Lucas
I see red. Before I even realize it, my hands are around his throat. His eyes widen as I squeeze tighter, his struggles growing weaker by the second.
“Let me go, you bastard,” Ethan chokes out.
“No… I want you to die. Die, you fucking bastard!”
“Lucas!” Damon’s voice cuts through the haze suddenly, but I can’t let go. My wolf is clawing at the surface, demanding blood.
“Lucas, stop!” Theo’s voice joins in, his hands pulling at mine, but it’s no use. I can’t hear them. All I can see is Ethan’s smug face and his disgusting words about Aria.
Then I hear her voice, soft and distant but enough to pierce through the rage.
‘Lucas… Lucas, where are you?’
Aria.
My hands drop, and Ethan crumples to the floor, gasping and coughing up blood. I don’t look at him. I don’t care. All that matters is her.
“Let her go, or we’ll make you,” Ethan wheezes behind me, but his words are nothing more than fucking background noise.
I walk out of the locker room, my mind focused on one thing, Aria. She’s the only one who can calm this storm inside me. I need her more than my next breath.
……
Ethan
That fucking bastard. I pull myself off the floor, still clutching my neck. Blood smears across my hand as I wipe my lip. My head’s pounding, my chest heaving with every ragged breath. Damon and Theo follow Lucas out like his little lapdogs, leaving me here, bleeding and pissed off. Cowards.
“That was intense.”
I spin around and spot Serena waltzing out of the shower, looking smug as hell. Her mini-skirt clings to her curves, and she’s got that irritating smirk plastered across her face like she just watched the highlight reel of her day.
“Why the fuck didn’t you warn me?” I bark, grabbing a towel to clean up the blood dripping down my chin.
She shrugs, completely unfazed. “Relax. I only realized it was Alpha Lucas when it was too late. That scent of his, ugh, it’s fucking intoxicating. You could bottle it and sell it.”
I groan, tossing the towel aside. “Goddess, Serena. Are you fantasizing about fucking him while he’s out there trying to kill me?”
She sits on a chair, laughing softly. “What can I say? The man’s got that alpha appeal.” She inhales dramatically like she’s savoring some fine wine. “Mmm, smells sexy and intense.”
“Focus,” I snap, tugging my shirt off and glaring at the bloodstains. “You just stood there, letting him pummel me. What kind of team player are you?”
“You shouldn’t have pissed him off. Alpha Lucas is strong, like scary strong.” She leans back, crossing her legs. “But honestly, you were kind of asking for it at some point.”
“Whatever.” I toss the ruined shirt aside and grab a fresh one from my locker. “You think I give a shit? That bastard’s been like this his whole life. He’s got a god complex the size of this damn ship.”
Serena chuckles, leaning forward. “I mean, weren’t you supposed to be buttering him up? You know, for Vanessa?”
“Fuck Vanessa.” I spit the name out like it’s poison. “She can rot in that damn cell for all I care. She was a pain in the ass to convince for the prank anyway.”
Serena raises an eyebrow, amused. “That’s your future Luna you’re talking about.”
“Exactly. All the more reason she needs to learn some discipline.” I pull the fresh shirt over my head, shaking out my shoulders.
Serena shifts in her chair, her tone dropping into something more serious. “Alpha Lucas doesn’t seem like he’s letting go of that omega bitch anytime soon.”
I laugh, crossing my arms. “Relax, I’ve got this.”
She narrows her eyes. “How?”
“His father’s got him on a leash. Alpha Marcus won’t let Lucas bring her into their pack. I know that.”
“Are you sure?” Her gaze sharpens, almost suspicious.
“After what happened to Lucas’s mom?” I scoff. “He’d be a damn fool to risk the same thing happening to Aria. Lucas won’t let history repeat itself.”
Serena stands, smoothing out her skirt. She steps closer, her voice dropping to a purr. “You sure you don’t have a thing for her?”
“Aria?” I laugh sharply, shaking my head. “No.”
She smirks, tilting her head. “Funny. You used to be begging me to fuck you every chance you got. Now, all I hear is Aria this, Aria that. Starting to sound a little obsessed, Ethan.”
My jaw tightens, but I let the comment slide as she struts toward the door. Whatever. She doesn’t know what the hell she’s talking about. Love? Please. Aria’s just some entertainment, a piece to move around the board.
But one thing’s for sure, I’ll have her back in my bed. And when she finds out what really happened to her parents? Lucas won’t stand a fucking chance.