Lucas
We finally pull up to the Shadow Pang Pack, and my heart’s racing like I’ve just run a damn marathon. The entire ride, I sat there like a statue, staring out the window, thinking about Aria. Her face, her laugh, the way she looks at me like I’m her whole damn world. Yeah, I already miss her. It’s pathetic, but whatever. Now, though? Now, reality is smacking me in the face. Time to deal with my father. Yay for family reunions, right?
The car cruises into the estate, and as usual, it’s over-the-top as hell. Beautiful lawns, fountains, high-end restaurants, even a goddamn shopping mall. This isn’t just an estate…it’s a playground for the rich and ruthless of the pack. My dad’s told me a million times, “This will all be yours someday, Lucas.” Yeah, sure. Except now, I feel like I’m standing on the edge of losing it all. And guess what? I don’t fucking give a shit. It’s Aria or this so-called empire. And I’ll pick Aria every damn time.
The car slows, and Damon hops out first, mumbling something about needing to “deal with his mom.” Then Theo gets out, smirking like he’s got front-row seats to the circus that’s about to go down.
“Good luck, man,” Theo says, shutting the door.
Yeah, I’ll need it. Facing my father feels less like a homecoming and more like walking into enemy territory.
The driver pulls up to the mansion, and before I can even touch the door handle, one of my dad’s lackeys opens it for me, bowing slightly. The theatrics around here never end. I step out, nod at the guy, and head toward the house.
The living room is empty-thank Goddess. I need a second to breathe before I deal with him. But of course, peace and quiet don’t last long in this house.
“Alpha Lucas,” a voice calls.
Great. It’s Beta John. Fucking Beta John. He’s walking toward me, straight from my father’s study, with this weird-ass look on his face. Suspicious doesn’t even cover it.
“Your father would like a word with you,” he says, his tone as stiff as his posture.
I roll my eyes. “I just got here. Can I at least make it to my room first?”
One of the staff members grabs my suitcase and heads upstairs.
“He can’t wait,” Beta John insists. “He wants to see you now, Alpha Lucas.”
Ah, there it is. He’s back to calling me “Alpha Lucas”. At the academy, it was just Lucas this, Lucas that. But here? It’s titles and formalities all damn day because that’s how my father rolls.
I don’t bother arguing. What’s the point? Instead, I started the long march to his study. When I get to the door, I stop and take a deep breath. Here goes nothing.
“Come in,” my father’s gruff voice calls out sharply before I can even knock.
I push the door open. He’s sitting behind his enormous desk, buried in paperwork like always. Doesn’t even glance up. Just flips through pages like I don’t exist. Typical.
“Dad, I’m back,” I say, breaking the suffocating silence.
Finally, he sets the papers down and pulls off his glasses, placing them neatly on the desk. His eyes meet mine, cold as ice, his expression screaming disappointment.
“I can see that,” he says. “And I trust you’ve come to your senses.”
I blink. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” he repeats, mocking me. Then his voice sharpens like a blade. “Lucas, have you lost your goddamn mind? I asked you to woo Alpha Alex’s daughter, and instead, you come back with some pack runt?”
“She’s not a pack runt!” I snap, feeling my wolf stir under my skin. I clench my fists, holding him back. “She’s my mate-given to me by the Moon Goddess.”
“Fuck the Moon Goddess!” he roars, slamming his fist on the desk so hard I’m surprised it doesn’t crack. “How many times do I have to tell you? The Moon Goddess doesn’t know everything. Sometimes we have to take control of our own damn destiny. And that means you marrying Serena. She’s the perfect choice. Alpha Alex doesn’t have a son, which means his entire fortune will pass to her…and by extension, to you. Don’t you see the bigger picture?”
I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head. “I don’t need any of that, Dad. And when the hell is it going to be enough for you? You’re already a billionaire, but no, you’ve gotta use me as your pawn to grab even more. When’s it ever gonna stop?”
“Enough!” he snaps, shooting up from his chair so fast you’d think it was on fire. He storms around the desk to stand right in front of me. “You’re going to forget that girl, and that’s final.”
I cross my arms and glare right back at him. “I’m not doing that. I’m not leaving Aria, Dad.”
“You’re willing to lose everything, every damn thing…for a pack runt? A girl you’ve known for two weeks? Two fucking weeks! I didn’t know you were this goddamn stupid, Lucas.”
I can feel my wolf stirring, my fists itching to hit something-preferably him. “I don’t care! If you won’t accept Aria as my mate, then we’re leaving. Both of us. I’m done, Dad. I’m done being under your shadow, done being your damn puppet. I’m not letting you ruin my life like you ruined Mom’s.”
The second the words are out of my mouth, I know I’ve crossed the line. His hand swings faster than I can react, and his palm connects with my face in a slap so hard my head snaps to the side. My cheek burns, but I don’t flinch. I just stare at him, my heart pounding with rage.
“You’ve lost it, you idiot,” he growls. “I should’ve never let you go on that trip. That girl’s bewitched you, but don’t worry-I’ll fix it. I’ll help you get back to your senses.”
“What the fuck are you-” I start, but then the door opens, and ten of his warriors file into the room like they’re about to stage a damn coup.
I step back, raising my fists. “Stay the fuck back. Don’t come near me!” My heart’s racing, and I’m ready to fight. “What is this, Dad? What are you doing?”
He smirks. “Helping you. Did you really think I’d let that girl ruin your life? After her parents ruined your mother’s?”
My vision goes red. “You’re the one who ruined Mom’s life!” I shout, stepping forward, fists clenched. “And you tried to ruin Sarita’s too, but she left because she saw you for what you are…a controlling, selfish bastard. And guess what? That’s exactly what I’m gonna do.”
His face twists into a snarl. “Don’t you dare say that traitor’s name in my house.”
“She’s not a traitor,” I snap. “She’s your daughter.”
His laugh is cold and bitter. “I’d rather die than let you turn out like that fool of a sister. Everything I’ve done, Lucas, I’ve done for you. Every choice I’ve made was to give you the best.”
I shake my head. “I don’t want any of it! So just let me go!”
“Never.” He roars. “Take him.”
The men lunge at me, but I’m ready. I duck a punch, slam my elbow into one guy’s ribs, and twist another’s arm until I hear the satisfying crunch of bone. One after another, they come at me, but I’m faster, stronger, until….
A sudden, cold sting pierces my neck, and my body freezes. My limbs feel like lead, my vision blurs, and my strength drains away. I whip around, and there he is…my father, holding a syringe with a smug look on his face.
“Dad… What did you do?” My voice is slurred, weak. “Did you inject me with wolfsbane?”
“And silver, too,” he says with a shrug, like it’s no big deal. “I warned you, didn’t I? If you’d just listened, I wouldn’t have had to take such extreme measures. But now? Now, I have no choice.” He waves his hand at his men. “Take him.”
I try to fight as they grab me, but my punches are weak and useless, my body’s barely responding. They grip my arms and drag me toward the door.
“Where… are they… taking me?” I whisper, my head lolling forward.
“You’ll see,” he sneers.”And as for that pack runt? I’ll make sure she’s dealt with.” He adds as I’m being hauled out of the room.
“No…” The word barely escapes my lips. Panic surges through me, but my body won’t respond, and my vision is fading. I shouldn’t have come back here. I shouldn’t have let Aria go back to the Full Moon Pack.
“Aria…” I whisper one last time before everything goes black.