Aria
Okay, so Mark and Lucas are full-on staring daggers at each other, and somehow, I’m stuck in the middle of this testosterone-fueled death match.
“What the fuck is he doing here, Aria?” Lucas growls, eyes still locked on Mark like he’s seconds away from launching at him.
I hold up my hands. “Lucas, calm the fuck down. My car broke down, and he just gave me a ride home. That’s it.”
“Really, Aria?” Lucas scoffs. “And you couldn’t fucking call me or something?”
I blink. Oh, he did NOT just say that.
“Hold up,” I say, crossing my arms. “Lucas, I did call you. I mind-linked you, remember? Or did you suddenly develop amnesia? You were the one who ghosted me.”
His jaw tightens. Oh, now he has the nerve to look guilty?
‘What the fuck, Aria?’ Lucas snaps through the mind-link. ‘Are you seriously talking about this in front of him? Do you want to expose the fact that we’re werewolves?’
I roll my eyes. “He already knows,” I say out loud, watching Lucas’s expression morph from pissed to what the actual fuck.
Mark, who’s been oddly quiet, just tilts his head, completely unreadable. Great. Love that for me.
“Okay, fine.” Mark finally breaks the silence, holding up his hands. “I’m sorry. A hundred times sorry for the flowers thing, dude. I wasn’t trying to piss you off. So maybe stop looking at me like you’re about to rip my throat out?”
Lucas narrows his eyes. “And you think I believe you?”
Mark shrugs. “That’s on you. But listen, I saw Aria stranded and decided to help her. You know… since you weren’t there for her.”
Oh fuck.
Lucas steps forward, pissed. “What did you just say?”
Mark smirks. Oh, this motherfucker.
Lucas moves to go after him, but I step between them, pressing a hand against his chest. “Lucas, chill! You’re acting like a jerk.”
His nostrils flare. “Really, Aria? You’re taking his side?”
“What the fuck-” I throw my hands up. “I can’t believe you’re saying this right now!”
Lucas clenches his jaw, his eyes burning into mine. “You know what? Do whatever the fuck you want,” he mutters and storms into the building, leaving me standing there completely fucking confused.
I exhale sharply. “Unbelievable. What the hell is wrong with him today?”
Mark sighs. “Well, that was intense.”
I glare at him.
“Okay, okay,” he holds up his hands. “I’m sorry, Aria. I didn’t mean to cause any problems between you two. I… I don’t know why he doesn’t like me.”
I rub my temples. “It’s fine. He’s just stressed, I guess. Thanks again for the ride.”
Mark gives me a knowing look but doesn’t push. “No problem. See you tomorrow.”
“Isn’t tomorrow Saturday?” I frown, my brain already short-circuiting.
Mark chuckles. “Nope. Friday. You seem exhausted. Go rest.”
I sigh, nodding. “Yeah… good idea.”
He turns to leave but then pauses, glancing back at me. “Hey, Aria,” he calls.
I look up, raising a brow.
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re special?”
I blink. “What?”
“There’s a lot about yourself you don’t know yet,” he says, that cryptic smirk back on his face.
What the actual fuck does that mean?
“Very soon, you’ll see.” And with that, he slides into his car and drives off.
I stare after him confused. Why the fuck does Mark always talk in riddles? Is he hiding something? Or does he just enjoy fucking with my head?
Shaking my head, I turn and head inside. After a few minutes, I reach the apartment. Lucas is sitting on the couch, staring at the ceiling, hands dragging down his face like he’s carrying the weight of the world.
I sigh, walking over and plopping down next to him.
“Finally done talking with your new friend?” he mutters.
I shoot him a look. “Lucas, what the fuck is wrong with you?”
He scoffs, running a hand through his hair. “Oh, I don’t know, Aria. Maybe the fact that you were all buddy-buddy with some guy while I was losing my mind worrying about shit?”
I cross my arms. “Oh, I’m the one who should be mad at you. Let’s not forget that you were the one who ditched me today, ignored my mind-link, and had me fucking worried about you!”
Lucas’s head finally snaps toward me, his brows furrowed like he’s seconds away from combusting. “I’m sorry, Aria, I really am. But don’t change the fucking topic. I specifically told you not to talk to that guy!”
I throw my hands up. “And what the fuck was I supposed to do, Lucas? My car broke down, I sent you a message, and you didn’t even check! I’m sure you didn’t.”
“My message tone was on silent.”
“Oh, fuck that. That’s not a fucking excuse.” I glare at him, arms crossed.
Lucas drags a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. “I just don’t trust that Mark guy, Aria. I have a bad feeling about him.”
I bite my lip. Okay, fair point. Mark does say weird shit sometimes, but I am so done with Lucas’s paranoia.
“Whatever. What’s the emergency?” I ask, deciding to change the topic before we both combust.
Lucas sighs, rubbing a hand down his face. “Sarita says we’ve got a fucking brother.” He pauses. “He’s around my age.”
“What?”
He nods, his expression grim. “Yeah. Apparently, my father loved some other woman, but she wasn’t his fated mate. So he took out all his anger on my poor mom.”
“That’s insane,” I mutter, shaking my head. “He should’ve just married her instead of tormenting someone else’s life.”
Lucas lets out a bitter laugh. “Oh, he wanted to. But his parents shut that shit down. Told him if he didn’t marry my mom, he’d never be Alpha.”
“This is so messed up.” I cross my arms. “So who’s this mystery brother of yours?”
Lucas sighs. “I don’t know. But I heard both him and his mom are coming to the mansion this Saturday.”
I narrow my eyes. “So… I’m guessing you’ve changed your mind? You don’t want to see your father this weekend anymore?”
“Nah, I’m going.” His voice turns sharp. “I need to see the so-called guy the elders want to replace me with.”
I freeze. “Replace you?”
Lucas nods, his fists clenching. “Yeah. Sarita said the elders are pissed I left. Ever since they met this guy when he came to visit my father, they think he should be the next Alpha instead of me.”
My chest tightens. “Oh, Lucas… I’m so fucking sorry.”
He shakes his head quickly. “It’s okay… it’s not like I care.”
I roll my eyes, moving closer and wrapping my arms around his shoulders. “Stop it. Stop trying to act all tough with me. Lucas, I know you. You were raised your whole life to be Alpha, and now, just because you needed a break, they’re throwing some random guy into your place?”
His whole body stiffens against mine. “I’m so fucking pissed, Aria. I know it’s pathetic, but I can’t help it. It makes me sick.”
I reach up, cupping his face in my hands, my thumbs brushing over his stubbled jaw. “It’s not pathetic. You’re human, Lucas.”
His eyes flick to mine, something intense flashing behind them. “I’m so sorry, Aria… I acted like a fucking jerk. I should’ve at least answered your mind-link. I was just so fucking pissed, and then I took it out on you.”
I shake my head. “It’s fine.” My fingers trace along his cheek. “It’s going to be okay, baby.”
His arms tighten around me, pulling me flush against his chest. “Thank you, babe. I love you so much.” he murmurs before tilting my chin up and pressing his lips to mine.
It’s slow at first…soft, lingering…but then his hands slide down to my waist, gripping me like he needs me, and my body melts against him. I tangle my fingers in his hair, pulling him closer to deepen the kiss.
When we finally pull back, he smirks down at me. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
I grin, tapping his nose playfully. “I am pretty great, huh?”
Lucas chuckles, shaking his head. “Come on, let’s shower.”
He tugs me toward the bathroom. “I totally forgot today was the competition for the hockey team captain.”
I force a smile, biting my bottom lip. “Don’t worry about it. It got moved to tomorrow.”
But my stomach twists. How the hell do I tell him that Mark’s competing too? And worse…. he’s the so-called favorite to win.
Yeah… tomorrow is definitely going to be chaotic. A full-blown disaster waiting to happen.