chapter 90
Lucas's POV:
I stared at my nephew standing in my doorway, his body radiating fury, eyes wild with a mixture of desperation and alcohol.
The scent of whiskey clung to him like a second skin.
"Ethan," I repeated, keeping my voice level despite the tension crackling between us. "What's wrong with you?"
"What's wrong with me?" He let out a bitter laugh, pushing past me into my home. "That's rich coming from you, Uncle."
I watched him pace my entryway like a caged animal. His wolf was close to the surface—I could sense it in the way his shoulders hunched, the slight elongation of his canines.
Whatever had triggered this midnight visit had pushed him dangerously close to losing control.
"You're drunk," I stated flatly. "Whatever this is about, we can discuss it tomorrow when you're sober."
"We're talking about this tonight!" Ethan's voice rose to a shout. " After years of telling me I couldn't be with my girlfriend because she was an Omega who'd been incarcerated, because the 'Grayson bloodline cannot be tainted,' because 'a Grayson cannot mate with someone who has been to Silver Fang'—all those fucking lectures!"
I stared at him, suppressing a sigh. This wasn't the first time Ethan had brought up his old girlfriend after drinking. The alcohol was clearly making him emotional about the past again, dredging up old resentments.
"All this time," Ethan continued, his voice breaking, "I obeyed. I stayed away from the only woman I've ever truly loved because you said our family couldn't accept her. And now what? You want her for yourself?"
I narrowed my eyes, the implications of his words suddenly crystallizing.
"Who exactly are you talking about?" I asked carefully, a sense of foreboding rising in my chest.
Ethan's laugh was hollow. "Playing dumb doesn't suit you, Uncle. I'm talking about Tori Sullivan. The woman you were holding tonight."
The name hit me like a physical blow.
Tori—my Tori, my fated mate—had been Ethan's girlfriend? The girl I'd advised him to stay away from years ago was the same woman who now wore my family ring?
I took a deep breath, centering myself. "I didn't know she was the same woman."
"Bullshit!" Ethan's fist slammed into the wall beside him, leaving a small crater in the plaster. "You knew exactly who she was. You kept us apart so you could have her."
"That's enough." My voice dropped an octave, laden with Alpha authority.
"Four years ago, I didn't know Tori then. I didn't even know her name."
"And now?" Ethan's eyes glittered dangerously. "Now that you know who she is, you've decided the rules don't apply to you? The mighty Alpha gets whatever he wants, while the rest of us suffer?"
I stepped closer, my patience wearing thin. "Tori is my fated mate."
The words hung in the air between us. Ethan froze, his expression cycling through disbelief, anger, and finally, crushing realization.
"No," he whispered. "That's not possible."
"It is," I stated firmly. "I didn't choose this, Ethan. Neither did she. But I won't deny what she is to me."
"What about me?" Ethan's voice rose to a roar, fury distorting his features. "I've been miserable! Trapped in this engagement with Fiona while my heart belongs to Tori! It's always been Tori! ONLY Tori!"
He slammed his fist against the wall again. "I don't want anyone else—I never have! "
"I'm not discussing this while you're drunk and irrational," I said, my tone leaving no room for argument. "Go home. Sleep it off. We'll talk tomorrow."
"I don't want to talk tomorrow. I want to talk to Tori—now. I need to tell her the truth. That I never stopped loving her. That I never wanted Fiona."
My wolf Duke surged forward at the possessive way Ethan spoke about Tori.
A low growl escaped my throat, the sound primal and warning.
"You're engaged to Fiona," I reminded him sharply. "She's carrying your child. And Tori is my mate. Whatever you felt for her in the past needs to stay there—in the past."
"You don't get to decide that!" Ethan shouted. "You don't get to ruin my life and then take the one good thing in it!"
"Enough," I commanded, letting my Alpha power flood the room. "As an Alpha, I order you to go home now."
For a moment, the Alpha command seemed to work.
Ethan's shoulders slumped slightly under the weight of my authority. Then, with visible effort, he straightened, defiance burning in his eyes.
I pulled out my phone and dialed his assistant. "Steve? I need you to come pick up Ethan at my residence immediately. He's in no condition to drive."
I kept my eyes fixed on my nephew as I spoke, making it clear this wasn't a suggestion.
"You're not my Alpha anymore," he said quietly. "And you're certainly not the man I thought you were."
Before I could respond, Ethan turned and stormed out the front door. I heard his car engine start outside with a violent roar.
"Damn it," I muttered, grabbing my keys and rushing after him.
By the time I made it outside, Ethan's taillights were already disappearing down the drive.
I jumped into my car and followed, keeping a distance but never letting his erratic driving out of my sight. His car weaved dangerously across the road, the alcohol clearly affecting his coordination.
As we approached the sharp curve on Moonlight Boulevard, I saw the oncoming headlights of a truck just as Ethan drifted into the wrong lane.
His brake lights flashed too late—he was moving too fast and heading straight for a collision.
My heart lurched into my throat.
Without hesitation, I floored the accelerator, pulling alongside Ethan's car and swerving into the truck's path. The impact was violent—metal screaming against metal as my car absorbed the blow meant for Ethan.
Ethan's terrified scream pierced through the chaos of crunching metal and shattering glass.
My head snapped forward against the steering wheel, then back against the headrest. Darkness edged my vision, and a high-pitched ringing filled my ears as the world began to tilt and spin around me.
Blood trickled warm down my temple as I fought to stay conscious.