.

"I'll marry you," she repeated. "I'll be your wife. I'll become Luna."

The silence that followed was loud. Lena gasped. Xavier raised a brow.

Alex's mother blinked.

Even the cousin who had threatened to take the title stared at her in disbelief.

"You?" the sister asked, stunned. "You're a cleaner." And beside you don't know what it means to be a luna

"I know," Lucian replied. "But I heard everything. You need someone. I'm someone."

The cousin laughed coldly. "This is a joke."

But the Alpha's mother didn't laugh. She stood slowly, her sharp eyes studying Lucian. "You understand what you're saying? You're offering yourself to be the Luna?"

Lucian nodded once. "I won't ask for anything. I'll follow every rule. I just want to help... and maybe earn something in return."

She didn't say the words out loud, but her thoughts screamed them: I need the money. I need to save the only person I have left in this world.

Xavier chuckled. "She's bold."

Lena opened her mouth, as if to stop her, but no words came.

Lucian kept her eyes low. She wasn't sure if she was brave or foolish. Maybe both. But she had made her choice.

Alex stood slowly. The air shifted the moment he moved. His presence filled the room like a storm about to break. His dark aura rolled off him in waves, making Lucian's skin sting.

He didn't speak, Not a single word. He didn't laugh, didn't scold her, didn't mock her, he only stared at her, eyes unreadable.

Then, without warning, he turned and walked away. Just like that.

His footsteps echoed as he left the room, heavy and calculated. The room remained frozen for a moment longer.

"Well," Xavier said at last, "he didn't say no.

Lucian lowered the tray slowly to the table, her hands still shaking. Her heart was pounding in her chest like a drum.

The Alpha's mother stepped closer and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You may leave.

Lucian didn't know what to say, Lucian lowered the tray slowly to the table, her hands still shaking. Her heart was pounding in her chest like a drum.

The Alpha's mother stepped closer and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You may have just changed everything."

Lucian didn't know what to say. She only nodded slightly.

As she left the room, Lena caught up with her.

"What did you do?" the housekeeper whispered in a panic. "Why would you say something like that?"

Lucian looked down. "Because no one else did."

"You don't even know him."

"I don't need to know him." Lucian said.

"You're walking into something dark," Lena said quietly. "Alex is not gentle."

Lucian gave a small, sad smile. "Life hasn't been gentle with me either."

She walked away before Lena could respond.

That night, whispers followed her through the halls. The mansion staff was already talking. The cleaner who volunteered to marry the Alpha. The maid who wanted to be Luna. Some laughed. Some mocked. Some stared with pity.

Lucian ignored them all.

She lay on her narrow bed, staring at the cracked ceiling, her thoughts loud and restless.

I did what I had to do, for Grandma, for survival.

She didn't know what tomorrow would bring. But she knew one thing-there was no turning back.