Lucas
“Lucas, where the hell are you?” my dad grunts.
My eyes flick to Aria, and she looks fucking mortified.
“Where’s Damon?” he demands, his tone sharp as hell. “What did you do to him?”
I grit my teeth. “If you really wanna know, then come get me yourself.”
“You’re coming back, now.”
“I’m not coming back, Dad! When the hell are you gonna let me go?” Frustration burns through me. This man never fucking listens.
Dad exhales like I’m some dumb kid throwing a tantrum. “Listen, Lucas. Everything I’ve done…my entire life, I did for you. I’ve given you everything. And now you wanna ruin it? You wanna throw away everything I built?”
I let out a bitter laugh. “Everything? You didn’t give me shit, Dad. You ruined everything. You took my mom from me, and now you wanna take my mate.”
“Lucas!” he snarls. “I’m not gonna let you throw your life away for that girl.”
I glance at Aria, and she immediately looks away, avoiding my gaze. My chest tightens.
“You’re the future Alpha of the Shadow Pang Pack,” he continues, voice low and threatening. “You will return. If you throw it all away, I promise you’ll regret it. You’ll despise yourself. You’ll despise her. So stop this nonsense and come home. You can’t survive without me, without my power.”
I take a deep breath, my hands clenching into fists. “I’m sorry, Dad, but I can’t. I love Aria. And I’m never letting her go.”
Silence.
Then, in a chillingly calm voice, he asks, “So you’re gonna throw everything away? Even your friends?”
My jaw tightens. “Stay the fuck away from my friends.”
“Then get your ass back home.”
“I’m not coming back.”
“Lucas…”
“Don’t call me again.”
“Lucas…”
I hang up.
Aria lets out a shaky sigh. “Are you sure he won’t be able to trace the call?”
“It’s a specialized phone. He won’t.” I run a hand down my face, trying to calm the storm brewing inside me.
Silence stretches between us for a few moments. Then, Aria shifts, her voice barely above a whisper. “Lucas… maybe you should go back.”
I freeze. “Aria,” I say slowly, my chest tightening.
Her eyes glisten with unshed tears. “I can’t let you lose everything because of me.” Her voice cracks. “I can’t.”
I move closer, cupping her face between my hands. “Don’t listen to him, baby. I don’t give a shit about the pack, the title, the throne…none of it means anything without you.”
She shakes her head. “What about your friends?”
“They’ll be fine,” I murmur, wrapping my arms around her, holding her as close as possible. “You are the only one I need.”
She sniffles but nods, burying her face in my chest. I kiss the top of her head, whispering, “It’s gonna be okay. We’re gonna be okay.”
I help her lay down, pulling her into me. She tucks herself against my chest, and I run my hand down her back in slow, soothing strokes.
“I love you, Aria,” I murmur.
She hesitates. “Lucas…”
I press a finger to her lips. “Shh. You don’t have to say it back. My love is enough for the both of us.” I smirk, trying to lighten the mood. “Now go to sleep. I’m exhausted.”
“Me too,” she whispers.
I close my eyes, inhaling the soft scent of her hair. She’s here. She’s safe. That’s all that matters.
The next time I open my eyes, the soft light of early morning filters into the room. Something feels off.
The mat beside me is empty.
I sit up immediately, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. “Aria?” My voice is rough, groggy. Maybe she just went to the restroom?
A fucking note with a pen still resting on top of it.
My stomach drops.
I grab it, my hands already shaking as I start to read.
“Dear Lucas, if you’re seeing this, then I’m already gone.”
What.
I grip the paper tight, my pulse roaring in my ears, but I force myself to keep reading.
“I’ve realized this is the best thing for both of us. I can’t stand seeing you like this…worried about how you’ll survive, how you’ll make it without your father’s power. I can’t be the reason you lose everything. I can’t do it. Please, go back home. Take your throne. Use it to do good. I don’t want you or your friends to suffer because of me.
“I cherished every moment we had together, and I wish it never had to end. But this… this is the only way. I’m sorry it has to be like this. Without even a rejection. But please, Lucas… don’t look for me.
– Aria”
My heart shatters.
No. No, no, no, NO.
I crush the paper in my fist, my whole body shaking as I bolt for the door.
She’s not gone.
She can’t be.
I’ll find her.
I swear to the fucking goddess, I’ll find her.