Chapter 30
The kingdom had turned into a search wound that refused to close.
Every pack.
Every border.
Every hidden rogue route.
Lucas had sent search parties until even his most loyal generals began to fear him more than the enemy.
Still-
nothing.
No scent.
No trace.
No Danny.
Even the calls stopped coming.
Unknown numbers flashed once or twice on his phone during the first day, but Lucas never received them in time.
After that-
silence.
And silence was worse than blood.
Now night had fallen again.
The palace was too quiet.
Too empty.
Lucas stood alone in the highest chamber of the mansion, overlooking the frozen kingdom below.
He had not moved for hours.
Not because he was calm.
Because he was tired in a way immortality did not fix.
Danny’s absence sat inside his chest like something missing from the world itself.
He remembered him constantly.
Danny laughing while eating too many desserts.
Danny sleeping in his arms like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Danny sitting on the throne like he belonged there more than Lucas ever did.
Danny saying husband without thinking.
Lucas closed his eyes.
“…Danny.”
The name hurt.
He didn’t hear the door open.
Didn’t smell anything.
Didn’t react at all-
until-
SMACK.
Both cheeks hit sharply.
Lucas froze completely.
Silence.
Then slowly turned his head.
Danny stood there.
Messy.
Cold.
Clearly annoyed.
Alive.
Lucas stared.
For a moment, nothing in his mind processed.
Then-
his entire world collapsed forward.
Danny huffed loudly.
“You didn’t pick up your phone.”
Lucas moved.
Fast.
Before Danny could finish the sentence, he was already pulled into a crushing embrace.
Danny made a strangled noise.
“Hey-HEY-don’t ignore my complaint!”
Lucas held him tighter.
Too tight.
Like if he loosened even slightly, Danny would disappear again.
Danny struggled weakly.
“I had to WALK back!”
Lucas buried his face into Danny’s shoulder.
Still holding him.
Still not believing.
Danny continued angrily.
“And the rogue was weirdly emotional and then I had to eat a burger and then I got kidnapped and then NO ONE ANSWERED MY CALL-“
Lucas finally pulled back slightly.
His hands cupped Danny’s face.
Staring.
Breathing uneven.
Real.
Warm.
Alive.
Danny blinked.
“…Why are you looking at me like that?”
Lucas’s voice broke slightly.
“I thought I lost you.”
Danny paused.
Just for a second.
Then rolled his eyes.
“You’re dramatic.”
Lucas exhaled shakily.
Then-
for the first time in centuries-
the Alpha King’s eyes filled.
A tear slipped down without permission.
Danny froze instantly.
“…Oh.”
Lucas laughed quietly through it.
Relief and pain tangled together.
“You’re here.”
Danny looked awkward suddenly.
“I mean… yeah. Obviously.”
Lucas pulled him closer again immediately.
No hesitation this time.
Kissing his forehead.
Then his cheek.
Then his hands like he was making sure he existed.
Danny squawked.
“Okay okay-stop-this is embarrassing!”
Lucas didn’t stop.
“I’ll do anything.”
Danny blinked.
“…Anything?”
Lucas nodded immediately.
“Yes.”
Danny thought for a moment.
Then pointed.
“For life?”
Lucas didn’t hesitate.
“For life.”
Danny narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
“…You’re my slave now.”
Lucas nodded again.
“Yes.”
Danny blinked.
“…That was too easy.”
Lucas buried his face back into him again.
“Just don’t leave again.”
Danny went quiet for a moment.
Then awkwardly patted his back.
“…I wasn’t planning to.”
Lucas tightened his hold immediately like that answer fixed something broken inside him.
Danny sighed.
“Also next time-pick up your phone.”
Lucas nodded instantly.
“Yes.”
Danny added:
“And I want food.”
Lucas nodded again.
“Yes.”
Danny squinted.
“And I’m still mad.”
Lucas kissed his shoulder softly.
“Yes.”
Danny paused.
“…You really agree to everything now.”
Lucas finally looked at him again.
Soft.
Broken.
Relieved.
“Because you came back.”
