Aria
I pull up at Joy Park, practically sprinting out of the car like I’m running for a meet-and-greet with Beyonce. The place is crawling with people, kids screaming, couples taking selfies, some dude trying to juggle flaming torches. Classic Saturday chaos.
I’m on a mission, though. Mia and Lily are somewhere here, and I need to find them before I lose my mind. No time to waste, I go full bloodhound mode, sniffing the air. And then I catch it…. their scent. Bingo.
I follow it straight to the pool area, weaving through the crowd like it’s Black Friday at Target. And there they are…Mia and Lily, standing in the corner. The moment they spot me, they jump up in excitement.
“Aria!” They scream my name like I’m a long-lost celebrity, and next thing I know, they’re bolting toward me, arms open wide. I brace myself for impact because these two hug like they’re trying to crack my ribs.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Mia says, squeezing me so tight I feel my spine pop.
“I tried to mind-link you guys, but I’m still weak as hell from that goddamn Wolfbane prison.”
“Shit, are you okay?” Mia’s eyes dart over me like she’s searching for injuries.
“Did they hurt you?” Lily chimes in, her face twisted in worry.
“I’m fine,” I say, waving them off. “Ethan locked me in some room and thought he could turn me into his personal sex slave. Fucking bastard.”
Mia’s jaw drops. “No fucking way. That psycho actually tried to follow through with his threats?”
“Oh, he did,” I say, rolling my eyes. “If Vanessa hadn’t helped me escape, I’d still be there.”
“Right. Where is Vanessa?” Lily asks, her brows shooting up.
I fill them in on everything-how Vanessa helped so I could slip out. Honestly, the girl deserves a damn medal.
“She’s brave as hell,” Lily says with a small smile.
“Yeah, well, now you need to figure out your next move. This place isn’t exactly far from Full Moon Pack, and you can’t stay here long.”
“Agreed,” I nod. “But, uh, speaking of next moves… where’s Lucas?”
That’s the million-dollar question apparently. My stomach twists at their reaction. “I don’t know,” Mia admits, folding her arms. “Damon and Theo went to check on him, but we haven’t heard shit.”
Lily places a hand on my shoulder, all serious now. “Aria, you can’t stay here. They might track your scent.”
“I’m not leaving without him,” I snap, and that’s the end of that discussion.
We wait. Thirty agonizing minutes of me pacing like a caged tiger and Mia trying to lecture me. Just when I’m about to lose my damn mind, Mia freezes mid-sentence. “They’re here.”
I spin around so fast I nearly fall over, and there he is…Lucas. My Lucas. He looks like death warmed over, pale and barely standing, but his eyes light up when he sees me, and that smile? Goddess, it hits me like a freight train.
I don’t wait for him to reach me. Screw dignity, I run straight at him, launching myself into his arms.
“Aria,” he breathes, his voice all shaky but full of relief. “Baby, you’re alright.”
“I was so fucking worried about you,” I say, clinging to him like he’s my lifeline.
We stay like that for what feels like forever, wrapped up in each other. When I finally pull back, I glare at Damon. “What the hell happened? Why does he look like he’s been through a meat grinder?”
Damon sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. “Alpha Marcus locked him in a dark room and pumped him full of Wolfsbane. Real father-of-the-year shit.”
“How could he do that to his own son?” Mia hisses, her hands balled into fists.
I ignore her, focusing on Lucas. His face is burning up, and he looks like he’s about to pass out. “You’re burning up,” I say, cupping his cheeks.
Lucas chuckles weakly. “I’m fine, Aria. Just tired.”
“Bullshit,” I snap. “You need rest.”
“Alright, lovebirds,” Damon cuts in, holding up a set of keys. “I gave Lucas the address to an apartment Sarita set up out of town. You two can crash there until it’s safe.”
“Sarita?” I raise an eyebrow.
Damon grins. “Yeah, she masterminded this whole rescue operation.”
Before I can process that, Lily butts in. “Wait, where’s Theo?”
“He stayed back to cause a distraction,” Damon says, brushing her off like it’s no big deal.
“And Sarita?” Mia asks sharply.
Damon pretends he didn’t hear her, which is hilarious because Mia’s not the type to let shit slide.
“Are you seriously ignoring me?” she snaps. “How fucking childish can you be?”
“Didn’t you want me to leave you alone?” Damon fires back, his eyes blazing.
Oh, this is getting good.
Mia scoffs, crossing her arms. “I wanted you to accept my rejection, Damon. Not act like a sulking toddler.”
“Fine,” he says, throwing his hands up. “I, Damon of Shadow Pang Pack, accept-”
“Stop it!” Mia shouts, cutting him off. “Just… stop.”
Damon blinks, genuinely confused. “Why? Isn’t this what you wanted?”
Mia looks like she’s about to explode. “I don’t know, okay? It feels like you’re rejecting me, and I hate it!”
Lucas leans into me, whispering, “We should probably leave before this turns into a telenovela.”
I snort, nodding. “Yeah, let’s get outta here.”
“Thanks, guys,” Lucas says, giving the group a curt nod. “Catch you later.”
I hand Lily Vanessa’s car keys and give them all a little wave as Lucas tugs me along like a damn impatient kid at Disneyland. No time for drawn-out goodbyes, I guess.
“Be careful guys. Alpha Marcus men are probably searching for you now.” Damon shouts behind us.
I just pray we make it out safely.