Chapter 77: Chapter 77

I was woken up by Lucius. I looked up at him; he was staring at me with an expression I couldn't fathom.

I sat up and stared at him. "What's wrong? You're scaring me," I said, but he didn't stop staring.

"Where did you hide the real Dusk? I'm not patient enough not to hurt you, so if you know what's best for you, you'd speak up," he said, and I was confused.

"Are you asleep? Are you having a nightmare? This is not a dream, Lucius; it's reality," I said, looking at him. His brows knitted together in anger.

"Are you trying to play tricks on me? This won't work," he said, and I began to get scared. I didn't understand what he was saying.

"It is me, Dusk. No one else. What are you saying, Lucius?" I asked, and he gripped my wrist hard.

"I just said not to play jokes on me," he said, and I tried to wrestle free from him.

"Did she bewitch you because we killed Cassandra? Is that why you're trying to kill me too?" I asked, and his expression softened.

"Dusk?" He asked, and I felt relieved.

"Yes, it's Dusk. Why are you acting up?" I asked, and he sighed.

"I'm sorry. I must have seen wrong. In my dream, Naomi came to me angrily over Cassandra's death. She said she wouldn't accept defeat, and when I woke up, there was a circle of light on your forehead, and you smiled," he said, and I put my hand to my forehead.

"A circle of light? I smiled?" I asked, and he nodded.

"Although, I think I was wrong because you're definitely Dusk," he said, and I smiled.

I sat up and looked at the window; the day was getting lighter.

"I didn't get to thank you. For saving me," I said, and he smiled.

"Saving you wasn't an option. It was a must. I have a duty to save you because I lo..." He said, and stopped.

"Because?" I urged, and he chuckled.

"Are you still going back to sleep?" He asked, and I looked out the window once more.

"The garden must look beautiful by now. At such an early time of day, I'll observe the trees," I said, and stood up.

"Want me to come along?" He asked, but I shook my head.

"It's totally okay. I'll be fine. Cassandra's gone," I said, and he looked worried.

"What if Naomi tries some other trick once more?" He asked as I opened the door, and I turned to look at him.

"I'm not scared. You just said it's your duty to protect me. I'll believe that," I said and left.

It had been a scary feeling, being trapped in the mirror, knowing that no one knew I was there, and no one was coming to save me. The hope and joy I had felt when Lucius happened to walk in were something I had never experienced before.

I went to the garden and sat down, admiring the beauty of the morning and its effects on the trees. It looked truly beautiful.

**~ LUCIUS' POV**

I had found Dusk, saved her, and she was fine. It was time to face those conniving allies.

I dressed in my best, imposing way, and ordered Marcus to follow me with the best of his men. I made them carry hidden weapons because I wasn't ready to leave anything to chance.

"I hope the horses are well fed. It'll be quite a journey," I said to the Ostler, and he nodded.

"I gave some food to the coachman. I feed the horses thrice a day, and water is a must. The horses need a lot of water, so I have given all that to the coachman. For this journey, Alpha, you might have to make some stops for the horses to eat," he said, and I nodded.

"I should expect to be back at night then," I said more to myself and went to check on Dusk.

She was staring at the trees with a lovely smile on her face. The sight of her made me smile, and it was all I needed for my journey.

I went to sit in the carriage, and it took the greater part of the day before we got to the Alpha Craig's Kingdom where the meeting had been decided to hold.

I was the last to join them, and I felt better.

"Welcome," they all said, and I walked confidently and sat in the last chair left.

"How about we get this over with? I have things to do," I said, and they exchanged looks.

"You've done well, boy." I heard Alpha Roland say, and it got on my nerves, although I didn't show it.

"That's Alpha to you," I said, and there was another silence.

"You have grown a lot, Lucius. In fact, you're beginning to sound more like your father," Alpha Damien said, and I stared back at him in annoyance.

Every one of them was an enemy disguised as friends.

"I have things to do," I said, and Alpha Craig sighed and said...

"There's clearly bad blood in the air. Let's commence, Alphas."

It was late at night when I got back to the Palace, and I could barely see anyone roaming around. As tired as I was, I knew I had to find Dusk.

I went to her quarters and checked her room.

"Dusk?" I called, but there was no reply.

I moistened my lips as negative thoughts began to race around in my head.

I checked every corner in her set of rooms, but didn't find her.

"She's not here. Assign your men, Marcus. Search every part of this Palace now," I said to them, and they left to carry out my orders immediately.

This couldn't be happening once more. Naomi was looking for my wrath.

I searched the library, but she wasn't there, and I knew if I couldn't find her by the garden, then she'd be with Naomi, and that would tick me off.

However, I saw a horrible sight in the garden.

A sight that took the breath out of me.

Dangling from the tree lifelessly was Dusk.