Luca’s Inferno by Karima Sa’ad Usman

26 Closed Off
Emma.
Heather and I walked by the beach in our bikinis. Humans and werewolves were present on the shore, and they lusted after us. Heather had a beautiful blue two-piece bikini on while I was still wearing my two-piece white bikini. I had taken off the orange net blouse I had over it. I knew my skin would get a good tan. I tried to keep Luca out of my mind and have fun with my friend. I wondered what Luca was doing, but I knew he was probably with Aldo doing whatever he wanted to do. We had checked on Kyle in his room, and he was sleeping. I did not want to bother him, so I let him be.
We walked to a beach bar. I had my card with me, which would be the first time I used it. We ordered drinks and some guys came to sit with us. I did not bother to chase them away; there was no use. As long as they kept their hands to themselves, I was alright.
“Hello, beautiful ladies,” one of the guys said. He was blonde, and it was apparent his pearly whites were fake. He looked like he had some work done on his face. His friend was a bit chubby and looked opposite, but he was okay because it seemed his friend was the one with the money. They were werewolves, so Heather and I relaxed, but I kept my distance. Somehow I knew Luca was the jealous type, and I didn’t want to have anyone’s scent.
“Drinks on us,” the chubby guy said, and I shook my head.
“I am a married woman, so please keep your money,” I told him, noticing his face drop.
“Sorry, ma’am, we saw two hot women and decided to try our luck,” the chubby guy said and was about the turn away when the blonde weirdo touched my hand.
“I do not see a ring on your finger, nor do I see a mark on your Omega neck,” he said, and I frowned at him.
“Let her go,” Heather said, and he shut her up. I didn’t know if I could take the bastard, but I did not want to draw attention to us. So I removed his hand from mine and broke his index finger in the process.

“I bet you didn’t see that coming. Like I said, I am a married woman,” I warned the guy, and he laughed.
“Teressa Bianchi sends her greetings,” he said, forcing a smile, and the colour drained from my face. She was Luca’s intended. What if she was on Queen Island with us? Had Luca gone to see her? Was that why he brought Heather and Kyle so I would be occupied while he did what he wanted? Our contract would soon be over; it was only normal he would start courting her. Suddenly I was ashamed of myself for offering to be his mistress.
“I see you caught on, little Omega. The boss is with your man as we speak,” the man said and walked away. He had done his job, and I was mad that I gave him the satisfaction of seeing my smile drain.
“Who is Teressa?” Heather asked me when they left, and I told her everything. “Ask Luca when he returns to the room.” She said, and I knew I would not be able to ask him after what I had said. “It is none of my business. I will be gone in four months. There is no point sticking my nose
where it does not belong. I have hurt myself enough. Now let us drink and party,” I told her, and she looked worried, but she obliged. Heather helped me back into the hotel. I was drunk, but the alcohol left my system when we got to her room. Perks of being a wolf. After sitting with Heather for a while, I returned to the room I shared with Luca. It was late, and he wasn’t back. My mind played several scenarios of him and Teressa, and I decided to let it go. I went to shower and looked at myself in the mirror. I looked like a mess and knew I needed to fix it. Love messed people up, and I refuse to be messed up. I decided I would let the matter rest and lock my heart up. I did not own him; besides, if my father hadn’t messed up, I would not have met him the second time. He had told me how it would be from the onset and never lied about it. He didn’t want to do anything with me; I had told him no strings attached. Just because I wasn’t planning to move on did not mean I should hinder him from doing so. I did not understand why he brought me on this vacation and invited my best friend and my younger brother to come. I would not question him again. After telling Luca what I wanted, and he rejected my offer, I made peace with my heart where he was concerned and braced myself to let go when the time came. I had a shower and changed into my nightgown, and fell asleep. “You are mad…” A familiar voice said while I looked at the crescent moon in the sky, sitting on the field of flowers.
“Do you mind taking me to another place, Declan?” I asked him, and he looked worried.
“Can you wear another face?” I asked him, and he did not say a word to me.
“Yes, I am mad, Declan. I am angry I fell in love when I knew it was temporary,” I said and began to weep. He pulled me close to him to console me. “Good things do not come easily, Emma; my heart belongs to you. I just want you to be patient,” he said, and I pulled away and looked at him.
“This is a dream, Declan. A fucking Dream! You aren’t real. None of this is real. You are a figment of my imagination.” I lashed out, and he smiled. There was no use yelling at someone that wasn’t real. I just sat there and stared at the moon. He kissed my neck where the mate mark should be and grazed his teeth on it. I felt it. I felt every bit of it, and I chose to remain even though I wanted to pull away, hoping he would sink his teeth in. He sucked on my neck, and I moaned.
“Don’t let me go, Emma,” he said, and I cursed and woke up. I opened my eyes, and Luca was over me with wolf eyes and teeth. I sat up in shock. I was afraid. He was breathing heavily, trying to control himself, but he couldn’t. It seems he was trying to stop his wolf from emerging. I stared deep into his eyes, and I realised he was conflicted. “Emma,” he growled, and I did not know what to do. I watched his teeth retract, and his eyes turned normal.
“Sorry I wasted the day. Teressa Bianchi followed us to this Island in the name of the business. Still, I suspect my mother was the one that gave her the information,” he said, pretending he wasn’t fighting his wolf when I woke up. I pretended to be indifferent and sat up. “About my behaviour earlier, I am sorry,” he said, and I was quiet, keeping the promise I had made to myself.
“I am sorry, too,” I said with an indifferent, sleepy voice. “I shouldn’t have said those things. I was too excited and wanted something spontaneous. It won’t happen again.” I said, and he
was silent. He got off his knees from between my legs and sat beside me. “Heard you and Heather partied with a couple of guys,” he said, and my stomach churned. “Didn’t even get their names and did not allow anyone to touch me. I am not into humans,” I said, and he pinched the bridge of his nose. “I brought us here so we would have fun, Emma. Let us try to do that, okay?” He said, and I nodded.
“Teressa sent two guys to me at the beach bar. One of them wasn’t so polite, so I crushed his index finger. Please tell her to rest; she has nothing to worry about where I am concerned. I will be out of the way in no time. Besides, my being here should not hinder the two of you,” I said casually, and he growled.
“I will fix that in the morning,” he promised, and I did not care what he would do. I was over it.
“Do you like the place?” He asked me, and I nodded.