Chapter 169
Lucas POV
The sleek black SUV ate up the miles between the human world and Golden Moon territory, each passing minute bringing me closer to home. I rehearsed my story again in my mind, fine-tuning the details, perfecting my injured innocence.
“I was at the Summit the entire time,” I murmured to myself, flipping through the forged documents Kevin had provided. “Someone used my scent, my identity, to frame me. I only learned what happened upon my return p>
Would they believe it? The Alpha Council wasn’t known for its gullibility, but the evidence was substantial. Flight records, hotel confirmations, witness testimonies—Kevin had been thorough, I’d give him that. And Vanessa’s unwavering insistence that I couldn’t have been responsible would add credibility to my claims.
I rolled down the window slightly, letting the familiar forest scents wash over me. After weeks surrounded by the stench of humanity—their processed foods, synthetic fabrics, and chemical-laden bodies—the crisp pine and rich earth smells of pack territory were intoxicating.
Humans. I’d never understood how Kai could champion cooperation with them, could suggest we integrate further into their society. They were lesser beings, driven by greed and instant gratification, with no concept of the honor and tradition that governed wolf packs. Living among them these past weeks had only solidified my disdain for them.
The SUV slowed as we approached Golden Moon border, marked by a large iron gate set between stone pillars carved with our pack symbol. Two guards stood at attention, their postures straightening as they recognized the vehicle—a pack car I’d arranged to have delivered to me.
I rolled down the window completely as one guard approached, a young man named Ellis according to his name tag on his uniform. From the looks of it, he had only completed his transition last year.
“ID please—” His professional greeting died on his lips as he saw my face. His eyes widened to comical proportions, jaw dropping in a display of shock that would have been amusing under different circumstances.
“A-Alpha Lucas?” he stammered, taking an involuntary step back. “But… you’re p>
“Dead?” I supplied pleasantly. “I assure you, the reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated p>
Ellis blinked rapidly, his mouth working soundlessly. Behind him, the second guard—Markus, a more seasoned warrior—approached cautiously, his hand hovering near the weapon at his hip.
“Alpha?” Markus’s voice held disbelief tinged with hope. “Is it really you p>
“In the flesh,” I confirmed, enjoying their stupefaction. “I understand there’s been some confusion in my absence, but as you can see, I’m very much alive p>
Ellis seemed to remember his training suddenly, snapping to attention and offering a formal bow. “Alpha Lucas, sir! Welcome home p>
Markus followed suit, though suspicion lingered in his eyes. “We thought… everyone said you’d been killed by Alpha Kai p>
“A misunderstanding that will soon be cleared up,” I said smoothly. “Now, if you wouldn’t mind opening the gate? I have urgent business with the council p>
“Of course, Alpha!” Ellis practically tripped over himself to comply, racing back to the gatehouse to activate the gate mechanism.
As the heavy iron gates swung open, I caught Markus studying me intently.
“Something on your mind, Markus?” I asked, keeping my tone light but allowing a hint of authority. I was doing so to know what was happening currently. At least before I get to the pack house, to know whether I needed to make some adjustments to my story.
He hesitated, then straightened his shoulders. “It’s good to have you back, sir. The pack hasn’t been the same without you p>
I nodded, accepting the loyalty as my due. “It’s good to be back. Inform the rest of the security detail of my return, but discreetly. I’d like to speak with the council before word spreads too widely p>
“Yes, Alpha,” Markus replied, though I noticed he didn’t immediately reach for his radio. Caution was wise—I’d have done the same in his position. A supposedly dead Alpha returning unexpectedly warranted verification before celebration.
I drove through the gates, following the winding road that led deeper into pack territory. Golden Moon was one of the oldest and most established packs in the region, our land spanning thousands of acres of pristine forest. Unlike some packs that had modernized to the point of resembling human suburbs, we maintained our connection to nature, our dwellings built to complement rather than dominate the landscape.
The pack house came into view as I drove pass a small hill—a sprawling structure of stone and timber that had stood for generations, expanded and renovated over the years but never losing its essential character. My chest tightened at the sight. Home.
I parked in my reserved spot near the main entrance, noting with satisfaction that no one had dared use it in my absence. Climbing out of the SUV, I inhaled deeply, letting the complex tapestry of pack scents wash over me. Pine and earth, yes, but also the unique markers of my wolves, my territory, my inheritance – technically not mine, but mine all the same.
A young guard approached hesitantly as I closed the car door. His eyes widened in the now-familiar expression of shock I was beginning to enjoy.
“A-Alpha Lucas?” he stuttered, looking as though he’d seen a ghost. Which, from his perspective, I supposed he had.
I tossed him the car keys, which he fumbled to catch. “Have it cleaned and serviced,” I instructed. “And tell no one you’ve seen me yet. I want to surprise the others p>
He nodded dumbly, clutching the keys as if they might disappear along with this vision of his resurrected Alpha.
I climbed the stone steps to the main entrance, pushing open the heavy wooden doors with a familiar sense of ownership. The grand foyer stretched before me, its high ceiling supported by massive timber beams, walls adorned with pack history—paintings of previous Alphas, ceremonial weapons, tapestries depicting our most celebrated legends.
Voices drifted from the main hall to the right—one of them unmistakably Vanessa’s. I followed the sound, my footsteps silent on the polished floors, and paused at the entrance to observe.