Lucas
So, there I am, sprawled out on this lumpy-ass couch in the cabin, trying to relax, but my brain? Oh, no. It’s staging a full-blown coup. My eyes keep drifting over to the door like Aria’s just gonna waltz in, looking all pissed and gorgeous with those soft green eyes of hers. Man, the way she looked at me earlier? It was like I personally kicked a puppy. Sad. Disappointed. Haunting.
And here I am, just… sitting. My wolf is losing his mind in the background, pacing and growling, ‘Go get her, dumbass! She’s our mate!’ But nah, can’t do it. Won’t do it. I mean, technically, our whole “relationship” is fake anyway. Right? RIGHT?!
The door suddenly swings open, and my dumb ass actually sits up like some lovesick dummy. Plot twist-it’s not Aria. Nope. It’s Sarita, my sister. Of course.
She plops down on the table across from me with that trademark smug look. “You thought it was her, didn’t you?”
“I just wanted to make sure,” I mumble. “I wasn’t expecting anyone, okay?”
“Yeah, right. Lies.” She snorts, leaning back. “If you miss her so much, why don’t you just grow a pair and go talk to her?”
“Can we not talk about Aria?”
“Oh, we’re absolutely talking about Aria. I just had a lovely little chat with her, by the way.”
That gets my attention. I bolt upright again, eyes practically bugging out. “What the fuck, Sari? Are you insane? Why would you do that?”
“Because you’re a miserable bastard, that’s why.” She holds up a hand before I can argue. “No, no. Shut up and let me finish. You’re stubborn as hell, so I had to step in.”
I groan, rubbing my temples like that’s gonna make her go away. “What did you say to her? Please tell me you didn’t tell her I was moping and crying because she caught me leaving a room with my own fucking sister.”
“First off,” she starts, completely ignoring my question, “nice suite. Super annoying that it’s better than mine. Second, Aria’s a total catch…smart, pretty, and way outta your league. Honestly, the moon goddess must’ve been drunk when she paired you two up.”
I roll my eyes. “Cut the crap, Sari.”
“I’m serious! I like her. She’s great. I told her what really happened, and she’s not mad at me anymore. You, though? Yeah, she’s still pissed.”
I glare at her before flopping back on the couch. “You don’t get it. It’s not that simple.”
“Oh my goddess, Lucas. What’s not simple? She’s your mate. There’s literally nothing standing in your way.”
“Yeah, except Dad,” I shoot back.
She groans like I just quoted a bad movie. “Who gives a shit about Dad?”
“You know he’ll never accept her.”
“Uh, newsflash, genius… you don’t have to do everything Dad says. Look at me! I told him to shove his ‘rules’ and left. Now Kevin and I are living our best lives, no overbearing dad energy needed.”
“It’s different,” I argue, staring at the ceiling. “I don’t want Aria to go through what Mom did.”
Her eyes narrow like I just said something incredibly stupid. “That’s the lamest excuse I’ve ever heard. If you’re worried about Aria, then leave! Just like I did. Dad didn’t like Kevin, and guess what? We’re fine. Hell, we’re thriving without his drama.”
“It’s not that easy,” I mutter.
She lets out this dramatic sigh, like she’s losing her patience. “What’s not easy? Walking away from Dad’s money and your future alpha crown? Lucas, grow some balls, tell Dad to fuck off, and go get your girl. I promise you, having your mate is worth every ounce of chaos. Trust me.”
I can’t help it. A tiny smile sneaks onto my face. “How’s Kevin, anyway?”
“He’s great. You can ask him yourself…he’s here.”
“Wait, what? He’s on the ship?” I sit up again, this time genuinely shocked. “Why the hell are college kids crashing a high school cruise tour?”
She rolls her eyes like I’m the dumbest person alive. “Because we’re awesome, obviously.”
I still can’t believe Sarita’s on this damn cruise ship. She just showed up out of nowhere this morning, waltzing into my cabin while I was chatting with Damon and Theo.
“Anyways, Kevin works for the company that built this ship, so sneaking on without Dad or Beta John knowing was easy,” she adds.
“You’re so slick, Sarita,” I laugh, shaking my head.
“Right back at ya.” She grins, adjusting her dress like she’s about to walk a runway. “Anyway, I gotta go prep for the party tonight. And you’d better show up.”
“I’m not coming.” I lean back on the couch, trying to make it clear I’m not in the mood for her meddling.
“Oh, you’re coming. I already convinced Aria to come, and trust me, it wasn’t easy. She didn’t even want to see your sorry ass. She’s coming for me.”
“Whatever.” I roll my eyes, but my stomach does this annoying little flip.
“And remember, Lukky, don’t let Dad ruin your life.”
“Stop calling me Lukky.”
She chuckles like I didn’t just ask her to quit it. “You’ll always be my little Lukky.”
“I’m not a kid anymore, Sari. You’re not even that much older than me.”
“Four years, actually,” she shoots back, laughing. “And if you want me to stop treating you like a child, maybe stop acting like one. Quit screwing around with random girls and grow up.”
I glare at her, but deep down, I know she’s right. Sarita’s everything I wish I could be…strong, fearless, smart as hell, and always in control. Meanwhile, I’m… well, me.
A knock on the door saves me from another one of her lectures. From the scent, I already know it’s Damon and Theo.
“Come in.”
The door opens, and sure enough, Damon strolls in first, followed by Theo. Damon’s smirk is already in place, because of course it is. “Are we interrupting anything?”
Sarita shakes her head, already heading for the door. “Nope. I was just leaving. You boys have fun.”
“You too, mi lady.” Damon throws in a cheesy bow.
Sarita narrows her eyes at him like she’s debating whether to slap him or laugh. “I mean, Miss Sarita,” he stutters, clearly backpedaling.
“Exactly. Know who to pull that nonsense with, Damon,” she fires back, her tone sharp enough to make him flinch. I can’t help but smile. My sister can be downright terrifying when she wants to be.
She walks out, throwing Theo a quick wave.
“See you at the party, Miss Sarita,” Theo blurts out, all sheepish. Poor guy’s had the biggest crush on her forever, and she doesn’t even notice.
Damon flops onto the couch next to me while Theo takes the seat across from us.
“So, what’s up?” Damon kicks his feet up.
“You guys seen Aria since…” I trail off, not really sure how to phrase it.
“Nope, only Mia and Lily,” Damon answers.
“And they were pissed,” Theo adds. “Especially Mia.”
“What about?”
Theo gives me this are-you-dense? look. “Aria. Duh. Mia’s been on a warpath. I think you should just apologize, man.”
I scoff. “For what? She misunderstood the whole thing, threw a tantrum, and left. Not my fault.”
“But still-”
“It’s not necessary,” I cut Theo off. “It’s not like we’re even a real couple.”
Theo shrugs, clearly not buying my excuse but dropping it anyway.
“Everyone’s getting ready for the Christmas party tonight,” Damon chimes in, thankfully changing the subject. “You’re coming, right?”
I sigh, dragging a hand down my face. “Sarita’s gonna kill me if I don’t, so yeah, I guess.”
“Oh, she will,” Damon laughs.
“Just get ready to see Aria there,” Theo adds, wiping the grin off my face.
And there it is…the thing I’ve been trying not to think about. The truth is, I don’t even know how I’ll react when I see her. But deep down, I know I’ve missed her.
“Maybe you can apologize and make it up to her,” Theo mutters, and I consider smacking him upside the head. Instead, I let out a long sigh.
“Maybe. Or maybe not,” I mumble, but even I don’t believe my own words.