Chapter 49 Disharmony
Anna's POV
For a split second, I thought it was over.
But Serena? She didn’t even blink. Instead, she smiled like she had rehearsed this exact moment.
“You must be Lucas,” she said, stepping forward slightly. "Nice to finally meet you, though your presence was greatly missed at the party earlier."
She even stretched out her hand for a handshake. “I must say, you look more handsome in person.”
Lucas didn’t move immediately. He just stared at her suspiciously.
Then, slowly, he took her hand for a shake. His grip was firm and gaze sharper. “And you are?” he asked.
Serena didn’t hesitate. “I'm Catherine,” she said easily. “We spoke yesterday about Anna, and you invited me over for the party.”
Lucas frowned slightly. Then something shifted in his expression like recognition or at least… acceptance. “Oh,” he said. “Right… Catherine.”
He gave a short nod. “Sorry, I must have forgotten.”
I exhaled quietly. Serena was good, infact, too good.
She tilted her head slightly. “I asked for a private moment with her. Just to talk to her, she is s puzzle you know, mysterious in a fascinating way.”
Lucas glanced at me. Then back at her. “Yeah, she has that effect on people. Are you done with her?” he asked.
“Yes, I am. I was just leaving when you arrived,” she replied.
She turned, walking past him like she belonged there.
Lucas stood there for a moment before closing the door behind him.
The soft click echoed louder than it should have.
Then he turned to face me. “I know she made you an offer,” he said finally.
My brows furrowed. “Did you hear our conversations?”
He shook his head. “No,” he said. “I didn’t even know someone was in here. I got to the door just as she opened it.”
I held his gaze. Watching him, trying to see if there was a crack, if he was telling the truth or lying.
But Lucas… he was good too. Or maybe I was just getting worse at telling.
“She offered support,” I said eventually. “An alliance.”
“And?” he asked. "What did you tell her?"
“I told her I’d think about it," I said sharply.
He exhaled sharply. That alone told me more than his words ever could. “Good,” he muttered.
I tilted my head slightly. “Where were you?”
“I didn’t see you at the party earlier when Xavier was giving his speech. I was looking for you."
He ran a hand through his hair before answering.
“Xavier got a tip from someone,” he said. “About Zack. So I went to check it out, to see if it was true or a trap."
My stomach tightened. “And?” I asked.
“It turned out to be true, I know where he is currently,” Lucas replied. “I'd be going on a raid with Xavier tonight while the party continues.”
My heart skipped. “I want to come,” I said immediately. "Please take me with you."
The words slipped out before I could filter them.
Lucas didn’t even think about it. "No, you stay right here or join the rest of them downstairs."
“Lucas please,” I pleaded.
“No, Anna.” His tone hardened. “It’s not safe for you out there.”
I stepped closer. “I was there the last time. I helped—”
“You were lucky,” he cut in sharply.
That stung. “I saved Xavier’s life,” I pushed. “That should count for something. I can be useful.”
His jaw tightened. “No,” he repeated. “You’re not coming.”
I wanted to argue. God, I wanted to. But something told me pushing him now wouldn’t work. So I let it go.
“I just came to see you before I leave,” he said after a moment.
My mind flickered to Xavier's announcement earlier, and I wondered if Lucas knew about it.
“Did Xavier tell you anything?” I asked carefully.
“About me?”
Lucas frowned slightly. “No. Why?”
I hesitated. Then said it. "He made an announcement about me at the party, in front of everyone."
Lucas’ brows pulled together. “What announcement, what did he say?"
I met his eyes. “He said he's going to marry me.” The words felt strange coming out of my mouth.
Lucas froze completely. Then his expression darkened. “He did what?” he asked.
I didn’t answer, I didn’t need to. He already heard me.
“He can’t do that,” Lucas said, his voice low now. His eyes locked onto mine. “You don't belong to him, you belong to me,” he added.
My heart skipped, but not in a good way at all. I blinked slowly. “Excuse me?”
Lucas seemed to realize what he had just said, but instead of taking it back, his jaw tightened.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” he said quickly, but there was something off about his tone.
I let out a small breath. “No,” I said, my voice calm but sharp. “You meant exactly what you said.”
Silence stretched between us.
Lucas ran a hand through his hair, pacing once like he was trying to get control of himself. “I just—” he started, then stopped. “Anna, you don’t understand.”
“Then help me understand,” I cut in, folding my arms. "Help me understand how I am your possession and not his?"
He looked at me, really looked this time, and all I could see in his eyes was possession, not affection.
“I’m trying to protect you,” he said finally.
I almost laughed. “By owning me?” I asked.
His lips pressed into a thin line. “That’s not what I meant.”
“But that’s what you said.”
Another silence followed. This one was worse. Because now… I was thinking.
The plan to “buy” me. The way he said I’d be free… but still talked about us being together like it was already decided.
Eve’s voice echoed faintly in my head. Lucas’ love is selfish.
I exhaled slowly, shaking my head. “You and Xavier…” I murmured. “You’re more alike than you think.”
His expression hardened instantly. “Don’t compare me to him.”
“Why not?” I challenged. “He wants to keep me. You want to keep me. The only difference is how honest he is about it.”
That hit him. I saw it in his eyes.
For a moment, something flickered there, hurt… anger… maybe even guilt. But it didn’t last.
“I would never treat you the way he does,” Lucas said, his voice low.
I held his gaze. “But you’d still cage me.”
He didn’t respond.
My lips curved into a faint, sad smile. “Just a prettier cage.”
That one… landed. Lucas looked away this time. His shoulders tensed, like he was fighting something inside himself.
Then he spoke, quieter now. “I love you.”
The words should have meant something.
Maybe in another life… they would have.
I stared at him for a long second but before I could answer, there was a knock on the door.
We didn't say a word. The door opened and Eve stepped in. "Xavier said it's time, he's outside waiting for you."
Lucas exhaled sharply and went outside without another word.
Eve raised an eyebrow. "What are you waiting for? Xavier wants you downstairs too."
My eyebrows went up. "Me?"