Chapter 2 The scent that haunted

Lucian's POV

Being the Lycan King wasn't as glamorous as people imagined.

Everyone saw the power, the wealth, and the fear my name commanded. Nobody saw the endless reports, the constant demands, or the responsibilities that came with ruling an entire kingdom.

And today, I had more than enough of all three.

"Tell me why I'm looking at the same report for the third time."

My secretary stood before my desk, looking uncomfortable.

"The northern border patrol has requested additional warriors, Your Majesty."

"I can read. Send twenty warriors and tell the neighbouring Alphas to settle their dispute before I decide to settle it for them."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

He hurried out.

I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my forehead. The annual victory ball was only days away. It commemorated our victory over the vampires and honoured those who had died in the war, including my parents.

I respected its purpose, but I had never been interested in attending. Every year, I sent a representative in my place.

A knock interrupted my thoughts.

"Come in."

Cassian Vale, my second-in-command and closest friend, walked in carrying a folder.

"You look terrible," he said, dropping into the chair opposite me.

"And you look like someone who has forgotten his position."

He grinned. "If I remembered my position every time we spoke, you'd have no friends left."

"Perhaps that would improve my life."

His smile faded as he placed the folder on my desk.

"We have a problem at the western border."

I opened the folder. "What happened?"

"A group of rogues crossed into our territory last night. Our warriors tried to drive them back, but the fight was worse than expected."

"Rogues are always trouble."

"These were different."

I looked up.

Cassian continued, "They were stronger than ordinary rogues. They fought as if they couldn't feel pain, and even after suffering serious injuries, some refused to retreat. Two were killed, but most escaped. We captured one alive."

"Where is it?"

"Under guard. The healers are examining it."

I studied the reports.

"What else?"

"Their wolves were unusually large, with dark fur and strange red eyes. The patrol leader said their behaviour was almost animalistic, even for rogues."

Something about that description bothered me.

"Have you questioned the captured one?"

"Not yet."

"Make sure it survives. I want answers."

Before Cassian could respond, the door opened.

Nyra Blackthorn, my head warrior, entered with a serious expression.

"Your Majesty, I examined the dead rogues."

"And?"

"Their bodies were unusual. Their muscles were more developed than those of ordinary wolves, and some of their wounds appeared to be closing faster than expected."

Cassian frowned. "You noticed that too?"

Nyra nodded. "Their scent was also strange. There was the usual rogue scent, but something else was mixed with it. I couldn't identify it."

I rose from my chair.

"Increase the western border patrols. Nobody enters that forest alone. Nyra, investigate the attack and question the injured warriors. Cassian, contact the neighbouring packs and find out whether they've experienced anything similar."

"And the ball?" Cassian asked.

"What about it?"

"Several Alphas will be attending. If these attacks are connected, someone there might know something."

I gave him a cold look.

"You know I don't attend."

"I know. But this could be our best opportunity to gather information from the other Alphas."

I dismissed them without answering.

The truth was, I was already considering it.

The vampires had been quiet for too long, and I had never believed that winning a war meant our enemies had disappeared.

Something was happening beyond our borders.

And I intended to find out what.

---

By late afternoon, I couldn't stand the sight of my office any longer.

I left the palace and headed into the forest. The moment I was beneath the trees, I felt some of the day's tension ease.

Finally, a deep voice rumbled inside my mind.

I almost smiled.

Don't start, Umbra.

You've been sitting behind that desk all day. Even a king needs to breathe.

Umbra was my Lycan, my other half. He was powerful, fiercely protective, and just as stubborn as I was.

We need to run, he insisted.

I removed my jacket and placed it beneath a tree.

The shift came quickly. My bones rearranged themselves, dark fur spread across my body, and my senses sharpened.

A moment later, Umbra stood on four powerful legs.

His enormous obsidian-black body was built for strength, and his silver eyes glowed beneath the fading sunlight.

We took off through the forest.

For a while, I allowed myself to forget the reports and the strange creatures at my borders. The wind rushed past us as we raced between the trees.

Then Umbra slowed.

Do you smell that?

I lifted my head.

A foul scent drifted through the air.

Rogues.

But beneath their familiar scent was something unfamiliar.

Umbra's fur rose along his spine.

Those creatures aren't normal, he growled.

I know.

I stared into the trees, my instincts warning me that whatever had crossed our borders was only the beginning.

We returned to the palace before nightfall, but the unease followed me.

---

Cassian returned to my office that evening.

"Two neighbouring packs have reported unusual movements near their territories," he said. "Groups of rogues have been gathering where they normally wouldn't."

"Any attacks?"

"None confirmed."

I walked towards the window.

"Keep investigating."

"I will. But the ball is in three days. If these incidents are spreading, we need to speak with the other Alphas."

I remained silent for a moment.

I had avoided the event for years, but staying away now could be a mistake.

"Prepare my attendance," I finally said.

Cassian raised an eyebrow. "You're actually going?"

"Don't make me change my mind."

He grinned. "Wouldn't dream of it."

As he left, I turned back towards the window.