Chapter 78 Luca
The gym was alive with a tidal wave of sneakers squeaking against polished hardwood, fans shouting and banners fluttering above us. Every sense was on fire—the smell of popcorn and sweat and the chatter of students forming a static hum that somehow made my wolf inside me twitch. Crestwood High’s team thought cockiness could make up for skill, and their captain, Kai was practically vibrating with it across the court.
I gripped the ball feeling the leather press into my palm. My heartbeat was echoing in my chest thumping in time with the roar of the crowd.
Don’t let him bait you, Luca. Mason’s thought nudged me, calm like a tether to reality I desperately needed.
Focus and control. Human first then wolf.
I tried to settle my breathing and ignore the itch behind my fingers plus the tension in my teeth. The whistle blew really sharp. I pivoted, the ball bouncing against the floor and muscles flexing under my skin.
Kai swaggered forward smirk in place with his chest puffed as if just standing there made him untouchable.
“Thought you’d actually bring it tonight, Silverpine,” he called, his arrogant voice cutting across the court.
I let out a low snort. “You’re gonna eat that smug grin before the game’s over, Kai.”
Not literally. Mason’s chuckle reminded me in my head.
“Right,” I said aloud, tossing a casual glance toward my teammate. “Figuratively.”
The game snapped forward. Crestwood’s defense was tighter than usual forcing me to read their movements a half-second before they made them. My wolf pushed me hungry for chaos. I wanted to leap and crush not for the points but because Kai’s energy felt like a challenge, a wrong that needed correction.
But Mason’s voice grounded me. Be calm, Luca.
I dribbled past Kai’s first attempt to block me, pivoting fast enough that I swore my ribs screamed in protest. Sweat stung my eyes, and my wolf growled low and unsatisfied. I shoved the feeling down, letting skill and timing guide me, human precision winning over primal hunger.
“You’re not getting past me!” Kai barked, lunging.
I sidestepped, smirking at him. “Watch me.”
The ball left my hands in a perfect arc toward Ethan who caught it smoothly. I felt my wolf inside me bristle frustrated by the restraint like a cat coiled to pounce but I stayed grounded.
Control, Luca. Mason pressed again. Don’t slip.
The ball squeaked against the hardwood, bouncing between us. Ethan pivoting and me following instinctively, wolf and human in a tense harmony. Every step carried tension. I could smell Kai’s arrogance a feet away, feel the raw energy he projected like a challenge directly at me. My claws and teeth itched but I kept my hands on the ball and played cleanly.
“Hey, captain, focus!” One of my teammates barked. “Edge’s coming so hold it together.”
I exhaled through my nose, forcing my wolf to simmer and letting human control dominate just enough to sink a shot. The satisfying swish of the net made the crowd erupt. The cheering and other sounds blurred into white noise and I didn’t glance at the stands.
Kai bounced back in front of me, chest heaving. “You’re lucky you’re not in my territory,” he spat.
“Territory’s right here,” I said, letting the ball drop lazily into my hands and smirked.
My wolf growled low in my chest aching for more. I let a fake spin throw Kai off balance leaving him flat-footed for the pass. The satisfaction of control and holding the edge without tipping over hit me like a shot of adrenaline.
The final minutes stretched thin lik a razor’s edge between focus and chaos. Every beat of my heart and twitch of muscle was under control but barely. One misstep and the wolf would take over. The gym’s scent became sharper as if it knew the tension and thrummed with it.
Kai lunged again closer this time, and I felt a heat flare. I breathed slow grounding myself.
The buzzer sounded loudly. Victory. Silverpine had won like always.
I exhaled, trying to separate my wolf from the human, but inside, he still simmered. Mason caught my gaze from across the court and smirked. We’d survived and control had won this round.
“Almost lost it, huh?” Drew muttered, leaning against the locker row afterward, wiping sweat from his forehead.
“Yeah,” I said, letting a small smile slip my chest still heaving. “Almost.”
Mason clapped me on the shoulder showing wordless encouragement and I let my wolf settle a little. I walked out of the gym hearing the buzz of the crowd fade behind me. The night smelled like pine and exhaust from the parking lot, a strange contrast to the chaos inside. I flexed my hands cause muscles were still tense. The victory felt sweet but it wasn’t just about winning a game. It was about walking the line between human and wolf, holding my instincts in check, and knowing that control was a skill just as important as strength.
Mason caught up with me outside, handing me a water bottle. “You did good,” he said though I felt the pride behind it. “Not many could’ve kept that under wraps.”
“Yeah,” I muttered, taking a long drink. “Not many have wolves whispering in their heads either.”
He smirked. “Don’t let it get ahead of you. Control is everything. Remember that.”
I nodded. One more win and one more test of control. I did survive, for now.
AUTHOR’S NOTE:
Guys… whew! Did you feel that? That was rivalry all wrapped into one. That’s the thrill of being Luca—walking that line, playing the game, and keeping control when every ounce of you wants chaos. I’ve always loved basketball. It’s my favourite sport and yeah, LeBron is GOATED. LOL, I’m such a HUGEE fan 😂😊 and I hope to meet him one day. Could you feel every encouragement Mason gave Luca? That’s family❤️.
Favourite part? That almost-lost-it moment when Kai thought he had the upper hand? Yeah, me too. Can’t wait for the next match because we all know Silverpine isn’t done yet.