Aria
I barely got any damn sleep. My brain was on overdrive, replaying everything. Aunt Esther’s face kept popping up…did I really do the right thing calling her? I mean, I’m not one to eat my words, so I’m sticking to the plan. Aunt Esther used to be part of the Full Moon Pack and one of the only people who ever cared about me. But she was banished after a fallout with the Alpha of our pack.
Truly, Screw the Full Moon pack… I’m moving on also. Fresh start. But then there’s Lucas.
Ugh. Lucas. It took every ounce of willpower not to throw myself into his stupid, muscular arms when he apologized. But nah, I’m not falling for that crap again. He’ll never fight for me when it actually counts.
“Aria, what are you thinking about?” Mia’s voice yanks me out of my pity party.
We’re at this outdoor spot, slurping on ice cream. It’s better than the cafeteria…at least we don’t have to deal with Lucas and his entourage of drama queens.
“Nothing,” I mutter, stabbing my spoon into the sad, half-melted scoop of chocolate.
Mia raises an eyebrow and Lily sighs dramatically. “You’re thinking about him,” Lily says, her tone dripping with pity.
“There’s nothing to think about,” Mia cuts in, all no-nonsense. “Aria did the right thing. Just because Lucas apologized doesn’t mean he’s suddenly grown a spine.”
They’re not wrong. I told them about how Lucas beat the crap out of that bald asshole last night and then came to apologize. What I didn’t tell them was the part about Aunt Esther. That’s between me, her, and whatever crazy shit happens next.
“I don’t know,” Lily says, twirling her spoon like she’s on some talk show panel. “Maybe they’re not as bad as we think. I mean, we were trashed last night, but they were there for us.”
Mia snorts so hard I’m surprised ice cream doesn’t shoot out of her nose. “I don’t need their help. Especially Damon. Those jerks will screw with your feelings and bounce before you can say ‘commitment.'” She smashes her ice cream like it personally offended her.
Meanwhile, I’m spiraling. Lucas’s face is burned into my brain…he looked so wrecked, so… heartbroken. Damn it.
“Have you guys seen him today?” I ask, trying to sound casual but failing miserably.
“No,” Lily says, shaking her head. “I saw Serena in the hallway, though. She looked pissed.”
“Serves her right,” Mia snaps, rolling her eyes. “Can we not talk about this anymore? I’m ready for tonight…the fireworks are gonna be epic when New Year hits.”
“Yeah, fireworks,” I mumble, forcing a half-smile. My mind immediately flashes back to that day…the day I found out he was my mate. There were literal fireworks that night. How messed up is that?
—
A little later, we head back to my lovely excuse for a cabin to grab my jacket. The place still smells like moldy gym socks. On the way, we run into Rick.
“Hey, Aria!” he greets me way too cheerfully. Like, dude, why do you even remember my name? “I’ve been looking for you.”
“Uh… me? Is there a problem?” I ask, glancing nervously between Rick and my friends.
“No problem,” he says, smiling too sheepishly. “Actually, I’ve got some good news for you.”
“Really?”
“Yup. We’ve got a better room for you now.” His grin is so forced it looks painful.
Before I can process, Mia practically squeals, “OMG, can we see it?”
“Sure, follow me!” Rick leads us to what turns out to be a freaking luxury suite. It’s got a king-sized bed, a minibar, and a view that screams, You’re better than everyone else.
“See? Told you you’re gonna love it,” Rick says, grinning like he just solved world hunger.
I can’t lie, the room is beautiful. Like, jaw-dropping gorgeous. But my Spidey senses are tingling. I manage a nervous smile.”It’s beautiful… but why all of a sudden? I mean, we’re leaving in like two days.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Rick says, brushing me off like I’m some kid asking dumb questions.
“So, how much? Because, Rick, we don’t exactly have money falling out of our asses-”
“It’s free. On the house,” he interrupts, practically beaming.
Okay, what the actual fuck? Now I know something’s off. “Why, though? Why all of a sudden?”
“Oh, come on, quit asking so many questions and just enjoy it,” he grumbles, clearly annoyed, then quickly tries to mask it with a fake smile.
Lily, of course, chimes in. “Yes, Aria! Just enjoy it. I mean, look at it! It’s fucking beautiful!” She’s practically bouncing with excitement.
Rick bolts before I can grill him further. “Your stuff’s already here! Bye!” And just like that, poof…he’s gone.
I stand there in the middle of the room, arms crossed, eyebrows furrowed. “This is so-”
“Fucking beautiful!” Lily and Mia scream in unison, cutting me off as they dive onto the massive bed like kids at a sleepover. They’re literally swimming in the covers while I’m stuck in my head, feeling like this whole thing is too good to be true.
Something doesn’t sit right. Was this because of what happened last night?
—
Fast forward to the afternoon, and we’re at a tea party. It’s just me and Mia chilling because Lily’s off in a corner, chatting up Theo like he’s the only man left on Earth.
Mia huffs, glaring at them. “Just look at her. Smiling like that. She’s still into him, even though the guy’s got a fucking mate.”
“Mia, calm down,” I say, sipping my tea. “They’re just friends. Besides, the tour’s ending soon. Lily will go back to her pack, and Theo will go back to his. End of story.”
“You’re probably right,” Mia mutters, then narrows her eyes at me. “But what about you?”
“What about me?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“Aren’t you gonna apologize to Alpha Ethan already? Aria, if you don’t, he’s gonna make your life miserable.”
Her words hit a nerve. My stomach twists. I can’t tell them my plan, not yet. “I’ll handle it,” I mumble, avoiding eye contact.
“And did you see Vanessa’s face today? The fucking bruises?” Mia grimaces. “Ugh, Alpha Ethan is such a jerk. I don’t know why she puts up with him. She’s the Beta’s daughter, for crying out loud!”
Before I can respond, I spot Lucas walking toward us. My heart lurches. Not now. Earlier, he’d tried to talk to me, but I’d shut him down…same with Theo and Sarita. I wasn’t in the mood to hear any of their bullshit.
Mia catches on and smirks. “Looks like I’ll see you later,” she says, leaving me alone with him.
Lucas stops in front of me, looking like a kicked puppy. “Aria, can I talk to you?”
I sigh, dropping the tea cup at a nearby table. “Listen, Lucas, I don’t have anything to say to you. If this isn’t about accepting the rejection, don’t even bother. I’m not going back to you.”
I try to walk past him, but he grabs my arm. “Please, Aria, just hear me out.”
“No. No, Lucas.”
“I’m sorry,” he blurts out desperately. “I’m so fucking sorry. I should’ve fought for you from the start. I was a coward, and I’m begging you…”
His voice wavers, and for a second, my heart softens. But no. I know him. He’ll throw me under the bus the second his dad tells him to.
“So, what’s your plan, huh?” I snap, yanking my arm free. “Are you gonna dump Serena? Are you gonna give up your position? Are you ready to fight for me? Are you ready to do all that, Lucas?”
He hesitates. Of course he did. Pathetic.
“Let me go!” I shout. “You had so much to say about me for the whole damn ship to hear, and now you’re apologizing in secret? For what? So we can sneak around behind Daddy’s back? Fuck that. You’re not worth the fight, Lucas Russo.”
His hand falls away, and for a moment, he looks like he’s about to cry. I don’t care. I walk off, my chest tight and my vision blurry. I’m so angry, so heartbroken, I don’t even realize I’ve walked right into someone else.
“Watch where you’re going,” a familiar voice growls.
I glance up. Ugh it’s Ethan.
“Sorry,” I mutter, trying to sidestep him.
“Wait,” he says, and I roll my eyes. Of course, he wouldn’t let me walk away that easily.
I stop and turn slightly, my patience already wearing thin.
“So, when are you gonna apologize?” he asks. “When are you gonna apologize and come back to me?”
I let out a snort, spinning fully to face him. “I don’t want to. I don’t want to apologize, and I sure as hell don’t want to come back to you.”
His lips twitch into a mocking smile, and he lets out a low laugh. “Is that so? I hope you’re not thinking about going back to him… because, well, have you seen this?”
He pulls out his phone and holds it up for me to see, hitting play.
My stomach churns as the video starts. It’s Serena. On top of Lucas. Straddling him. Kissing him like she doesn’t care who’s watching.
“What the fuck…” The words barely leave my lips as I stumble back, my legs moving on their own.