Chapter 28 Luca
The squeak of sneakers on the polished gym floor echoed as I stepped onto the court. The air smelled like sweat, rubber, and pine cleaner, a scent so ingrained in me it usually meant normal. Basketball practice was just another evening of drills with Coach Peters stalking the sidelines with his whistle and permanent scowl. I bounced the ball once forcing my breathing to steady.
Focus.
The rhythm of the dribble was steady and the sound cut clean through the chatter from the bleachers where a handful of students had gathered to watch. Phones were already out and cameras tilted toward the court. They always came even for practice cause there was basically nothing else to do in this small town. Normally, I didn’t mind but today, it felt like pressure. My wolf stirred cause he could feel the presence of our mate.
She’s here.
The word echoed in my chest with every heartbeat.
“Luca! Eyes up!” Coach Peters’ voice cracked through my thoughts and I snapped my head up. He stood near the free throw line, graying hair sticking out at odd angles and whistle swinging against his chest as his gaze locked onto me.
“We’re not here to sleepwalk!,” he barked. “Move your feet!”
“Yeah, Coach,” I said, my face hardening. I passed the ball to Tyler, our point guard, and he moved like the court belonged to him, dribbling between his legs, spinning past defenders before sinking a clean three. The net snapped and the bleachers erupted in cheers.
Drills followed and I did everything right, technically but every movement felt intense than it should have, my body reacting half a second faster than my mind.
Tyler glanced at me when the ball came back my way. “You good, man?”
“Yeah,” I said, too quick.
He studied me for a second, then shrugged and jogged off. I ran down the court, my calves burning and the pain fading as I accelerated. Sweat already slicked my hair to my forehead heat spreading through my chest. My wolf paced under my skin energized by the competition. I intercepted a pass meant for Derek, our tallest forward. He swore and lunged for me but I spun past him, muscles stretching and strength flowing easily through my limbs.
“Keep it clean, Luca!” Coach Peters yelled, whistle piercing the air.
I clenched my teeth and went up for the layup. The ball brushed the backboard and dropped through the net. Cheers followed but they were barely registered. The satisfaction faded as quickly as it came replaced by a hollow tension that sat heavy in my chest.
“Nice,” Tyler called.
I nodded, already moving back into position. The adrenaline didn’t fade but grew with images of Aria surfacing again, unwanted but vivid. The memory of the kiss that refused to go away. My wolf responded instantly and my hands clenched around the ball.
Coach Peters blew his whistle. “Half court! Scrimmage time!”
We lined up with Tyler to my left and Derek to my right. The ball snapped into play, and the court narrowed to movement and reaction. I saw and heard everything and every single heartbeat around me.
“Pass it!” Tyler called.
I didn’t but drove forward, cutting past Derek with more force than necessary. I felt contact and resistance give way. The ball clipped the rim and bounced out. Frustration flared hot and I kicked the air before I could stop myself, my breath coming out rough.
“Easy,” Derek said, hands raised. “What’s your problem?”
I didn’t answer. I sucked in a breath, forcing my shoulders to steady. Sweat ran down my spine, soaking my jersey. Tyler passed to me again. My hands trembled as I dribbled, the effort to stay controlled almost painful. I caught sight of Lila on the bleachers, her arms crossed and eyes locked on me worried.
What's the matter, Lu? I felt every inch of her worry through the telepathic link.
I’m okay, Lila. I forced myself to sound okay but I knew my sister.
I also tried not to look out for the person responsible for my current state. I wished she’d stop watching. My wolf wanted the gym empty and Aria close somewhere far away from watching eyes and beneath our bodies moaning my name.
I clenched my jaw. Stop that!!!
“Timeout!” Coach Peters snapped, blowing his whistle hard. “Luca, what the fuck is going on?!”
I bent forward, hands braced on my knees. “Nothing, Coach”
He wasn’t convinced. “You’re wound too tight. Step back and breathe.”
I nodded and did as told. With slow dribbles and clean passes, I focused on the mechanics and being a captain.
“Chill, man,” Derek muttered.
“I’m fine,” I gritted, repeating myself for the umpteenth time.
Practice resumed and the squeak of shoes against the hardwood felt almost aggressive now. My senses stayed sharpened refusing to dull with every scent clinging to the air. I stole the ball again and sprinted as the bleachers erupted into cheers. The attention fed my wolf making him twist under my skin. I feinted, spun, and ignored Tyler’s call for the pass. I shot and missed again. Damn! I never miss a shoot.
“Timeout AGAIN!” Coach Peters yelled.
I raised my hands, breath heaving. Tyler jogged up beside me, lowering his voice. “You sure you’re really okay?”
“Never better,” I said, the lie tasting bitter in my mouth.
The rest of practice blurred into restraint. I passed when instinct screamed to drive. By the final whistle, my shirt was soaked through and the team collapsed onto benches, laughing and groaning as water bottles were passed around.
Coach Peters shook his head at me. “You’re lucky you didn’t tear the place apart tonight.”
I nodded, swallowing hard and left the gym slowly, the noise fading behind me. Mason caught up and clapped my shoulder. “You survived.”
“Barely.”
He smirked. “You're still the best player.”
I ran a hand over my face, feeling the ache of restraint settle deep in my bones. Tonight had been a disaster. I was the star player and the best but today was just all fucked up.
It’s your fault, you know. My wolf blamed me.
QUIET!!!! I hated the control and every inch of the patience I had to bear. And I hated that I knew exactly what he was referring to.
AUTHOR’S NOTE:
Luca’s trying so hard to keep it together on the court, but the bond + wolf instincts are turning every drill into a fight for control. That moment when he almost lost it mid-play? The tension is suffocating. What do you think—will he keep pretending he’s “fine,” or is the next time he sees Aria going to break whatever restraint he has left? Drop your thoughts in the comments, my lovelies😘. How many more practices before Coach (or the team) calls him out for real?