Too Late, Alpha. My Silence Was Goodbye Chapter 07

Too Late, Alpha. My Silence Was Goodbye Chapter 07

When Lucian returned to the estate, he realized for the first time just how empty it was.

There was no hot soup left out for him late at night in the dining room, and no lights were kept on in the bedroom. He instinctively reached out his consciousness toward the mate link, but he was forever met with nothing but dead silence.

For the first few days, he woke up every night with a start in that absolute silence. His inner wolf thought its mate had died, thrashing wildly against his chest and forcing him to pace through the estate over and over again by following Mara’s lingering scent. The scent lingered in the kitchen and inside Theo’s room before finally vanishing in front of her empty wardrobe. The wardrobe contained nothing but the jewelry and Luna gowns he had gifted her,

as she hadn’t taken a single thing with her.

Lucian began brewing soup according to that recipe, only to pour out every single pot. He then asked the head steward to list out Mara’s favorite foods. The older man remained silent

for a long time before finally giving him an answer.

“The Luna only ever asked what you and the young master liked,” the steward replied softly.

Only then did Lucian realize that after 7 years of their mating bond, he didn’t even know what

Mara liked to eat most.

The trial held by the Elder Council of the Blackthorn pack lasted for 3 days. The coastal guards confessed that Lucian was the one who ordered them to conceal the true circumstances of Theo’s death. Meanwhile, Selena also admitted that she had secretly taken the pup out to the open sea despite knowing a storm was approaching.

Lucian didn’t defend himself. He simply walked up to Selena and asked, “Why did you say those things to Mara?”

Wearing her wolf-binding shackles, Selena still smiled beautifully. “Because everything I said was the truth. You chose me first, and you were the one who made Mara take the blame for me. Lucian, I merely spoke aloud the things you actually did. You’ve lost her now, so why are you turning your hatred on me?”

He grabbed her by the throat. Her face turned a bruised purple from the lack of air, yet she still managed to force a smile.

“You can’t bear to kill me, just like that day in the ocean,” she choked out. “Your instincts tell the truth even when your mouth doesn’t.”

Lucian’s sharp claws had already pierced her skin, but he ultimately released his grip. It

wasn’t because he couldn’t bear to hurt her, but because the Elder Council still had to pass judgment on her. However, the absolute certainty in Selena’s eyes didn’t fade. At that moment, Lucian suddenly realized that his endless, unconditional favoritism was exactly what had molded her into the person she was today. Just like her, he was equally responsible

for Theo’s death.

After the trial results were announced, Selena was locked away in the Lunar Prison to await judgment from the High Council. Ophelia was stripped of her elder status and permanently banned from entering the core Blackthorn territory. Due to his role in covering up the truth behind the pup’s death, Lucian was also suspended from his Alpha duties.

He showed no reaction to any of this. He only asked when the Northstar Sanctuary would lift its lockdown.

*****

Three months later, the Silver Venom Research Conference was held in the Northern Reach, allowing the Alphas and physicians of major packs to enter the sanctuary for a single day. Lucian waited for three whole months, and on the day of the conference, he arrived earlier than everyone else. He only truly believed she was alive when the doors to the Northstar Laboratory Hall opened and a group of white-robed physicians walked out with Mara at their

center.

Her leg had fully healed, and the color had returned to her face. His mark was gone from her neck, and the Northstar silver badge pinned to her white robe had replaced the Luna badge she once wore. She looked even more radiant than she ever did as his Luna.

Lucian’s inner wolf let out an eager, low whine inside him. He strode through the crowd and grabbed Mara’s wrist.

“I finally found you,” he breathed.

Mara glanced down at his hand. “Alpha Thorne, please let go,” she said calmly.

He wasn’t Lucian, nor was he her Alpha anymore. It was just a formal surname meant to keep him at a distance.

Lucian’s fingers stiffly released her. “I know you hate me,” he said, his voice raspy. “Just give me one chance to explain.”

“The facts don’t need any explanation,” she replied.

“I’ll make it up to you,” he insisted. “Selena has already been locked in the Lunar Prison, and I’ve publicly cleared your name. Ophelia will never appear in front of you again.”

“So what?” Mara looked at him, her eyes holding neither love nor hate. “Will that bring Theo back?”

All the color instantly drained from Lucian’s face.