Aria
The moment I reach him, I grab Lucas by the waist, pulling him back before he can swing again. “Stop, Lucas, please,” I beg, my hands tightening around him.
The coach, Damon, and Theo jump in, finally prying him off Mark.
“Why the fuck should I?!” Lucas roars, still struggling against me. “Didn’t you hear what this bastard just said? He’s gonna take everything that belongs to me!”
“Lucas, please, that’s enough,” I plead, my fingers digging into his arm.
His chest rises and falls in heavy, furious breaths before he lets out a sharp sigh, ripping himself away from me. Without another word, he spins around and storms toward the dugout.
I glance at Mark…he’s shaking, fists clenched. Yeah, I don’t blame him. If someone attacked me like that, I’d be just as fucking pissed.
With a deep sigh, I follow after Damon and Theo, who are already heading inside to find Lucas.
Inside the dugout, it’s quiet…except for Theo’s voice, trying to talk some sense into him.
Damon spots me and exhales in relief. “Thank fuck you’re here.” He jerks his chin toward Lucas’s locker. “Talk to him, Aria. He’s losing his fucking mind.”
I step closer, arms crossed, my eyes locked on Lucas. “What the fuck is going on?” My voice is firm, but underneath it, I’m worried as hell.
He’s leaning against the locker, head pressed against the metal, his breathing still ragged.
“I don’t know, Aria,” he mutters, voice strained. “I can’t even explain this. How the fuck did I lose to him? Me? I can’t believe this shit.”
I exhale, rubbing my temples. Yeah, I had a feeling this had less to do with the game and everything to do with his so-called brother…and, of course, the fact that he somehow thinks Mark is trying to steal me from him.
“Guys, can you give us a minute?” I ask, glancing at Damon and Theo.
They hesitate, both exchanging a look before finally nodding and stepping out. I know they’re worried as hell about Lucas, but since he hasn’t told them about his new brother yet, it’s not my place to say anything.
I turn back to him. “Lucas, talk to me.” I step closer, my fingers brushing his arm. “This isn’t you. You’re not like this. Just tell me the fucking truth.”
For a moment, he doesn’t move, his chest still rising and falling in deep, heavy breaths. Then, finally, he turns around and sinks onto the bench, elbows resting on his knees.
“I’ve never felt this fucking vulnerable in my life, Aria,” he admits roughly. “It feels like I’m losing everything-my life… you.”
My breath catches.
“Me?” I drop down beside him. “Lucas, you’re not losing me. Ever. I swear it.”
He searches my eyes, and for the first time tonight, some of that anger fades into something softer. “I know. I just… I don’t know.” His hand tightens around mine, his thumb brushing over my skin. “It’s so fucking annoying that my mother suffered all those years, only for my father to cheat on her and get another woman pregnant. And now, after trying to ruin my fucking life… he suddenly wants to replace me.”
I wrap my arm around his shoulders, pulling him in slightly. “I don’t think he wants to replace you, Lucas,” I murmur, resting my forehead against his. “But that’s exactly why you need to go tomorrow. You need answers. Because this? This isn’t you. Hasty, aggressive, jealous? That’s not the Lucas I know.”
He nods, jaw still tight, but I can tell he’s listening. “But I feel like a fucking letdown,” he mutters. “Like… I’ve never really lost before.”
“You weren’t yourself, baby, and that’s okay.” I cup his face, tilting his chin so he’s looking at me. “We all have off days. What matters is how you pick yourself up after that and move forward. Losing doesn’t take away anything from how great you are.”
His lips twitch into a small smile. “Thank you, Aria… I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
I scoff, rolling my eyes. “You’re always saying that.”
“Because it’s true.” He grins, trailing his fingers up my arm, leaving a shiver in their wake. “Without you, I’d probably lose my fucking mind and go crazy.”
I laugh, but my heart melts a little. “That’s actually sweet.” I nuzzle closer, resting my head against his shoulder. “So… are you gonna accept the assistant captain’s armband?”
“Honestly?” He leans back, rubbing his jaw. “I don’t think so. I’m sorry, baby, but I just don’t like that guy. No matter how hard I try.”
I open my mouth to argue, then close it. No, I’m not gonna push him. It’s his choice.
“That’s fine.” I lift my head, my fingers playing with the hem of his jersey. “But… you could use this opportunity to redeem yourself.”
“I don’t know, Aria.”
“It’s okay.” I tilt my head up and press my lips to his, slow and deep, my fingers sliding into his hair. “Whatever you decide, I’ll support you, baby.”
He pulls me closer, his hands gripping my waist, his lips moving against mine with that dangerous intensity that always leaves me breathless.
When we finally pull apart, he grins, brushing his nose against mine. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too,” I whisper.
……
Saturday finally rolls around, and Lucas and I are all set to visit Shadow Pang Pack.
I won’t lie…I’m kinda nervous. I have no clue what to expect. I mean, am I even ready to see Alpha Marcus after all the shit he pulled? I haven’t even seen the guy in the flesh before, and now I’m about to walk straight into his territory. But I already promised Lucas I’d go with him, and there’s no way I’m backing out now.
Lucas steps into the room, his eyes immediately locking onto me. “You ready?” he asks, then freezes. “Damn… you look so fucking beautiful.”
His hand wraps around my arm, pulling me closer until our bodies brush. His eyes, dark and intense, roam over me like he’s memorizing every damn inch.
I grin, tilting my head up at him. “Really?”
I’m wearing a simple pink corporate dress…classy, mature, nothing over the top. But the way he’s looking at me? You’d think I stepped out in see-through lingerie.
“Yeah.” His voice drops, turning husky as he leans in. “If we weren’t in a hurry, I’d eat you whole.”
A shiver runs down my spine, my body instantly reacting to him. Goddess, he knows exactly what he’s doing. But he’s right…we need to get moving.
I clear my throat, forcing my gaze down his outfit instead. “You look good too,” I say, checking him out.
Lucas is dressed casually…maroon long-sleeve T-shirt, black cargo pants. And damn, casual Lucas is still so fucking sexy.
“Alright, come on, let’s roll,” he says, grabbing my hand as we head out.
Since my car hasn’t arrived yet, we take a bus. And after a grueling ten-hour trip, we finally reach the outskirts of Shadow Pang Pack territory.
We hop off the bus and grab a cab that takes us straight to the border. From there, we walk toward the entrance, my heels clicking against the pavement as my nerves start to creep in.
Then, the second the warriors at the gate spot Lucas, their eyes nearly pop out of their damn sockets.
“Alpha Lucas!” one of them blurts out, staring at him like he’s just come back from the dead. “You’re back!”
Lucas nods, his grip tightening on my hand. “Yeah, I am. How have you all been?”
“We’ve been fine, Alpha!” they answer, practically beaming. It’s obvious they’re thrilled to see him.
“I’d love for you to meet my mate and girlfriend, Aria,” he says, pulling me closer to his side.
The warriors nod respectfully. “It’s an honor. Come inside.”
Since we didn’t bring a car, they offer to drive us to the estate in a security vehicle.
As we ride through the pack, my jaw almost hits the floor. Holy shit.
Mia and Lily weren’t lying…this place is incredible. And when we finally enter the Alpha’s estate? Goddess. It’s fucking magnificent. Green landscapes, luxurious architecture, and everything a pack could need-restaurants, malls, parks.
“This place is beautiful,” I blurt out, pressing my face to the window like a damn kid.
Lucas smirks, watching me. “It is. It’s been months since I left, and honestly… I kinda missed it.”
The car stops in front of a massive gate. After a moment, it creaks open, and we pull inside.
The second Lucas and I step out, our eyes lock onto a familiar face…Beta John.
Shit. It’s been a while since I last saw him. He still has that same nonchalant look, but now, there are a few silver streaks in his hair.
“Lucas… welcome,” Beta John says, already approaching us. “Sarita said you were coming, but I didn’t think she was serious. It’s good to see you.”
“Thanks,” Lucas replies, clearly noticing John’s eyes flickering over to me.
Then, surprisingly, Beta John turns to me. “And Aria… how have you been?”
I blink. Wait, what? Was he actually being nice to me?
“I’m fine, thank you,” I answer, still a little caught off guard.
John nods. “Well, come on inside. Sarita and her mate are already talking with your new brother.”
The way he says new brother is dripping with sarcasm. Yeah, he definitely doesn’t like this situation one bit.
Lucas and I exchange a look.
“They’re already here?” Lucas asks.
“Yeah. Him and his mother arrived an hour ago. They’ve been chatting with your father since.”
We step inside the living room, and my breath catches. Damn. The architecture is breathtaking…a perfect mix of vintage and modern design, all polished and grand.
“Lucas!” A deep, desperate voice booms across the room, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I whip my head around.
The man standing there is tall, his black hair a little disheveled, his intense eyes locked onto Lucas like he’s starving for something…recognition? Forgiveness? Hell if I know.
Wait a minute… Alpha Marcus.
I barely recognize him. He’s lost weight, looking gaunt compared to the raging powerhouse I last saw on video call back then.
Lucas stiffens beside me, his jaw clenching as his eyes flicker to the couch.
I follow his gaze… and my stomach drops.
There, sitting cross-legged, is a woman-probably in her forties, her face unreadable. And next to her?
A young man.
My eyes widen.
Wait a damn minute.
Mark?