Chapter 180

Chapter 180
Sophia's POV:
"Sophia, please—don't watch this," Lucas's voice was urgent beside me, his hand reaching toward the screen as if he could somehow stop what was already unfolding.
"Turn it off. This isn't—"
"Move." The word cut through his plea like ice. I didn't even look at him, my eyes fixed on the screen.
The video continued to play, and Lucas's voice rang out clearly through the ballroom speakers:
"Aria is my fated mate! No matter what, I'm taking her away from here today!"
The entire ballroom fell silent.
On screen, another figure appeared. I recognized Mia, the Luna of Aurora Pack, stepping forward with obvious unhappiness.
"Lucas," Mia's voice was cold through the speakers, "didn't you tell me that Aria has no connection to Starlight Pack anymore? You said I could handle her however I saw fit."
The Lucas's face darkened with anger. "I never expected you to be so vicious,"
"So?" Mia replied casually, "Are you certain you want to betray Sophia and the entire Starlight Pack? You're declaring war on Aurora Pack with this decision."
Lucas froze for a moment, his jaw clenching. "Sophia isn't as cruel as you; she will understand."
On screen, I watched as Lucas turned away from Mia with dismissive finality.
He knelt down beside Aria, gathering her trembling form into his arms with infinite gentleness.
The video feed cut to black, leaving the ballroom in stunned silence.
I stood frozen, staring at the now-empty screen, those final images burned into my memory.
She will understand.
Those words echoed in my mind, each repetition like another knife twist in my chest.
He was so certain of my endless forgiveness, so confident that I would simply accept his betrayal because I'd done it before.
A bitter laugh almost escaped my lips as the cruel irony hit me.
Lucas had refused to accept my mark, claiming he couldn't risk affecting the pack's stability. He'd spoken so nobly about his responsibilities, about how he couldn't let personal feelings jeopardize Starlight Pack's future.
But here he was, willing to declare war on another pack for Aria.
The pack's welfare had never been the real issue. I had been the issue. I wasn't worth the risk, wasn't worth the conflict, wasn't worth fighting for.
The realization cut deeper than any physical wound ever could.
That's right.
Why would he need to give more to someone who would always forgive him anyway? Why risk anything for someone who had already proven she would accept whatever scraps of affection he chose to offer?
I wore the dress that Lucas gave me, the one I'd thought was a symbol of love, suddenly feeling like it was mocking me.
The silk that had felt like liquid moonlight against my skin now seemed to whisper of my own foolishness with every breath I took.
Beside me, I sensed Lucas moving, his hand reaching toward me with trembling fingers. "Sophia,"
I jerked away from his touch violently. "Don't touch me," I hissed, my voice sharp enough to cut. "Don't you dare touch me with the same hands that just held her."
Lucas's hand hung in the air between us, shaking. His face was white with panic."Please, just let me explain. The situation was complicated—"
"Complicated?" I laughed, and the sound was bitter even to my own ears. "Well, let us hear how complicated it is."
The crowd around us had grown completely silent, every eye fixed on our confrontation.
Lucas swallowed hard, his face pale, but his voice growing steadier. He fell back into his familiar role of the reasonable Alpha to make difficult decisions.
"With James exiled, Starlight Pack's internal power structure is unstable," he said, his tone taking on that measured quality he used in council meetings. "Without my fated mate nearby, my strength is significantly weakened. You know how the mate bond works, Sophia. For the pack's stability, for their safety, I need Aria close."
Lucas looked at me with unwavering determination. "But I swear to you, I won't get involved with her personally. I just need to ensure her protection, nothing more. It's purely for the pack's welfare."
"For the pack's welfare," I repeated slowly, tasting the familiar excuse on my tongue.
A cold smile spread across my lips as I met his gaze. "Of course. Your great pack career requires so many sacrifices," My voice dripped with sarcasm. "I clearly can't help you with much—I'm just a burden, holding you back from your noble duties."
His face paled further, but I wasn't finished.
"Perhaps I should just step aside entirely," I continued. "Give the Luna position to Aria. After all, if she's so essential to your strength, so crucial to the pack's stability, then surely she'd be better suited for the role than someone who can only seem to get in your way."
The ballroom was so quiet I could hear my own heartbeat.
Lucas's face went ashen as my words sank in. "No, Sophia, that's not what I meant at all!"
He ran his hands through his hair, looking utterly lost. "You're the Luna. You've always been the Luna. I don't want anyone else in that position."
"Well, but I don't want it anymore," I said quietly, and the words fell into the silence like stones into still water.
Lucas froze completely, his hands still tangled in his hair. "What?"