The Duke's Obsession Prologue

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Lucus pushed off the hospital bed, pain flaring.

Every movement was agony. 😣

Lucus

Gotta leave this place. Now.

He yanked out the IV, eyes wild.

Lucus

(I can't stay here.)

Lucus

(Not with him around.)

Lucus

(He did this.)

Lucus

No way I'm staying. Not after what he did.

He stumbled, gripping the doorframe, then forced himself to run.

. . . . . .

William burst into Lucus's empty hospital room, panic clawing at him.

William Northumbria.

Lucus?! Where is Lucus?! *shouts*

His voice was a desperate roar. Σ⁠(⁠ಠ⁠_⁠ಠ⁠)

William Northumbria.

No! He ran away?

Pure fear twisted his features.

William Northumbria.

(How could he?)

William Northumbria.

(He's mine!)

William Northumbria.

(My Omega! He can't escape his fated Alpha.)

William Northumbria.

(I'll find him. No one runs from William Northumbria.)

. . . . . . . . . .

Lucas burst through his front door, gasping, only to freeze.

Lucus

Michigan!

Lucus

(What is this man doing here. I remember him , the Debt collector who always bullied that loser (father).)ರ⁠_⁠ರ

Michigan

Long time no see, prince of flowers?

Lucus

What do you need?

Michigan

Ooh, don't act so Oblivion Lucas. We only do one thing. To collect Money.

Lucus

I owe you nothing!

Lucus

I have not taken a single penny from your gang!

Michigan

*smirked* Well, you don't. But your father did. And now you pay!

Lucus

*tried to back away* (No! Not now, not after him!)

Lucus

*Shouts* why would I pay for him I don't have any relation with him now . He is dead for me a long ago.

Michigan gestured. Two burly men grabbed Lucus.

Lucus crumpled to the floor, pain exploding as they beat him.

Lucus

Stop! Please, stop!

Lucus

Then a sudden, brutal punch connected with one of Michigan's men, sending him staggering back with a grunt.

Another swift, powerful strike followed, sending the second man flying through the window 🪟 with a crash of shattering glass.

Cracking and scattering

William stood framed in the doorway, a menacing aura radiating from him, his dominant Alpha pheromones filling the small house.

His voice, a lethal growl, vibrated with barely contained fury.

William Northumbria.

How dare you lay your filthy hands on my Omega!

William Northumbria.

You will regret the day you even thought of touching what belongs to me!

William Northumbria.

Who gave you permission to defile what's mine?!

Michigan

Michigan stumbled back, hands raised, eyes wide with shock and confusion.

Michigan

(Who is this man? His Pheromones are so intense. I can't take it anymore)

Michigan

Sir?! Who are you?!

Michigan

I guess there's been a terrible misunderstanding!

Michigan

We weren't beating that kid for no reason, I swear!

Michigan

He has to pay a debt, and he refuses!

He glared furiously, his Alpha pheromones intensifying, pressing down on Michigan like an invisible, crushing weight. The air grew heavy, thick with his wrath.

William Northumbria.

Debt? I don't care about your petty debts.

Michigan buckled, bowing low, gasping as the overwhelming pheromones squeezed the air from his lungs.

Michigan

We are so sorry, sir! Please, forgive us!

Michigan

We didn't know... We didn't know he was your Omega!

Michigan

We would never have dared if we knew!

Michigan

But our boss... he'll kill us if we don't get the money!

William Ignoring Michigan's desperate plea, his eyes burning with undiluted fury, he grabbed Michigan's neck with one hand and lifted him effortlessly into the air.

William Northumbria.

Your boss means nothing. Your life means nothing. What I care about is the mark you left on him.

Michigan choked, clawing at William's hand, his face turning purple.

Michigan

S-sir, please! I'm sorry! We won't come back! Never again! Please!

William's voice was a low, chilling promise, his grip unrelenting.

William Northumbria.

If I ever see your face again, if you ever breathe the same air as my Omega,

William Northumbria.

That will be your last day. Understand?

Michigan nodded frantically, tears streaming down his face.

Michigan

Yes! Yes, sir! Understand!

William released Michigan. The debt collector dropped to the floor, coughing and gasping for air.

Michigan scrambled up, grabbed his unconscious man, and fled, practically dragging him out the door, desperate to escape William's presence.

William knelt, gently gathering Lucus into his arms, ignoring the blood, the shattered glass, and the lingering scent of fear.

William Northumbria.

Lucus. Are you alright?

William Northumbria.

Speak to me.

Lucas opened his eyes, pain and pure, unadulterated hatred blazing in them. He used all his strength to land a stinging slap across William's face. It echoed in the now silent room.

Thud *slap*

Lucus