Chapter 18
Lucas's POV
I wiped the sweat from my forehead as Coach Thompson finally blew the whistle, signaling the end of our brutal two-hour training session. My muscles burned in that satisfying way that told me I'd pushed myself to the limit. The rest of the team was already heading to the showers, but something made me pause.
A familiar scent caught my attention—a mix of pine and wild berries that I'd recognize anywhere. Ellie.
I turned toward the gym entrance just in time to see Samantha walking toward me, but my eyes involuntarily fixed on the two figures behind her heading out. Ellie and some guy I vaguely recognized from the dance association. The sight of them together sent an unexpected jolt through my body.
Mine. She's mine.
I shook my head, trying to silence Conall's possessive growl. I had no right to feel jealous. I was with Samantha now—had chosen her deliberately. So why did seeing Ellie with someone else make me want to howl in frustration?
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"You're awfully quiet today," Samantha observed as we sat in the Forest Edge cafeteria twenty minutes later. The drive over had been mostly silent, with me staring out the window while she fiddled with the radio. She reached across the table to touch my hand. "Is everything okay?"
I forced a smile. "Just tired from practice. Coach is pushing us hard for the championship."
She nodded sympathetically, but her eyes remained calculating. "I saw Ellie earlier. Did you know she's hanging out with Jackson Wilson now?"
My fork scraped against the plate with a sound that made my teeth clench. "Who she hangs out with isn't my business anymore."
"Of course not," Samantha agreed quickly. "I just thought it was interesting how fast she moved on. Almost like she was never really that attached to you."
"Can we talk about something else?" I asked, pushing my barely-touched steak around my plate.
Samantha's eyes narrowed slightly before her expression softened. "I'm sorry, babe. I didn't mean to upset you." She reached into her purse and pulled out a small silver bracelet. "Look what I found at that vintage shop we passed the other day. Isn't it beautiful?"
My eyes fixed on the bracelet as I nodded absently. "Yeah, it looks great on you," I managed, clearly distracted. "You've always loved silver jewelry."
My thoughts drifted to the romantic display I'd arranged earlier. I had personally instructed the florist to add silver wire and silver dust to the roses, wanting to make them special for Samantha.
Most werewolves had evolved tolerance to silver over generations except for... Ellie. The memory hit me like a physical blow. Damn it, I'd completely forgotten about Ellie's severe silver sensitivity! Was that why she'd been so distant earlier? Had she been in pain?
"You seem distracted," Samantha said, interrupting my thoughts. "Are you sure everything's okay?"
Before I could answer, the cafeteria doors opened, and Ellie walked in with Jackson. They were laughing about something, completely absorbed in their conversation. My stomach twisted painfully as I watched them get in line for food.
"Oh, look who's here," Samantha said, her voice dripping with sweetness. "Should we invite them to join us?"
"No," I said too quickly. The thought of sitting across from Ellie and watching her interact with Jackson made my blood boil. "I mean, they probably want to be alone."
Samantha's eyes gleamed with triumph. "You're right. They do look cozy together, don't they? I heard he's brilliant—top of his class in the medical program. And from a good family too."
Each word felt like a needle under my skin.
"I'm going to say hello," Samantha announced suddenly, standing up before I could protest.
I watched in horror as she sauntered over to their table, her silver bracelet catching the light with each movement of her wrist. My enhanced hearing picked up her sugary greeting: "Ellie, I'm so glad to see you again! Mind if we join you?"
Ellie's response was immediate and firm: "Not a good time, Samantha."
"I'm just trying to be friendly," Samantha pouted, her voice rising slightly to ensure nearby students could hear. "After everything that happened between you and Lucas, I thought we could all be mature about this."
I should have stayed in my seat. I should have let Ellie handle it. Instead, I found myself walking over, drawn by some primal need to be part of this interaction.
By the time I reached them, Jackson was standing, his posture subtly defensive. "Is there a problem here?" he asked, his voice calm but with an edge that made my hackles rise.
"No problem at all," I said, forcing a casual tone. "Samantha was just saying hello."
Ellie's eyes met mine briefly before darting away. The scent of her anxiety hit me like a punch to the gut. She was uncomfortable—because of me.
"Well, hello has been said," Jackson replied coolly. Then, turning to Ellie: "We should go if we're going to make it to the library before your next class."
Ellie nodded, gathering her things. "Right. We should go."
"You just got here," I pointed out, gesturing at their barely touched food. "Stay and eat. We'll head back."
"We did just arrive," Ellie admitted, her eyes meeting mine briefly before looking away, "but I've suddenly lost my appetite."
The coldness in her voice made my stomach twist. I knew that tone—it was the same one she'd used when she told me our friendship was over.
As they walked away, Samantha turned to me with a triumphant smile. "Did you see how jealous she was? She couldn't even look at us."
But I wasn't listening. I was watching Ellie leave, noticing how carefully Jackson kept himself between her and Samantha, how he subtly guided her away from the silver bracelet Samantha had deliberately flashed in her direction.
He knew. Somehow, Jackson Wilson knew about silver's effect on werewolves. And he was protecting Ellie from it.
"Lucas? Are you listening to me?" Samantha's voice cut through my thoughts.
"Sorry, what were you saying?"
She sighed dramatically. "I was asking if you've told your parents about us yet. Your mom has been calling you a lot lately. I saw her name on your phone yesterday."
The mention of my mother brought a fresh wave of guilt. She'd been calling daily, leaving increasingly worried messages about my "health" and "family responsibilities."
"Not yet," I admitted. "My mom's been dealing with some health issues. It's not a good time."
"It's never a good time with your family," Samantha said, her voice taking on a hurt tone. "Sometimes I wonder if you're embarrassed by me."
"That's not it at all," I assured her, taking her hand. "It's complicated. My mom has... traditional views. She's always had this idea of who I'd end up with."
"You mean Ellie," Samantha said flatly.
I couldn't deny it. Our families had always assumed Ellie and I would eventually be together. It wasn't just tradition—it was necessity. The stability of our bloodlines depended on it. But how could I explain that to Samantha without revealing everything?
"It doesn't matter what she wants," I said instead. "I've made my choice."
Samantha's expression softened. "I know it's hard standing up to your family. I just want to feel like I'm not your dirty little secret."
The guilt intensified. In many ways, that's exactly what she was—a secret I was keeping from my werewolf world. A human girl who could never truly know me.
"You're not," I lied, squeezing her hand. "I'll talk to my mom soon, I promise."