Aria
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I shove at Mark’s chest, but the asshole doesn’t budge.
He just smirks. “Aren’t you here because you’re looking for me?”
I scoff. “No. I’m looking for Lucas, not you.”
Mark chuckles. “Alright, alright. If that’s how you wanna play it, then fine. You can go.”
I narrow my eyes. I know what he’s doing…baiting me, trying to get me curious and desperate. And the worst part? It’s fucking working.
I exhale sharply. “Now that I’m here, can you at least tell me about my parents?” I keep my tone neutral, trying not to show just how badly I need answers.
He smirks again. “Why should I? You weren’t searching for me. You were looking for Lucas.”
I roll my eyes.”Quit playing and just talk.”
“I will…” His smirk widens, full of mischief. “If you do something for me.”
I cross my arms. “And what is it?”
Mark leans in, his face way too close to mine. “I want you to kiss me.”
“What the fuck?!” I shove him…harder this time, and glare. “I’m such a fucking idiot for even considering giving you a chance!”
I spin on my heel, ready to walk the fuck away, but he grabs my arm.
“Whoa, calm down! I was just kidding!”
“Fuck you,” I snap.
Mark sighs. “I’m sorry, Aria. I mean it. I use dark humor too much. I shouldn’t have said that. Won’t happen again.”
I still don’t trust him. The way he looks at me makes my skin crawl, but… I need answers.
I sigh. “Fine. If you actually have something to say, say it. I need to go find Lucas. He’s probably waiting for me.” I cross my arms and glare at him.
Mark finally gets serious. “Alright. That man, Kane? He’s not your father. He was your mother’s bodyguard…the guy her husband sent to protect her while she was pregnant.”
I frown. “And you know this how?”
Mark tilts his head. “Aria… didn’t Alpha Marcus tell you anything? I know he knows Kane isn’t your real father.”
I hesitate. “Well, he didn’t.” Total lie. “So just fucking spill, Mark. I’m tired of all this cryptic bullshit.”
He sighs, running a hand through his hair. “Fine. Your father’s name is Alpha Marcel. He’s the Alpha King of the Moon River Pack…a pack in New York.”
My heart damn near stops. “What?”
Mark nods. “Yep.”
“But if he’s my father, why did he send my mother away? Why was she with another man?”
Mark sighs, looking down like he’s debating whether to tell me the whole truth. Then, he finally meets my gaze. “Because you’re special, Aria. You’re a prophecy wolf.”
I laugh. A bitter, disbelieving laugh. “That’s impossible. I’m not special. I’m just a regular-ass she-wolf.”
“That’s because you haven’t trained yet,” Mark says smoothly. “Think about it. Haven’t you always felt like your wolf doesn’t fully connect with you? Like she’s not always on your side?”
I stiffen.
Because fuck.
He’s right.
I narrow my eyes. He kinda has a point. Sometimes I feel like Gail thinks I’m a fucking idiot.
“She’s waiting for you to realize yourself,” Mark says, all mysterious and shit. “To unlock your potential.”
I bark out a laugh. “This is so fucking stupid. Are you serious right now? What potential? What prophecy? What the hell are you even talking about?”
Mark sighs, rubbing his temples. “I can’t go into details right now. But Aria, this is bigger than you think. It’s not some simple thing. If you wanna know everything, you have to go there…to the pack.”
I snort. “Yeah, well, I ain’t going back to the man who abandoned me.”
Mark exhales sharply. “Aria, he didn’t abandon you. He… did it to save you.”
I fold my arms. “Save me from what, Mark? Spill it already.”
“I can’t!” He looks frustrated as hell now, glancing around like someone’s listening in. “It’s too dangerous. The walls have ears.”
Oh, for fuck’s sake.
I shake my head. “I cannot believe this is happening.”
“Aria, just take some deep breaths,” he pleads.
“I’m not taking any fucking deep breaths! You know what? Just forget everything. Forget everything you just told me, I beg you.”
Mark gives me this look. “Aria, that’s not gonna happen. They already know you’re alive.”
My stomach drops. “They? Who the fuck is ‘they’?”
Mark presses his lips together. Tight. Silent.
I groan. “Is it true the pack is cursed?”
Mark’s frown deepens. “Who told you that?”
I shrug. “I heard it somewhere.”
“That’s bullshit. There’s no damn curse.” He hesitates, like he wants to say something else. “Maybe…” He trails off, glancing behind me.
And then I feel it.
The shift in the air. The scent hitting me.
Mark rolls his eyes. “Your boyfriend’s here.”
I turn, and yep, there he is…stalking toward us like he’s this close to murdering someone.
What excuse do I come up with this time?
“Aria, so this is where you are.” Lucas’ voice is sharp as he steps closer, eyes locked on Mark. “I heard you were looking for me.”
I force a smile, trying to keep shit casual. “Yeah… I heard you were with the warriors, so I figured I’d, you know, get some fresh air. And then I ran into Mark.”
Lucas doesn’t look convinced. His glare stays fixed on Mark, who, as usual, is enjoying this way too much.
“There’s nothing to worry about, bro,” Mark says, smirking like the asshole he is. “I’m not gonna steal your girlfriend.”
Oh, I want to punch him.
Lucas scoffs. “What the hell is that even supposed to mean? You think you’re any match for me?”
Mark shrugs. “I did beat you for the captain’s armband, didn’t I?”
Lucas laughs, cold and sharp, stepping closer until they’re practically nose to nose. He’s taller, more muscular…hotter, too, hello…and Mark knows it.
“That was a fucking fluke. Nothing more, nothing less,” Lucas says dismissive as fuck.
Mark’s smirk fades. Good. That’s the Lucas I know…confident, ruthless, and not in the mood for bullshit.
“Let me warn you,” Lucas continues, his tone turning deadly. “You ever mess with Aria, I’ll fucking end you.”
Then, without another word, he grabs my arm. “Let’s go.”
“Wait.”
Mark’s voice stops us, and Lucas slowly turns back, his grip on me tightening.
Mark’s smirk is back. “Stay the fuck in your lane, Lucas. Or I might just take everything from you. I already took something, didn’t I?”
Lucas’ jaw tightens. “You didn’t take shit.”
“Didn’t I, though? I heard you told some people you didn’t wanna be on the hockey team anymore.”
Lucas rolls his eyes. “That was in the moment. And actually? I’ll be at the training ground on Monday. As assistant captain. I’ll be the one taking that fucking armband from you.”
Mark grins. “I’d love to see you try.” Then he turns to me. “See you later, Aria. I had a lovely time.” His eyes glint with mischief. “Don’t forget what we talked about. It’s important we move quickly.”
He flashes one last smirk before strolling away, on purpose, leaving Lucas to stare at me like I just got caught plotting a fucking heist.
And sure enough…
Lucas’ eyes narrow. “What was that all about?”
Shit.