The Lucan Marked Me - Novel Short

Ch. The Lucan Marked me 71 The Lucan Marked me 71

Chapter 71

Logan

Only the barely audible sound of tinkering cutleries could be heard as Elias, Sienna and I settled down for breakfast. It was Elias’s first day at the academy, and he was excited. I’caught Sienna’s eyes as he began his usual chattering, going on and on about the tricks he couldn’t wait to show the other pups at the academy

The cutleries on the table were rattling slightly-probably from the gust of air rushing in through the

curtains-and it almost seemed like they were just as excited as he was.

“Elias, calm down,” Sienna lightly scolded, her gaze slanting to mine for a second before she was staring back at him. He met her eyes and a weird kind of understanding passed between them. Coincidentally, the air seemed to still and the cutleries stopped tinkering. I felt a small lurch in my chest when Elias finally began eating his meal. He was still very excited, but he had calmed enough to focus on the food in front of

him and Sienna had only said three words.

There was a familiarity between them I feared I wouldn’t be able to easily catch up with. As though following my thoughts, Sienna cleared her throat. “Elias, your father would be taking you to the academy today,” She said softly. Elias immediately raised his head, his gaze clashing with mine. He gave me a small inside smile that warmed my heart, and I could tell he was happy to have me go with him to the academy

after he’d gone with his mom the last time.

We rounded up breakfast in a few minutes and Elias hugged his mom tightly when it was time for us to leave, his small arms wrapped around her waist. She knelt to his level, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead, and whispered something that made him smile. I waited patiently for them to finish talking and

as they parted, Elias bounded to me, latching onto my hand.

I gave Sienna a small nod before stepping out of the house with him. As we walked, I noticed the look of

apprehension slowly creeping into his expression. “Did you hear about the werewolf who failed his math

test?” I asked, trying to lighten the mood. Elias looked up at me, curiosity piqued. “He couldn’t count past

the full moon, I quipped, earning a giggle from him.

“That’s not funny,” he remarked sassily, but he was laughing.

I carried on saying lame jokes until we got to the academy gates. When his nervousness returned, a tight

feeling settled in my chest. I gave his hand a light squeeze, turning to face him fully. “Remember, if

anything feels off or you need help, talk to your teacher immediately,” I instructed, lightly ruffling his hair

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Chapter 71

and chuckling when he tried to slap my hand away.

made our way down the hallway until we got to a small room where other kids his age were seated. His

nerves seemed to disappear when a bunch of kids waved at him and he gave me a hug before making his

way inside. His teacher walked up to me then, offering a small smile. “Your majesty,” she greeted, bowing

slightly. She darted a glance at him before bringing her attention back to me. “I’ll keep an eye on him,” She

promised.

I nodded. “Ensure you do that,” I responded solemnly. “He is to be watched at all times. Anything out of the

ordinary should be reported to me,” I instructed. He was going to get the respect he deserved. As I turned

to leave, I cast one last glance over my shoulder. Elias was already engaged in conversation with his mates,

his face animated. As though he could feel the weight of my gaze, he looked up and waved me goodbye.

Waving back at him, I headed out of the building, instructing a few warriors to fiercely guard the academy Deep down I knew Sienna would never forgive me if anything happened to him. Sienna was curled up in an armchair by the fireplace by the time I returned to the mansion. She had a book in her lap-the same one

she’d been reading the other night-but her gaze was fixed on the fire and her eyes were distant.

I shuffled my feet as I approached her, gently pulling her out of her thoughts so she wasn’t startled. Her gaze fell to my side as though she half expected Elias to have returned with me. When they lifted back to mine, I gave her a nod at the question in her eyes. “He’s at the academy,” I informed her, settling into a

chair beside her, the fire’s warmth seeping into my bones.

“How was he?” She asked softly.

“He almost forgot I was even there,” I said, smiling softly to ease her worries, “He must have made a few

friends when you took him,”

She smiled back, her shoulders visibly relaxing as she fully turned to look at me. “I wouldn’t say they’re his

friends yet, but a few pups did seem taken by him, Her eyes searched mine and a look flashed across her

face before she quickly masked it. She looked back at the fire, and the soft light traced her side profile. We

sat in silence for a few seconds before she pierced it with words so low, I barely caught them.

“I’m scared.”

A small frown settled across my face.

“I can’t stop thinking about the fire,” She continued in a whisper. “I keep wondering what might have

happened if I hadn’t gotten us out fast enough… and the note,” She remembered, meeting my eyes. “There

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Chapter 71

had been no sign of a break in,”

st as there hadn’t been in my study.

I closed the distance between us, crouching down in front of her and taking her hands in mine. I brought them to my lips, leaving a featherlight kiss on the inside of her palms as I held her gaze.

“I promise you, Sienna,” I vowed. “I’m going to protect Elias and you with everything I have in me.”