Billionaire Alpha's 99 Deadly Games

Chapter 7

"What's the issue now, Lucas?" Tyler's voice dripped with irritation. "I thought you were dying to wrap this shit up. We swear she won't actually die! We'll open the doors right before she starts, like, convulsing or whatever."

Lucas's voice remained granite-hard: "It's too fucking risky. Nothing happens to her. Find another way."

"Are you serious right now?" Blake jumped in, openly hostile. "You ghosted Leila tonight to chase after that nobody! She's been crying her eyes out all evening- took you fifty texts to calm her down. You promised we'd plan the grand finale tonight to prove you're still team Leila. Now suddenly you're getting cold feet? Have you forgotten who actually matters here? Dump the loner wolf already and get back to the girl your wolf has been howling for since kindergarten."

Lucas's breathing quickened audibly, like he was about to launch into an argument, when a delicate voice cut through the call:

"Lucas." Leila's soft, hurt tone immediately silenced everyone. "I heard what you guys were discussing. So I'll just ask you directly-I need this to be the final punishment for what she did to me. Are you with me... or with her?"

The silence that followed was deafening.

"You promised you'd do anything for me," Leila's voice trembled with perfectly calibrated vulnerability. "I thought I was the one who mattered to you."

After a lengthy pause, he finally answered, his voice rough with resignation: "Fine. Whatever you want, Leila."

Her tone instantly brightened. "That's my Lucas."

The guys whooped in the background: "Epic finale, here we come!"

"Just make absolute sure nothing actually happens to her," Lucas insisted once more, his tone leaving no room for debate.

Aria stood frozen in the shadows, her entire body going numb as the truth

matter what conflicted feelings he might have, when pushed to choose, he would always choose

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Chapter 7

phone, and sent the final message she'd

anniversary, Lucas executed the plan flawlessly. "I've got a surprise for you today," he said, his voice uncharacteristically warm. "Close your eyes and let

face for a long moment-memorizing each feature, each line-then closed her

without protest.

as he secured a silk blindfold over her eyes and guided

carefully to his car.

"Wait here for a minute," he whispered close to her ear. "I need to get your gift ready. I'll be right

stood perfectly still, listening as his footsteps retreated

creaked, she called out to

"Lucas."

His footsteps halted.

Her voice was steady, devoid of accusation or bitterness-just

between them as

remember what it felt like not to. When you finally accepted me, I thought the Moon Goddess had finally aligned in my favor. That night, I stayed

but she

marks three years," she said softly. "It's the first time you've ever planned something special for me. Despite everything I know now, some small part

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Aluha's 99 Deadly

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Chapter 7

them, heavy with