Omega Ascension System[BL]

Lucian’s POV

*****

"Excuse me?" Elder Mateo was astonished. "What did you say young man?"

"I didn’t stutter, Elder," Elian was defiant. "I said I call bullishit. On all of this. On all of you."

Lucian couldn’t do anything other than watch him from the corner of his eye — simultaneously observing the rest of the people gathered around the war room table.

His mother gave him a look, as if trying to tell him to signal Elian to sit.

But it was too late for that.

"Master Elian." Delta Reina spoke with clear restraint, eyes occasionally flicking to Lucian. "I understand you’re young. And mostly oblivious when it comes to our customs."

At the word customs, Lucian’s fists clenched on the table. Still, he didn’t utter a word, letting the woman continue.

"It is forbidden for an Alpha King to create a child with someone who isn’t his mate," Reina went on cooly. "In this case, Alpha King Lucian’s grandfather is guilty. And we—"

"The man has been dead for decades." Elian shook his head. "He had that child over three hundred years ago and none of you did anything then."

Gamma Drax chimed. "We were unaware."

"And you’d still be in the dark if my mates didn’t choose to be open with you."

He swung his head to Lucian and Kyren, meeting their gazes one by one. Even the Rogue king’s expression was devoid of his usual amusement in meetings like this.

"I was against the idea of telling you from the very beginning," Elian’s lips stretched briefly into a smile before he brought his attention back to the Elders. "Because I knew some secrets deserve to remain buried. If they didn’t tell you, Lucian would’ve led this empire without hiccups."

The only female Elder amongst the Eastern Wolves council scoffed. "This ’secret’ defies blessed laws given to us by our goddess millennia ago."

Slowly, Elian placed his hands on the table’s cool surface, an almost mocking smirk on his face. That made Lucian freeze with nervousness.

He wasn’t about to reveal what he thinks he’s about to reveal, right?

"Your goddess," Elian echoed, head shaking, "would be very disappointed if truly she was watching you right now."

Those words made many amongst the Elders and nobles gasp. Some whispered ’blasphemy’. Others were enraged that a mere Omega dared speak of the goddess that way—although they kept their voices as low as possible.

"OUR goddess?" Elder Mateo stressed, raising a brow. "You said that as if you’ve rejected her. Like you’re no longer a believer."

At that point, Lucian felt like grabbing Elian and making him sit.

He was all in for being truthful, but really... Not all secrets deserve to be dug up. If word ever spread that the Moon Goddess had been dead for millennia, Lunaria wouldn’t just fracture.

It would burn.

"Whether I’m a believer or not doesn’t matter," Elian’s back straightened again, his tone gaining a more relaxed edge. "But think about your next moves. Carefully. Do you wish to force Lucian to step down because of the sins of his forefathers? Or will you join him in ushering this continent into a new era?"

With that, his mate sat down comfortably, arms folded in front of his chest. He didn’t say anything openly but gradually angled his head to Lucian.

’I almost lost myself just now, didn’t I?’ When Elian’s mental voice reached out, Lucian allowed it.

He smiled, holding Elian’s hands beneath the table. ’A little, yes. But you did great overall.’ He paused for a beat before adding. ’At least now I know you’ll do great as Luna King.’

They maintained eye contact for a few more seconds before turning their heads back to the Elders and council members. Across the table, Elowen had a proud smile.

Aurora and Sylas had small smirks as well, the latter giving Elian a thumbs-up.

Now the ball was in the hands of Lunaria’s royal court.

The Eastern Wolves council members exchanged looks before trailing their eyes to the Council of Fangs. Those in turn glanced at the nobles who were awkwardly silent.

No words were shared. But Lucian could already feel a unanimous decision forming based on the nods and knowing glints in their eyes.

"These are perilous times, Alpha King," Elder Mateo broke the silence. "Although each faction already had suspicions about your father’s rule after his death... It is truly impressive that you chose to be open."

"Barely a couple of days into his reign too." A noble woman added boldly. "Starting your reign with truth was the right call. As risky as it was."

The others either nodded in agreement or gave silent looks of approval.

Lucian caught Gamma Drax shoving Delta Reina gently with his elbow. The latter glared at him for a moment before exhaling heavily.

"We... Are proud." she blurted, forcing herself to look into his eyes. "Thanks to you we have more information on late Alpha King Arian’s dealings with the Dark Hand."

"What she’s trying to say," Gamma Drax coughed, his bushy white beard shaking when he grinned, "is that we the Council of fangs pledge our full support and loyalty to your rule."

He got on his feet first, Reina following after a couple seconds. Lucian’s chest swelled with a feeling he couldn’t name as he watched them bow.

One by one, the members of the Eastern Wolves council and the top noble leaders stood as well. They bowed as one, hands on their chests.

As if that wasn’t enough, his family beamed, rising to their feet and bowing too.

Elian grabbed a reluctant Kyren’s hand, making him get up alongside him. They both lowered their heads—leaving Lucian sitting. And uncertain on where to even begin.

Never did he imagine this meeting ending this way. Never did he imagine a scenario where not a single person objected to his rule.

He was almost moved to tears but bit them back.

Not here. Not now.

"Please, sit." He muttered, eyes darting around the room as they did. "I’m... Speechless. But I’m equally glad," spinning his head to Elian and Kyren, his smile broadened, "that we were able to settle this. With the best outcome imaginable."

Now that he finally had the support of the leading factions... There was one more thing standing in the way of his peace.

Suddenly, the table glowed with a faint white light. A holographic projection flickered to life out of it, making Lucian’s brows knit.

"Uhm..." Elian blinked. "Is this part of the presentation?"

No.

No it definitely wasn’t.

"We at the Lunarian News Network come to you this evening with breaking news," popular news anchor, Cristal, was the one whose figure was projected. "In a new development in the war between Arcadia and the Dark Lands, numerous civilians from Arcadia have breached the Lunarian borders. Seeking solace."

Lucian’s mouth parted.

Witches from Arcadia... Seeking solace?

"Won’t that require them running past the Dark Lands?" Delta Reina murmured.

"Indeed—how weren’t they captured as prisoners of war?"

When those questions settled between the council members, all eyes slid to the one man who might have answers.

Kyren.

All he offered was a light curve of his lips as the news anchor continued:

"While these citizens are being kept in migration centres, rumours have been circulating among them. About the Arcadian rulership."

Lucian’s eyes widened.

Oh gods—

"Many are reporting with certainty that the High Matron herself is one of the leaders of the Dark Hand," Cristal announced grimly. "Which raises questions. If this is truly the case, what would it mean for the war? And Lunaria’s continued neutrality toward it?"

Elian brushed a hand through his hair, inhaling deeply. "Welp. This shouldn’t be good..."

Indeed it won’t.