Tangled Hearts - The Alpha's Baby Mama-Chapter 244: Plan B and mini-plans...

Lucius POV

"We’ll confuse them but before they realize what’s going on, they will be in chains. So, I would need logistics for that especially one with sedatives to make sure they don’t get any idea in their head as we come back,".

"What if that fails? Jared doesn’t seem like someone without a plan B. What if he’s not hiding where we think he is? How are we going to deal with that?" Noah asked.

"Good question," I nodded "Then we go full rogue on them. Offensive all the way but I’m telling you, Your Majesty, that this would work. Just let me assemble a team myself and I will leave within an hour. Don’t forget, we need the foxes,".

"Yeah," he nodded "They’re on it. By the way, I’m coming with you. I won’t interfere with you going to rescue Selene but I am a good soldier and I’ll fight. So..." he trailed off and added, "It’ll look strange if my wife is missing and I’ve not been making a single effort,".

"Your Majesty," Kurtis began his tone cautious. "We discussed this. Aside from it being too dangerous, you cannot leave the pack without a Lycan King, it’ll call for immediate handover to someone else given the fact that there are enemies outside the walls. The people will not mind even if an Alpha is presented to them. Don’t worry, we’ve got this handled,".

"I don’t care about the danger or about them taking the throne," Noah cut him off, his voice sharp with frustration. "This is my mate and my child we’re talking about. I can’t sit here and do nothing while others risk their lives to save them. It should be me doing that... you have no idea how much it kills me that Selene might actually be in a life-threatening condition and I’m here unable to do anything. What’s the essence of being a Lycan King if I cannot save the one person I love most?"

I stepped forward, my calm demeanour a stark contrast to Noah’s agitation. "You Majesty, I understand your desire to be there, but your presence could complicate the rescue operation. Alpha Jared might use you as leverage if he captures you against Selene. The best thing you can do for Selene and the baby is to stay here and coordinate our efforts. Also, Kurtis is right... This is a sensitive time and you must show your people that you care for them so much and you’ll always put them first before anything,".

Noah’s jaw clenched, I could sense he was battling with his instincts as both a king and a mate. After a tense few minutes, he reluctantly nodded. "You’re right, Lucius. I’ll stay behind, but I want constant updates. And if anything goes wrong, I’m coming in with reinforcements,".

"Nothing will go wrong, Your Majesty but I understood," I agreed. "We’ll keep you informed every step of the way. I’ll go now and select my team," I said.

"Do you need my help? I know most of the soldiers by their..." Kurtis started saying with a smile on his face.

"Don’t worry!" I gave him a pointed stare I can handle this,".

With a final bow to Noah, I left the office, my mind already formulating plans and what I call mini-plans. That is; backup plans for every plan. I moved swiftly through the pack house, towards the training centre. When I arrived there, I noticed that most of the soldiers were either warming up, talking or were in resting mode.

I cleared my throat to indicate my presence and immediately they lined up. My eyes scanned them as I went through each line, trying to match the description of the lands and the kind of person Jared was to them. I didn’t want to go with a lot of Kurtis’s men since they were mostly Hybrid gammas but I also needed their strength and bravery.

They were like 10 regular soldiers in one but they were too tall and could easily be noticeable. As I passed by the last line, I noticed a blond on the third row. She was so beautiful that no one would associate her with fighting. Her name was Emilia... I shook my head to clear the intrusive thoughts that filled it but visions of us together clouded my mind for a few seconds.

When I came about, I noticed five minutes had passed in total. I couldn’t risk spacing out on the mission like this, so I cannot go with Emilia. Skipping her, I selected the brunette behind her and then went on to pick ten other elite fighters. Each of them was skilled in either archery, sword, shooting, or claw-fighting and could easily fit in any of these roles. They were going to be my shadow.

After that, I selected another group of 100 soldiers, 20 per team. They were going to be useful to help cover any hidden excesses that we did not anticipate. After I was done gathering them, I gave them a briefing on everything that was happening and then told them to meet me in the courtyard in 20 minutes.

As I walked back to inform Noah that I was ready to move out and grab my things, I nearly collided with Kurtis who was coming out from the same doorway. Stifling a sigh, I lowered my body and murmured.

"Alpha!" putting as much distance as I could at that moment between us.

"Don’t be like this, Lucius," he sighed "You know I hate it when you call me by my name. You should just call me Kurtis. Anyways, thank you for coming. I didn’t think you’d honour my invitation because...".

"I was actually on my way to inform his majesty that I’m done with the selection and that we’re about to move out now. So, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get on with it. We don’t have a lot of time left. And I wouldn’t want these men doing this at night,".

"C’mon, Lucius!" he sighed "How long will you deny what happened? Can we at least talk about it? You can’t run away from it forever. I don’t know how you do it but I can barely function since that incident and the only way to achieve that is to speak up. I have to say what’s on my mind, how the incident made me feel and a whole lot so...".

"I told you to move past it. Why are you so eager to dwell in the past like this? It’s annoying honestly and I just hope that this will be the last time we talk about this. I’ll get going..." I bowed and continued past the door. After informing Noah and heading back, I noticed a familiar figure lurking in the shadows.

Without turning to see who, I knew it was Emilia. Did they have a wish to end my life? Exhaling, I turned to face her.

"What is it, Emilia? Why are you lurking in the shadows and why are you watching me?" I asked.

"I knew you wanted to pick me but you changed your mind. You know I’m the best tracker there is and I’m perfect for this job. Else tell me how a mere werewolf gets to work with Lycans,".

"For this mission, I don’t think you’re a good fit!" I said and tried to walk away.

"Or you’re avoiding me?" she blurted with a scoff. "I don’t know what I was expecting from you but I’m not surprised either. Still, I was hoping you’d try to be kind after everything. We’ve shared passionate night and you want to tell me that they meant nothing to you? Do you know how many nights I’ve longed for you and wish you’d call me even once? But you didn’t,".

"Yeah!" I nodded "I’m a very selfish person, Emilia. I thought I made this clear and I’m sorry for making you think I wanted more out of what happened but I don’t. So, can you just stop this,".

She took a step closer to me, instinctively, I took a step backwards. She continued to follow me until she had me trapped at the wall. I swallowed hard as she walked up to me. She was dangerously close – so close that if I stuck out my head just a little more, our lips would meet.

She touched my chest, tentatively, rubbing slow circles around my nipple and was about to go downwards when I caught her hand. "What do you think you’re doing?"

"You want me, Beta Lucius!" she smirked "I can feel your wolf practically begging me for it and you know I can give it to you whatever you want it, right? C’mon stop fighting me,".

I smirked "I don’t know what you’re picking up but I’m not interested. Skillfully removing myself from the wall, I turned to face her. "I need to go now, take care,".

"I’m coming with you!" I had barely moved three steps when she stated, her tone leaving no room for argument.