Lucas
I can’t fucking believe it. All this time, I’ve had my suspicions about Aria’s parents, but after what Ethan just said? Hell no. The Moon Goddess must seriously hate my guts. Out of every girl in the damn universe, she had to pair me with Aria. And if she ever finds out the truth? Fuck, she’ll hate me. I’d bet my favorite hockey stick on it.
How the hell am I even supposed to face her? This is a clusterfuck of epic proportions. No wonder my dad practically foamed at the mouth at the thought of her being my mate. He probably knew the tea before I did. Now, I’ve got one choice, one shitty, gut-wrenching choice…let her go.
I take a deep breath, forcing a grin onto my face like everything is fine and dandy. She can’t suspect a damn thing.
Somehow, by some miracle, I survive the night without Aria catching on. Maybe her head’s full of other stuff, or maybe I’m just that good at acting. Either way, here I am the next day, sitting next to her in the cafeteria, shoving food into my mouth and trying not to lose it.
This is the perfect time to break it off. Rip the Band-Aid off before shit gets messy. Before she learns about her parents. But can I do it?
“Lucas, you okay?” Her voice snaps me out of my internal meltdown. She’s looking at me with those big, bright eyes, curiosity all over her face.
It’s now or never. I have to do it. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking about the game tonight.”
Fuck me. The words slip out before I can stop them. What the hell is wrong with me? I can’t do it. No matter how hard I try, I can’t break her heart. Not when it’ll shred mine into a million tiny pieces, too.
“You don’t need to worry. You’ve got this. You’re gonna crush that bastard tonight.”
Her words make me smile like a complete idiot. She’s too damn cute… too innocent. She doesn’t deserve to get tangled up in my family’s mess.
“Thanks, baby,” I say, squeezing her hand like it’s a lifeline.
“And I’ll be there to cheer you on,” she adds, flashing me a warm smile.
At that moment, I made up my mind. Screw the drama. Screw my dad. Screw Ethan. I’m not letting her go. She’s mine, and I’m going to hold on to her like my life depends on it.
By evening, I’m on the rink, gearing up for the big showdown against the Full Moon Pack. The air is electric, the crowd roaring. My teammates are hyped, but my head’s a fucking mess.
“You good, man?” Theo asks, stretching his arms.
“Yeah, you’ve been MIA all day,” Damon adds.
“Yeah,” I say, smirking. “I was with my girlfriend. Priorities, you know?”
Theo waves his hockey stick at me, laughing. “You’re seriously whipped, dude.”
“Damn right I am,” I shoot back, motioning toward the stands. Aria’s there, pom-poms in hand, screaming her lungs out for me. She’s ditched the Full Moon squad to cheer me on. Talk about loyalty.
I wave back, blowing her a kiss like a total simp before turning my focus to the game.
The air in the rink is fucking electric. Crowds screaming, horns blaring, the whole vibe like a live wire. Full Moon Pack starts off strong, scoring a goal before I’ve even tightened my laces. They’re relentless. And Ethan? That prick is everywhere, like an annoying gnat I can’t swat.
My skates scrape against the ice as I dart left, trying to block him, but Ethan’s faster. Smug bastard glides past me like he owns the rink, flashing that cocky grin that makes me want to punch his stupid teeth out.
“You think Aria’s gonna stick around when she finds out what really happened to her parents?” he sneers, his words hitting me harder than any goddamn puck ever could.
“Fuck you, Ethan.” I snap.
He laughs, like I’m some kind of joke. “Why waste your time? Just fucking end it with her. She’ll end up hating you anyway.”
My head spins, just for a split second, but that’s all he needs. His team scores again. The crowd roars, half cheers, half groans, and my chest feels like it’s caving in.
“Focus, Lucas!” Damon’s voice cuts through the air, but how the hell am I supposed to focus when Ethan’s words are slicing me open like a damn scalpel?
The buzzer blares for halftime, and I skate off, feeling like I’m dragging a mountain of regret behind me. Grabbing a water bottle, I chug it down, hoping it’ll drown out my misery. But it doesn’t.
“Hey.” Her voice. Aria’s voice. Soft, steady, and way too good for me.
I wipe my face with my sleeve, avoiding her gaze like a coward. “I don’t know what’s going on with me today,” I mutter, frustrated.
She steps closer, her hand brushing mine. That simple touch? It almost breaks me. “I do,” she says. “You’re letting that fucking asshole get in your head. Don’t. I believe in you, Lucas. I’m with you.”
Her words are like a shot of adrenaline straight to my heart. Then, out of nowhere, she leans up and kisses me. Just a soft brush of her lips, but it’s packed with all the faith and fire she has in me. When she pulls back, she smiles brightly. “Now go show him who you are.”
She turns and walks off, leaving me standing there like an idiot, staring after her. But damn if she doesn’t light a fire under my ass.
The second half begins, and I hit the ice with a fire burning in my chest. Every stride is deliberate, every movement sharp and controlled. My skates slice through the rink as I weave past defenders. Ethan’s smug face twists in frustration as I fake left, dart right, and fire the puck with precision. It slams into the net, and the scoreboard flashes: 2-1.
The crowd erupts, the energy in the rink surging.
A few plays later, Damon intercepts a pass and sends it to Theo. Theo flicks it my way with perfect timing. I line up the shot, pull back, and release. The puck rockets forward, smashing into the net. The crowd loses its mind as the score evens: 2-2.
The final minutes are a blur of tension and adrenaline. One goal. That’s all it will take.
I glance at the stands and see Aria. She’s on her feet, shouting my name, her face glowing with pride. The sight of her pushes me further. She’s my anchor, my reason to fight harder.
Theo passes back to Damon, who skates forward before sending the puck to me. Time slows as I line up my shot. My heart pounds like a fucking drum. The puck flies past the goalie and slams into the net just as the buzzer sounds.
Victory. 2-3
The rink erupts into loud cheers. My teammates swarm me, their cheers blending with the deafening roar of the crowd. My name echoes in chants around the arena.
Through the celebration, I see Ethan retreating, face burning with anger. A small, savage grin tugs at my lips.
But my eyes always find Aria. She’s standing in the crowd, beaming like the sun, her pom-poms forgotten in her hands.
I jump off the ice, ready to reach her, but Beta John steps in front of me.
“Congrats,” he says flatly, nodding like he doesn’t mean it.
“Thanks,” I reply, trying to move past him, but he blocks me.
“Lucas,” he begins sharply. “Do you really not know who her parents are?”
I stop, my stomach tightening. “What about it?”
He folds his arms, his expression full of disdain. “Your father’s had enough of your antics. He’s ordered the Full Moon Pack’s alpha to brand Aria a traitor. And you know what happens to traitors… Just like her parents.”
My blood freezes. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“Your mate’s been marked for death, Lucas. Congratulations, you just signed her death warrant.”
He motions toward the corner, and five men in black uniforms emerge from the shadows, their eyes sharp and ready. “We’re taking her into the ship’s jail.”
“Bullshit,” I growl, stepping forward. “Aria hasn’t done anything wrong.”
“According to her pack’s alpha, she has,” John says smoothly. “Apparently, she tried to harm Vanessa, the beta’s daughter. Out of jealousy for Ethan.”
I laugh bitterly. “That’s the biggest load of crap I’ve ever heard. Everyone knows Vanessa’s the one who’s been targeting Aria.”
“Doesn’t matter. There’s evidence.”
“What evidence?” I snap.
“Me,” he says simply.
I stare at him, my fists clenched so hard my knuckles ache. “You’re lying.”
“Am I?” he taunts, taking a step closer. “You think you can protect her? You’re going to go against your father, the Shadow Pang Pack, and the Full Moon Pack? You can never win Lucas. And her? She’ll die anyway.”
My chest tightens with helpless fury, but my feet won’t move.
John turns and starts walking toward Aria, his intent clear in every step.
“Wait!” I shout, the word tearing out of me. “I’ll do it. I’ll let her go. Tonight.”