Heart of a rogue

Chapter 24-

Okay, you guys must be warned for this chapter. Declan will make a big mistake... I have written it over an over again, bc it was pretty hard to write it... But this is the path im going to take heartbreak incoming... Good luck!

The sun was low in the sky as they approached the edges of their territory. The pack members, having caught sight of the returning group, began to gather, their faces lighting up with relief and curiosity. Lucille, though deeply fatigued, managed a weary smile as she saw the familiar faces of her packmates. The warmth of their welcome was undeniable, a balm to her tired soul.

"Welcome back!" one of the pack members, a tall woman with striking red hair, called out. Her voice was full of relief and affection. "We've missed you all."

A chorus of greetings followed as the pack members gathered around, their faces reflecting the collective relief of seeing their friends and family return safely. Questions about their journey and concerns about their well-being were exchanged, but Lucille's exhaustion was palpable. She responded to the greetings with nods and tired smiles, her energy waning as the conversations continued.

Declan, ever the attentive mate, stayed close to Lucille. He could see the strain in her eyes and knew she needed rest, speaking softly. "Why don't you go to the cabin and get some rest? I'll take care of the introductions and explain everything."

Lucille nodded gratefully, her steps slower as she made her way to the cabin at the edge of the other side of ther territory. The familiar sight of their home was a comfort, and she felt a sense of relief wash over her as she pushed open the door. The inside was just as she remembered, a cozy refuge with its warm, rustic charm.

The cabin was quiet, a stark contrast to the lively greetings outside. Lucille moved through the small living space, her movements sluggish as she made her way to the bedroom. She let out a sigh of relief as she sank into the comfortable bed, the softness of the blankets a welcome embrace after the days of travel.

Her thoughts drifted as she lay there, the weariness of the journey catching up with her. She thought about the old forest, the spiritual connection she felt, and the looming challenge of confronting Leo. But mostly, she thought about Declan and his lies. she felt betrayed and hurt, what else was he hiding? Despite her exhaustion, her mind remained active, reflecting on the conversations and the plans that lay ahead.

Declan's POV

Declan's mind was heavy with the weight of their mission, he couldn't send her towards that psycho again. The plans for stopping the curse had to be precise, and the urgency of their situation left no room for error. He glanced around at the tired faces of his packmates, aware of the need for both clarity and rest.

"We need to go over the plan for stopping the curse," Declan began, his voice steady despite his fatigue. "But first, we all need to rest. We've pushed ourselves hard, and everyone needs to be at their best. We'll reconvene in the morning, and I want everyone to be ready for a long day."

Joshua and Alani, who had been sitting nearby, nodded in agreement. "We'll get some rest," Joshua said, his voice carrying the exhaustion of the journey. "We can't be effective if we're running on empty."

With that, Joshua and Alani bid their goodnights and headed toward their respective quarters, leaving just Abel, Declan, and Nova.

Nova's eyes were tired, but she was still alert. "Do you want me to start patrols tonight, Alpha?" she asked, her tone respectful, patrol's every evening were her duty after all.

Declan shook his head, his gaze softening as he looked at her. "No, Nova. You should rest. We all need to recharge if we're going to tackle this properly."