Chapter 100 Luca
“I meant what I said. Stay away from me.”
The words came out colder than I intended. Aria froze in place, her expression shifting from confusion to hurt. Real hurt that twisted in my chest like a blade and for a second, I almost took it back.
But then I felt it that weight pressing down on me and the invisible eyes of the pack even though we were alone. The bond between us pulsed under my skin and it only made everything more dangerous.
“I don’t understand,” she whispered quietly. “After everything that just happened, this is what you’re doing?”
I clenched my jaw and forced myself not to look at her the way I wanted to. “You don’t need to understand. You just need to listen.”
Her laugh came out brittle. “Wow, that’s convenient. You get to make decisions for both of us now?”
“This isn’t about control,” I snapped, a little too fast. I dragged a hand through my hair, trying to steady myself. “It’s about keeping you safe.”
“Safe from what?” she yelled. “From you?!”
The truth was complicated. It wasn’t just me. It was the pack, the council, and the growing suspicion that had already started to spread like wildfire. They didn’t trust her not after everything with Sienna who was a human too.
And if they found out about the bond…
I exhaled slowly. “From all of it. The pack is already on edge. They’re looking for someone to blame, someone to question. And right now, you’re an easy target.”
Her eyes narrowed. “So your solution is to just cut me off? Pretend I don’t exist?”
“Yes.”
The word tasted like poison. Aria stared at me like she didn’t recognize me anymore. Maybe she didn’t. Maybe I didn’t recognize myself either. The guy standing here, pushing her away when every instinct screamed to pull her closer felt like a stranger.
“You’re unbelievable,” she said, shaking her head. “Do you even hear yourself right now?”
“Every word,” I said quietly. “And I mean it.”
The silence was suffocating. I could feel her emotions through the bond. Anger, betrayal, and confusion. It all hit me at once and overwhelming, making it harder to breathe. For a moment, I thought she might argue again. Instead, she just nodded once.
“Fine,” she said, her voice going eerily calm. “If that’s what you want.”
It wasn’t but I didn’t stop her when she turned and walked away. Didn’t call her name or go after her. I stood there like an idiot, fists clenched at my sides, until she disappeared completely.
The second she was gone, the weight got heavier. My wolf stirred beneath the surface, restless and agitated, pacing like it didn’t agree with a single decision I’d just made. He always wanted her and pushing her away felt like tearing something vital out of myself.
“Real smart move.”
I didn’t have to turn around to know who it was. Damian leaned against the edge of the clearing, arms crossed, watching me with an expression that was somewhere between amused and concerned.
“You’ve been standing there for five minutes,” he added. “Either you’re admiring the scenery or you just made a decision you’re already regretting.”
I let out a breath. “Mind your business.”
He huffed. “I would. Except your business is about to become everyone’s problem if you’re not careful.”
I finally looked at him. “You heard?”
“Hard not to,” he said. “You weren’t exactly subtle.”
Great.
I rubbed the back of my neck, frustration building again. “It had to be done.”
“Did it?” Damian pushed off the tree. “Because from where I’m standing, it looked a lot like you just shoved away the one person who’s been standing by you through all this.”
“She’s not part of the pack,” I said sharply. “And right now, that matters.”
“And what about what she is to you?”
I didn’t answer.
Damian’s gaze sharpened slightly. “Yeah. That’s what I thought.”
I looked away. “You don’t get it.”
“Then explain it to me,” he said calmly. “Because right now, it looks like fear not strategy.”
“I’m not afraid,” I muttered.
“No?” Damian tilted his head slightly. “Because it sounds like you’re scared of what happens if the pack finds out about her. About the bond and how much she matters to you.”
I stayed silent, and that was answer enough.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Look, I get it. Packs are complicated. Politics, loyalty, all that but pushing her away like that? That’s not protection. That’s damage control.”
“It’s the same thing,” I said.
“No, it’s not.” His voice was firmer now. “Protection keeps someone safe. Damage control just makes you feel like you’re in control when everything’s falling apart.”
I didn’t like how accurate that sounded.
“She’ll be safer if she’s not tied to me,” I said after a moment. “If the council starts asking questions, if they start digging… I can’t let her get caught in that, Damian.”
“And you think she won’t notice?” Damian asked. “You think she won’t come looking for answers anyway?”
I hesitated because he wasn’t wrong. Aria wasn’t the type to just walk away and accept things. She’d question it and try to understand.
And the more she pushed, the more attention she’d draw.
Damn it.
“I’ll handle it,” I said finally, though the confidence in my voice felt forced.
Damian studied me for a long moment. “You’re walking a dangerous line, Luca.”
“I know.”
“Do you?” he pressed. “Because it’s not just about the pack anymore. Hunters are moving. Sienna’s already proven that. Things are shifting, and you’re trying to control one piece of it like it’s going to fix everything.”
I exhaled slowly. “It’s not about fixing everything. It’s about minimizing the damage.”
He shook his head slightly. “You can’t control everything. And the more you try, the more it’s going to blow up in your face.”
“Then what do you suggest?” I snapped. “That I just let the pack tear her apart if they find out? That I risk everything because I can’t keep my distance?”
“I’m suggesting you stop pretending pushing her away is the same as protecting her,” he said evenly. “Because it’s not. It’s just easier for you.”
That stung but part of me knew it was true. Keeping her close meant risking exposure. Risking the bond being discovered. But pushing her away? That was simple even if it hurt like hell.
“I made my choice,” I said, more quietly this time.
Damian held my gaze, like he was trying to decide whether to argue further. Then he sighed. “Yeah, you did.”
Somewhere in the distance, a howl echoed through the trees. Both of us went still instantly, instincts kicking in.
“That didn’t sound good,” Damian said.
“No,” I agreed. “It didn’t.”
Another howl followed closer this time, laced with something that felt off.
Fear.
Damian’s posture shifted. “Hunters?”
“Maybe,” I replied, though deep down I already knew the answer.
Everything was just happening too fast. I glanced once in the direction Aria had gone, a flicker of doubt cutting through me. Then the howl came again louder and there was no more time to think.