Aria
The moment I open my eyes, it feels like my brain is trying to claw its way out of my skull. Great. A pounding headache. Just what I need. I sit up, glancing around to realize I’m in Lucas’s suite. One minute, I’m talking to him, and the next… blackout city.
‘Where the hell is Lucas?’ I grumble internally, turning to my wolf, Gail.
‘Let me call him,’ Gail chirps back like it’s a hotline service.
Stretching out under the heavy duvet, I feel as stiff as a plank. If we were on land, I’d be running with Gail right now, letting the fresh air work its magic. But nope, I’m stuck on this damn floating prison. I sit still for a minute, hoping the headache will die down, when the door flies open like someone kicked it in.
Lucas storms in, chest heaving like he’s just done a sprint at the Olympics. His gray eyes lock on me, and before I can ask what’s up, he’s at my side, wrapping me in a hug so tight I’m pretty sure my ribs are questioning their life choices.
“Thank goddess you’re okay,” he mutters against my neck, his voice shaky.
I hug him back just as tightly, breathing in his scent. It’s comforting, like home… but something feels off.
“Lucas, are you okay?” I tilt my head to look at him.
He shakes his head, avoiding my gaze. “I was…. so afraid of losing you.”
That crack in his voice hits me right in my chest. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
“It’s alright. As long as you’re awake now,” he breathes, pressing a kiss to my neck before pulling back.
Now that I get a good look at him, he seems… sad. Like someone just stole his favorite video game or something. His gray eyes are dull, and his whole vibe is just off.
“Lucas, I’m fine, really. Don’t worry about me,” I reassure him, placing a hand on his arm.
He nods slowly, but his eyes tell a different story. “I know. I know, baby. It’s just… you know.”
I don’t know, actually, but before I can push, he pulls me into another hug, even tighter this time.
“I really… really like you, Aria.”
I laugh, mostly to diffuse the tension. “Are you fucking drunk?”
“What?” He pulls back, looking genuinely confused.
“You’re clingy,” I tease, poking his chest.
“You don’t like it?” He tilts his head, giving me a puppy-dog look.
“I do,” I admit, smiling as I hug him closer. “I also like you very much, Lucas.”
“I like you more.”
“Nope, I like you more.”
He pulls back and pokes my forehead. “I don’t think so.”
“Hey!” I glare at him, swatting his hand away.
He laughs, that deep, rumbling sound that makes my heart do a little flip. “I just love messing with you.”
“Mess with me again, and you’re getting flicked,” I warn, smirking.
“Oh, no. Not the flick.” He’s grinning now, clearly amused.
We settle back into silence for a moment, but then his tone changes. “Aria, no matter what happens… just know I really like you.”
That sounds suspiciously like a breakup line. My stomach twists, but I force a smile. “So, how long was I out?”
“Three hours, give or take.” His gray eyes stay fixed on mine, like he knows I’m dodging whatever heavy thing he’s trying to drop on me.
“Felt like forever,” I mutter, leaning back. “Especially since I kept dreaming of my parents.”
His brow furrows. “Your parents? What did you dream about them?”
I bite my lip. This isn’t exactly my favorite topic. “It’s not that I don’t want to talk about it,” I start, seeing the concern on his face. “It’s just… I’m not fond of my parents. Even though I never met them.”
“Why?” He leans in, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “What happened?”
“They were traitors. That’s all you need to know.”
“Traitors?” He looks genuinely thrown, like I just told him Darth Vader isn’t the real villain of Star Wars.
“They helped some woman who was a traitor, and by extension, they became traitors and got killed for it. Ever since, my life’s been a nightmare. I was bullied in the pack, called the traitor’s daughter. Sometimes I wish I wasn’t born.”
Lucas’s face falls, his jaw tightening as he avoids my gaze.
“Why are we even talking about them?” I shake my head. “My bad. It’s because I saw my mother in my dream.”
“Do you… know her name?” His voice is quieter now.
“Yeah, why?” I narrow my eyes, trying to read his expression.
“What is it? What’s her name?”
Before I can answer, someone yells from outside. “Lucas!”
“Who’s that?” I ask, grateful for the interruption.
“It’s probably Damon.” He calls out, “Come in, Damon!”
The door opens, and Damon walks in with a tray. “Hi, Aria.”
I blink at him, surprised. “How did you know to bring me food?”
Lucas smirks, leaning back like he’s the mastermind here. “Your wolf mind-linked me that you were awake, so I told Damon to grab something.”
“Thank you,” I say to Damon as he sets the tray down.
Lucas pouts like a kid who didn’t get a cookie. “What about me?”
I laugh, cupping his face and planting a quick kiss on his lips. “Thank you, too.”
His pout disappears, replaced by that dazzling grin of his. For a moment, everything feels perfect. But there’s still this nagging feeling in the back of my mind, like Lucas is hiding something. And I’m going to figure out what it is.
……
Okay, something’s definitely up. After last night’s convo with Lucas, he’s been all up in my space…like, clingy to the max. Now, I’m not complaining, but I can’t shake the feeling that he’s dodging something. You know that weird vibe someone gets when they’re hiding a secret? Yeah, that.
I’m standing by the ship’s deck with Mia and Lily, staring at the waves crashing like some artsy scene in a movie. It’s calming but also giving me Jaws movie flashbacks.
“Aria, are you thinking about Alpha Lucas again?” Mia’s voice pulls me out of my overthinking spiral.
“Yep,” I admit, dragging a hand through my hair. “I just feel like he’s hiding something. Did anything happen while I was out last night?”
Mia and Lily exchange one of those looks…the kind that screams, “We know something but don’t wanna say it.”
“Not that we know of,” Lily finally offers, shrugging.
“Maybe I’m overthinking,” I mutter, though the feeling is still there, clawing at the back of my mind like a damn cat locked out of the house.
“There was one thing,” Mia chimes in. “He said something about going to see Coach John.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Coach John? Why?”
“No clue,” Mia says, her expression all innocent-like. “But there’s a rumor going around…”
“Spill.”
“Alpha Lucas and Alpha Ethan might’ve had it out last night,” Mia blurts.
My eyes practically pop out of my skull. “What? Over what?”
“Vanessa,” Lily jumps in, crossing her arms. “Alpha Ethan’s pissed that Alpha Lucas had her locked up. According to the rumor though.”
“Classic Vanessa drama,” I grumble. That girl could cause chaos at a meditation retreat.
“So, are you coming to the game, or what?” Lily changes the subject, clearly over the Lucas mystery.
I glance at my watch. “Of course. Let’s go…it’s game time!”
As we head toward the hockey rink, Lily nudges me. “Alpha Ethan’s team already played.”
“Good,” I snort. “I didn’t wanna watch his annoying ass anyway.”
The rink is packed, buzzing with excitement. My eyes immediately lock onto Lucas on the ice, looking stupidly hot in his hockey gear. He spots me and winks. My cheeks betray me by turning tomato red.
“So fucking cheesy,” Mia groans, rolling her eyes.
I laugh. “Y’all go grab seats. I’ll meet you in a bit.”
“Where are you going?” Lily asks, raising a brow.
“Restroom,” I call over my shoulder, weaving through the crowd.
Inside the restroom, I do my thing, wash my hands, and turn off the faucet. Just as I’m about to leave, the door swings open. My eyes drop to a pair of red-bottom stilettos, then slide up to a tight red mini skirt. Finally, I meet the gaze of a red-haired girl standing in front of me like she just stepped out of a fucking Mean Girls audition.
“Serena,” I mutter, folding my arms.
“Hey there, Aria,” she chirps, waving like we’re old friends.
I don’t wave back. “What do you want, Serena? Are you stalking me now?”
She laughs, covering her mouth softly. “No, of course not.”
“Then why are you here? What’s with the hide-and-seek act?”
She doesn’t answer, just keeps staring at me with this smug little smirk.
I’m over it. “Whatever,” I snap, brushing past her.
“Wait,” she calls out, her voice dripping with fake sweetness.
I pause, turning back reluctantly.
“Don’t you wanna know the secret Alpha Lucas has been keeping from you?” Her smirk widens like she just dropped the juiciest plot twist.
My stomach drops. What the fuck is she talking about?