Aria
The party is a Christmas wonderland. Lights twinkle everywhere, and tall Christmas trees tower like something straight out of a fantasy movie. Cruise parties always go all out, but this? This is next-level magic. I pause to take it all in, then scan the room for Mia and Lily. Nowhere in sight. Typical. Probably running late.
My gaze drifts, searching for him. Lucas. But instead, I spot his two idiot friends, Damon and Theo hanging in a corner. The urge to storm over and demand where Lucas is burns in my chest, but I squash it. Tonight isn’t about that jerk.
I make a beeline for the cocktail table, grabbing a drink. And, of course, there he is…Ethan. The devil himself, complete with his stupid smirk and Vanessa. Ethan’s in a tailored suit, looking ugly, while Vanessa is… whatever. I refuse to let her outfit occupy any real estate in my brain.
“Aria,” Ethan purrs, eyeing me like he owns the air I breathe.
I sip my drink, pretending not to notice.
“You look…”
“Tacky,” Vanessa cuts with a growl. “Didn’t Alpha Ethan tell you not to come here?”
Ethan glares at her for interrupting, but then his gaze snaps back to me, sharp and commanding. “You’re testing me, Aria Whitlock. Have you forgotten I’m your future alpha? When I tell you to do something, you do it.”
I roll my eyes so hard. Setting my glass back on the table, I take a step closer. “Guess what, Ethan? I don’t give a damn about you anymore. So, fuck off. Stop trying to control me, you bastard, because I’m done.”
A few heads turn, including Damon and Theo’s. Their eyes flash with warning, but I’m too far gone to care that they care about whatever is going on.
Ethan’s jaw tightens. “Come on, Vanessa.”
“But we’re just gonna let her…”
“Shut up and follow me.”
I cross my arms and watch Ethan and Vanessa’s retreating figures. “Yes, take your asses out,” I mutter under my breath, picking my glass back up. I take a sip, but something in Ethan’s eyes as he walks away keeps gnawing at me. There’s a warning there, a threat. Whatever it is, I don’t like it.
The music is thumping hard, the kind that makes the floor vibrate. People are swarming the dance floor like it’s the last party on Earth. Mia and Lily should be here by now. I glance around, debating whether to mind-link them when I spot someone heading my way.
He’s tall, sandy blond, and hot enough to make me forget my own name for a second. He looks familiar, but I can’t quite place him.
“Hi,” he says, stopping in front of me with a casual grin.
“Hi,” I reply, trying to channel my most carefree vibe. Tonight is all about fun, right?
“I saw you standing over here all by yourself,” he says, his brown eyes narrowing slightly like he’s trying to figure me out. “And I thought, how could a beautiful girl like you not have a date? Or do you?”
I can’t help but smile at his charm. “Nope. Came alone.” But I’m puzzled. Almost everyone in this pack knows about Lucas and me…or, well, the mess that was Lucas and me. Maybe this guy didn’t get the memo.
“I’m Jer.” He extends a hand, and I take it.
“Aria.”
“That’s such a lovely name for a beautiful lady.” His smile widens, and okay, he’s officially laying it on thick.
“Thank you,” I say, feeling my cheeks warm. Out of habit, my gaze flickers to Damon and Theo, standing not-so-subtly across the room. They’re staring at us, disapproval practically radiating off them. I smirk. Perfect. I hope they’re mentally speed-dialing Lucas to report that I’m having a grand time.
“Care for a dance?” Jer offers, extending his hand like we’re in some cheesy rom-com.
“My pleasure.” I take his hand, letting him lead me to the dance floor.
Pop music blares from the speakers. Not exactly my dream playlist…I’d kill for some sultry romantic vibes…but hey, I’ll roll with it. Jer isn’t half-bad at dancing. Actually, he’s good. We laugh as we move to the beat, his energy infectious.
Out of nowhere, he grabs my hand and twirls me around. I let out a surprised laugh, enjoying the moment. From the corner of my eye, I catch Theo and Damon slipping out of the hall. My smirk deepens. Oh, they’re definitely going to tattletale to Lucas.
“This is great,” Jer says, spinning me again. But he doesn’t stop. He keeps twirling me, over and over, until the world starts to blur.
“Okay, okay, stop!” I laugh, feeling dizzy. “My eyes are crossing here.”
“Let me help you.” He chuckles, steadying me before leading me to a nearby chair. I plop down with a sigh of relief…until the chair collapses beneath me.
I hit the floor with a thud, my dignity shattering into a million pieces.
“Oh my god, Aria, I’m so sorry!” Jer stutters, his face a mix of panic and embarrassment. “I didn’t know the chair was…damn it, stupid chair!”
I can feel people staring, their amused whispers like daggers. My face burns as Jer helps me to my feet.
“It’s okay,” I mumble, forcing a tight smile.
“Come on.” He leads me back to the cocktail table and hands me a fresh glass. “Here. Drink.”
“Thanks.” I take the glass, trying to shake off the humiliation.
“You sure you’re okay?” he asks, his gaze dropping to my legs like he’s expecting bruises.
“I’m fine, Jer,” I insist, already wishing for an exit strategy.
But before I can escape, he grabs my hand and starts pulling me toward well, somewhere.
“Jer, hold on! You’re moving too fast,” I protest, my heels struggling to keep up. The floor suddenly feels slick beneath me, and before I know it, I’m slipping. A slight push sends me stumbling forward into a Christmas tree.
The hem of my gown snags on a branch, ripping audibly. “Shit!” I clutch at the fabric, trying to stop it from tearing further, but the momentum carries me straight into a waiter. His tray tips, sending drinks flying all over me.
I hit the floor again, soaked, my dress ruined. Laughter erupts around me, loud and cruel.
Why? Why is this happening? I glance up and see Jer grinning like the Cheshire Cat. And then my gaze locks onto Ethan, standing off to the side with a devilish smirk.
Of course. This was his plan all along.
He wanted to ruin my night, and he fucking succeeded.
I’m covered in drinks, my dress is ripped. My cheeks feel wet before I even realize I’m crying. How the hell am I going to get out of here with a ruined dress… I’ll have to mind-link Lily for help.
Jer is in front of me, with a smug expression. “I’m so sorry, Aria. My fingers slipped,” he pouts, but his tone is anything but apologetic.
“Fuck you,” I snap, my whole body fucking trembling with rage. “You’re a fucking idiot. A piece of shit.”
He laughs. “Well, I’m not the one on the floor right now, covered in crap.”
“It was Ethan, wasn’t it? He told you to do this!” My voice rises in anger.
Jer hums, clearly pleased with himself, but before he can say another word, he’s yanked back and flung across the hall like a rag piece of crap. Gasps ripple through the crowd as my heart stutters.
Lucas. It’s Lucas, and his eyes glow golden as they lock onto mine for a fleeting moment. Then he stalks toward Jer, grabs him by the collar, and starts pounding his fists into him over and over. The sound is sickening, but I can’t look away. Blood streaks Jer’s face as he gasps for air, but Lucas doesn’t stop.
No one dares intervene. Couch John is the only one who could stop him, but he’s not here.
Lucas’s hands wrap around Jer’s neck, and he squeezes. Jer squirms, his breaths coming in desperate gasps. Lucas is going to kill him, and honestly, I can’t bring myself to care.
“Lucas, please…” Damon begs, but Lucas shoves him aside without a second thought.
“Lucas, stop! Aria needs you!” Theo tries to pull him away, desperation in his voice.
At Theo’s words, Lucas freezes. His hands drop from Jer’s neck, and he straightens, towering over Jer like a predator deciding whether to finish his prey. His golden eyes flicker, the rage still hovering beneath the surface.
“Take him,” Lucas growls to them. “And no one is to release him without my orders.”
The fucking bastard is dragged away, bloodied and broken. When Lucas turns toward me, I quickly look away, shame and rage swirling inside me. My fists clench as I fight the urge to scream or cry.. or both.
Lucas steps closer, scooping me up before I can protest. My body stiffens, and I start to wiggle, trying to break free. “Let me go, you bastard!” I yell, but he doesn’t respond. He doesn’t even look at me as he carries me out of the hall.