Aria
Coach John leads me to his suite, punching in the code with an annoying level of authority. The door swings open, and he gestures for me to follow, already halfway inside like I’m some obedient dog.
I hesitate at the threshold, glancing around nervously. What the hell am I walking into? The room’s great, spacious but not as jaw-dropping as Lucas’ suite. And it’s cold. Like, emotionally and literally. I wrap my arms around myself and step inside.
Coach shrugs off his jacket and glances at me over his shoulder. “Sit down.”
I take a deep breath, planting myself on the couch and crossing my legs like a proper lady, even though I’m dying to kick something. He grabs the remote and flips on the TV.
The screen lights up, and there he is…a man with a face like granite and eyes that scream, “I eat people for breakfast.” Mid-fifties, maybe. Stern. Familiar. And then it hits me, oh shit, that’s Lucas’ dad.
“So, you’re Aria,” his voice booms through the room like a freaking earthquake. His sharp gaze pins me down, and I swear I can feel my soul shriveling a little.
“Yes… sir,” I stutter, my throat suddenly dry. Do I call him “sir”? “Alpha”? “Your Majesty, King of Doom”?
His jaw tightens. “Didn’t you hear me? Why the fuck are you still with my son? Didn’t you know he’s engaged to Serena?”
I jump like a guilty kid caught sneaking snacks. My brain scrambles for a response, but honestly, what do you say to a guy who’s glaring at you like you’re gum stuck to his shoe?
“A lowlife runt like you, thinking you can become my daughter-in-law,” he sneers. “Do you have no respect? Do you even understand who I am? If I wanted you gone, you’d be out of here faster than you could blink.”
His words hit me like a slap. I feel my heart racing, my cheeks heating up. Is this how he sees me? A nobody? A disposable obstacle?
“I don’t know what you’ve done to my son,” he growls, leaning forward like he’s trying to climb through the screen, “but this ends tonight. You’re going to reject him. Right now.”
His demand feels like a dagger to the chest. I want to shrink into the couch, but I force myself to hold my ground. “I won’t.”
The room practically vibrates with his rage. He slams his fist on the desk, and I flinch. “Have you lost your damn mind?”
Across the room, Coach John shifts uncomfortably. “Aria, take it back. Do as he says, it’s for your own good.”
I shake my head, gripping the couch like it’s the only thing keeping me upright. “I can’t. Lucas and I… we like each other. We’re mates, fated by the Moon Goddess. We didn’t choose this, but she did.”
“Shut your mouth, you insolent runt!” Alpha Marcus’ voice booms again, his eyes flashing gold. My stomach twists, he looks exactly like Lucas when his wolf is close to taking over. “One word from me, and your pack’s Alpha will turn you into a slave. Do you understand who you’re speaking to?”
I press myself into the couch, trying to keep my voice steady. “I-”
“And if you’re not careful,” he cuts me off with a cruel smirk, “you’ll end up just like your parents. Those nosy bastards. Do you even know how they really died?”
The room goes silent except for the pounding in my ears. His words hit like a sucker punch, and I lean forward, narrowing my eyes. What the hell does he mean? Did he have anything to do with my parents’ death?
Before I can say anything, the door bursts open. Lucas storms in, his face set in a deadly scowl. He doesn’t even glance at his father. He stalks toward me, grabs my arm, and yanks me to my feet.
“Let’s go.” His voice is sharp, leaving no room for argument.
“Lucas, what are you doing here?” His father’s shout echoes behind us, but Lucas keeps moving, dragging me toward the door.
“Lucas!” Coach John calls out, trying to keep up. “Alpha’s talking to you!”
Lucas doesn’t stop. Doesn’t turn. Doesn’t say a damn word.
“Let him go,” Alpha Marcus snaps. “He’ll come crawling back when he regains his senses.”
We step into the hallway, and Lucas’ grip on my arm softens, but his pace doesn’t. I glance up at him, his jaw clenched so tight I’m afraid it might snap.
……
Lucas
The door slams shut behind us, and I whirl on Aria, my chest heaving like I’ve just sprinted a mile. “What the fuck was that all about? Huh? What the fuck were you doing in there?” My voice is loud, angrier than I mean it to be, but I can’t stop myself. I rake my fingers through my hair, pulling at the roots.
“I… Coach John said he wanted me to meet someone,” she stutters.
“Then you shouldn’t have gone! You should’ve waited for me!” The words fly out like bullets, and Aria flinches. The sight of it wrecks me. Damn it. I take a shaky breath, guilt gnawing at my chest. “I’m sorry,” I mutter, softer this time.”It’s just… I was worried when your wolf told me you were in there getting crapped on by my dad.”
“Lucas, calm down,” she says gently.
I scoff, shaking my head. Calm down? She’s the one who just got insulted, yet here she is, cool as ice. “Aria, you amaze me,” I say, running a hand down my face.
“What did I do?” She lets out a dry laugh, her lips twitching into a faint smile.
“You’re calm. How the fuck can you be calm in this situation?”
She sighs and drops her gaze to the floor. “Because I’ve got you. That’s all that matters, right?” Her voice wavers, just barely. “You’re not going to leave me… right?”
My chest tightens. “Aria,” I say, reaching for her. My fingers slide under her chin, tilting her face up. Her green eyes glisten, tears pooling at the edges. “Baby, I will never leave you.”
“Are you sure, Lucas?” Her voice cracks, and it’s like a punch to the throat. Before I know it, I’m pulling her into my arms, holding her tight against me.
“Never,” I whisper into her hair. “I’ll never leave you.”
She nods against my chest, her tears dampening my shirt.
“Then why didn’t you tell me she was your fiancee?”
I freeze. My heart stops. I pull back just enough to look into her eyes. “What? Who told you that?”
Her gaze drops again. “Serena. She told me… and your father confirmed it.”
“Aria, no.” I wipe the tears from her cheeks with the back of my hand. “Don’t listen to them. I won’t marry her. I won’t.”
Her lip quivers, but she doesn’t pull away. “Then what’s going to happen to you, Lucas? Your father hates me. He’s not going to stop.”
“I don’t care. We’re going to get through this. I swear to you, we’ll make it. You and me, Aria.”
I wrap her up again, burying my face in her hair, and just hold her. For a moment, the world outside doesn’t matter. The ship, my father, Serena, all of it fades. It’s just us.
When she finally pulls away, I guide her to the bed and help her settle in. “Just stay here, okay? I’ll get you something to eat.” I lean down and press a gentle kiss to her lips before I leave the suite.
The second I’m outside, I punch the air, frustration boiling over. My father, always sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong, always trying to control me. Why can’t he just fucking leave us alone?
I head toward the cafeteria, still fuming, but I stop short when I see Ethan lounging at the door like he owns the place. He smirks when he spots me.
“So,” he says, folding his arms like this is casual, “I heard you had a nice little chat with Daddy Dearest. Good news, though. I begged him, and he said Coach John should free Vanessa and Jer. You’re welcome.”
I don’t have time for his shit. I shoulder past him, but his voice stops me in my tracks.
“Hey, Lucas, did you know Aria’s mom’s name was Martha?”
My body locks up, and my heart slams against my ribs. Slowly, I turn to face him. “What did you just say?”
Ethan grins, smug as ever. “You heard me. Her mom? Martha. Her dad? Kane. Sound familiar?”
“No.” My legs move on their own, stumbling backward.
Ethan shrugs, looking way too pleased with himself. “Yeah, you know the names. Go ahead, connect the dots. I’m just here for the fireworks.”
This can’t be happening. My chest tightens like a vice, and my vision blurs. How could the Moon Goddess fucking do this? How could she pair me with… with her?