Heart of a rogue

* Chapter 22 - Choices

Lucille's pov

"I won't be defeated by him," Declan growled, slamming his fist down onto the table, a surge of dominance radiating off him that made everyone flinch.

Everyone but me.

"You're too different from him," I said, holding his gaze steadily.

He squinted, the intensity in his eyes sharpening. Around us, the room was deathly silent, everyone keenly observing, yet none daring to interject.

"How am I different from him?" he demanded, rising to his feet. "You think I'm weaker?"

I rose as well, slamming my own fist onto the table. Abel's hand gripped my wrist as if to keep me grounded, but I was fully in control. "Not weaker physically. But mentally? Yes. Leonardo would sacrifice anything to get what he wants. Would you sacrifice your sister for me?"

Declan froze, my question clearly striking a nerve. A chorus of growls echoed from around the table, but I didn't back down. "If he has her under his claws, life for life, would you trade me for her? Or would you let him take her life to save mine? Because that's what he'd do. You have too many weaknesses, too many ties, Declan. I can count thirty just in this room."

"He has no weaknesses," I continued, my voice steady but sharp, "not a single one."

The others kept silent, tense but rapt.

"Would you? Or wouldn't you?" I pressed.

He didn't answer, and I could feel frustration welling up. I let out a dry, mocking hum. "Leonardo would choose in an instant. He wouldn't hesitate to kill anyone in his way. You're already taking too long over a hypothetical question, Declan—imagine if it was real."

They didn't know Leonardo the way I did. They hadn't watched him kill like I had, hadn't seen the brutal lengths he'd go to. "Leonardo would kill a child if it meant getting what he wanted. He'd sacrifice his entire pack to meet his goals. You wouldn't. He has no family to care about, no pack that means more to him than his ambition. Unless we all get our eyes open and make a real plan, we're done."

I was nearly breathless by the time I finished. Abel finally released my wrist, and I slumped into my chair. Declan sat down, too, a grim expression on his face as he clasped his hands together and looked around, absorbing the weight of my words.

"I understand," he said at last, a quiet acceptance in his voice. "You're right. I have too many weaknesses."

"And the biggest one is sitting right here," Joshua muttered, casting a wary glance my way. "How strong is he, really?" he asked, his gaze shifting to me.

"You want me to answer honestly?" I asked, and when no one replied, I continued, "I think there's a reason he's been able to wipe out packs across the country. Declan is strong, but Leonardo is a close match."

Declan's eyes narrowed slightly. "You think I can't beat him?"

I met his gaze squarely. "If anyone can, it's you. But Leo fights dirty and exploits any weakness he finds. And he's got rogues inside these walls feeding him every detail about yours."

A silence fell over the room as everyone absorbed this. Then Alani broke it. "Then maybe we just get you out of here." She looked directly at me, as if to make her point clear.

I raised an eyebrow, half-expecting the suggestion but knowing Declan would never agree. He didn't even pause before rejecting it.

Joshua agreed I couldn't go back to being a rogue, even saying I'd made "great progress," which, I admit, gave me a bit of pride.