Aria
I swing the door open, and four men are standing there, their eyes cold as hell, like I personally pissed in their cereal this morning.
“The fuck do you guys want?” I snap, my teeth grinding.
They don’t answer. Instead, they exchange a glance, and the next thing I know, they charge at me.
I dodge the first guy’s punch and land a solid kick to his side. Another one swings, but I duck just in time and sweep his legs out from under him. The third bastard comes from behind and wraps his arm around my neck like he’s trying to squeeze the life out of me, while the fourth one moves in fast. I drive my knee into the guy in front, sending him stumbling back, then flip over the one behind me, breaking his hold before slamming my fist into his skull.
But these assholes just won’t stay down. They keep coming at me like I’m the final boss in a video game, and honestly? I really don’t want to kill anyone. I mean, what if I get charged with murder? These guys aren’t even werewolves…I can’t just tear them apart and walk away like nothing happened.
That thought doesn’t last long because, within seconds, I’m getting overpowered. My punches aren’t landing as hard, and my breathing is turning ragged. Maybe it’s time to get my hands dirty because if I don’t, I’ll be the one lying dead on the floor.
Before I can make my next move, the front door slams open, and Mark storms in like a goddamn wrecking ball. He grabs one guy by the collar and hurls him across the room. The others freeze, then scramble the fuck out of my apartment like cockroaches when the lights turn on.
I stand there, panting, hands on my knees. “Holy shit… what the hell was that?”
Mark nudges one of the guys still on the floor with his foot. No response.
“What do we do about this one?” I ask, pointing at the motionless body. “Is he, uh… dead?”
Mark kicks him again…harder this time. Nothing.
“Yeah, we should probably get out of here,” he mutters.
“Wait, what? Is he actually dead?” I stare at Mark, hoping he says no.
Mark nods, like it’s no big deal. “Come on. We don’t want the cops showing up.”
“The police?” I nearly choke on my own breath. I start pacing, hands in my hair. “Listen, I didn’t do anything. This was self-defense! I don’t even know who the fuck these guys are!”
“They’re hunters,” Mark says, already grabbing my arm and pulling me toward the door. “And there’s more where they came from. Let’s go.”
I hesitate, looking back at the guy on the floor. Something about leaving like this doesn’t sit right with me.
“I can’t just leave,” I say, jaw tight.
“And why the hell not?” Mark looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “They’re gonna be back. And when they come, they’re gonna be pissed.”
I don’t fight him when he drags me outside. By the time we reach his car, my head is spinning. The second I slide into the passenger seat, I whip my head toward him.
“So, how do you even know they were after me?” I ask, arms crossed.
Mark grips the steering wheel but doesn’t start the car. “I don’t know… I’ve been watching you closely. I just felt it. Like, I could tell you were being followed.”
I groan and throw my head back against the seat. “Fuck. I should’ve listened to my wolf. She warned me, but I thought she was just being paranoid. I’m such a fucking knucklehead.”
Mark chuckles, but something about his words sticks with me. I sit up straight and turn to him. “Wait a second…what do you mean you felt it? You’re not my mate. You shouldn’t be able to sense when I’m in trouble.”
He exhales, gripping the wheel a little tighter. “I don’t know, Aria. I just… did. Probably because I’m always watching you?”
“Always?” I raise a brow.
“I’m just kidding,” Mark says between laughs. “I’m no stalker, so calm down. By the way, where’s he?”
“Who?” I ask, even though I know exactly who he’s talking about.
“Lucas. I don’t see him anywhere.”
I let out a sigh. “I don’t know… I’ll try to mind-link him now.”
Closing my eyes, I reach out to him through the bond-but nothing. Just silence. I try again. Still nothing.
Why the fuck are you ignoring me, Lucas? Just talk to me already. I need to know you’re alright.
Mark shifts beside me. “He’s not answering, is he?” He clicks his tongue. “Typical.”
I shoot him a glare but, honestly? Lucas is really pissing me off right now. He’s my mate, for goddess’ sake. Shouldn’t he sense that something’s up? I’m so tired of this.
Just as I’m about to give up, his voice finally comes through. ‘Aria, are you alright?’ He sounds out of it, exhausted.
‘Lucas, where are you? I’ve been worried sick about you.’
‘I’m fine… I just…’He pauses. ‘Are you alright? Your wolf seems on edge.’
Of course Gail is on edge. Our mate was supposed to come save us, not someone else.
‘I’m fine,’ I say quickly. He already sounds like he’s barely holding it together…I don’t want to add to his stress by telling him about the mess I just got out of.
‘Okay,’ he murmurs. ‘You should stay at Aunt Esther’s for a while… just a few days.’
I freeze. ‘What? What happened? You’re not coming home?’ My stomach knots. ‘Lucas, where are you? Please…’
‘Aria, calm down. I’m fine… I just need some time to clear my head. Everyone keeps saying I’m losing it, and honestly? I don’t like how I’ve been acting lately either. Maybe a little alone time will help.’
I swallow hard. ‘Away from me?’ My voice cracks through the link, and it takes everything in me not to cry. ‘Lucas…’
‘Aria, baby, it’s not you,’ he says softly. ‘In fact, it’s all my damn fault. Just look at what happened today… I hurt you, Aria. I did that to you.’
‘It was a mistake,’ I whisper.
‘Even so… baby, I still did it. I’ll be back, I promise.’
I don’t respond. I can’t without breaking down.
‘Aria, please don’t cry,’ he pleads. ‘You know I love you. More than life itself.’
I press my hand to my chest. ‘Are… are you going to keep in touch?&
‘Of course, baby. If that’s what you want,’ he reassures me. ‘I’ll be back. It’s just for a few days.’
I nod even though he can’t see me. But deep down, it doesn’t feel like just a few days. It feels like something else. Something final.
‘When you come back, I have something important to tell you,’ I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
Lucas inhales sharply.
‘It’s not a breakup or a rejection!’ I rush to add.
He chuckles, and damn it, my heart flutters at the sound. Goddess, I miss him already.
‘Of course not,’ he says. ‘I’ll look forward to it, baby. Where are you, by the way?’
I glance around, then side-eye Mark, who’s been suspiciously quiet. He knows exactly what I’m doing right now.
‘Inside the apartment,’ I answer vaguely.
If I told Lucas I was with Mark, he’d lose his damn mind. I really don’t need that right now.
‘Okay, baby. But will you be alright alone?’
‘I’ll stay with Mia and Lily for now,’ I lie smoothly.
‘Alright then… I have to go.’
I exhale slowly. ‘I love you, Lucas. Never forget that.’
‘I love you too,’ he murmurs. His voice cracks just slightly. ‘Goodbye.’
And then…he’s gone.
I bury my face in my hands, but the tears fall anyway.
“You okay?” Mark asks gently.
I shake my head.
“Was it him?”
I nod.
“When is he coming back?”
“I don’t know.” My voice is hoarse. “He says he needs a few days to get it together.”
Mark is silent for a moment, then sighs. “Maybe you could use this opportunity to go to Moon River.”
“What?”
“Yeah,” he nods. “You can go find out if everything I told you was legit.”
……
Lucas
I stand behind a parked car, my eyes locked on the red sports car in front of my apartment. My chest feels tight. She told me she was inside.
But she’s with him.
Mark.
Another lie. Just like the ones she’s been telling me these past few days.
I don’t want to believe it. I don’t want to think that Aria has feelings for him. But the thought won’t leave me alone. And it’s driving me fucking insane.
I came here because I felt something was wrong. That bond, that pull toward her…it told me she was in danger. But instead of finding her in trouble, I found her walking out of the apartment with him.
I didn’t leave. I stay. Watching. Waiting. Trying to make sense of whatever is going on between them.
What’s so special that she couldn’t tell me? What were they discussing in there?
Even after our mind-link, I stayed…just five more minutes. Just in case. Hoping she’d step out of that car….
But she never did.
She followed him. Drove off without looking back.
Maybe it’s too late.
Maybe I’ve already lost her trust.
And soon… I’ll lose her love too.