Chapter 40
Lucas's POV:
I leaned back against the plush leather of the private booth at Golden Moon Club, nursing a glass of single malt whiskey.
The amber liquid caught the low lighting as I swirled it, watching the patterns it created against the crystal.
Around me, the exclusive members-only establishment hummed with the quiet conversations of Moonhaven's elite.
"So Lucas," Dylan said, leaning forward with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Everyone's talking about how you went absolutely ballistic on the Morris family. Lisa Morris's convenient car accident, the canceled contracts worth millions, the social exile—all over some waitress she insulted?"
His tone was light, but I could smell his curiosity, sharp and probing.
I kept my expression carefully neutral.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
He sipped his bourbon, snorted.
"Come on, Lucas. You don't make moves like that without a reason."
From the corner of my eye, I noticed Matthew Howard entering the private section of the club.
He spotted our table and made his way over, sliding into the seat beside me.
"Sorry I'm late," he said, dropping into the chair beside me. "Some of us actually work for a living."
More laughter. Matthew had always been popular in these circles, his easygoing charm a perfect counterbalance to my more reserved nature.
"We were just discussing Lucas's display of chivalry," Dylan explained, clearly enjoying himself.
Matthew's eyebrows shot up, and he turned to me with unconcealed interest.
"It's refreshing, actually."
Dylan's enthusiasm grew as he noticed Matthew's curiosity.
"The ice-cold Alpha Lucas, who's never shown interest in any she-wolf, is suddenly going scorched earth over one. Tell me, who is this Clara that's finally melted the Frost King's heart?"
"Clara?" Matthew repeated, nearly choking on the drink a waitress had just handed him.
His eyes snapped toward me, confusion and terror flooding his gaze as he whispered, "Who is Clara?"
I took another slow sip of my whiskey, letting the amber liquid burn down my throat.
"I have no idea," I replied coolly.
Matthew's shoulders visibly relaxed, relief washing over his face.
"Thank the moon," he muttered. "I thought you'd moved on that quickly."
I shot him a sidelong glance.
"Why don't you correct them?" he asked, leaning closer.
I didn't answer, just silently lifted my glass to my lips again. Matthew studied my face for a moment before understanding dawned in his eyes.
"Ah," he said, a slow smile spreading across his face. "You clever bastard."
"You're using this woman as a smokescreen, aren't you? To keep attention away from Tori."
I didn't answer immediately, swirling the remaining whiskey in my glass and watching the light refract through it.
"A shield serves its purpose best when everyone's eyes are fixed upon it."
Matthew shook his head, a mix of admiration and disbelief on his face.
"That's brilliantly devious. But what happens when Tori hears this rumor? Aren't you worried she'll get the wrong idea? Maybe even be jealous?"
I paused, considering his words. The thought hadn't occurred to me.
Would Tori be jealous? The thought was... intriguing. I hesitated, finding myself genuinely curious about the answer.
"Would she be?" I asked, my voice softer than intended.
Matthew rolled his eyes.
"For someone so strategic in business, you can be incredibly dense about women."
Matthew glanced at his watch, a subtle platinum piece I'd given him years ago.
"Speaking of Tori, she's being discharged this afternoon. Around four." His lips curved into a teasing smile. "Don't say I didn't warn you."
I checked my own watch, realizing I had just enough time.
Without another word, I rose from my seat and grabbed my car keys from the table.
"Leaving so soon?" Dylan called from across the room.
"Business," I replied curtly, already heading for the door.
Driving through downtown Moonhaven, I spotted a small flower shop and made an impulsive decision.
The middle-aged shopkeeper looked up as the bell chimed, her eyes widening when she recognized me.
"Alpha! How can I help you today?"
"I need flowers," I stated.
"Of course," she nodded, professional despite her obvious surprise. "May I ask who they're for? Family, colleague, romantic interest?"
I frowned slightly. "Does it matter?"
She smiled patiently. "Different relationships call for different flowers, Alpha. Red roses for passionate love, lilies for family, sunflowers for friendship..."
I realized I'd never purchased flowers before. The concept of flowers having specific meanings hadn't crossed my mind.
After a brief consultation, I settled on an arrangement of white tulips with subtle greenery.
Twenty minutes later, I stood outside Tori's hospital room, flowers in hand.
I raised my hand to knock when Morgan's animated voice filtered through the door.
"...and then Alpha Lucas literally crashed Mrs. Morris's car to get revenge! The whole city is talking about it, Tori."
"Why would he do something like that?" Tori's voice sounded confused.
"Apparently, he was getting revenge for a girl named Clara," Morgan explained excitedly.
"You should've seen Megan's face when she heard! She was practically foaming at the mouth, saying she needed to find out who this Clara person was and see what she had that Megan didn't. After pining for Alpha Lucas for years, I think she's about to lose her mind!"
I waited, straining to hear Tori's response to this revelation. But the room fell silent, and I couldn't make out any reaction from her.
The sudden opening of the door caught me off guard.
Morgan stood in the doorway, her eyes widening with surprise.
"Alpha Lucas!" she exclaimed, looking between me and the flowers in my hand. "Were you... just standing out here?"