Ethan
Aria’s looking at me like she’s just waiting for me to explode, her green eyes burning with a fire that’s almost impressive. Almost. Has she lost her goddamn mind? Telling me to fight her…. a fucking omega? But hell, she’s not backing down. It’s like she thinks she’s the queen of this little showdown.
“What are you waiting for? Cold feet already?” Her voice is sharp, mocking, and her eyes don’t leave mine for a second. “You’re nothing but a piece of shit, Ethan. Just look at her.” She points to Vanessa, who’s still sprawled on the floor, looking like a kicked puppy. “You shoved your girlfriend. Real classy.”
My eyes flick to Vanessa, and yeah, she looks embarrassed as hell. I’d almost forgotten she was there. Not my fault… she should’ve left me alone when I warned her. I don’t do clingy.
Aria kneels and extends a hand to Vanessa, but Vanessa bats it away and scrambles up on her own, her face red as a damn tomato.
“You have no right to talk about Alpha Ethan like that,” Vanessa snaps, her voice high-pitched and grating. “It was a mistake, okay? Don’t get any ideas.”
Aria just laughs, shaking her head like Vanessa’s a joke. “Pathetic. That’s what you are, Vanessa. But right now? You’re more pitiful than anything else. You’d rather stay with this bastard and be disrespected than leave? What, because you’re clinging to some fantasy about being Luna?”
“Shut up!”
“Nope. Not happening. I’m just telling you the truth.”
“You’re just jealous because Alpha Ethan dumped your ass!” Vanessa reaches for my arm like she’s trying to claim me, but I yank it away, irritated as fuck.
That’s it. My head’s pounding, my wolf’s clawing at me, and I need a damn break. I glare at Aria. “I swear, you’ll regret this.” My voice is low, almost a growl, and I march out, heading straight for the restroom to clear my head.
Once inside, I crank the faucet, letting the warm water run over my face. My reflection stares back at me, eyes wild, jaw tight. Aria’s words replay in my head, pissing me off all over again. How dare she speak to me like that? Like she’s some queen and I’m just some asshole off the street. And in that ball gown, looking like royalty? She’s acting like she’s untouchable. Not scared of me, not scared of the pack.
That’s not happening. I won’t let it. She stays in the pack where I can clip her wings and remind her who the fuck she belongs to. She thinks she can move on with Lucas? Over my dead body.
The door swings open, and I turn to see Lucas stride in like he owns the damn place. He bolts the lock, leans against the door, and his eyes are burning with fury.
“Let’s talk.”
“What do you want, Lucas?” I cross my arms, leaning back against the sink.
“What do I want? How many times do I have to tell you to stay the fuck away from my girlfriend?”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Girlfriend? You’re delusional.” The words are barely out of my mouth before he’s on me, slamming me against the wall.
“I’m warning you, Ethan. Leave Aria alone.”
“She’s my mate,” I spit out, my voice tight as his fist collides with my face.
“Not anymore.” His growl is low, dangerous. “You rejected her, you piece of shit. Or did you forget?”
“Because I didn’t have a choice!” My voice rises as I wipe the blood from my lip. “My father would never have accepted her as my mate. You know that…your father’s just as much of a bastard as mine.”
“That’s not an excuse.”
“Excuse? You’re a fucking joke, Lucas. Worse than me. Do you even have the balls to stand up to your father? Or are you just going to keep playing his perfect little puppet while he pulls the strings? Just like he did with your mom”
Lucas’s eyes blaze gold, and he lunges, his hands tightening around my throat. “Don’t you dare fucking mention my mother, you bastard.”
I claw at his grip, but he’s stronger, and he knows it. My wolf snarls, but it’s no use. Lucas releases me suddenly, and I collapse, coughing and clutching my bruised neck.
“Say another word about my mother or Aria, and I’ll rip you apart.” His voice is calm, deadly, as he steps back and turns toward the door.
“You’re wasting your time,” I call after him, my voice rasping. “You and Aria? It’ll never happen. Your father won’t allow it. You’re just like me-too addicted to the perks of being the future alpha.”
He pauses, hand on the door, but he doesn’t turn. After a moment, he steps out, slamming the door behind him.
I let out a low growl, punching the wall with enough force to crack the mirror. Fucking bastard, acting like he’s better than me. Like he’s willing to fight for Aria when he’s no different.
The door opens again, and for a split second, I think Lucas came back for round two. But no…it’s Vanessa. She looks confused and pissed, like she always does.
“Alpha Ethan, what happened back there? Why’d you go off on me in front of everyone?” She gestures at her dress. “Look at me! My dress is ruined!”
“I don’t have time for your nagging, Vanessa. Leave me the fuck alone.”
“Leave me alone?” Her voice rises, shrill and grating. “You embarrassed me! In front of everyone!”
“I don’t fucking care.” I tower over her, my voice sharp. “If you don’t shut that mouth of yours, I’ll do it for you.”
“Alpha Ethan, you’re on edge,” she says, her voice laced with desperation. “I know just what you need.”
Before I can respond, she drops to her knees like the pathetic little bitch she is and starts yanking at my zipper.
“What the fuck are you doing?”
“Trying to suck your cock,” she mutters, licking her lips like she’s auditioning for the role of pack slut. “It’ll help you calm down.”
Calm down? The only thing that’d calm me down right now is getting Aria back and ripping Lucas’s head off. I’m not in the mood for this bullshit.
“Stop,” I bark, but she ignores me, her hands fumbling like she’s got something to prove.
“Fucking stop!” My roar echoes in the restroom, and she flinches, scrambling to her feet like a scolded pup.
I turn to leave, done with her pathetic antics, but her voice stops me in my tracks. “This is about Aria, isn’t it? You’re jealous because she’s moved on to someone better than you!”
I whip around, my eyes burning into hers. “Shut the fuck up!”
Vanessa doesn’t back down. For once, she raises her chin, defiant. “No… I’m done pretending like I don’t see what’s going on. I’m your fiancee, not that omega bitch you’re obsessed with.”
A bitter laugh escapes me. “You’ll never be half the woman she is.”
Her face twists, a flicker of pain breaking through before she hides it behind that fake confidence. “That’s why I’m glad you’ll never get her back. Your stupid ass doesn’t deserve her.”
“Watch your mouth,” I warn, stepping closer. “You’re begging for a fucking beating.”
She doesn’t back down, though, just takes a cautious step back. “You’ve been threatening me for weeks. Maybe try it. Let’s see what your father has to say.”
My teeth grind together, the sound almost as loud as the blood rushing in my ears. “You think my father gives a damn about a weak bitch like you?”
“I’m his beta’s daughter,” she spits back, venom dripping from every word. “But go ahead, Ethan. I’d love to see his reaction when I tell him about Aria.”
The mention of Aria, the audacity of her, makes my fists clench. “I’m warning you, Vanessa.”
“No, I’m warning you,” she snaps, stepping closer like she’s forgotten who the fuck she’s talking to. “Get your shit together, or I’ll go straight to your father. I agreed to let Aria stay as our little slave, but this? This obsession? It’s pathetic.”
She turns on her heel, leaving me fuming as the door slams shut. My rage boils over, and I slam my fist into the mirror, shattering it into a thousand pieces.
“Fuck Vanessa,” I growl, shaking shards of glass from my hand. If she ruins my plan, I’ll make her regret ever breathing the same air as me.
No one…. no fucking one…will stop me from getting Aria back.