Aria
Okay, so things are intense as hell right now. Lucas is full-on murder glaring at Mark, while Mark keeps clenching and unclenching his fists like he’s deciding whether to throw a punch or not. His mother, Jane, looks like she wants to claw Lucas’s face off with her manicured nails. And Alpha Marcus? The man looks scandalized like he just walked in on a live episode of Maury where the paternity test results are not in his favor.
“Lucas, please, son… I know this is hard, but Mark is your brother,” Marcus finally finds his voice, looking like he’s about to break into an Oscar-worthy speech. “If you give him a chance, I’m sure you’ll love him. Remember, you always wanted a brother.”
Lucas lets out a humorless laugh, shaking his head. “Yeah, I said that. But I didn’t mean a fucking bastard child from an extra-marital affair.”
Marcus clutches his chest. “Lucas, my goddess…please, show some respect.”
Lucas snorts. “Respect? Did you respect Mom? And now you wanna compensate these-” he gestures to Jane and Mark with all the disgust of someone pointing at a pile of shit on a dinner table “-these fucking gold diggers?”
Jane gasps dramatically, flipping her too-perfect hair back. “Enough! I will not allow you to speak that way about me and my son!” She stares daggers at Lucas, but Lucas glares right back.
Marcus sighs, rubbing his temples. “Jane, please, calm down… Lucas is just a bit shocked.”
“I’m not shocked, Dad. I meant every fucking word I said.” Lucas folds his arms, looking between Jane and Mark. “Open your fucking eyes. These people? They’re not genuine. They’re here for your money…it’s written all over their faces.”
Marcus exhales slowly. “Lucas, please…”
“No, Dad.” Lucas cuts him off sharply, standing up. “It’s time you start listening to me. You’ve been pestering me to come back, only for me to find out you cheated on my mom and expect me to accept this? Enough. If you’re not gonna do what I say, then I’m leaving.”
“Lucas, please, calm down-” Sarita chimes in.
Lucas doesn’t even acknowledge her. “And this time? I’m not coming back.” His voice is firm, final. “Keep everything. Hell, give it to your new family.” He reaches for my hand. “Come on, Aria, let’s go.”
I hesitate, my eyes flicking to Marcus, who looks so damn desperate, like a man begging for just one last chance.
“No… please… don’t leave,” Marcus whispers brokenly.
Lucas grits his teeth and looks away, yanking me forward. But I don’t budge.
“Just… calm down,” I whisper, squeezing his hand.
Lucas huffs at me. “I don’t want to, Aria. We’re leaving. Now.”
I sigh, glancing back at Marcus. I want to tell Lucas to stay, but I know him…it will break him if I don’t side with him. So, I mouth a quick “Sorry” to Marcus and let Lucas drag me along.
But just as we reach the door…
“Lucas! Lucas…” Marcus’s voice cuts off.
Then comes the scream from Sarita.
We both whip around, and my heart fucking stops.
Marcus is on the floor, his body shaking like he’s having a stroke. Beta John and Mark are already at his side, trying to hold him down.
Lucas freezes, then runs back without a second thought.
But Jane whirls on him like an elegant demon in designer heels.
“GET OUT!” she shrieks, her voice high and sharp. “THIS IS YOUR FAULT! YOU CAUSED THIS!”
Lucas doesn’t even acknowledge Jane’s screeching. He just shoves Mark out of the way and hoists Marcus onto his back like he weighs nothing.
“Take him to his room. I’ll call the doctor right now.” Beta John is already moving before he even finishes talking.
Sarita and I follow Lucas as he carries Marcus upstairs and into his room. He lays him down gently, adjusting the pillow under his head.
Marcus isn’t shaking anymore. But he’s also not moving.
Sarita swallows hard. “Is he… is he dead?”
Good fucking question. Because that was exactly what was running through my mind too.
Lucas shakes his head, jaw tight. “No… he’s not. I can still hear his heartbeat.” He’s trying to sound strong, but I know him. This is messing him up. He’s probably already blaming himself.
I squeeze his shoulder, making him look at me. “He’s gonna be alright.”
Lucas nods, forcing a small smile, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
The door swings open, and Beta John walks in with a guy in glasses, a medical bag in hand. The doctor doesn’t waste a second, immediately moving to check on Marcus.
I suddenly feel like I’m intruding on something personal.
“I’ll be outside.” I murmur to Lucas.
Lucas nods, brushing a soft kiss against my lips. “I’ll be out soon.”
I nod back at Sarita and slip out, heading back downstairs.
When I step into the living room, Mark and his mother are sitting there, whispering in hushed tones. The moment they spot me, they immediately shut up, turning toward me like I just caught them discussing a deep secret.
Mark attempts a smile, but it’s weak as fuck, guilt practically oozing off him.
His mother…oh, here we go…puts on the fakest concerned look I’ve ever seen. Her face is so frozen in Botox-ville, I wonder if she even has real emotions left.
“Oh, how’s he doing? Is he alright?” She’s trying to sound genuine, but even her sad face looks plastic.
I fold my arms, giving her a once-over. Brown hair, green eyes…yeah, Mark is definitely her son. And no offense, but Lucas is so right about her. From the overpriced dress to the designer bag to the layer of makeup thicker than a quicksand, she screams gold digger.
“I don’t know,” I say with just a hint of attitude. “But I’m sure he’s gonna be alright.”
Jane crosses her legs, her movements elegant but so calculated.
“So, you’re Aria.”
I narrow my eyes. “You know me?”
She gives a small, knowing smile. “Yes… my son told me all about you.”
I flick my gaze to Mark. He looks like he immediately regrets existing.
Mark exhales, rubbing the back of his neck. “Aria, I know you’re probably shocked about everything, but I swear, I didn’t mean to…”
“Mean to what?” I cut him off, crossing my arms. “You purposely approached me, didn’t you? Lucas was right. You do have an ulterior motive.”
Mark shakes his head. “I swear, I just wanted to get to know Lucas. That’s all. Believe it or not, I’ve always wanted a brother too.”
I scoff. “Yeah, well, I can’t trust you anymore, Mark. Sorry.” And I’m not even a little bit sorry.
Jane smirks, the kind of smirk that makes me wanna throw something at her. “You know, Aria, you should start thinking about yourself instead of Lucas every single time.”
I blink. Then I laugh. “What the fuck are you getting at right now?”
She tilts her head, her fake sympathy act slipping a little. “So… Martha. Your mother. Do you know much about her?”
My whole body goes rigid.
What the fuck.
My mother’s name. How the hell does she know my mother’s name?
My voice comes out sharp. “How…Who told you my mother’s name?”
Jane laughs, shaking her head like I’m some clueless child. “Oh, Aria… you have no idea, do you? You have no clue who she was. Who you are. Who you are meant to be.”
My chest tightens.
“The fuck are you talking about?”
Jane leans forward, looking way too pleased with herself.
“Aria, my dear… you’re no ordinary werewolf.”