Ch. The Lucan Marked me 14 The Lucan Marked me 14

Chapter 14 

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Logan 

Livia’s voice cut through the quiet of my private command room. “The invites have been sent 

to all the necessary packs.” I stifled my irritation at her unannounced presence. Members of 

The Circle were afforded a certain level of ease around me, though I seemed to have forgotten 

that. I didn’t bother looking up from the gear laid out in front of me. 

My hands moved without requiring much brain work, securing the straps of my leather armor, 

adjusting the fit. It was a ritual I’d perfected over the years-gearing up for battle, even when 

there was no fight in sight. I mumurred beneath my breath, barely acknowledging her words. 

“Good. Let’s hope they show up.” 

There was a brief silence, one that stretched just long enough for me to sense the tension in 

the air. Livia didn’t like to be dismissed, but she knew better than to push. She obviously 

didn’t like my attitude about the Choosing ceremony, but we both knew there wasn’t much she 

could do. She was loyal, reliable, but even she couldn’t get through the thick fog of frustration 

that clouded my mind. Sienna. 

That damn woman had a way of crawling under my skin, and I couldn’t stand it. I’d only 

known her for a few days for goodness’s sake! The bond between us was a sick joke. A cruel 

twist of fate. I didn’t know how to deal with it, and honestly? I didn’t want to. I had no use for 

a fated mate, especially not one who thought she could just waltz into my world and have me 

as poppy in her hands. 

The sharp clink of metal as I grabbed my sword brought me back to the present. “Is everything 

else in order?” I asked, barely looking at her. 

“Everything’s been accounted for,” Livia answered, her tone steady. I could still make out the 

edge of concern in her voice. “Are you sure you don’t want to talk about-” 

“No.” I didn’t let her finish. “We’ll talk when it’s time. Until then, I’m going on patrol. I don’t 

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Chapter 14 

want to be disturbed.” 

: 

78 

She hesitated for a moment longer, then nodded and left without another word. 

I stepped out into the cold night air, the moon casting a pale light over the pack’s training 

grounds. The warriors were already assembling, preparing for the usual patrol. I didn’t need to 

tell them what to do; they were already well accustomed to their roles. As we ventured deeper 

into the forest, the only sound that echoed was the crunch of boots against dirt and the 

occasional rustle of trees in the wind. 

My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. 

Sienna. The invite for the choosing ceremony. The pressure from the Elders. The constant 

reminder that my every move was scrutinized, that I had a duty to the pack, a duty to uphold 

my family’s legacy. A sudden rustle in the trees ahead snapped me out of my spiraling 

thoughts. My warriors instinctively tensed, their hands immediately going to their weapons. I 

raised a hand, signifying for them to hold on. 

I listened carefully, and soon enough I picked up again. A distinct growl, low and menacing. I 

motioned for the warriors to spread out, picking up unfamiliar scents. I shifted into my wolf 

form, the muscles of my wolf surging to the surface, ready for the fight I’d been craving. My 

mind was already clearer than it had been in days. We moved as one, our senses on high alert 

until we saw them; a rogue pack, about half a dozen wolves, clearly on the hunt. 

They didn’t notice us at first. 

I stepped forward, revealing myself to them. The first wolf to see me froze. Recognition 

flickered in his eyes-recognition, and then fear. He knew who I was. Before anyone could 

react, I was on him. My teeth sank into his neck, and I could feel the warmth of his blood as I 

tore into him, my wolf reveling in the violence, in the release. The others rushed to intervene, 

but it was too late. I was already in motion, already drowning in the battle, the fury I’d been 

holding in for too long. 

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78 

My warriors immediately swing into action, and in an instant it was a clash of flesh and blood. 

It was almost like I didn’t even need to think. Everything moved in a blur-claws and teeth, 

flesh and bone. The pack warriors fought with me, but it was clear they knew I didn’t need 

their help. They weren’t even close to being as fast and as skilled as I was. With each strike, 

each kill, I could feel my frustration ebbing away. 

I could feel the rage-over the choosing ceremony, over the bond with Sienna, over the way 

my life was spiraling out of control-melting away with each broken bone, each cry of agony 

that echoed through the woods. In the end, it was just me standing, blood coating my fur, 

chest heaving with exertion. The rogue pack was wiped out, their bodies scattered around me 

like forgotten toys. I took a deep breath, the air heavy with blood and sweat, before shifting 

back into my human form. 

My warriors were catching up now, their faces grim, their eyes wide with admiration-or 

maybe fear. They knew me, but they’d never seen me like this. They had never truly seen the 

anger I carried. It was only then, when the adrenaline started to fade, that I realized what I 

had done. It wasn’t just the fight that had me so shaken-it was the fact that for a moment, 

I’d felt something more than just the thrill of battle. 

I felt…relief. 

And that scared the hell out of me. 

I turned to my warriors, nodding at them. “Get rid of the bodies,” I ordered, my voice rough. 

“Let’s head back.” 

They nodded, moving quickly to follow the command. The distraction from my duties had 

been nice while it lasted, but I knew this wasn’t over. 

Not by a long shot. 

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The Lycan Marked Me and Walked Away