LOGINLUCAThe scent of the car—usually comforting leather—was drowned out by the heavy, coppery scent of Aria’s blood.Every time I glanced sideways, I saw the crimson smear on the passenger seat—on her face—and my gut twisted into a knot no amount of whiskey could numb. I’d done this. The Alpha who was supposed to be the ultimate protector had just broken his mate's nose because he couldn’t keep his own temper in check."Aria, talk to me," I rasped, my hands gripping the wheel so hard the leather groaned. "How’s the breathing? Is it getting harder?"Aria didn't look at me. She just pressed a bunch of napkins to her face, her eyes fixed on the window. "I’m fine. Just stop the car.""You're not fine. You're bleeding through the paper.""I said stop the car, Luca! Let me out. I’ll call a cab. I’ll call Brandon—""Don't say his name," I snapped, the growl vibrating in my chest before I
ARIAThe world went blurry as fists started flying and the sharp smell of adrenaline hit.The two of them tumbled across the asphalt, their expensive clothes ripping as they snarled at each other.Every time I tried to reach in—to grab a shoulder, a sleeve, anything—they slammed together so hard I almost went down with them."Luca, stop! You’re going to kill him!" I screamed, but my voice was swallowed by the growing murmur of the crowd.People were everywhere now. I could see the lenses of dozens of phones reflecting the streetlights, capturing every ugly second. A group of teenagers stood by the curb, whispering and pointing as the Alpha of the Stormbourne pack acted like a common thug in the dirt.Luca managed to get the upper hand, hauling Brandon up by his collar and slamming him against the hood of the Porsche. The thud was sickening."Is this what you wanted?" Luca roared, his face inches from Brandon’s. "To crawl int
ARIALuca stood by his car, his chest heaving, his face twisted into a sneer that made him look like a total stranger."Startled, Aria?" he spat, spitting the words out like broken glass. "I guess that’s the look people get when they’re caught red-handed. I didn't realize the ink on the divorce papers had to be dry before you started auditioning the replacement.""Caught?" I stepped forward, my hands curling into fists at my sides. "I’m having dinner with my lawyer and a friend, Luca. It’s called a life. You should try having one that doesn't involve stalking me.""A friend?" He let out a harsh, barking laugh that didn't reach his eyes. "Is that what we're calling him now? You admitted it, remember? Back at the house. You told me you were involved with him."Behind me, I heard the car door click. Brandon stepped out, his expression shifting from confusion to a deep, worried frown. "Involved? Aria, what is he talking about?"My face went nuclear. I could feel the heat radiating off my
LUCAThe silence in the study was eating me alive. I’d spent the last three hours staring at the divorce decree on my desk, the words blurring into a mess of legal jargon that basically said my life was over. My phone buzzed on the mahogany surface, vibrating like an angry hornet.Ivy.I let it ring out. I wasn't in the mood for her "consolation" or whatever angle she was playing today. But then it buzzed again. And a third time.I grabbed it, my thumb sliding across the screen with more force than necessary. "What, Ivy? I’m busy.""Wow, someone’s in a mood," she chirped, though her voice sounded tight, like she’d been chewed up and spit out. "I just thought you should know what your 'loyal' wife is up to on the eve of your big day."I stiffened, the wolf inside me lifting its head. "Speak.""I just saw her at Le Sel. She wasn't exactly mourning the end of her marriage, Luca. She was tucked away in a corner with two men. The
ARIAI stood by the window, watching the city lights begin to blink on, feeling like a ghost at my own celebration.Tasha was in her element, leaning against a display table and animatedly chatting with Brandon. She was doing that thing where she laughed a little too loud to make him feel welcome, and Brandon—bless him—was taking it all in with his usual, steady patience. He looked good in the soft gallery lighting, a calm port in the middle of my storm."He’s got it bad for you, you know."I jumped slightly as Nova slid up beside me, two glasses of sparkling cider in her hands. She handed me one, her eyes tracking Tasha and Brandon."He’s just being supportive, Nova. Don't start," I murmured, taking a sip."Supportive doesn't usually come with five-foot-tall flower stands and a look that says he’d fight a rogue for you," she countered, her voice dropping. "So, real talk. The hearing is tomorrow. You still solid?"I lo
LUCAI felt dizzy like a hammer against my skull.Rowan was gone—taken to the ER with a jaw that was probably wired shut by now. I sat alone in the wreckage of the VIP booth, staring at the amber liquid left in my glass. It looked like poison. It tasted like regret."Alpha. Enough."Alder was standing there with disapproval look. He didn’t stare at me with fear anymore; he looked at me with pity. That stung worse than the punch I’d landed on Rowan."I'm fine, Alder. Leave the bottle.""You’re not fine. You’re a mess," Alder snapped, crossing his arms. He wasn't playing the loyal Beta right now; he was being the only guy left with a spine. "Think about the kids, Alpha. You go home smelling like a distillery and looking like you crawled out of a gutter—is that what Adrian and Aurora need? A father who’s checked out because his ego is bruised?"The mention of their names was like a bucket of ice water. I looke
ARIAThe coast was finally clear.Luca had left at the crack of dawn for a "high-level acquisition" meeting that sounded boring and, more importantly, lengthy.He’d kissed my forehead—a lingering, confusing touch that still made my skin tingle—and vanished into the back of a black sedan.I didn't w
ARIAThe panic didn’t hit me all at once. It was a slow, sickening crawl that started in my stomach and ended with me frantically dumping the contents of my bag onto the backseat of the silver sedan.Lipstick. A crumbled receipt. My office ID. A stray pacifier I’d forgotten I was carrying. But no p
ARIAMy head hit the desk with a soft thump. The laminated wood was cool against my forehead, a small mercy compared to the fog currently occupying my brain."Aria? You’re still with us, or should I call an ambulance?"I peeled my face off the desk to see Tasha standing there, clutching a stack of
ARIAThe muffled music from the gala felt like a distant taunt.Trapped in that shadowy alcove with Luca, his possessive words lingering in my ears, I could feel a different kind of pressure building—a familiar, aching throb in my chest.My milk.It had been hours since I’d pumped, and the combinat







