Chapter 53: Chapter 53

LUCIUS.

I looked at the lovely ceramics on my shelf, wiping a speck of dust, off one of them.

"I know you have a lot on your mind, but you should try to sleep," Ethan said and I replied, still looking at the ceramics.

"I can sleep, I just don't want to. It has been some days, since I discovered I could sleep on my own. I just didn't want to throw Athena away, I wanted to show her, I was grateful," I said and I heard Ethan sigh.

"You should stop beating yourself up for this," He said and I scoffed.

"Why should I? I failed them. I'm the Alpha and it is up to me to protect my people. The enemy was so close and I couldn't find her out. Worse is, the enemy used me..." I was saying, but felt Ethan's gentle hand on my shoulder.

"Don't think of it that way," He said, but I couldn't help it.

"With my hands, I killed them, I allowed her use them. And, this is shortly after my coronation. It makes me feel like I'm not capable. If it weren't for Dusk, I don't know," I said, because, if Dusk hadn't found out the truth, I might still be killing my men, letting a vampire suck them dry.

"That's why you should have a Luna, a helpful and supportive Luna, who helps you at all times. And, if you really want Dusk as a Luna, you should start by appreciating her. What she has done is quite a lot," He said and I turned to him.

"I want to appreciate her too, but I just don't know how to, how do I let her know I'm grateful?" I asked because I was indeed clueless on what to do.

"Maybe you should start by showing your love? Letting her know that you love her," He replied and I sighed, and thought of what to do, that will appreciate her and at the same time, show my love.

"Would it be nice, if I give her a..." I was saying when a hasty knock sounded.

"Come in," I said and one of my men came in.

"Alpha. Athena has escaped," He said with a troubled expression on his face.

"What?" I and Ethan said together.

"It's not possible. She's chained," I said looking at Ethan.

"I don't know," Ethan said and we both followed the guard.

"How did it happen!?" I asked when I saw the guards gathered in front of the dungeon.

Dusk was standing there, looking worried.

"This morning, the door was locked but the she wasn't there. The chains were loosed too, It's almost like she disappeared. The guards say they weren't aware when she disappeared," Marcus said and I rounded on the guards.

"Where were you when she disappeared!?" I bellowed and they shook. Then I raised my hand, closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

Blaming them didn't help matters. We needed to do something, fast.

I paced the room thinking hard, then stopped.

"I want everyone out now! We have to find her! She's not escaping!" I said in anger to my men and after they had all gone, I put my hand over my forehead and tried to calm down.

I only succeeded in calming myself, after a few minutes. Then, I saw Dusk, still standing there, looking at me in concern.

At least, even if Athena escaped, I should show my appreciation to her.

After thanking her, I told her I had something to show her, and she looked worried, but I managed to smile.

~

DUSK'S POV

Lucius had taken me to the rooms next to his quarters. Although, I didn't want to stay so close to him, the beauty won me over.

It was more beautiful than my current quarters had been and it was properly furnished.

"I want to ask if you like it," He asked and I nodded as I looked at the chandeliers.

"It's beautiful," I said.

"This is what I have to show you, your new quarters, I'll get the maids to move your things. This is to show how grateful I am," He said to me and I was amazed that he could show his gratitude to that extent.

~

The maids came later, transferring all my things and helping me set up my room.

Later on, Lucius came in to my room and I stood from my bed.

"I wanted to see if you settled down fine," He said sitting on my bed and I took my seat once more, next to him.

"It's very beautiful," I said and looked at him. He smiled in return and when he looked at me, I noticed he was a bit drunk. He put a hand to my cheek gently and looked into my eyes.

"It's not as beautiful as you are," He said and I lowered my lashes. He tried to kiss me and I found myself hesitating. "Don't. Don't refuse me," He said gently and kissed me.

The kiss was a burning one, it had been so long since he touched me and every touch seemed to set my body alive.

Here I was again, giving myself to him passionately when I didn't want to have anything to do with him.

It was so bizarre, how I hated him due to his thoughtlessness and self-centeredness, but still managed to have a soft spot for him.

Or maybe it was just because I couldn't turn a blind eye to people who were suffering.

Just as I had thought, hours later, we were on the bed, our clothes across the floor in a mess.

~

"Wow, this is beautiful! You're so lucky," Seline said checking my room out.

"It's just a room," I said as I completed the painting that was meant to depict loyalty, for Lucius.

"Just a room? There are a bunch of rooms with the best furniture here," Seline said but I wasn't listening. I was thinking of how to give the painting to Lucius. I didn't know how to face him, because, I felt a bit embarrassed to face him even though we had slept with each other numerous times.

"I'm giving this to Lucius," I said taking the painting and leaving the room.

"Wait!" Seline called and as I walked across the mezzanine to Lucius' quarters, I saw downstairs, the men coming in and my heart thumped.

Had they found Athena?”