Aria
I shift a little, still half-asleep, when my hand lands on something hard… and warm. And holy hell…the scent. That intoxicating, musky, Lucas smell that makes my knees weak every damn time. My eyes flutter open, and there he is, smiling down at me like some Greek god.
“You’re finally awake,” he murmurs, flashing that crooked smile before pressing a soft kiss to my forehead.
Boom. A jolt of electricity zips through me, straight to my core. And just like that, last night’s memories come rushing back-the heat, the moans, the way he made me completely lose my mind. I swear, last night was fucking amazing. Four times. We actually went at it four goddamn times.
I grin, snuggling closer into his chest, inhaling that addictive scent of his. We’re both completely naked, and yep, I can still feel him…hard, pressed against me. Goddess, I missed him so damn much.
“I haven’t slept like that in days,” I chuckle, running my fingers through his messy hair as his hand strokes up and down my back. “Last night… was insane.”
“It was.”
“I missed you so much,” I sigh, tightening my arms around him, like if I let go, he’d vanish. “I cried myself to sleep every night without you, Lucas. Every single one.”
His jaw clenches, and I see the guilt flash across his face. “You have no idea how hard it was not to grab you and just throw you over my damn shoulder when I saw you last month,” he says.
I lift my head to meet his soft, almost boyish gaze. “I still can’t believe you looked for me… all this time. And you actually found me.”
“I couldn’t stop,” he whispers, gently poking my nose. “I knew I wouldn’t be able to breathe without you. It was impossible.”
My throat tightens, and I pout. “I thought about coming back to you… so many times. But I was scared you wouldn’t want me anymore.”
He pulls me closer, pressing a soft kiss to my temple. “It’s alright. You’re here now. That’s all that matters.”
I pause, furrowing my brows. “Wait… how the hell did you even get into this university? You only found out I got in a month ago, and the admission window had closed by then.”
Lucas smirks, his fingers tracing lazy circles on my bare back. “I already applied here. Among others. Got accepted into all of them. But I chose this one because of you.”
I blink at him, half-surprised, half-touched. “You applied here just because I said I wanted to?” There’s amusement in my voice, but my heart’s doing somersaults.
He laughs, pulling me tighter. “Yeah. I wanted to be close to you. But damn, it was hard acting all cool and indifferent around you.”
I groan, rolling my eyes. “You wouldn’t even say my name!” I poke his chest, but I’m smiling like an idiot. “I hated that. I never want you to ignore me again, Lucas. It sucked.”
“I was trying to punish you,” he murmurs. “But I couldn’t take it anymore. After last night… I don’t want you getting hurt because of me. I wouldn’t forgive myself.”
Goddess. My heart melts. He’s so fucking sweet sometimes it hurts.
“I’m never leaving you again,” I whisper.
“You better not,” he growls, his hands sliding down my waist, pulling me flush against him.
For a second, there’s just this charged silence between us, full of heat and all the things we’re not saying. I lift my head again, hesitating. “What about that girl?”
Lucas frowns. “What girl?”
I narrow my eyes. “Mira. Or whatever her name is.”
He bursts out laughing, the kind of deep belly laugh that makes his abs tighten under my palm. “Nah, she’s just a friend.”
“Really?” I arch a brow, waiting for more.
He smirks, poking my cheek. “I invited her to make you jealous. And guess what? It worked.”
“You’re such an asshole,” I huff, but I’m grinning.
“Only for you, baby,” he says, kissing my nose.
I sigh, snuggling back into him, feeling his chest rise and fall. “So… she’s really just a friend?”
“Yup. She’s actually not so bad once you get to know her.”
I hum, satisfied. Then my brain clicks into panic mode. “Wait…shit. What about school?” I jerk upright, my hair a complete mess.
Lucas just chuckles, brushing a strand out of my face. “Relax. It’s Saturday.”
“Oh, thank Goddess. I’m not leaving this bed today.” I flop back onto his chest, completely content.
“And the lady you’re staying with? She’s cool with this?” he asks, raising a brow.
“Aunt Esther? Yeah, I texted her I’m with friends. She’s probably fine with it.”
He grins. “Guess that means it’s just you and me this weekend.”
“Damn right.” I smile, my fingers trailing over his bare chest. “Just us.”
And hell, I’m not complaining.
……
“So, you guys are actually going on a fucking New Year’s cruise?” Damon mutters, raising a brow as he looks between me and Lucas like we’ve grown two heads.
“Yup,” Lucas grins, all proud and smug. “I wanna spend the holidays with my baby.” He leans in and plants a soft kiss on my lips, and, of course, the whole table erupts in gagging noises.
“Ugh, get a room!” Theo groans, dramatically pretending to puke into his napkin.
We’re all crammed around a table at this cute little restaurant…me, Lucas, Theo, Mia, Lily, and Damon-enjoying lunch and laughing our asses off. Well, mostly laughing at Lucas and me, but still.
“I’m seriously happy for you, man,” Theo says, flashing Lucas a grin. “You’re finally back to normal and not giving us the cold shoulder anymore.”
“Yeah, Alpha Lucas,” Mia teases, winking at me. “You totally ditched us for Aria.”
We all crack up, even Lucas, though he tries to keep a straight face.
“Alright, alright,” he chuckles, raising his hands in surrender. “I’m sorry, guys. I wasn’t myself. But c’mon, she’s the only one who makes my heart flutter.”
“Ew! So fucking cheesy, Alpha Lucas!” Lily giggles, clutching her chest like she’s about to die from secondhand embarrassment.
Lucas groans, running a hand through his messy hair. “How many times do I have to tell you guys? Stop calling me Alpha Lucas. It’s just Lucas.”
“But you’re still the future alpha of the pack,” Damon points out, shrugging like it’s no big deal.
Lucas’s jaw tightens, and he shakes his head. “Not anymore. I don’t want it.” He glances around, lowering his voice. “And besides, we’re surrounded by humans. What if they overheard?”
Damon and Mia exchange a look…the kind of look that says we’re about to spill some tea.
“What?” Lucas asks, brows furrowed.
Damon snickers. “It already happened, bro. We were talking about you the other day, and Mia called you Alpha Lucas. These two students walking by gave us the weirdest looks, like we were straight-up crazy.”
The table bursts out laughing, and even Lucas can’t help but grin.
“It was so awkward,” Mia giggles. “I had to tell them we were talking about a fraternity or something, but they still looked at us like we had horns growing out of our heads.”
“See?” Lucas points at us, shaking his head. “That’s exactly why you guys need to just call me Lucas.”
I lean into him, my hand slipping under the table to rest on his thigh. His muscles tense under my touch, and I bite my lip to hide my smirk. Damn, I love messing with him.
“I would’ve loved to come on the cruise, but I promised my mate I’d take her to Paris,” Theo says, pretending to sound all dreamy.
“Aww, you’re even blushing!” Lily teases, pointing at his reddening cheeks.
“Same here,” Lily adds, grinning. “I’m going on a trip with my mate too.”
I smile, genuinely happy for her. “I’m so fucking happy for you, Lily. You deserve it.”
Damon sighs dramatically. “Guess that means Mia and I are the only ones stuck in Shadow Pang for the holidays.”
Mia nudges him with her elbow, grinning. “Your family’s doing that big get-together, right? I think it sounds kinda fun.”
“They’re fucking insane,” Damon chuckles nervously, scratching the back of his neck.
Mia arches a brow. “You’re just scared I’m gonna find out embarrassing stuff about you.”
Before Damon can respond, Mia grabs his face and kisses him…like, full-on, tongue and everything, right there at the table.
“Ew, seriously?” I laugh, covering my eyes.
Mia pulls away, grinning like she didn’t just give Damon the kiss of his life. “Y’all are just jealous.”
“Sure, sure,” Lily teases, rolling her eyes.
I glance around, realizing someone’s missing. “Hey, where’s Vanessa? I thought she was coming today.”
Lily snorts. “Vanessa’s off somewhere, cruising around with that new human guy she’s dating at her university. She’s so smitten.”
I nod. “That’s so Vanessa. She always loves hard.”
“Let’s just hope this one’s not like that crackhead Ethan,” Mia scoffs.
“Ugh, that asshole,” Lily groans. “I heard he got out of rehab. But honestly, I’m betting he’s gonna end up right back there. That dude will never be normal.”
I laugh, but I could care less what happens to that fucking loser. Good riddance.
Lucas clears his throat, lifting his wine glass. “Alright, everyone…glasses up.”
We all raise our glasses, clinking them together.
“To more years of friendship, love, and happiness. Cheers!”
“Cheers!” we all echo, grinning like fools.