THE HEIR'S MATE

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

Elias felt as if he were floating on air the moment he sensed Luna's presence nearby. It was a crisp, clear morning in the secluded yard they always trained in, bathed in the soft golden light of the early sun. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the surrounding trees, adding a serene backdrop to the scene.

His heart skipped a beat, and a warm, thrilling sensation coursed through his veins, spreading a tingling energy throughout his body, making it impossible to concentrate. In that split second of distraction, Finn, clad in his usual training gear—a form-fitting black shirt that accentuated his lean, athletic build—effortlessly swept him off his feet with a quick, fluid motion, sending him crashing to the ground. But Elias didn't care—his mind was elsewhere, entirely captivated by the thought of his mate.

With a wide, beaming smile that brightened his entire face, Elias sprang to his feet. His tall frame, muscular build, and hazel eyes that now gleamed with excitement made him appear even more imposing. His tousled light brown hair caught the morning sunlight, adding to his boyish charm as he searched eagerly for the source of that familiar, comforting aura.

When his gaze finally landed on his father, Silas, Elias couldn't help but shoot him a questioning look, one filled with barely contained excitement and a spark of hope. Silas's stern expression softened into a faint smile as he nodded.

"Yes, yes," Silas said, his voice as steady and grounding as the earth itself. It wasn't just that he could sense his son's thoughts; he too felt his wife's presence drawing near. "Your mother and I have decided—it's time for the two of you to train together."

The words made Elias's smile spread from ear to ear, his excitement unmistakable.

On the other hand, Finn's heart sank, his spirits darkening like a cloud-covered sky. Ever since the incident at Maya's café, Isolde had stopped attending their training sessions. A part of him was relieved, of course—her absence meant one less distraction, one less reminder of the mess he had made. But his instincts wouldn't let him rest. Thoughts of Isolde haunted him, an unwelcome specter that filled him with guilt and a strange, unacknowledged longing. The arrival of Elias's mate felt like a cruel twist of fate as if the universe were mocking him, rubbing salt into his still-open wounds.

Just as Finn was lost in his brooding thoughts, a sudden shift in the atmosphere caught both his and Elias's attention. Their expressions soured simultaneously as they noticed a group of three alpha werewolves approaching. They had expected Luna and Althea, but the sight of the third figure made their blood run cold.

Lukan, with his strikingly handsome features—a well-defined jawline, dark hair neatly styled, and mischievous black eyes that now carried a hint of unease—was an unexpected addition. No one, except Silas, had anticipated that Lukan would be joining them.

Silas immediately stepped forward to greet the trio, his demeanor calm and commanding, his posture reflecting a blend of authority and respect. "Alpha Lukan, it's a pleasure to meet you," Silas said, his smile widening just a fraction as he addressed Lukan last.

"The pleasure is mine, sire," Lukan replied, though there was a noticeable tremor in his voice. The overwhelming presence of the sigma before him sent waves of unease through his body, his nerves fraying under the intensity of the situation. But that wasn't the only thing making him anxious; the two werewolves standing behind Silas, with their imposing, muscular builds and the killer instinct in their eyes, made Lukan second-guess his decision to come. The air seemed to grow colder, adding to the palpable tension.

If it hadn't been for Luna's insistence and the personal request from Sigma Silas himself, Lukan would never have considered showing up. The weight of his choice bore down on him heavily, making him question whether he had made the right decision, the doubt gnawing at him like a persistent, insidious shadow.