Aria
Lucas has me slung over his shoulder like I’m some kind of sack of potatoes, and I’m flailing like a lunatic. “Let me go, you overgrown brute! Put me down!” I’m yelling, but he just keeps walking like he doesn’t hear a word I’m saying.
We finally reach the game room, which is thankfully empty, and he sets me down like it’s some grand act of mercy. I stumble back, glaring at him with all the fury I can muster. “What the fuck is your problem? I told you to let me go!” I tug at my torn dress, trying to salvage whatever dignity I have left. The gown’s a disaster, but at least it’s still covering me…barely.
“You expect me to leave you on the floor crying?” His voice booms, startling me. “Seriously, Aria?”
I laugh, sharp and bitter, shaking my head. “Don’t give me that crap, Lucas. Like you give a damn about me.”
“Lucas? Really?” He chuckles dryly, clearly not amused. “That’s what we’re doing?”
I cross my arms, glaring at him. “Yeah, Lucas. Isn’t that your name? Or do you think you deserve to be called Alpha when you’re acting like a complete jackass?”
He sighs, running a hand through his hair before stepping closer. His hand reaches for mine, but I pull back, my defiance on full display. Does he stop? Of course not. He grabs my hand again, this time gentler, but still firm. “Come with me.”
“What the hell are you doing now? Let me go, Lucas!” I’m yelling again, but he kicks open a door like we’re in some action movie, dragging me inside.
And then I freeze.
The room is beautiful. Ribbons and Christmas lights drape the walls, a table sits in the center with two chairs, candles flicker softly, and the air smells like something sweet and comforting. There’s even a banner on the wall that reads: Will you please forgive me, Aria Whitlock?
I laugh, clapping a hand over my mouth to stifle the sound. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it sure as hell wasn’t this.
“Do you like it?” His voice is soft, almost hesitant, behind me.
I want to turn around and tell him I love it, that it’s perfect, but I can’t just let him off the hook that easily. Not after everything. Before I can say a word, I feel his red jacket being draped over my shoulders. When I turn to face him, my breath catches. He’s dressed up…actually dressed up and he looks good. Too good. Damn him.
“Aria,” he begins, holding my gaze like it’s the only thing anchoring him. “I know I’ve been a fool these past few days… a coward. I just want to apologize. I should’ve handled everything better earlier. My pride got in the way, and I let it control me.”
The ice around my heart starts to crack, but I’m not ready to give in just yet. “You’re only doing this because Sarita asked you to, right?”
He smiles, nodding slightly. “She did ask me to. But I’m the one standing here, and I’m the one who’s sorry. Please, Aria?”
I cross my arms, narrowing my eyes. “So… what’s all this? A bribe?”
He chuckles, shaking his head. “No. This was my idea. Damon, Theo, and your friends helped, though.”
“Really?” My eyes light up. “So, Mia and Lily were in on this?”
“They care about you, Aria. They dropped everything to help. You’ve got some amazing friends.”
I can’t help but smile as he pulls out a chair for me. “Have a seat, my lady.”
I sit down, and he pours me a glass of wine before taking a seat across from me. “How are you feeling?”
“Great,” I mumble, swirling the wine. It feels surreal, sitting here with him in this setup.
He sets the bottle down and fixes me with a stare. “Are you sure? After everything that happened out there?”
“It’s fine,” I reply, brushing it off. “I’m just tired of all the fucking bullshit.”
“I promise I’ll deal with Ethan… somehow.”
My eyes widen. Of course he knows it’s Ethan behind everything.
“I can take care of myself,” I counter, trying to sound confident.
“Can you?” His voice is sharp, but not unkind. “Look, Aria, you’re stronger than you think. You need to let people see that.”
“I’m not strong. I’m just a weak omega.”
He exhales, frustrated. “Don’t say that. Being an omega doesn’t give anyone the right to insult you or stomp on your pride. At some point, you’ve gotta tell them to suck it.”
I snort. “How, exactly?”
“I’ll help you. We’ll train together.”
That makes me laugh, my hand flying up to cover my mouth. “Train? Come on, I’m no warrior.”
He smirks, leaning back confidently. “Have you forgotten I’m an alpha? I train warriors, Aria. It’s what I do.”
I roll my eyes but nod reluctantly. “Fine. I’ll look forward to it.”
We eat our cake and sip wine in a comfortable silence before I speak up again. “Your sister is so beautiful… and really amazing.”
He nods, sipping his wine. “I know.”
The wine starts to work its magic, making me feel warm and a little too aware of Lucas sitting right there. Gail, my wolf, is practically dancing in my head.
“By the way, that day,” I ask, setting my fork down, “how did you even know I was locked in that cold room?”
He smiles, setting his glass on the table. “Gail told my wolf. She used every bit of her strength to get the message across.”
My jaw drops. “Gail did that?” I’d thought she was utterly useless that day. I guess I owe her an apology.
“She’s feisty and smart,” he says, grinning. “That’s what my wolf says.”
“What’s your wolf’s name?” I ask, curious.
“Lan,” he answers with a small smile. “He’s brown, big, hot-tempered, smart, and classy.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Yeah, I’ll definitely be asking Gail what she thinks about him.”
Lucas chuckles, and the sound wraps around me like a warm blanket.
Before I know it, a slow romantic song starts playing, and my heart skips a beat. The music does something to me…fuck, especially to between my under thighs, which suddenly ache to be touched.
“Care for a dance?” Lucas stands, holding out his hand, his gray eyes locking on mine.
I smile, slipping off his jacket and placing my hand in his. “Why not?”
He leads me to a corner where a spotlight rotates lazily, casting a warm glow. His hand finds my waist, and I instinctively loop mine around his neck. As we sway to the music, the chaos from earlier melts away. Even the fact that my dress is a shredded disaster doesn’t faze me anymore.
“You dance great,” he murmurs smoothly. His gray eyes gleam with something that makes my knees feel like jelly. Damn him.
“Thanks,” I manage to say. My gaze drifts to his lips…those ridiculously kissable, sinful lips that I want wrapped around my fucking nipples. “By the way, I really enjoyed this… the date… oh I mean, well, you… Thanks, Alpha Lucas.”
He laughs, slow and deep, and the sound makes my stomach summersault. “Alpha Lucas? You’ve been calling me by my name all night. Stick to that, especially since…” His lips curve into a smirk. “…you’re my mate.”
That. That right there. It sends my heart racing like I’m on a sugar high. I’m fucking gone for him, and he knows it. Bastard!
“Aria,” he says, more softly now. “I know I’m not perfect. Hell, I’ve been a fucking coward. I’ve done nothing but cause you trouble and pain, and I hate myself for it. I’m really, truly sorry.”
The sincerity in his voice catches me off guard. My brain struggles to process why he’s being so damn nice all of a sudden. Is this really Lucas?
“The reason I… I haven’t committed…” He hesitates, his fingers brushing against my waist. “…is because I didn’t know if I could stand up to my father.”
I stop moving, the music fading into the background. “That’s really why?”
“Yeah,” he admits, holding my gaze. “That’s why I want to take things slow.”
“Really?” My green eyes lock with his stormy gray ones, searching for any hint of deception.
“Really,” he nods. “I really, really like you, Aria Whitlock. I’m so fucking tired of pretending I don’t. I like you so much it hurts. But I think we need to start slowly… as friends.”
Friends. My brain hears the word, but my heart zones out. All I can focus on is the fact that he just said he likes me. Lucas fucking likes me.
Before I even think it through, I’m on my tiptoes, closing the gap between us. My lips press against his, and for a moment, the world stops spinning. It’s just us…me, him, and the sound of my heart thundering in my ears.