Chapter 145: You're One Lucky Guy

Marcus's POV

I'd been restless for days now, an agitation gnawing at me that I couldn't shake.

My wolf paced beneath my skin, unsettled by everything that had been happening. The upcoming engagement party, the mounting pressure from the Pack - it all felt like a storm gathering overhead, and I was standing right in the center of it.

The worst part was proposing to Isabella in public—Aria most likely saw it soon after.

My chest tightened at the thought of seeing her there, watching as I publicly claimed another woman as my future Luna.

When my phone rang and Victor's name flashed on the screen.

"What's wrong?" I answered, noting the tension in his scent even through the phone.

"Marcus, I need to tell you something about Rowan," Victor's voice was strained, careful. "I've been watching him lately, and something feels off."

My grip tightened on the phone. "What do you mean?"

"His mistress Ava is pregnant. He's been sick these past few days... It's like he's rapidly consolidating power. Too fast." He paused. "I think that woman is more calculating than we thought."

The news didn't surprise me, but this timing with Ava's pregnancy—she's almost certainly making a play for Sterling Pack's assets. Having his child would give her a legitimate claim to the inheritance.

A lot of shareholders were already in the know about this.

I kicked them out of the family before, but they still have loyal shareholders within Sterling Pack. It's nearly impossible to completely suppress them.

I closed my eyes, feeling another weight settle on my shoulders.

"The board's going to use this as ammunition," Victor said grimly. "They're already questioning your leadership after the incident with Derek. Now with your father's scandal and Isabella's..."

I rubbed my forehead, feeling a headache building. The Sterling Group board meeting was scheduled for tomorrow, and I could already imagine the whispered conversations about leadership stability and strategic direction.

Was it Rowan's idea or Ava's to leak the pregnancy news to the shareholders, especially at this critical moment when he's about to propose to Isabella?

But it doesn't matter who it was anymore. The damage has already been done. What mattered was how to fix this.

I rubbed my temples and said, "I got it. Let's leave it at that. I'm hanging up."

Not long after I hung up, Nathan texted me: [Alpha, let's grab a drink. I know a good spot.] I agreed without hesitation.

That evening, I met Nathan at our usual bar.

When he slid into the booth across from me, his expression was neutral.

Nathan sighed. "Honestly, I can't even watch this love triangle between you, Isabella, and Aria anymore. Since you've already chosen Isabella, I was just..."

My right eye twitched randomly. What had he been doing? Something told me this involved Aria. My heart dropped and anxiety flooded through me.

"What?"

"I'm not trying to stir up trouble or anything. I just want you to be happy. Ever since you and Aria broke up, I honestly haven't seen you smile once. I phoned her and said I'd help her find other suitable alphas. She hung up on me." The words were delivered flatly, but I could hear the disapproval underneath.

Nathan actually went and recommended other guys to Aria. But what could I say?

His words made me realize that I really hadn't smiled in a long time. Even just relaxing had become difficult.

I suppressed the restlessness and unease in my heart. I thought she would eventually have other alphas to keep her company.

I forced myself to stay composed, my hands trembling slightly as I said, "Maybe she's not ready yet."

Nathan suddenly realized and said, "You're absolutely right."

I said, "I am trying my hardest to please Isabella and make up for everything. You don't need to go find Aria. Maybe what we have..."

"And you believe giving Isabella everything she wants will solve that problem?" Nathan shook his head. "You're smarter than this, Alpha Marcus. Isabella isn't offering you a solution - she's creating a trap."

It wasn't that I didn't think about it, but I had already come this far.

"What am I supposed to do? The Pack needs to see strength. The board is questioning my leadership. Derek's already made one move against us." I rubbed my temples, feeling the weight of it all. "If I don't have Isabella's family support..."

"Then find another way," Nathan said simply.

My phone buzzed with a text from Isabella: [Can't wait for tomorrow night. I have something special planned for the party. You're going to love it.]

Something cold settled in my stomach as I read her message.

"What is it?" Nathan asked, noticing my expression.

I showed him the text. He frowned as he read it.

"Marcus, I need to ask you something, and I want you to be honest." Nathan's voice was deadly serious. "When you stand up at that party and announce your engagement to Isabella, when you watch Aria's face in the crowd... are you going to be able to live with that moment for the rest of your life?"

The question hit like a punch to the gut. I could picture it too clearly - Aria's expression when I chose another woman publicly, the moment when whatever was left between us would finally shatter completely.

"Because that's what's going to happen," Nathan continued relentlessly. "She's going to be there, and she's going to watch you throw away everything you could have had together."

"She's with Derek now," I said, but the words tasted bitter.

"Is she? Or is she just trying to survive the mess you've created? When I mentioned helping Aria find a mate earlier, you started giving off this anxious, restless vibe." Nathan's expression softened slightly. "Marcus, you've spent so much time protecting everyone else that you've forgotten something important."

"What's that?"

"Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is admit you've made a mistake."

I stared into my drink, Nathan's words echoing in my head. Three days until the engagement party. Three days until I would either commit fully to this path with Isabella, or find the courage to fight for what I actually wanted.

Just as I was about to answer, Isabella called. I hesitated for a moment, sighed, and then picked up.

"Marcus, I miss you so much I can't sleep... And I've been texting you and you haven't replied to any of them"

"Just get some rest," I said coldly.

"Are you out? You don't sound like you're at home."

"I'm discussing business with Nathan."

"Do you... do you miss me?"

"Marcus? Please, just say something..." Her voice was full of disappointment, but I remained quiet.

"Let's meet tomorrow," I finally said.

"Really? Oh my God, that's amazing! I love you—"

Click.

I hung up.

Nathan was watching me with a wicked grin.

"What are you looking at?" I asked.

He chuckled, "I've got to hand it to her—she's really relentless in pursuing you. You're one lucky guy."

I sighed deeply. "You want this kind of 'luck'? It's all yours."