Chapter 5 - Lucas Black

“Who is here? Jessica asked, trying to peer past Jack, expecting to see a threat.

“The next one,” Jack turned, his amber eyes glowing as he took his gaze to Jessica, “When he gets here, I’m going to need to protect you. Things are going to get a lot more dangerous.”

That hauntingly eerie howl still echoed through her, running around her head as she followed Jack toward the Southern ridge. Jessica noticed as the sky drew to darkness, night was sneaking upon them, and the trees grew thicker the further on they traveled. The trees started to appear as though they were from a horror movie, their roots twisting and turning over the forest floor like bony skeletal fingers.

“Why are you so hesitant to tell me who this is?” Jessica asked, becoming impatient that Jack was so secretive about someone who allegedly was going to help her save the world, or something.

Jack’s jaw tightened as he heard her question, but he was quick to answer. “Lucas Black. Alpha of the Bloodlust Pack”

The Bloodlust Pack. That name stirred something deep down in Jessica’s memory of a tall, slender boy with silver-grey eyes and hair to match the colour. He had watched her once during a training session, but he said nothing. He just stared at Jessica as though she were invisible, like he could see right through the she-wolf. It wasn’t long until Jack and Jessica broke through the trees and into a clearing between them. The moonlight illuminated the surrounding space, and it was there she realised Lucas was waiting. His body looked as though it had been carved from stone, his shoulders broad and muscles toned as he soaked up the moonlight. The energy from his wolf emanated from Lucas like waves crashing against the rocks. Lucas’ eyes locked onto Jessica, his gaze intense and intimidating.

“You,” he said as his commanding voice spoke to her.

“Me,” Jessica responded, trying to stay confident and not as weak as Lucas made her feel. He was intimidating, and she could feel the hairs on her arm standing on end. Lucas stepped forward, his strides long and elegant with his movement. He stopped before Jessica, close enough for her to feel the intense heat radiating from his perfect marble skin.

Lucas’ eyes narrowed as he studied Jessica.“You have changed.”

The frustration hit Jessica, and she felt her brow furrow. “You remember me?”

Lucas’ eyes dropped from her gaze and across Jessica’s body, lingering unapologetically on the curve of her shapely hips. “I never forgot you, Jessica.” his voice trembled as he spoke her name. Before Jessica had the chance to respond, Lucas lifted his hand and ran his fingers across her cheek. Her body trembled from his touch, and a soft gasp escaped her lips.

A growl simmered deep within Jack’s throat, and Jessica saw his eyes begin to burn with ember rage “Back off Black.”

“Jessica is not your possession, Hansen,” Lucas said, a smile forming on his lips as his eyes remained focused on the redhead.

“She isn’t yours either,” Jack responded with a dissatisfied grunt.

Lucas’s eyes remained on Jessica, and she watched his silver eyes sparkle with excitement. “We will see.”

Jessica’s pulse hammered in her chest, her heart racing as Lucas’ eyes, desperate for her, sent her reeling with excitement.

“Goddess help me,” she whispered under her breath. She was beginning to adore how much these gorgeous men desired her.

Jessica knew she should have immediately after this incident. Go back to the Moonfury pack to collect the last possessions belonging to her grandmother, and head back to her home in the City. Of course, that would have been the sensible thing to do. Jessica knew she needed to put some distance between the alphas and forget about this prophecy. She thought she should have stayed out of this fight, considering Jack and Lucas were ready to tear each other apart!

It seemed that common sense had never been Jessica’s strong point, not when danger was involved. Lucas wasn’t in any hurry to let Jessica leave, and Jack couldn’t imagine leaving her alone with Lucas Black. In his mind, Lucas was the worst of the four of them. This is how Jessica found herself caught in the centre of this now, the two alphas circling one another, ready to fight, and neither one of them was looking to back down anytime soon.

“Come on now, boys, this isn’t a contest,” Jessica said, crossing her arms over her chest and a pout on her lips. “As I said before, I’m not a prize to be won.”

Lucas shot an intense gaze toward Jessica, his grey eyes shimmered in the moonlight as a chuckle escaped his lips, “When an alpha is involved, Jessica, everything is a contest. We fight for what is rightfully ours. Of course, the strongest alpha wins.”

Jack returned with a laugh, “You’re a sore loser, Black, and I assure you, you will be sore after I’m done with you.”

“I never lose,” Lucas said confidently as she shot his wicked gaze at Jack. “Ever”

Feeling the tension between the competing alphas caused Jessica’s skin to prick with electricity. She was extremely aware that she was gaining so much attention from both alphas, and she was afraid of what would happen. Would one of them die? And the victor’s prize was to claim Jessica as his own? She felt their intense gaze on her, burning into her flesh as she sensed they were attempting to mark her as their mate just by their fiery stares.

Jessica tried to remain calm, to steady her breathing before she began panicking. She wasn’t used to this attention, going through her life keeping men at a distance after her horrible experience with relationships. “Please, don’t do this. I’m not worth fighting over this way.”

Jack flinched as he heard the words Jessica spoke, the negativity she surrounded herself with, and he felt his stomach twist at the idea of the she-wolf thinking herself so unimportant. “Any man would be lucky to have you, Jessica, and we will fight to the death to deserve your love.”

Lucas snorted at Jack’s compassionate comment, “Jessica, you have been absent for a decade. If you are the one the prophecy speaks of, the future Queen, then your wolf will respond to the alpha’s challenge.”

Jack’s eyes burned in his amber tone, brighter than before. “Don’t you try and force Jessica to make a decision just yet,” a growl simmered deep inside his throat.

“Perhaps you are afraid Jessica will choose me. “You’re intimidated by my power,” Lucas said, expanding his chest with confidence.

That made Jack stiffen, his eyes flashing molten amber.