Aria
I watch Lucas disappear through the arena doors, following Coach John like a goddamn soldier being called to duty. He doesn’t even glance back. Not once.
“What the hell? Isn’t he supposed to come running to you first?” Mia sighs beside me, crossing her arms like she’s ready to march up there and demand answers.
“Yeah, what’s his deal?” Lily chimes in. “Is he mad at you or something?”
I force a smile, but it probably looks as fake as reality TV. “Guys, chill. Maybe something came up with his dad. He’ll be back, okay?”
Lily’s already bouncing on her toes. “Whatever, let’s just head to the party. The celebration’s about to start!”
“Oh, you’re suddenly all about parties now?” Mia snorts, raising a brow. “Let me guess. Theo’s the reason for this newfound enthusiasm.”
“What are you even talking about?” Lily rolls her eyes, but there’s a smug little smile creeping up.
“Oh, don’t act clueless. I’ve seen the way you drool over him,” Mia teases, nudging her with an elbow.
Lily shrugs, pretending to adjust her sweater. “Theo’s nice, okay? And FYI, he said he couldn’t wait to party with me when I congratulated him earlier. Meanwhile, you’re just bitter because Damon-” She stops mid-sentence and laughs. “Actually, I don’t even know what’s going on between you two.”
They keep bickering, but I’ve already tuned them out. My brain’s stuck on Lucas. Something feels…off. I can feel it deep in my chest, like the ache you get when you realize the milk’s gone bad halfway through your cereal.
Lily loops her arms through mine and Mia’s, dragging us toward the party hall. “Come on, let’s go!”
When we step inside, the place is pure chaos. People are dancing, laughing, and drinking like they’re extras in a college rom-com. But of course, Lucas isn’t here. I scan the crowd. Nope, just his friends looking way too carefree.
“I’ll be right back,” Lily says, locking her eyes on Theo and Damon, who are chatting by the drinks table.
“Of course, you’re going there,” Mia mutters, shaking her head.
Lily smirks. “It’s called congratulating, Mia. Try it sometime.” But before she can take two steps, Theo and Damon start heading out of the hall together.
“Where the fuck are they going?” Lily frowns, leaning forward like it’ll help her hear their thoughts.
“To change, maybe? Who cares?” Mia shrugs and spins toward the dance floor. “Y’all coming or what?”
Mia grabs my arm. “Come on, Aria. Let’s shake off that stress.”
I want to say no, but they pull me onto the floor before I can even protest. The music’s blasting, shaking the walls, and we throw ourselves into the beat. We scream, jump, and sway like we’re three drunken fools at a karaoke bar. For a minute, I let myself forget. Forget Lucas. Forget my stupid gut feeling.
After what feels like forever.. but is probably forty minutes or so, my legs ache, and I collapse onto a corner seat with Lily while Mia keeps going, her energy somehow untouched.
“You’re still thinking about him, aren’t you?” Lily leans in, resting her chin on her hand.
I nod.
“Why not just mind-link him?” she suggests.
I shake my head. “I don’t want to come off as…clingy or whatever.”
“He’ll come back. Promise.”
I force a smile, standing up. “I’m gonna hit the restroom. Be back in a bit.”
“Don’t take too long!” Lily calls after me.
The restroom is mercifully quiet. I handle my business and step back into the hallway, only to nearly crash into Ethan. His smug grin instantly sets my teeth on edge.
“What do you want?” I cross my arms, trying to shove past him.
He grabs my arm, his grip firm but not painful. “Where’s your boyfriend? Has he already ditched you?”
I glare at him, yanking my arm free. “What the hell are you talking about?”
His smile widens, and he leans in like he’s about to share some juicy gossip. “You’ve been marked as a traitor, Aria.”
My stomach flips. “That’s bullshit.”
“Well, maybe. But you did attack Vanessa, my mate. That’s a big no-no. But don’t worry, I’ll forgive you…if you beg.”
“You’ve lost your damn mind.” I shove past him, but his next words freeze me mid-step.
“Are you seriously dating the son of the man who killed your parents?”
I whip around, my heart pounding. “What did you just say?”
“Didn’t Lucas ever tell you? Your mom and dad tried to help his mother escape his father, but instead, your parents paid with their lives.” Ethan leans back against the wall, arms crossed, a fake little sigh escaping his lips. “Poor Aria,” he continues, voice dripping with fake pity. “You really don’t know much about your boyfriend, do you?”
I stare at him, my pulse pounding. “No… no, you’re lying! Their death was by mistake!” I take a step back, but Ethan just tilts his head like a damn vulture eyeing a carcass.
“Why don’t you go ask him? Go ask Lucas if I’m lying,” his eyes bore into mine, and for a split second, I think I see the truth there.
My stomach twists. No way. Lucas wouldn’t keep something like this from me. He wouldn’t… would he?
I spin around, my shoes clicking against the floor as I bolt. I need to talk to Lucas. Now.
Behind me, Ethan’s voice echoes down the hall, smug as hell. “I’ll be waiting for you.”
When I reach the party hall, the music screeches to a stop, the speakers squealing like someone just yanked out the aux cord. I freeze mid-step. The hell’s going on?
Then I hear it…my name.
“What are you saying, man. It’s Aria…” a familiar voice pipes up. Theo. That’s Theo’s voice.
“What I’m saying,” another voice cuts in, cold and sharp, “is that I don’t want her anymore. I’m breaking up with Aria.”
My blood turns to ice. That voice… That’s Lucas.
The crowd erupts into murmurs, and I stumble back a step, my hands shaking. What… the fuck is happening?
“I already got what I wanted from her. That was fucking her.” Lucas’s voice is unrecognizable, hard, cruel, like he’s not even the same person I know. “No point in keeping up the act.”
The act? My head spins, and I feel like I might puke.
“Or have you all forgotten we were faking it?” he adds coldy.
The whispers in the hall grow louder, like a fucking hive of bees buzzing around me. I clutch my chest, my breath hitching as every pair of eyes in the hall zeroes in on me.
“Did you guys seriously think I’d ever date a pack runt like Aria?” Lucas sneers. “Nah. It was easy getting under her pants, though.”
“You’re right, Lucas,” Damon chimes in. “Glad you’re finally back to yourself.”
The words hit me like blows, each one harder than the last. I can’t breathe. My vision blurs. Shame and humiliation coil around me, choking me. My wolf, Gail, howls in my head, her cries a reflection of my own..
And then, like the universe isn’t done screwing me over, Lucas and his friends burst into the hall, panting like they’ve just sprinted across the damn state.
Our eyes lock. For a moment, just a split second…I see something flicker in his gaze. Pain. Guilt. But then, just as quickly, it hardens into that same cold indifference. He doesn’t move. He doesn’t say a word. Just stare at me like I’m nothing.
My chest feels like it’s caving in. Hot tears spill down my cheeks, and no matter how much I fight them, they won’t stop. I stumble back, shaky steps carrying me toward the exit. One step. Two. Then I break. Turning, I run, blinded by tears, heart shattering with every step.
I can’t stay here. I can’t let them see me break further. Gail is clawing at the surface, her fury and anguish threatening to consume me.
Our mate betrayed us. Again.
And this time? I don’t think we’ll survive it.