chapter 66
Tori's POV:
Every muscle in my body tensed at the sound of my name in that familiar voice.
Slowly, I turned to face him.
Ethan stood a few feet away, looking as handsome as ever in his tailored gray suit.
"What a coincidence seeing you here," he said, his voice soft with something like hope.
I nodded curtly and turned to leave, heading toward the cashier to pay for Morgan's bracelet. Before I could take three steps, Ethan grabbed my hand, his fingers wrapping firmly around my wrist.
"You really can't stand the sight of me, can you?" he asked, hurt evident in his voice.
"I thought after our last conversation at the hospital, we might at least be friends."
I yanked my arm free from his grasp.
"I appreciate what you did for me, taking that burn instead. But that doesn't change anything between us, Ethan."
His expression fell. "Tori—"
"If you ever need my help with something, I'll do what I can," I continued. "But beyond that, we don't need further contact."
"Are you really this cold-hearted?" he asked, his silver eyes searching mine. "After everything we shared?"
I sighed, feeling the weight of our history pressing down on me.
"I'm asking you to let this go, Ethan. Move forward with your life. Your... affection for me has only ever brought disaster. For both of us."
Without waiting for his response, I stepped around him, paid for the bracelet, and walked out of the store, leaving another piece of my past behind.
I walked out of the boutique, my mind still tangled with thoughts of Ethan and our complicated past.
Lost in my frustration, I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings and suddenly collided with a solid chest.
"Someone's deep in thought," a deep voice observed with amusement.
I looked up, startled to find myself face-to-face with Lucas Grayson. His silver-blue eyes held a hint of curiosity as he steadied me with a light touch to my elbow.
"Alpha Lucas? What are you doing here?" I asked, taking a small step back to restore some personal space.
He gestured around the upscale shopping center.
"Howling Plaza belongs to Grayson Enterprises. I'm doing a routine inspection of the property." His eyes focused back on me. "And you? Shopping day?"
I nodded, lifting the small gift bag in my hand.
"I'm getting Morgan a birthday present. Her party's tonight."
Lucas glanced at the bag and nodded. "I can give you a ride there if you'd like."
Before I could respond, he turned to several well-dressed men standing a respectful distance behind him—I hadn't even noticed them until now.
"Ethan will handle the rest of the inspection. Forward the reports to my office by tomorrow morning."
My stomach tightened at the mention of Ethan's name.
So they had been together, just inspecting different areas of the mall.
"Thank you," I managed, trying to keep my voice neutral.
In the car on the way to the restaurant, Lucas reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a sleek black card with a moonstone embedded in its center.
"Here," he said, offering it to me. "It has no limit, so enjoy yourself without worrying about expenses."
I stared at the card, my fingers hesitating before taking it. "Alpha Lucas, I can't—"
"Just Lucas," he interrupted, his tone firm but not unkind.
His steel-gray eyes held mine, unwavering. "Drop the 'Alpha.' I hear that title enough from everyone else."
"I... okay, Lucas," I tested the name on my tongue, feeling strangely intimate saying it without the title.
A slight relaxation around his eyes was his only visible reaction.
Before I could say anything else, his phone rang.
Lucas frowned as he glanced at the screen before answering.
"Grayson," he said, his voice immediately shifting to that authoritative Alpha tone I'd become familiar with. As he listened, his expression darkened. "When did this happen? " Another pause. "No. I'll handle it myself."
He ended the call with a heavy sigh, running a hand through his dark hair.
"There's an issue at the mall that requires my immediate attention," he explained briefly, pulling up to the entrance of Moonlight Restaurant.
"I understand," I said, gathering my purse and the small gift bag. "Thank you for the ride."
"Enjoy the party," he said, his eyes finding mine again."When you're finished tonight, call me. I'll come pick you up."
I didn't answer. I must have looked as shocked as I felt—the idea of calling the Alpha of Moonhaven's most powerful pack to serve as my personal driver was absurd.
I'd have to be completely insane to think that was appropriate.
"Goodbye, Al—" I caught myself as Lucas gave me a pointed look. "Lucas," I finished, opening the car door.
"Until next time, little wolf," he replied, his voice softening just slightly on the nickname.
I stepped out of the car and was immediately greeted by an excited Morgan, who couldn't seem to decide whether to look at me or the luxury vehicle I'd just exited.
"Was that—?" she started, her voice pitched higher than usual.
"Alpha Lucas," I finished for her, feeling oddly self-conscious.
Morgan's gaze darted between me and Lucas, who was still sitting in his idling car.
She waved enthusiastically at him, then called out, "Would you like to join us, Alpha? There's plenty of room!"
Lucas rolled down his window.
"Thank you for the invitation, Morgan, but I'm afraid business calls. Please, enjoy your birthday celebration. Tonight's expenses are on me."
Morgan's mouth fell open. "Really? Thank you, Alpha Lucas!"
He nodded, then locked eyes with me briefly before driving away.
"Tori," Morgan whispered, grabbing my arm as we walked toward the entrance. "You are officially my lucky charm. How did you end up in Lucas Grayson's car?"
I hesitated, unsure how to explain the complicated relationship between Lucas and myself.
Friend? Benefactor? Potential something? None of the labels seemed to fit.
"It's... a long story," I said finally. "I'll tell you another time."
Morgan seemed to accept this, too excited about the prospect of a free birthday dinner to press further.
She pulled me through the restaurant toward a private room in the back.
As we passed one of the semi-private dining alcoves, I glanced in and my steps faltered.
Through the gap in the curtains, I caught sight of a familiar face—Trent.