in Vengeance 139_A Broken Alpha Heiress' Revenge

Lucien’s POV

 +8 Pearls

 Ford’s lips quivered, but not a single word left his mouth. His entire body trembled as though gripped by an invisible frost, eyes zed over, spirit hollowed out. Whatever dignity remained in him had long since shattered–just like his mind.

 The damage was done.

 Not to his flesh, but to the one thing wolves never fully recover from.

 His spirit.

 I took slow, measured steps toward the wreckage thaty before me–my once–proud father and the woman he chose over blood.

 My shoes clicked softly against the marble, the sound crisp and elegant amidst the silence. I stood over them like the reaper over a battlefield, hands sped behind my back.

 “I suppose it’s lucky my men intervened,” I said, voice light as a breeze. “From what I can see, Lady Seraphina attempted to harm herself in a fit of emotional rage. Likely to punish her beloved mate

 I offered a slight smile, almost gentlemanly. “Fortunately, we stopped her. Otherwise… who knows what tragedy might have unfolded?”

 My smile didn’t reach my eyes.

 It never did.

 Around the room, I could feel their stares–eyes wide with disbelief, throats too dry to speak.

 Oh, they knew.

 They knew the truth, everyst one of them.

 But none had seen it with their own eyes. None 1 had evidence. And in the world we lived in, without evidence, there was no

 usation

 The rumors had followed me for years-“Lucien Duskgrave, the cold–blooded prince of Stormridge.” Tonight, those whispers evolved into truth. Reality had shown itself, brutal and blinding.

 And every soul present realized one thing:

 I wasn’t the kind of Alpha you crossed.

 I ulted my chin and swept my gaze across the hall–slowly, deliberately, letting my eyes meet every face

 Each noble dropped their gaze the moment our eyes locked. As if my gaze alone could summon fate,

 Let them think that

 Let them fo

 Let it settle deep into their bones that Lucien Duskgrave–heir to Stormridge, born under blood moon prophecy–was not a male to provoke

 du

 I rassed une hundzily, as if brushing away slust.

 Take them back to Norturach,” I said

 My guards obeyed without hesitation. They stepped forward and seized Ford and Seraphina again–no gentleness this time They dragged them like discarded reluse like prey unworthy of a second look 

 Seraphon’s broken body slid across the floor, leaving behind a streak of crunson that glistened under the chandeliers

 145 PM p p.

 +B Pearls

 Ford? He didn’t resist.

 He couldn’L

 His eyes were still wide, unfocused, head lolling between his shoulders like a puppet with its strings cut.

 The double doors shut behind them, swallowing their shame into the night

 And the banquet fell silent once more.

 But not for long. 

 Every gaze slowly, inexorably, turned to the two still kneeling before me.

 Scarlett Vale and Ronan Duskcliff.

 The traitors.

 Scarlett trembled so hard her shoulders jerked with every breath. Her once–glossy hair was gone–shornpletely, her scalp raw and exposed to the air.

 It had been Riley’smand.

 Not mine.

 She had grabbed Riley’s hair during a petty outburst. She thought it would go unnoticed.

 It didn’t.

 But even that wasn’t her real crime.

 No, her real offense was far more vile.

 She destroyed Riley’s moon embroidery.

 A masterpiece–months of effort and devotion, stitched by hand under candlelight and starlight. Every thread had beenced with patience, pain, and quiet power. It wasn’t just art. It was a piece of Riley’s soul,

 Scarlett found it. Tore it apart with scissors.

 She knew exactly what she was doing.

 And that’s why she was kneeling here now

 I saw her lips moving–mouthing silent prayers to the Moon Goddess, to fate, to anything that might dy the inevitable.

 She had good reason.

 chair–pull warranted a shaved scalp, what did desecrating my mate’s sacred work deserve!

 She knew the answer

 That was why her breathing came in shallow gasps. Why her knees knocked against the floor. Why she shook like a leaf trapped in frost

 Beside her. Honan looked no better. The once–proud heir of Duskcliff House was sweating through his silk. His shirt clung to hum soaked and rampled

 I could see it in his eyes–the dawning horror that his hole power ys and smug maniptions hadnded hum far beyond

 He had supported Scarlett’s schemes

 +8 Pearle

 And now he would answer for them.

 1 approached them slowly.

 The sound of my steps–sharp, echoing–rang through the banquet hall like war drums.

 Tap Tap Tap

 I stopped just short of them.

 They didn’t dare look up.

 “You think yourselves wolves?” I asked, voice smooth and cold. “You think your games make you clever?”

 Scarlett whimpered. Ronan lowered his head.

 “You tried to humiliate my chosen mate. You destroyed what she created. And you conspired to fracture the unity of Stormridge PackTM

 I reached into my coat pocket and pulled out mymunication crystal–a direct channel to the Enforcers of the Lycan

 Tribunal

 Their version ofw.

 1 tapped a rune, and the glow pulsed gently in my palm.

 “This is Lucien Duskgrave,” I said. “Alpha Regent of Stormridge. I’m reporting two nobles–Scarlett Vale and Ronan Duskcliff -for willful destruction of a Luna–bound artifact and conspiracy against Pack unity.”

 A cold silence followed.

 Then the voice on the other end answered:

 “Acknowledged Warrant confirmed. Tribunal enforcers will arrive within the hour.

 I ended the call.

 Then let my eyes drift back to the traitors kneeling before me.

 “I could punish you now,” I said softly. “I could make you bleed for every stitch Riley had to sew. For every tear she hid when she found what you did.”

 Scarlett choked on a sob. Ronan flinched.

 “But I won’t.” I continued. “Because I want the entire Tribunal to see the truth. I want the Elders to pass judgment in front of all four Terniones

 1 stepped back 

 “And when they do–I will be there when your names are erased from the Pack Registry.”

17kNovel

in Vengeance 139