Aria I rush outside, chasing after Lucas, my heart hammering like I just ran a damn marathon. "Wait, Lucas!" He keeps walking. Of course, he does. I push harder, practically jogging now. "Lucas, wait, please!" I finally catch up, stepping right in front of him, blocking his path. Up close, I can
Damon sighs, squeezing my shoulder. "We’re just glad you’re okay." I nod, but deep down, I know I’m not okay. Not when Lucas looks at me like I’m a stranger. Not when every word he speaks feels like a dagger to my chest. Not when I know…know that I did this to him. I'm glad you're okay too. I was
Aria Lucas doesn’t even blink. "Well, I don’t have anything to say to you, so get the fuck out." He starts to shut the door, but I throw my hand out, stopping it. "Are you seriously not gonna give me a chance? Don’t you wanna know what I’ve been up to all this time?" My voice comes out frantic, d
Aria "Are you done?" Lucas calls from the other side of the door. "Uh, yeah... I—I don’t have... my clothes are wet," I mumble, stepping out hesitantly. His gaze flicks over me before he tosses a large T-shirt my way. "Here." "Thanks." I clutch it like it's a damn lifeline and slip it on over t
Aria I shift a little, still half-asleep, when my hand lands on something hard… and warm. And holy hell…the scent. That intoxicating, musky, Lucas smell that makes my knees weak every damn time. My eyes flutter open, and there he is, smiling down at me like some Greek god. “You’re finally awake,”
“Damn right.” I smile, my fingers trailing over his bare chest. “Just us.” And hell, I’m not complaining. …… “So, you guys are actually going on a fucking New Year’s cruise?” Damon mutters, raising a brow as he looks between me and Lucas like we’ve grown two heads. “Yup,” Lucas grins, all proud
Aria I can’t fucking believe it’s almost New Year. I wrap my arms around Lucas’s neck, resting my forehead against his. “This trip went by way too fast,” I breathe out, the cool ocean breeze brushing against my skin. We’re out on the ship’s deck, way past midnight. Christmas lights are strung eve
**Before Christmas And New Year** Mia We’re finally here…Damon’s family house. And by house, I mean giant-ass mansion. Seriously, this place is straight out of a movie. It’s tucked away inside Alpha Marcus’s private estate, right in the middle of the Shadow Pang pack territory. Damon’s family i
Lucas The second I hit the room, I just crash onto the bed like my body finally gave up. I yank the blanket over my face like that’s gonna block out the bullshit in my head. My skull feels like it’s about to explode, and my chest? Yeah, that shit’s not doing any better either. It’s like someone’s
But Lucas? Oh no. He’s not calming down one bit. “I can’t calm down, Aria. You need to say something right now. Tell this idiot you belong in Shadow Pang.” He’s practically barking it, and honestly, I’m about two seconds from losing it too. “Lucas,” I start, trying real hard to keep my voice soft a
Aria “Aria, I’m telling you, there’s nothing to be scared of. I mean, yeah, the Hollow sect are creepy as hell and all that, but Alpha Marcel’s got the resources. He’s got the people, the connections. You’re safe here,” Mark says the second we step into the living room, like he’s trying to sell me
Aria After I shower and get dressed, Lucas and I head downstairs for breakfast. Alpha Marcel’s not in the living room yet, and Mark... well, goddess knows where he is. Probably off being mysterious and annoying, as usual. We make our way to the dining room where the maid who called us is already
I turn to the side, my back pressed against his chest, and his arm slides around my waist like it belongs there. His body’s warm, grounding, and his scent…gosh it's so soothing. “Goodnight, baby,” he whispers, pressing a soft kiss to my shoulder. “Goodnight, baby,” I murmur back, letting my hand s
Aria “Oh yeah… they’re not here right now,” Alpha Marcel says, scratching his head like he’s trying to dig out the answer. “They went outta the country to visit a relative of my wife.” I nod, but honestly, it sounds like total bullshit. Like, really? In the middle of all this chaos? The pack’s cu
“Let me guess. He said, ‘Screw this fire crap’?” “Pretty much. Said it was barbaric and refused to keep sacrificing his people. And the moment he stopped? Curse hit us like a wrecking ball. No sunlight, no crops, no peace. Just rot and death. Now there’s some weird-ass illness spreading…werewolves
Aria Lola takes a deep breath, glancing over my shoulder like someone might be eavesdropping, then locks eyes with me. “Your mother... she was a beautiful and brave woman,” she says, and for a second, she looks like she’s about to cry or punch someone. “I used to wait on her.” Wait, what? “You did
Alpha Marcel groans like I just smacked him with nothing but facts duh. "You’re right," he mutters, rubbing his forehead. "I’m just, you know... skeptical. I’m scared because he grew up with his father, and I worry he’ll be like him." I shake my head and look straight at Lucas, feeling my heart do