Chapter 108: The Degree

LUCIAN’S POV

"You’ve all had your say. Now it’s time for me to have mine."

I frowned, wondering what he was about to say.

Lucas turned toward the head elder. "Your ruling states that Olivia must return to Blood Moon Pack because she is still registered as one of its members. Is that correct?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Then I’m placing her under royal protection, effective immediately."

For a moment, the entire chamber fell silent. I stared at my brother, surprised by his sudden declaration.

Royal protection? A wave of relief washed over me. Of course! Why hadn’t I thought of that? As Alpha King, Lucas had the authority to protect anyone from any pack, regardless of their membership. If Olivia was under his protection, Kenneth wouldn’t be able to force her to return to Blood Moon Pack. For the first time since the meeting began, I felt like things were finally working in my favor.

"Good!" I exclaimed, nodding approvingly. "That’s exactly what we need. Olivia can remain in Full Moon Pack under your protection until this whole mess is settled."

Lucas slowly turned toward me. "No, Lucian."

I frowned. "What?"

"That’s not what I said."

An uncomfortable feeling settled in my stomach as Lucas turned back toward the elders.

"Olivia will be staying with me at the royal palace until further notice."

I stared at him, unable to believe what I had just heard. For several seconds, I couldn’t find my voice. Then I let out a disbelieving laugh.

"You must be joking."

Lucas didn’t smile. "I’m not."

"Wait a fucking minute." I pushed my chair back and stood. "Are you saying you want Olivia to leave my pack and come live with you?"

"Yes."

"Absolutely not!" I snapped. "What the hell is wrong with you? First, you teleported into her bedroom without permission, and now you’re standing here suggesting that she should come live with you?"

A murmur spread through the chamber, and several elders exchanged uncomfortable glances. Lucas’s expression hardened as he looked at me.

"Sit down, Lucian."

"Don’t fucking tell me to sit down! Olivia is my wife!"

"Not according to the agreement that was just dissolved," the head elder interjected.

I turned toward him angrily. "Stay out of this!"

"Alpha Lucian!" another elder shouted.

Lucas slammed his palm against the table. "Enough!"

His Alpha Command rolled through the chamber, forcing several people to lower their heads. I clenched my jaw, fighting the instinct to submit.

"Olivia will reside at the royal palace," Lucas declared firmly. "That is my decision."

I stared at him, my mind racing. For one terrifying moment, I thought he was about to mention the royal mark he had placed on Olivia. If he brought that up before the council, things would become far more complicated. The royal mark gave him a claim that even I might not be able to challenge.

But he said nothing about it. Instead, he was using his authority as Alpha King. I remembered Olivia telling me that Lucas had promised to keep the mark a secret. Apparently, he intended to honor that promise. But what difference did it make if he was still determined to take her away from me?

"Your Majesty, with all due respect, I object!" Kenneth suddenly declared, rising from his chair.

Lucas turned toward him. "On what grounds?"

"Olivia is a member of my pack. I haven’t given my permission for her to leave, and I certainly haven’t agreed to surrender her to the royal household."

"You won’t be surrendering her to anyone," Lucas replied firmly. "Royal protection doesn’t terminate her membership in Blood Moon Pack. It simply means she will remain under my care until further notice."

Kenneth shook his head angrily. "This is ridiculous! Olivia has never complained about being mistreated in my pack!"

I let out a bitter laugh. "Of course she hasn’t! You sent her away to impersonate your daughter, knowing perfectly well what could happen to her if I discovered the truth!"

Kenneth glared at me. "That has nothing to do with this!"

"It has everything to do with this!" I fired back. "You put her life in danger to save your own skin, and now you expect everyone to believe she’ll be safe if she returns to your pack?"

"Enough," Lucas interrupted coldly.

Kenneth turned toward him. "Your Majesty, Olivia belongs to Blood Moon Pack. There are laws governing pack membership. You cannot simply take her away without my permission!"

Lucas’s expression turned dangerously cold. "Are you questioning my authority, Kenneth?"

Kenneth hesitated. "Of course not, Your Majesty, but—"

"Then listen carefully. As Alpha King, I have the authority to place anyone from any pack under my protection when I consider it necessary. I don’t need your permission, and I certainly don’t need your approval."

Kenneth opened his mouth to argue again, but Lucas raised a hand.

"Sit down."

Kenneth reluctantly obeyed, his face dark with anger. Lucas ignored him and turned toward the head elder.

"Prepare the royal decree. Olivia will be transferred to the royal palace today."

"Yes, Your Majesty," the elder answered immediately.

"Today?" I repeated, staring at him.

"Yes, Lucian."

I shook my head furiously. "No. That’s not happening."

"Lucian—"

"She’s not going anywhere with you!"

Lucas’s jaw tightened. "My decision is final."

"And I’m telling you I won’t allow it!"

For several seconds, we stared at each other. I could feel my wolf growing restless, furious at the thought of another man taking Olivia away from us.

"Lucas, listen to me," I said, forcing myself to lower my voice. "If this is about protecting Olivia from Kenneth, then she can remain with me. You don’t need to take her to your palace."

"She cannot remain in Full Moon Pack under the dissolved marriage agreement," Lucas replied.

"Then we’ll find another arrangement!"

"I’ve already made one."

I clenched my fists, struggling to control my temper. "You’re using your position as Alpha King to take her away from me. What the hell is your problem?"

Lucas stared at me for a moment, his expression giving nothing away. Then he turned toward the elders as though I hadn’t spoken.

"Have the decree prepared immediately. I want it delivered to Full Moon Pack before noon."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. "Lucas!"

He ignored me. "That concludes this matter."

With those words, he turned toward the chamber doors. I stood there, watching him leave, my fists clenched at my sides.

"Lucas, I’m talking to you!"

He stopped at the doorway but didn’t turn around.

"Olivia must be at the royal palace before sunset. Don’t do anything stupid."

And with that, he walked out.

For several seconds, the chamber remained silent. Then Kenneth let out a frustrated sigh.

"This is outrageous! How can His Majesty simply take someone from my pack without my permission?"

I turned toward him. "Shut the fuck up, Kenneth!"

He immediately closed his mouth. I grabbed the document from the table and stormed toward the exit, too furious to remain in that chamber for another second.

My mind was racing as I made my way down the corridor. I knew exactly what defying a royal order meant. As Alpha King, Lucas had the authority to strip an Alpha of his title for openly challenging the crown. If I refused to comply, I could lose everything I had spent years building, including my position as Alpha of Full Moon Pack.

But how the hell was I supposed to stand by and watch my own brother take Olivia away? I had finally told her how much I loved her. We had spent the night together, and for the first time in a long while, I had begun to believe that we could actually have a future. I had even started thinking about how I would make things official between us once the marriage agreement was dissolved.

And now Lucas wanted to take her away.

I pushed through the main entrance of the council building, barely acknowledging the guards who bowed as I passed. My anger hadn’t lessened, and the thought of returning home to tell Olivia that she would be leaving before sunset made me feel even worse.

There was no way I was going to let this happen without a fight. Not when Olivia meant everything to me.