Lucas
The fireworks light up the night sky, painting it in streaks of red, gold, and blue. Aria stares up, her face glowing like she’s just been kissed by the gods themselves. “This is so beautiful,” she whispers, her voice soft and awestruck. “We’re officially in 2025. I can’t fucking believe this.”
“Yup,” I slide my arms around her waist from behind. “We’re gonna be twenty. Old as fuck now.” I bury my face in her neck, inhaling that familiar vanilla scent that drives me wild. Goddess, I’ve missed this. Missed her. It’s like the universe finally stopped screwing with me and gave me this one perfect moment.
“I missed you so much,” I murmur, my lips brushing against her neck.
She tilts her head up, her soft hand grazing my cheek. The way she touches me, man, it’s like she’s piecing me back together. “I missed you too,” she says. “These past few days without you? Pure hell.”
She steps out of my arms, turning to face me, and my chest aches at the loss of contact. Her eyes lock on mine, big and anxious, but there’s a spark in them too. “I can’t believe this is fucking happening. I’d already decided I was going mateless for the rest of my damn life.”
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “I’m so sorry, Aria. I shouldn’t have let it get to this point-”
“It’s fine,” she cuts me off, her lips twitching into a smile. “And you can stop apologizing already.” She rises on her tiptoes and presses a soft kiss to my lips.
Her body brushes against mine, her tits fitting against me like we were made for each other. My cock twitches like it’s got a mind of its own. Fuck. Not now, man. Not in the middle of a heartfelt moment.
“Lucas.”
That voice. Fuck me. John.
I turn around, my arm still wrapped protectively around Aria’s waist. “What?” I snap, already knowing this dude is about to ruin my night.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” he barks.
“What does it look like?”
“Have you forgotten what your father said? Or do you just not give a shit about your little girlfriend’s life anymore?”
I feel Aria tense beside me, her fingers clutching at my arm. My wolf is clawing to get out, demanding I put this asshole in his place. “I’ll fucking die before I let anyone hurt her,” I growl. “And that’s a promise.”
John’s gaze hardens. “Are you really willing to throw away everything for a girl you’ve only known for two weeks?”
I glance at Aria, her eyes wide and uncertain. She’s scared, but she’s trying not to show it. I turn back to John, keeping my gaze hard. “Yeah. Yeah, I am. And just so we’re clear, she’s not just some girl. She’s my mate. She’s my girlfriend. And I fucking love her.”
John exhales sharply, like he’s deflating. “I’ll keep that in mind. Just… be ready to face the consequences.” With that, he spins on his heel and stalks off.
“Are you sure you’re gonna be alright?” Aria asks softly.
“Don’t worry, baby,” I say, lacing my fingers with hers. “I’ve got you. And I’m never letting go of this hand. Not now, not ever.”
Her lips curve into a smile, and just as I’m about to pull her into another kiss, Sarita’s voice cuts through the air. “Wow. Look at you two, finally burying the hatchet.”
We both turn to see her standing there with her arms crossed, a smug look on her face.
“Sarita…” Aria starts, guilt flashing across her face. “I’m sorry. I was a fucking jerk to you.”
“Yeah, you were,” Sarita says bluntly, but her expression softens. “But I get it. If I were in your shoes, I’d probably have done the same. Or worse.”
Aria laughs, and damn if it doesn’t make her look like a freaking angel.
“Thanks for putting up with me, Sarita,” I say. “For pushing me to be a better man. For always having my back.”
“Shut up, Lukky,” she says with a grin, pulling me into a hug. “I love you, dumbass. And I’ll always root for you.”
She steps back, hugs Aria briefly, and then disappears into the crowd.
“You’re so lucky to have such a great sister,” Aria smiles, her eyes following Sarita.
“Yeah, yeah, I know,” I nod, but before I can elaborate, our friends come storming toward us.
“Gosh, when are we gonna get some alone time?” I grumble, and Aria laughs.
“Lucas,” Theo’s the first to pipe up, stepping forward. He’s testing the waters, probably because I haven’t said shit to him since yesterday after our stupid argument. Yeah, I was being petty, but damn, the guy hit me where it hurt with the truth.
“I’m glad you’re back together,” he adds, a little hesitant like he’s bracing for me to blow him off.
I nod.”Thanks, man.” He extends his hand for a shake, but nah. I pull him into a hug instead, clapping him on the back for good measure.
Theo exhales like he’s been holding his breath for a year. “I thought you hated me now,” he’s half-laughing, half-serious.
“Never,” I reply, pulling back with a grin.
Next up is Damon. I hug him quickly, but he shifts awkwardly, turning his attention to Aria. “Uh, Aria,” he starts, rubbing the back of his neck like a nervous kid. “I wanna apologize. I didn’t mean any of that shit I said before.”
Aria gives him her classic angelic smile…the one that could make even the coldest bastard melt. “It’s fine, Damon,” she says softly as she lightly touches his arm. Her touch is like magic, and I swear Damon looks like he might cry with relief.
Meanwhile, Mia’s still throwing him the ultimate cold shoulder, and Damon looks like a kicked puppy. Honestly, it’s pathetic. They need to sort their shit out because watching this is borderline painful.
“Alright,” I announce, grabbing Aria’s hand like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “We’re out.”
Lily gapes at me like I just declared I’m moving to Mars. “Leaving? The party’s just getting started!”
“Nah,” Aria says, squeezing my hand and giving me that mischievous look that drives me crazy. “Y’all enjoy. I wanna spend some time with my boyfriend.”
Cue the chorus of dramatic gags and fake retching from our so-called friends.
“Fuck you all,” I flash them the middle finger, as their laughter follows us out of the hall.
Walking down the hallway, Aria tilts her head, her lips twitching with curiosity. “So, where are we going?”
“Your suite.”
A few minutes later, we’re at her door. Before she can even reach for the keypad, I punch in the code like I own the place. The lock clicks, and I swing the door open like a fucking boss.
Inside, I waste zero time pulling her into my arms. Finally, some goddamn alone time.
Aria smiles up at me, but then her brows shoot up, her expression shifting to suspicion. “Wait a minute… how the hell do you know the code to my new suite?”
Oh, shit.
I laugh nervously, scratching the back of my neck like a guilty kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “Uh… I’m always watching you?” I try, though it sounds more like a question than an answer. “I needed to make sure you were safe after… you know, that whole mess with the bald bastard.”
She glares. “Lucas!”
I gulp, shifting under her scrutiny. “Well, uh…”
Her lips curve into a knowing smile, and she steps closer. “Was it you? Were you the one who told Rick to move me here and change my room?”
There’s no use denying it. I sigh, nodding. “Yeah, it was me. Don’t be mad, okay? I just wanted you to be safe… and comfortable.”
Her expression softens, and she presses a kiss to my lips-soft, sweet, and so fucking addictive. “Thank you,” she whispers against my mouth.
And just like that, my cock betrays me, twitching like a damn idiot. Can you blame me, though? Aria’s standing there in that black dress, her curves looking like they were sculpted by the goddess, her scent driving me insane.
“Alright,” she says, pulling back with a wicked grin. “But you’re still getting punished, mister.”
My brows shoot up. “What?”
Before I can even blink, she shoves me onto the bed with surprising force.
“You’ve been a bad boy,” she purrs, her fingers teasing the strings of her dress. The fabric slips down, revealing smooth, flawless skin and luscious tits that have me swallowing hard. Goddess, the thought of sinking my lips there and sucking hard is enough to make me lose it. She’s so fucking sexy, it’s unreal-a goddess, my goddess.
“Fuck yeah. Teach me a lesson.”