Chapter 4

Luca

I tore my lips from hers, forcing myself to cage the beast clawing inside me. The bond was dangerously pulling me in deeper with every breath.

“Take her to my room… the other one,” I ordered. If I kept her here another second, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to keep my hands or my wolf off her.

My men moved immediately, and for once, Lana didn’t fight. She just… looked at me but I couldn’t hold her gaze for long. Maybe now she understood what this bond could do. It was consuming both of us.

“Anthony,” I muttered, rubbing my eyes. “Call Mr. Vale. Tell him the earlier call was a mistake and everything is under control.”

“Yes, sir,” Anthony said, already pulling out his phone.

The Full Moon was coming. Time was running out. I had to meet my father, the Vales, and the rest of the council to make preparations for the ritual that would bind Lana and me. And doing so would save my pack from the curse gnawing at our bloodline. Everything depended on that moonlit night. I turned toward the door, straightening my cuffs, when a voice I thought I’d buried long ago slid into the room.

“Hey, Luca.”

She was leaning against the doorframe in a tight black dress.

“Tina,” I said slowly.

“I missed you.” She said with a smile.

“How the hell did you get in here?” I asked without wasting time.

“That’s the first thing you say to your ex-girlfriend?” she teased as she strolled inside and swayed her hips deliberately like she owned the place.

“I don’t remember inviting you,” I said flatly.

She brushed her lips against my cheek. It was unwanted and uncalled for. “Heard there’s a binding ritual coming up and I didn’t get an invite?”

“That’s because you weren’t supposed to.”

Tina wasn’t just a wolf. She was half-witch, half-werewolf. The kind of creature you never fully trust. We had history, sure, but it wasn’t love. It wasn’t even affection. Just two broken people using each other to forget.

Her smirk faltered under my stare. “Relax. I’m only here for a few days. I want to see the ritual. And if the witches find me without protection… well, you know the rest.”

“I’ll set you up elsewhere,” I said, folding my arms. “I’ll send men with you. That should give them a warning.”

“No.” She grinned wider. “I’ll stay here. Besides, we haven’t caught up in ages. Don’t be so cold to me.”

She waved to the maids and they obeyed instantly, hauling in her ridiculous number of bags.

“So… where’s the bride?” she asked, sniffing the air. “Odd scent and definitely not pure.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Feel at home or don’t. But stay away from Lana.”

Tina’s eyes lit up with interest. “So that’s her name. Lana. Such a pretty name. I’ll be sure to keep her… entertained while you’re busy.”

I walked out without answering. Tina used to feel like family but now she was a distraction I couldn’t afford.

***

Lana’s POV

Luca’s men moved me into another room. It was larger, brighter, and almost perfect.

The air smelled faintly of cinnamon and lemon… but underneath it, his scent lingered. Velvet curtains framed the windows. Two beds stood against opposite walls.

Wait. Two?

Was he planning to stay here with me?

The thought made my chest tighten. The last time he was near me, I’d felt my body leave itself entirely, like something had reached inside and taken control. I couldn’t stop replaying the moment he gripped my neck and kissed me.

My fingers brushed my lips before I realized what I was doing. No. No, Lana. He’s your ex. And you hate him. I brushed the thought out immediately.

A knock came, and before I could answer, the door opened.

A lady with long curls and amazing curves stepped in like this was her space. She was… stunning. But I wasn’t too comfortable with her presence.

“Well,” she said, eyes dragging over me, “don’t you look like a disaster.”

I didn’t stop looking at her. “How did you open the door? It was locked.”

Her smirk deepened. “A little witch trick.”

Witches? Perfect. As if werewolves weren’t enough. What was next, vampires?

“And who exactly are you?”

“A friend of Luca’s,” she said. “Maybe more than a friend.”

Of course. Luca was exactly the manwhore I pictured.

“And you must be his unfortunate little bride.”

I hated that she was right. Getting married to Luca wasn’t exactly fortunate. She stepped closer and sniffed the air near me.

“What the hell?” I snapped, backing away. “Are you a dog?”

Her smirk dropped. “You smell… off. Hybrid, maybe. But something’s wrong.”

Hybrid?

“What do you mean, hybrid?”

Her eyes gleamed like she’d found a secret. “Oh. You haven’t been told yet.”

“Told what?”

Instead of answering, she offered her hand. “I’m Tina and we should be friends.”

I hesitated, but she grabbed my hand before I could pull away

“Ah…!” I screamed, collapsing to my knees as a burning, stabbing sensation ripped through my chest and skull. A strange sweetness bloomed inside me, intoxicating and odd. “It hurts..stop!” I cried out, but she didn’t stop. Her eyes flashed red and I could tell she was enjoying this.

With every ounce of strength I had left, I ripped my hand free. The pain cut off instantly, leaving me gasping for air.

“You bitch! What the hell did you do?!”

Her eyes faded back to brown. And she smiled like this was funny. “Just needed confirmation.”

“Of what?” I demanded.

“Nothing important,” she said lightly as she turned for the door.

“Oh…and the side effects?” She tossed her hair over her shoulder. “They should clear in about an hour after they start. Lovely talking to you Lana.”

She left without looking back.

Hours later, the “side effects” hit and they weren’t what I had imagined. I expected weakness, nausea, or something even life-threatening but not this.

Heat spread through my skin and my wet thighs pressed together helplessly. The ache between them was unbearable. My nipples hardened painfully, rubbing against my dress with every shallow breath.

I needed… something…. No, someone.

A choked moan slipped from my lips before I could stop it and my eyes rolled back. Tears slid down my cheeks from the sheer torment of it.

“Please…” I whimpered, rocking slightly on my feet. “Please…”

Forty-five minutes in. Just fifteen to go. I could try to hold out but the door opened and Luca stepped in.

“Trying to escape again?” He grabbed my arm and that was his mistake. His expression changed instantly and he could sense that something was wrong. My body reacted to his touch like it had been starving for years. I couldn’t stop the moan that escaped me. Without thinking, I kissed him hungrily, drowning in his scent as his strong arms wrapped around me and lifted me effortlessly.

I clung to him, kissing him harder, gasping when his hand gripped my ass and pulled me closer. My fingers tore at his shirt, baring his sculpted abs and his terrifyingly beautiful tattoos. I wanted him and I hated him too. But my hatred for him could wait.

“I need you,” I gasped against his mouth. My eyes locked on his. “Inside me. Now.”