Ethan
I’m still fuming as I walk away from Aria. She’s standing there, looking all stunned and shit, but I don’t even care. That’s exactly what I want. She doesn’t know it yet, but I’m gonna make her life a living hell until she’s crawling back to me, begging for my attention. I smirk to myself at the thought…it’s gonna be so satisfying.
But then that damn image hits me again. Lucas. Kissing. Her. My fists clench so hard it feels like my knuckles might split open. I hate that it bothers me. I hate that it’s been clawing at my brain all day. Jealous? Nah, no fucking way. It’s just my wolf reacting to the mate bond or some shit. Yeah, that’s gotta be it. Nothing else makes sense.
Still, my mood’s trash, so I storm over to Vanessa. She’s standing there, looking guilty as hell.
“So, what the fuck happened back there?” I demand sharply.
She sighs, flashing me this fake-ass laugh like I’m stupid. “Alpha Ethan, don’t believe that bitch. That wasn’t what happened.”
“Shut the fuck up, Vanessa,” I snap, cutting her off before she can spin her little web of lies. “I asked you, and you told me you didn’t lock her up. You said you just talked to her, and told her to leave the team. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes, but-”
“But what?” I throw my hands up, pacing. “Gosh, I’m so fucking stupid for believing you. I should’ve known better.”
“It’s not like that!” she squeaks, trying to salvage whatever scraps of loyalty she thinks she has left.
“Oh, really? Then what? Were you trying to kill her? Is that it? Why the fuck would you inject her with wolfsbane and lock her in there, huh?”
“I-I was going to let her out after some time!”
“Bullshit!” I bark, my patience hanging by a thread. “You don’t ‘accidentally’ inject someone with fucking wolfsbane, Vanessa!”
Her voice wavers. “I was mad, okay? She’s messing with you, Alpha Ethan. Can’t you see? You’re acting… weird. Like you’re jealous of her and Alpha Lucas or something-”
“Shut the fuck up.” My voice is low, dangerous. “I’m not jealous of anyone. Got it? Don’t. Push. Me.”
Her eyes go wide, and she stutters, “I didn’t mean to overstep. I’m sorry, Alpha Ethan. I-”
“Save it.” I point a finger in her face, so close she could probably feel the heat off my skin. “This isn’t over.”
I get it… Vanessa wanted to help me put Aria in her place. But damn, she went too far. I want to teach Aria a lesson, not fucking kill her. Sometimes I wonder if Vanessa can actually handle being my Luna. I mean, yeah, she’s perfect on paper… beautiful, strong, the whole package. But, Goddess, she can be so fucking boring. Stuck up, even.
And then there’s Aria. That little shit always had me laughing, even when I didn’t want to. Fuck, why the hell am I even thinking about her right now?
No. Vanessa is my future Luna. She’s perfect. She’s the daughter of my father’s beta. She’s no pack runt. She’s… she’s everything a Luna is supposed to be. Perfect.
Just then, one of my teammates calls for me. The game’s starting, but I’m so angry I can barely think straight. I shoot Vanessa a final glare before heading toward the rink
—
Man, I don’t even know why I bother with this shit. The game’s a total dumpster fire, and the other team is skating literal circles around me. I’m out here looking like a damn rookie who just learned how to tie his skates. My head’s not in it, though. How can it be when all I can think about is her?
Fucking Aria, sitting up there in the stands with that stupid, flustered look on her face after she kissed Lucas. Fucking Lucas. Of all people! That kiss keeps replaying in my head like some sick, twisted romantic movie I didn’t sign up for.
And the cherry on top? Earlier, that asshole Lucas was bombing his own game, but who was out there screaming her lungs off for him like he’s the Ultimate Alpha King? Aria, that’s who. My pack cheerleader uniform on her, pom-poms flying like she’s auditioning for “Most Annoying Fan of the Year.” She wasn’t just cheering…she was practically serenading him.
I glance at the crowd…bad move. There she is, still sitting with her friends, probably talking shit about me while I’m down here making a fucking mess of myself. She’s still in that Full Moon Pack cheerleader uniform. My pack’s colors, cheering for another team. I swear, my blood boils hotter than a car engine in the middle of summer.
So, I channel all that rage, focus, and get ready to score. This is it. Redemption. Payback. Glory. The ball flies, and…nope, I miss. Completely. The damn thing goes sailing like a bird with no destination.
I can feel the crowd’s collective cringe, and where do my eyes go? Straight to Aria again. And what’s she doing? Smirking. Fucking smirking. Like she’s a fucking witch, getting off on my misery.
The whistle blows. Game over. It’s goaless. Zero points. Zero pride. Just a big, fat draw for Team Full Moon pack.
I storm off the rink, ignoring the stares and pitying looks from my teammates. I know they’re judging me, and honestly, they can shove it. I’ve got bigger problems, like plotting how I’m gonna make Aria’s life a living hell.
Vanessa decides this is the perfect moment to sidle up to me, throwing her arm around my shoulder like we’re the perfect couple. “You were great out there,” she says softly.
I shrug her off so fast she nearly stumbles. “Not in the mood, Vanessa,” I mutter, my eyes instinctively darting back to the stand. And there she is again. Aria. Still watching me. But now her face isn’t smug. It’s angry, filled with disgust, like I ran over her pup or something.
It’s different from how she looked at Lucas earlier. She gazed at him like he hung the moon, but me? Nah, I get all the venom. It pisses me off, but it also fuels me. Tomorrow’s the Christmas party, and I’m gonna show her. She thinks she can pull this disloyal shit and walk away unscathed? Nah, not on my watch.
Just wait, Aria. You’re gonna learn exactly what happens when you mess with me.