Chapter 35

Shea's heart raced as she watched Achilles's car pull up to the mansion. She had been anxiously waiting for his return, her mind filled with worry over the mysterious video and the potential danger it posed. When she saw him slumped unconscious in the passenger seat, her relief turned to panic.

Lucius wasted no time, his commanding voice echoing through the mansion as he called for Alaric. The butler appeared in an instant, his sharp eyes taking in the situation with a single glance. With a swift movement, he rushed to the car and helped Lucius carry Achilles to his room.

Shea followed closely behind, her heart in her throat as she watched them lay Achilles on his bed. His face was pale and drawn, dark circles under his eyes betraying the exhaustion he must have felt even before the fight. Shea's hands clenched into fists as she thought of the unknown assailant who had done this to him.

Lucius turned to Alaric, his voice low and urgent. "Fetch the medical kit and some cold water. We need to bring him around."

Alaric nodded, disappearing from the room in a flash. Shea took a tentative step forward, her eyes never leaving Achilles's face. "What happened?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lucius's expression was grim as he turned to face her. "There was a fight. Someone ambushed him, trying to get to you."

Shea's eyes widened in shock. "But who—"

"We don't know yet," Lucius interrupted, his jaw clenching. "But we will find out."

Alaric returned with the medical kit and a bowl of cold water, setting them on the bedside table with a quiet efficiency. Lucius began to clean the cuts and bruises on Achilles's face, his movements precise and practiced. Shea watched in silence, her mind racing with questions and fears.

As Lucius worked, Achilles began to stir, his eyelids fluttering open. He groaned softly, wincing as he took in his surroundings. When his eyes fell on Shea, he managed a weak smile. "Hey," he murmured.

Shea's heart swelled with relief, and she couldn't help but return his smile. "Hey," she replied, her voice thick with emotion. "Welcome back."

Lucius finished tending to Achilles's wounds, his expression softening as he looked at his son. "Rest now," he said, his voice gentle. "We'll figure this out."

Achilles nodded, his eyes already beginning to close once more.

Lucius stepped out of Achilles' room, leaving his son to rest. He turned to Shea, his expression serious. "Shea, we need to talk."

Shea nodded, her mind still reeling from the events of the past few hours. Lucius extended his hand, introducing himself. "I'm Lucius Von Lunar. I believe you've seen my photo with your father in the hallway."

Shea took his hand, recognizing the resemblance between Lucius and Achilles. "Yes, I have. I didn't know your name, though."

Lucius nodded, his eyes softening for a moment before turning serious once more. "I'm sure you're aware of what happened with Achilles. He went to meet Ryder for something."

Shea nodded, her brow furrowing in concern. "Yes, he did. But what happened after that?"

Lucius took a deep breath, his jaw clenching. "He was ambushed. By someone else. A Von Lunar."

Shea's eyes widened in surprise. "But why? And who?"

Lucius shook his head, his expression grim. "I don't know. But we're going to find out. And we need to be careful. This could be a sign of trouble within the pack."

Shea's mind raced as she tried to process the information. She had never heard of any trouble within the Von Lunar pack before. But then again, she had only just arrived in Lockewood. There was still so much she didn't know.

Lucius placed a hand on her shoulder, his eyes meeting hers. "I know this is a lot to take in. But I need you to trust me. And I need you to be careful. We don't know who we can trust right now."

Shea nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. She had come to Lockewood seeking answers, but she had never expected to find herself in the middle of a pack conflict. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "I trust you, Lucius. And I'll be careful."

Lucius nodded, his piercing blue eyes studying Shea's face. "I appreciate your trust, Shea. Now, tell me, how has Achilles been treating you?"

Shea hesitated, her cheeks flushing slightly. She thought back to the past few days, the whirlwind of events that had brought her closer to Achilles than she ever expected. "He's been... very good to me," she said carefully, choosing her words. "He's protected me, explained things about the werewolf world, and made sure I felt safe."

Lucius raised an eyebrow, sensing there was more to the story. "Is that all?"

Shea's heart raced. The memory of their passionate encounters flashed through her mind, the primal urges that had overwhelmed them both. But she couldn't bring herself to reveal that without Achilles present. It felt too personal, too raw.

"He's been a perfect gentleman," Shea added, hoping her voice didn't betray her. "I feel... comfortable around him."

Lucius nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. "I'm glad to hear that. Achilles can be... difficult at times. But he has a good heart."

Shea smiled, relieved that Lucius seemed satisfied with her answer. "He does. I've seen that side of him."

"Good," Lucius said, his tone softening slightly. "Now, we need to discuss what happened today, and what it means for your safety."

Lucius's piercing gaze softened as he observed Shea's discomfort. "Shea, I sense there's something more you're not telling me. What really happened?"

Shea's heart raced, her palms growing clammy. She knew the truth – the sex tape of her and Achilles that Ryder had somehow obtained. It was the reason Achilles had gone to confront Ryder in the first place. But the words caught in her throat, embarrassment and uncertainty holding her back.

Lucius watched her internal struggle, his expression understanding. "It's alright, Shea. You don't have to tell me everything right now if you're not comfortable."

Relief washed over Shea. She nodded gratefully, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you, Mr. Von Lunar. I... I appreciate that."

"Please, call me Lucius," he said, his tone gentle. "And know that when you're ready to talk, I'm here to listen. Your safety and well-being are important to us."

Shea managed a small smile. "Thank you, Lucius. I promise I'll explain everything soon. It's just... complicated."

Lucius nodded, respecting her boundaries. "I understand. These situations often are." He glanced towards Achilles's room, his expression growing serious. "For now, I need to check on my son. We'll continue this conversation later."

With that, Lucius turned and walked towards Achilles's room, leaving Shea alone with her thoughts and the weight of the secrets she carried.