She Came Back For Her Throne

Lucille's POV

I told myself I'd only stay for one drink. That was three drinks ago... so technically, I'm a liar.

I sat back, not letting the pressure of the room get to me, as I inhaled the musty scent that came with these rich wolves walking by each time I took a sip. For the first time in a long time, I actually get to enjoy some peace as pack enforcer.

With a loud groan, I sighed and wished the music wasn't too loud. I hated parties but somehow I had been dragged here. Everyone's dressed like they were auditioning for a magazine cover, the laughter was too fake but I couldn't miss the look of disgust in their eyes as they stared at me.

My father had been the alpha of the pack and before his death, he had been accused of conniving with the rogues and terrorizing our locals and other packs just so he could embezzle enough funds. My father had fought, tried to prove his innocence but all the evidence were against him, and in the end he died in a prison cell as a traitor and a threat to the pack.

I believed he didn't do it and tried to clear his name after his death but the pack members had shunned me and shut me up. They all claimed they loved me but they could never forgive my father.

I let out a sigh, pushing the thoughts out of my head as I gulped down my fifth glass.

"Mmm, it's so yummy. Oh moon goddess, these chocolate fondues are so freaking tasty. You have to try them." Kelsey slid it free, the chocolate dragging with it, slow and stretchy, leaving a glossy ribbon that clung before melting away.

I did kinda forget I came in here with my two brain rot so-called friends, Kelsey and Sarah. One ate everything that walked past her while the other was posting selfies and updating her feed every five minutes.

"Come on, girl. Loosen up those shoulders. You're always stiff, no fun at all." Kelsey said, tugging at her wrist. "The council's here, half the city's here, and who knows your mate might be here too. And he's not gonna approach you if you're always looking grumpy and angry."

I rolled my eyes at Kelsey, the little brat always had jokes. I rolled my eyes, scrunching my nose. "If he's here, he'd better be hiding. I'm not in the mood."

Kesley leaned in with her lips covered in sticky chocolate like a twelve year old and whispered, "What you are in the mood for is a dance. Don't lie. You already look messed up, you need to shake off some of that liquor."

I let out a dry chuckle at her words. My mood hasn't improved for a while now, not even the slightest since whispers about my father's betrayal couldn't stay dead even with the man rotting in the ground. Tonight was supposed to be about one of the councilmen's son stepping up and claiming a mate, but it seems I was taking the spotlight yet again.

I could cheer up a little but that wouldn't solve my problems. "Just let me be, Kelsey. If I get drunk, just order a ride."

"Nah girl, you're a bummer."

I held up my glass again, and twirled it, "Not like I ever gave a fuck."

While sipping my drink, Kelsey tapped me roughly in excitement, drawing my attention to someone leaning against the far wall as if the chaos of the event didn't concern him one bit.

He's a tall, broad-shouldered young man. He wore a black, perfectly cut suit but he didn't seem like a guest at all. His demeanor screamed something else, something dangerous and a lot more watchful. With how uninterested he was in everything going on, I could tell he wasn't from around here.

"I think he's cute." Kelsey said, with hands under her jaw, and elbows on the table. Her body leaned slightly forward as her eyes drilled into him, not blinking once.

I smacked her to cut it out and she scoffed, "Mind how you stare at people in places like this. You wouldn't want to end up catching the attention of a psycho killer or a lunatic."

"Would you stop killing the mood? Look at that man for a minute, That jawline isn't dangerous, it's deliciously distracting. The only menace around here is you having your dad's short fuse, stiffness, and batshit..." She sighed and looked away for a split second before glaring back at me.

"You know, Enforcer Lucille, everything isn't always about crime. Sometimes it's about getting tucked away in a man's fluffy chest or why my neighbor owns seven cats. Loosen up."

I pinched the edge of my nose, That doesn't make any sense. But that's what I've got to work with.

After running low on whiskey, I decided to get another bottle from the buffet. Whoever thought serving whiskey in an event like this was either the dumbest genius or they knew I was coming.

I walked my way to the counter and up close, the guy Kesley was staring at was even more striking and now it was my turn to stare like a moron. That sharp jawline, those dark eyes that seem to weigh on everything they see, and a calmness that doesn't belong in a place this loud.

He doesn't even smell like any pack I know either and has no familiar signature. Which was odd.

And then his gaze held mine across the room. My neck snapped to the side and I felt my pulse quicken.

I turned away, clenching my teeth but as if my legs had a mind of their own, I found myself in front of him.

"So... hi. Uh, nice shoes," I blurted, like a complete idiot. Was it the alcohol?

I swallowed hard, his presence overpowering and commanding, making me want to bare my neck out to him in submission.

He gave me a complete once-over, nodded, and without any word turned his back on me.

My cheeks flushed red in embarrassment but I refused to give up. "I'm sorry, would you like to take a stroll, it's a bit stuffy in here," I asked, realizing that Kelsey might catch me lacking and this was not the time.

He hesitated, acting like he didn't hear me but suddenly he turned and motioned with his head for me to lead the way. He was gentle enough to accompany me down the staircase. The balcony was mercifully quiet, and the night air was cool against my flushed skin. I tell myself that I didn't know what I was doing, and that whoever he is doesn't matter. I decided I was going to blame whatever happens tonight on the alcohol.

"Running from someone?" His voice slides in smoothly, not very hoarse but enough to make the hairs on my neck rise.

I smirked, "I'm not running. Just... not a fan of crowds."

"Neither am I." His lips twitched. "I'm Lachlan by the way."

"Lucille Darius..." We shook each other's hands.

We fell into a conversation, or rather I talked his ears off while he remained silent, his gaze never leaving my lips.

Just as the night air grew colder and after a few more glasses of whiskey, I was way-way more tipsier than I intended. My car keys felt heavy in my purse, but when I pulled them out, Lachlan intercepted.

"You know you're in no shape to drive." He said, his tone left no room for argument.

I almost resisted, not letting go of the keys. "Do you always boss around women you barely know?"

"Only the ones who'd crash into a tree, yes."

I should be offended, but instead I laughed. Against my better judgment, I handed over the keys to him as he helped me to my car.

The drive was quiet, a bit tense in a way I couldn't explain. Every time I glanced at him, my vision got more blurred. By the time we reached my apartment, the air was thick.

I shouldn't invite him in but I was too drunk and all logic went out the window.

Our eyes met at the door and we silently stared at each other for a few seconds until he cupped my face gently, and claimed my lips. His hands wrapped around my waist, mine tugging at his collar as we pushed back the door and fell into the living room.

For once that night, I let myself forget everything, my failure, my father's disgrace, and whatever my name implies. With him, I just felt the urge to press him against myself and beg him to stop when his thrust was too deep.

Lucille's POV

I could feel it, the ray of sunlight shining brightly against my face and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't block it out, couldn't blur it away.

The atmosphere felt weird, my body felt weird, and there was something weird about everything around me. In my half-asleep state, one thought clawed through my head: where the fuck was I?

Did I somehow make it back home yesterday? Because this didn't feel like my bed. This didn't smell like my room.

My eyes quickly shot open, and every trace of sleep vanished as I glanced around quickly. The place I was in looked familiar. The walls, the scent, it was all familiar but I still couldn't place where I was.

I sat upright instantly, my mind spinning, as the pieces of the place began to make sense, the sofas were mine, as were other gadgets in the room. I was in my living room, on the couch to be precise but how did I end up here?

My brain ached as I forced myself to think, but then I remembered something. That man.

The man from yesterday.

Without control, the memories began to flood in, not all of them, but enough to make my stomach sink in dread. I remembered how I had somehow let him drive me home, and I had been stupid and reckless enough, to actually let him in, to sleep with a complete stranger.

Was it the alcohol I had consumed that made me act so thoughtlessly, so carelessly?

I could faintly remember how we got back to my apartment, how he took his shirt off and my heart skipped violently as my eyes traced every inch of him, I was ogling shamelessly.

I remember his broad chest stood tall before me, carved with muscles, every line practically daring me to touch.

I remembered the way his voice sounded.

"Are you alright?" he had asked.

"Yes, I am!" I murmured quickly, tearing my gaze away, embarrassed, but it was too late.

He had cleared his throat noisily and had slowly closed the distance between us.

I quivered uncontrollably, my hands tightly clutching the hem of my dress as if the flimsy fabric could shield me.

"Do you need help with that?" I remember him asking, his voice low. I had stuttered, unable to form words,

And before I even realized it, he had crashed his lips on mine.

I had only ever kissed one man and that was my ex-mate-Dylan. Dylan had made out with me and tried to consummate our mating bond but after I refused, he rejected me at the guardhouse in front of my colleagues, saying he couldn't be with a traitor's child that I would one day also betray him. Ever since, I had stayed away from men but this man, he made me feel things I had not felt even in the short time I spent with Dylan.

Every second. Every breath. Every moment of it felt like I was being transported across realms, my body burning and soaring all at once.

Soft gasps slipped from my lips, betraying me, and soon they turned into louder, desperate moans. I remembered his hands, rough and also oddly gentle as they went to my breasts, fondling them shamelessly, his fingers caressing my nipples with precision that made my body tremble.

"You are so perfect," he whispered into my ear, nibbling gently at my lobe. I exhaled, pleasure sizzling through me. I was already in a zone I couldn't explain, and it grew worse when his hard dick pressed against me.

He carefully laid me on the bed, his hands patient, then removed every single piece of clothing I had on until I was fully naked, fully exposed under his gaze. My nipples stood erect, begging for attention.

He lowered his head and took them into his mouth, one after the other. I moaned deeply, my eyes shutting tight as I felt nothing but pleasure. My hands moved on their own, clutching the back of his head, lost in the pleasure his lips were giving me.

Now, remembering it all, I couldn't help but cringe at myself, mentally scolding my foolishness for allowing that to happen barely twenty-four hours after meeting him.

A frustrated sigh escaped my lips as my eyes roamed my living room, and then it suddenly dawned on me that the man wasn't here with me.

Maybe he had gone into the bathroom. I nodded to myself, trying to stay calm, as I began gathering my clothes scattered messily across the floor.

I dressed quickly, and headed to my bedroom, waiting for him to come out of the bathroom so we could talk and I could tell him how emotionally unavailable I was. But he never stepped out.

My brows furrowed in suspicion as I walked toward the bathroom. I turned the doorknob slowly and pushed the door wide open only to be met with nothing. The bathroom was completely empty.

Wait, he left already?

Embarrassment washed over me at the thought but a part of me was hugely satisfied that I didn't have to explain things to him.

With a loud yawn, I gently peeled off my clothes and began to head into the bathroom. My thoughts travelled to my father and a chuckle escaped my lips as I pictured his face in a frown after he finds out about my recklessness.

A lump suddenly formed in my throat and I reached for the necklace I never took off, the one I shared with my father, and found out it was missing.

Beads of sweat formed on my forehead and my heart thumped frantically as I tore through the room in panic, searching for it. For half an hour straight I combed every corner, every inch of the room, but it was nowhere to be found.

Where could it be?

Then the memory hit me: that man had taken it off me while we were making out. He said it wouldn't stop dangling and according to him, it was disturbing. I had objected at first but eventually gave in after he teased me nonstop.

It was a rare kind of necklace. Custom-made for me and my dad, and was very expensive.

Did he steal it?

A loud scream tore through me in rage. I had let a petty thief deceive me into believing he was a good man! I had slept with a petty thief and he had stolen the most valuable thing I had.

Tears threatened to roll down my cheeks as I struggled to remember his name but nothing was forthcoming.

Suddenly, my phone blared out loud nonstop. With a frown on my face, I slowly reached for it. Wondering if it was another rogue or petty criminal on the loose.

I rolled my eyes the moment my eyes landed on the screen.

It was my uncle. He rarely ever called unless it was something important. Did something happen this time?

Being the only child of my father, the Alpha of the Moon Shadow's pack, I had always been feared and respected, well... right up until his death.

After his death, the council members had suggested my uncle rule over the pack as a temporary Alpha until I was mentally ready and strong enough to take on the heavy responsibility that came with the title of Alpha. That was his nice, polished way of dismissing me, because I knew deep down, the pack would rather die than see me sit on that throne.

I was terrified of my uncle taking the alpha position, because I knew that position was what I needed to clear my father's name. I wasn't sure he would leave and let me rule but when he swore to everyone, swore even to me, that the pack would be handed over the very moment I was ready to claim it, I felt a tiny bit of relief.

"Hello, Uncle," I greeted as I slid across the screen to answer.

"There's been another attack by the rogues, and this time, I'm sure the Alpha of the Silver Crest pack has a hand in it."

"Alpha of the Silver Crest? Why do you think so, Uncle Ethan?" I asked, my curiosity spiking.

"Well, no one actually knows who he is. He has completely refused to join forces with the council of Alphas. And he owns quite a number of businesses across different packs."

"Really? That's strange. And no one has any information about this man?"

"Absolutely no one. But I'm certain he's behind the attack. The weapons used in this fresh attack are the exact same type used by the Silver Crest pack and we need to track them down as soon as possible."

Of course, my uncle was only calling because there was trouble. Once upon a time, I had defended the pack countless times, stood at the front lines, and led them to victory, and because of that the entire pack once held me in such high esteem. But that was the old story, that was the past, and not anymore. Now I don't know if it is in my head but I think I am nothing but an outcast, a scar, a stain on history, and all thanks to my father's supposed betrayal.

"I agree, Uncle. By the way, have you given any thought to my wish? I still want to become the Alpha now."

There was silence for a while, and at first, I thought the line had disconnected.

"Find a way to end this rogue attack forever, and I will immediately hand it over to you. It will also prove to everyone that you are ready to lead."

I smiled to myself, pleased. Finally, I'd get to become an Alpha, just like I had always hoped and dreamed of.

"Alright, Uncle. I'll get on it right away. By the way, do you know the name of the Silver Crest Alpha, or is that also a mystery?"

"Alpha Lachlan. His name is Alpha Lachlan."

Lucille's POV

My brows furrowed in confusion. Lachlan. The name rang a bell in my head, so loud that I immediately developed a migraine but I couldn't place where I had heard the name before.

Without wasting any more time, I ended the call, took a shower, dressed up, and immediately made my way toward the pack house where my uncle's office was.

Solving this case would determine if I would become alpha or not, it wasn't like any other case I had handled in the past and I needed to give it my all.

"Hey, Luc. How are things going with you?" My uncle greeted me as I stood before him in his office.

"Uncle was any of the rogues captured? If yes, I need your guards to lead me to him immediately."

My uncle shook his head. "No! These people are way too strong, and they even have more sophisticated weapons than we do. You will be doing the pack a very big favor if you are able to end this."

I nodded, turned and was about to leave when his voice stopped me in my tracks. "Take a look at this before you leave."

He tossed a picture of one of the villagers the rogues had attacked. On his chest was a symbol that was the same symbol the rogues that were supposedly working for my father used to leave behind after every attack.

I raised my head but just as I was about to speak, my uncle beat me to it. "You are right. I believe that treacherous alpha holds answers about your father's death. Remember how I told you your father never acted alone? How I feel he was brainwashed and deceived? This just proves I was right! Why are we still seeing these symbols after his death?"

"Either that alpha is the mastermind behind the attacks that cost your father his reputation or he connived with others. This is not just for the pack Luc. It's for your father. Take down that beast once and for all and clear your father's name."

Anger surged through me at my uncle's words. Before my father died, he suffered greatly in pain for crimes he didn't commit. I had known that my father would not betray the people he protected with his life but I had no proof. Now, not only has the culprit been found, but he is alive and living fine.

I exhaled slowly, trying to control my raging emotions. "Do you know exactly where this pack is located?" I asked, my voice thick with emotion.

"From the intel I had gathered, it's far deep in the woods, inside the heart of black hollow. It's too dangerous for you to go alone. I wouldn't even suggest you go there with anyone, they have sophisticated weapons and could wipe you all out in the blink of an eye. You should look for other ways to approach this without putting yourself in harm's way."

With a stiff nod, I turned around and made my way into the car. Without thinking, I immediately ignited the car's engine and began to drive to black hollow. I don't care what will happen, all I know is I needed to see the bastard who had ruined my father's reputation and had caused us so much grief and pain. I needed to make him pay for every tear I had shed and also for my father's death.

I stepped on the gas and drove as though I was possessed, with rage burning inside of me. Soon, I arrived at the woods, unable to use my car any further, I came down from the car and trekked the remaining distance but my frustration grew as I failed to locate the exact location of the pack.

All I kept seeing were trees, no matter how far I walked. There was no pack in sight and it riled me up to no end but I couldn't give up. I refuse to return back to the pack without him, whether dead or alive.

After a few hours of walking, the sun had begun to set but I was still clueless. In frustration, I plopped down on the ground, resting my back on a tree tiredly and that's when I heard it. A loud sound of laughter suddenly filled the air, drawing my attention and renewing my hope. I immediately rose to my feet and carefully peeked in the direction the voices were coming from.

A sigh of relief escaped my lips as I spotted some guards who had just finished taking a piss and were walking back to their base. Immediately, I hid behind the trees to avoid being discovered, watching their every step.

Once they were a few meters away from me, I began to tiptoe slowly behind them, hiding in the trees, and trying to mask my scent with the leaves.

After a few minutes of walking, they stopped in front of a huge gate, some of the men went in while the others stayed behind. My gaze traveled around the fenced and gated surroundings and I could immediately tell this was Silver Crest's boundary. My heart thumped ferociously in my chest and without wasting any more time, I immediately came out of hiding and made my way towards the guards at the gate.

"I want to see your alpha," I demanded coldly, my gaze traveling between the guards.

The guards exchanged confused glances between themselves before one of them spoke up. "Who are you? Did he give you an appointment?"

I inhaled hotly, my patience wearing thin as I tried to be as polite as I could. "Yes, I spoke with him on the phone a few days ago and he asked that I come today," I lied smoothly.

"Okay. What's the entry pass?" One of them asked.

"Entry pass?" I asked, scrunching my face in annoyance.

"Yes, if he did give you an appointment, then you must also have the entry pass. Without that, you can't go in."

"Look I do not have time for this rubbish. Let me in so I can see him. It's very important."

One of the guards stepped forward and pointed toward the trees. "If you know what's good for you, you'll leave immediately," he threatened.

Unable to contain my rage and emotions any longer, I charged at them, ready to fight my way in.

Using all the trainings I had acquired over the years, I fought like my life depended on it because actually it did. I wanted to go in, I needed to go in by all means but I was outnumbered.

I had just taken down one of the guards and was about to take down the second guard when I was overpowered, placed face down with my hands held firmly at my back and before I could tell what was happening, I felt a sharp object pierce through my skin and a few seconds later, a wave of weakness engulfed me.

The guard let go of me and as I tried to rise, I fell to the ground with a thud. I couldn't move my hands nor could I speak. As much as I tried to move any of my body parts, I couldn't. I could only move my eyes and that was when it dawned on me that I had been injected with a paralyzing drug.

I began to whimper, trying to attract the attention of any passerby but it was futile. The guards looked down at me like I was some bug they had to get rid of and that made my heart thud in fear.

I couldn't die now, I haven't cleared my father's name. I haven't seen their alpha.

My vision soon began to blur and my fear deepened. I fought to stay awake but I knew I was fighting a lost cause. One of the guards suddenly crouched down to my level and slowly brushed a strand of hair out of my face with a smirk on his face. I whimpered loudly, trying to protest but just as he picked me up from the ground, darkness suddenly enveloped me.

*******

I let out a low groan as my eyes fluttered open slowly. Memories of earlier rushed through my mind and I immediately tried to rise to my feet but I soon realized that I had been chained down in a chair.

I struggled, channeling my wolf's inner strength but the chains were silver and the more I struggled, the more I felt weak. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps approaching filled my ears and my heart rate quickened. Were they coming back to finish me off?

"Lucille, you have to leave here now!" I half-yelled to myself.

An idea formed in my head and I decided to hop while on my seat, once I get outside, maybe I'll find someone who can help. But just as I took the first hop, my chair tumbled over and I landed on the floor with a loud thud. A loud piercing scream escaped my lips as an intense pain rushed through my shoulder.

Immediately, the door pushed open, and I heard footsteps circle around me.

"Is this the spy?"

"Yes your highness," the man whose voice sounded like one of the guards responded.

Without another word, I was lifted from the floor roughly and placed properly. I shut my eyes briefly, exhaling deeply as the pain in my shoulder intensified.

"Raise your head," a familiar voice thundered.

With furrowed brows, I opened my eyes and lifted my head but as my eyes landed on one of the men, my eyes widened in surprise.

Standing before me was the man whom I had slept with the night before and the man who had stolen my necklace.

Anger surged through me but just as I opened my mouth to speak, he interrupted me. "What are you doing here? Are you stalking me?" He bellowed, his voice carrying an authority that made the guard stiffen.

With rage in his eyes, he leaned closer, his gaze holding mine. "You walk into my territory uninvited, lie to the guards because of last night? Whatever happened was a mistake and won't be happening anymore."

A scoff escaped my lips at his words. What audacity! "You are lucky I am currently in chains, you fucking thief!" I yelled weakly.

"What did you just call me?" He growled angrily, his anger engulfing the room.

I shuddered involuntarily and even my wolf wanted us to apologize for calling him names but I didn't back down.

"I didn't come here for you but since I met you. I'll take this as the moon goddess's kindness toward me. Return what you stole, or I swear to the Moon Goddess I will kill you right here, you thief. I trusted you and let you into my home and you dared to steal from me? You bastard!"

"It seems you all in this pack are all the same -evil and good for nothing-from the alpha to subordinates. Are you people cursed or something?"

The loud bang of the table caused me to jolt back involuntarily. The man at his right hand side narrowed his cold gaze on me and slowly began to close the distance between us, his anger palpable. "How dare you speak to our alpha like that? How dare you call him names? Who do you think you are?"

My breath caught in my throat at his words and my heartbeat quickened. Unable to tear my gaze away from the thief I stuttered, "He's... He's your alpha? You mean... he's the alpha of Silver Crest?"

Silence reigned in the room for a few seconds as everyone stared at me like I was a crazy woman.

My gaze traveled between them, hoping to see traces of this being a joke but the look on their faces confirmed it was no lie. It confirmed that I had slept with my enemy, the man who had framed my father and was the cause of my father's death and my pain.