Chapter 132
Freya
The morning sunlight filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Lucas's office as I watched him scroll through his phone, his eyes narrowing with each swipe. His usual easy-going demeanor had shifted into something more predatory, more... Alpha.
"That bastard," he muttered, holding up his phone to show me the trending topic that had exploded overnight. Paxton's Instagram post—a single photo of a broken ornament—had somehow become the most discussed topic.
I stared at the image, my chest tightening as I recognized the delicate piece. It was the hair ornament I'd worn during our marking ceremony, the one I'd treasured until the night he chose Lyra over me. The night I'd snapped it in half with my hands.
Lucas was already on his phone, calling his assistant. "I need you to buy some moon-shaped hair ornament available for same-day delivery in the city." His eyes flashed gold as he spoke. "Yes, the expensive ones."
Two hours later, Lucas's table was covered with dozens of elegant hair ornaments, each one more beautiful than the last.
He looked up at me, those eyes blazing. "All mine."
When he snapped the photo, I caught a glimpse of his reflection in the phone screen. This wasn't just a social media post; it was an Alpha's declaration of war.
I couldn't help but laugh at Lucas's behavior. "This is so juvenile, Lucas. And yet..."
"And yet?" he asked.
"And yet it's also kind of sweet."
Lucas leaned closer, that playful grin spreading across his face as his golden eyes sparkled with mischief. "The financial summit's coming up, and there's a business gala tonight as a warm-up. Want to be my date?"
I nodded.
---
That evening, the Grand Ballroom was packed with elite. This was the year's biggest business gala, and the air thrummed with barely contained power and ambition.
Lucas was running late due to an important client meeting, and I found myself surrounded by a circle of executives, all eager to discuss my recent departure from Sterling Corporation. After nearly an hour of polite conversation, I was exhausted from maintaining my composed facade.
My phone buzzed with a message from Lucas, and I felt my spirits lift immediately. He'd sent his location—he was waiting for me on a terrace not far from where I stood.
I was making my way toward him when a familiar voice stopped me cold.
"Bella, come with me."
It was Liam Wilson's voice, commanding and unmistakably Alpha. I found myself ducking behind a marble pillar, picking up their conversation.
"Liam, if we go to the terrace alone, people will talk. It won't look appropriate," Bella's voice carried that sweet, manipulative tone I'd never heard her use before.
"What are you afraid of? We're mate now."
Footsteps approached gradually, the soft click of heels against marble drawing my attention. I peered around the pillar, and my breath caught in my throat.
It really was Bella.
But this wasn't the innocent, sweet-natured Beta I thought I knew. Tonight, she wore a stunning sapphire blue gown that hugged every curve of her body, transforming her from the pure, demure friend I remembered into something sultry and dangerous.
I was about to step forward, to call out to her, when strong arms suddenly wrapped around me from behind. Before I could even process what was happening, I was pulled against a solid chest, every inch of space between us eliminated.
I looked up to find Lucas's eyes blazing down at me.
"Lucas—"
My words were cut off as his lips crashed against mine in a kiss that was both passionate and possessive. The kiss was demanding, claiming, leaving me breathless and dizzy as his pheromones enveloped me.
His hand cupped the back of my head, pressing me firmly against the cool marble as his mouth moved hungrily against mine.
I was caught completely off guard by the sudden intensity, my hands instinctively pushing against his chest. But he only held me tighter, his Alpha strength easily overwhelming my resistance.
When he finally moved from my lips to trace a path along my jawline, then down to my ear, I felt my resolve crumbling with each touch.
"Lucas!" I managed to gasp out, my voice barely audible.
His mouth continued its exploration, moving down to my collarbone, and I could feel my knees growing weak. Just then, I heard footsteps approaching.
Lucas reluctantly pulled away, letting out a frustrated sigh. "This really isn't the best place for this," he muttered.
"Want to get out of here?" His eyes burned with intensity as they met mine.
Before I could answer, he was already moving, stepping over the low terrace railing and jumping down to the grass below. The ballroom was on the ground floor, making the escape relatively easy.
"I'll catch you," he said, reaching up with both arms.
Looking down at his outstretched hands, I grasped them tightly and let him lift me over the railing. The moment my feet touched the ground, he pulled me against him again, his arms wrapping around my waist as his mouth found mine once more.
I could feel the strength of his desire. It was overwhelming, intoxicating, and terrifying all at once.
"Stop," I whispered against his shoulder.
"Freya," he breathed my name like a prayer, his kisses trailing down my neck like raindrops.
But then his hand moved to rest against my abdomen, and everything inside me went cold.
I trembled, the reality of my situation crashing down on me like a tidal wave. Pushing Lucas away with sudden urgency, I stopped his movements completely.
A wave of inexplicable sadness washed over me as my own hand moved to cover my stomach protectively. When I spoke, my voice was distant, almost ethereal.
"I went through such a terrible relationship," I said, not quite meeting his eyes. "I want to start a new life, but... you should know, I'm carrying his pup. This baby will always remind me of what I had with Paxton."
"Lucas, I thought I wouldn't care about these things, but now I realize I do. Lucas, do you really want to be with me? Are you certain? Won't you regret this someday? You have to understand—this child is Paxton's. Every time you look at them, you'll think of him, remember that I had a marking bond with him before you. So, Lucas... maybe you should reconsider."
The truth was, I was terrified. Terrified of moving forward, terrified that he would regret his choice, terrified that even if we were together, we still wouldn't be happy.
In every other aspect of my life, I was confident and composed. I could strategize, problem-solve, find solutions. But when it came to matters of the heart, I had never felt secure.
Love wasn't something I could control through effort and determination. I'd learned that the hard way with Paxton. I'd thought I was doing everything right, believed that my dedication and devotion would be enough to make our marking bond last forever. But I'd been wrong—devastatingly, completely wrong.
Lucas remained silent, and I kept my eyes closed, unable to face whatever expression might be on his face. The silence stretched between us, so complete that even the music from the ballroom seemed to fade away, leaving us suspended in this moment of brutal honesty.