Chapter 6

Dr. Hawthorne visibly wilted under Lucas's scorching glare, stammering an incoherent apology before practically fleeing the room.

Lucas stalked to Aria's bedside, his face twisted with barely contained rage: "When some random guy hits on you like that, you're supposed to tell him I'm your mate. Is that so fucking hard? Or were you enjoying the attention?"

Aria stared at him, finding his reaction darkly comical.

Just hours ago he'd sworn to his friends he'd never have feelings for her and never let her be his Luna "in this lifetime," yet here he was, bristling with jealousy like she was his prized possession. The hypocrisy was breathtaking.

When had he ever cared before? All those times she'd desperately wanted his attention, he'd been cold and distant. Now that she no longer cared, suddenly he was staking his claim? Too little, too late.

A few days after her discharge, Lucas unexpectedly suggested they attend a pack gathering at The Night.

She knew he typically avoided such events, dismissing them as "pathetic nostalgia fests for wolves who peaked in Elite Academy." His sudden interest was transparent-this wasn't about reconnecting with old friends.

Sure enough, the moment they arrived, Aria spotted Leila Blackwood across the

room.

There she was-Miss Perfect herself. Designer dress, effortless beauty, commanding the attention of everyone around her without even trying. The woman Aria had spent years unknowingly competing against, and losing to, all along.

On the surface, Lucas maintained a cool distance from Leila, acting as if they barely knew each other.

But Aria recognized that look in his eyes now-the same one she'd given him for years. No matter how hard he tried to hide it, his gaze followed Leila across the room, lingering a moment too long whenever she laughed or spoke. Love was impossible to disguise, especially when it was real.

Halfway through the evening, Aria excused herself to use the restroom.

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Chapter 6

game of Truth or Dare, with her former friends

a round and was being pressured to answer what

uncomfortable, she hesitated, when suddenly Lucas stepped forward, snatching the card. from the holder. "I'll take the hit

with exaggerated flair: "Who's your ultimate mate fantasy? Not a celebrity-someone you actually know. Give

erupted in wolf

grinning. "But easy for you,

fantasize about Aria!" Josh called out,

a moment, then spoke clearly, not looking in

disappear from Aria's lungs, her

L.B.- Leila Blackwood.

hearing him announce it publicly, with her standing right there, felt like being

couldn't bear another second of this farce. Without a word, she turned and

Lucas: "Not feeling well. Going

at the curb, phone in hand to call an Uber,

"Aria! Wait!"

see Lucas jogging toward her,

did you leave?"

worry: "You said you weren't feeling well. What's wrong? Do you need to

16:38

Chapter 6

made her heart flutter traitorously. It looked so real-was it possible he actually cared? But then the memory

her head, keeping her voice level: "I'm fine, just a headache.

obvious thing in the world. "If you're sick and leaving, why the hell would I stay?"

of him caring for her like this? And now that he was finally doing

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