Chapter 4

Lucien’s POV

‘Mate!!!!’

‘Our Mate!’ Sean growled in my head

I couldn’t ignore him if I tried.

The moment he walked in, he demanded attention. I smelled him instantly, fresh flowers. Something I never thought would bring me to my knees. Yet here I was, frozen.

He carried himself effortlessly. All the Alphas smiled as they approached him. His perfect teeth shone with every smile, making small talk feel… important. Even Darius held a rare, genuine smile. He maintained eye contact in every conversation, every movement calculated yet natural.

My eyes were drawn to the girl in his arms. Tiara’s dark wild eyes, she was clinging to him, yet secretly studying me. Then my gaze flicked to the another girl hanging on his arm, she looked my way and it was Luke she was looking at

Luke. His eyes were locked on Maya, and I understood instantly… admiration, longing, desire. There could only be one reason. Both of us had found our mates simultaneously, here together.

My heart raced at the realization: my mate was here, breathing, laughing. If my being mateless wasn’t the sacrifice, then what was? As he approached, I stiffened. He seemed unbothered, only glancing at me once. He looked a bit younger, which made me more tensed, perhaps he hadn’t lost hope for a mate like me. The woman on his arm confirmed he was unprepared for someone like me.

‘Or could it be he is not into men’ Sean growled in my head.

Lucas guided him past the alphas, lingering on Darius longer than I liked. Jealousy churned; Darius’s interest was obvious. He seemed the type my mate might notice. But my heart hammered as he neared me, his black eyes etched into my mind.

“Noland, Maya, this is Lucien, and his brother Luke. The alpha from the west coast I mentioned days ago,” Lucas said.

‘Lucien’ he murmured.

His gaze shifted from Lucas to me, unwavering, unshaken. I was pulled in despite myself. His smile never faltered. Smooth, confident, unbothered. I worried about my hands..calloused and rough compared to his pristine ones.

“Hi there, nice to meet you, Noland,” I said. Heat spread through me at how his lips curled, his teeth perfect, dazzling.

“Nice to meet you both,” Maya said, eyes on Luke.

Luke. stood stiff, protective and unreadable. Training showed. I nodded curtly. Sean nudged me to shake his hand, but I hesitated under my mate’s gaze.

Lucas whispered, “They don’t talk much until after refreshment,” pushing them away. But my eyes stayed locked on Noland, already missing his attention.

Luke and I sighed silently, relaxing, but Tiara’s gaze never left me. The girl seemed to be studying me, curious, measuring.

“What the hell?” Luke whispered. Maya glanced at him, then looked away. I shrugged, eyes still on my mate’s broad back, I could imagine his body through the blue shirt he wore.

“Food is ready guys,” Claire announced. Noland and Maya sat at the corner of the long table towards the end. Tiara in her highchair. Luke and I claimed seats across before Darius could come between us—though he still shifted next to Noland, smugness radiating, making my stomach twist with jealousy.

As Tiara settled, I got a clear look at her. Her curled hair and deep dark eyes, I could tell she wasn’t Maya’s child, but was certainly Noland’s. Relief washed over me.

Maya kept her gaze down, avoiding Luke’s intensity. Noland sat, eyes meeting mine again. That smile..genuine, ...unassuming, gnawed at me. He spoke, clearing his throat, turning to Darius. My face wanted to snarl; jealousy was hot and sharp.

“Nol, can I walk?”Tiara plea made Noland’s concern immediate.

“Tiara, what’s wrong, sweetie?”

“I just want to walk. please!” Avoiding my eyes, i could feel her looking at the marked scar on my face scared. though she needn’t be.

“Okay, but no yelling, shouting or making a mess around,” Noland warned. Tiara nodded, and I set her on the floor. Tiara immediately ran, laughter spilling. Claire called her a Squirt; Tiara giggled, weaving around the table.

I kept watch, until a sight in my side view catch my gaze. There she was..studying me. Darius, Lucas and Noland’s conversation faltered as Tiara silently watched and judged me.

“You have long braided hair like me!” She pointed to her braids. I chuffed lightly, lips twitching.

“Do you talk at all?” Her innocence was disarming. Laughter came from everyone.. I could hear Darius and Luke clearly, but I resisted, my eyes locked on her.

“Yes” My deep, raspy voice made Tiara’s eyes widen.

And for my mate…Noland stiffened.

"Whoa whoa, your voice is scary!”

“I tell him that all the time,” Luke said, smiling.

“Hmm.. what’s your name?”

“Lucien.”

“Never heard such name. Lupine,” she tried. I didn’t care—she could call me anything. “Lupine, do you have the movie Encanto?”she asked looking at my phone on the table

“I’ve never seen it,” I admitted. Tiara’s shock was comical, almost heartbreakingly sincere. Sean scolded me for upsetting her.

“Nol, Lupine doesn’t know Fairy-Tale Classics!” She yelled. Noland watched, bewildered yet proud.

“Is she bothering you?” Noland asked me.

“No,” I replied too quickly. His expression softened, appreciation flickering.

“You gotta watch them! Mirabel is the main character, her favorite” Maya said. “It might help when you finally have your own kiddo” Maya dropped and this was the last straw.

I wanted to growl; she knew more about her than I did.

“I’ll watch it,” I promised, and her smile bloomed. Then, surprisingly, her climbed into my lap. Arms crossed, I let her explore.

Curiosity sparked; she poked the scar on my left face.

“Your face is a bit weird,”Tiara said in a whisper but still loud enough for everyone to hear and laugher broke around us.

“Yes, I suppose it is,” I murmured.

“Does it hurt?”

“No, not so much anymore.”

“Your voice is weird as well, like—” She tried to imitate me. Half-smirk forming, I realized this kid was mine, a connection I could nurture.

“Okay, Tiara. That’s enough. Sit down; we’re about to have dinner,” Noland said, eyes flickering to mine, a glimmer of admiration I wanted to preserve.

“Okay, Dada! Bye, Lupine!” Tiara hopped down and ran back to the table, leaving Noland with a small, proud smile.

Okay, Daddy ..Dada indeed.

I will be your dad as well Tiara.