Aria
The drive to the mansion is a short ten minutes, but it feels like hours. I’ve never been here before…not once. Ethan didn’t want anyone knowing we were mates, especially his dear old daddy, Alpha Stevens. At the time, I didn’t see the problem. Ethan fed me some bullshit about needing to “sort things out” with his father first, and I bought it like a fool. I was stupidly in love with him, head over heels for a guy who clearly didn’t love me.
The mansion is massive and crawling with warriors stationed like they’re guarding the goddamn White House. My anxiety spikes just looking at them. As soon as the car stops, the door swings open, and one of the warriors yanks me out, practically dragging me toward the building. My heart’s pounding, and I silently beg the Moon Goddess that Mia and Lily managed to reach Lucas. I need to know he’s okay.
The iron doors creak open, and I’m hauled inside like a damn criminal. The living room is huge and obnoxiously luxurious. And there he is, Alpha Stevens himself, lounging on a fancy couch, sipping wine like a villain straight out of a cheesy mob movie.
“Alpha, she’s here,” one of the warriors announces, shoving me forward so hard I stumble and fall to my knees.
“Kneel before the Alpha!” another warrior barks, as if I have any choice.
I shuffle onto my knees, glaring up at Stevens. He looks almost the same as he did years ago, except his once-blond hair now has streaks of silver. The only sign of aging on this smug asshole.
“So, it’s really you,” he says. “The little girl I spared… the daughter of those traitorous scum.” He sneers, setting his glass on the table with a deliberate clink. “I took you inside my pack, asked my people to feed you, clothe you, and this is how you repay me?”
For years, I was grateful. Grateful that this man spared me when my parents were executed as traitors. But now? Now I know the truth. This man is a lying, manipulative piece of shit.
“I didn’t do anything wrong,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady, though my anger is boiling under the surface.
“Shut up!” he snaps. “Didn’t Alpha Marcus tell you to leave his son alone? Even Ethan asked you to back off! Have you lost your damn mind?”
“He’s my mate!” I shout.
“It doesn’t matter, you little runt!” Stevens roars, his face twisting with fury. “Did you really think someone like you, a pathetic omega could be mates with Lucas? Or Ethan? Are you delusional?”
“Why?” I demand. “Why can’t I be with Lucas? He loves me, and-”
Before I can finish, Stevens slaps me across the face, the force of it snapping my head to the side. My cheek stings, but I refuse to cry. I turn back to him, jaw clenched and glaring.
“Watch your tone, girl,” he growls.
I rub my face, my anger rising like a tidal wave. “Why do you even care if I’m with Lucas? He’s not your son. And Ethan? He’s not my mate anymore!”
He laughs. “If someone like you ends up with Lucas, what does that teach my son? That it’s okay to settle for an omega? No. Never. You’d ruin everything. Besides,” he smirks, leaning back in his seat, “Ethan specifically asked me to bring you back.”
I snort. Of course. This is all about Ethan. His jealous, insecure ass can’t stand the idea of me being with Lucas.
“You think this is funny?” Stevens raises a brow. “You must think you’re some kind of big shot, having two Alphas wrapped around your little finger. Over my dead body will I let you be with Ethan. You’re only good for warming his bed.”
“I don’t want your son!” I snap. “In fact, I was planning to tell you I’m leaving this pack. I want to renounce it.”
His eyes widen, his expression a mix of shock and rage. “What? Are you saying you want to go rogue?”
“Yes,” I say firmly, my chin lifted. “I don’t want to spend another damn minute in this pack.”
“You’re ungrateful!”
“Ungrateful?” I scoff, my fists clenched at my sides. “Don’t give me that crap. I know the truth. My parents weren’t traitors. You branded them as such because Alpha Marcus told you to! You killed them for nothing!”
“Shut the hell up!” he yells.
Before I can respond, Ethan walks in. His confusion lasts only a second before his face goes blank, as if he’s already decided not to care.
“What’s going on?” he asks, moving to stand beside his father.
“Thank the Goddess you’re here,” I say. “Tell your dad we’re not mates anymore. Tell him I don’t want anything to do with this pack.”
For a moment, something like regret flashes in his eyes, but it’s gone as quickly as it appeared. “Have you forgotten what I told you?” he says coldly.
“What are you talking about?” I snap, shaking my head in disbelief.
“I warned you,” his voice lowers dangerously. “I told you to apologize, but you refused. Now you’re going to pay for it…with your life. And maybe your body.”
“You’re fucking insane. I just want out of this pack. That’s it.”
“You can’t leave,” Stevens growls. “You’re a traitor.”
“How am I a traitor?” I shout. “What the hell did I do wrong?”
“You embarrassed my son and our pack,” he sneers. “Now take her!”
Before I can react, the warriors grab me, their hands like iron clamps on my arms.
“Let me go!” I scream, struggling against them. I fix my gaze on Ethan, my voice filled with venom. “You bastard! This is because I chose Lucas, isn’t it? You’re pathetic!”
Ethan laughs. “You really think Lucas wants to be with you?”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” I spit back.
“Where is he, Aria? Where’s Lucas now?”
What the hell does he mean? Does he know something I don’t?
“Fuck you! You fucking pathetic bastard!”
Ethan smirks. “Oh, you’re going to regret this. Take her to the room I prepared for her,” he orders.
“You’re nothing now. Just a slave. Take her!” Alpha Stevens adds.
I can’t believe this shit is actually happening. Why the hell won’t they just let me go? I have to do something.
Lucas, wherever you are, please come get me.