Showdown

Lily's heart froze when she heard Lucas’s unmistakable voice echoing from downstairs. 

It felt like her world had gone upsidedown just by his presence and she was terrified of what it would mean now that he has found out where she is.

She hadn’t expected him to track her down here, especially not to Alex’s mansion. 

It should have been hard for him to even come to the conclusion that she would be here. It goes to show that he didn't trust her.

The fact that he was here in Alex's mansion means that he has already gone to Maya's house and questioned her.

She immediately checked her phone and saw that she has been sent numerous text messages from Maya asking her where she was.

Maya also informed her that Lucas had stopped by to ask about her. She wished she had seen the text earlier so she could prepare herself for Lucas's arrival.

A chill of apprehension snaked through her as she tried to catch the heated exchange already unfolding below.

She knew Alex would be never tell Lucas that she is in his mansion but she hoped things wouldn't escalate between them. 

She didn't want to feel responsible for another trouble brewing downstairs.

Alex’s voice was firm, laced with irritation. He obviously did not like this unexpected visit anymore than he hated Lucas staring at him as if he was a kidnapper.

“She’s not here, Lucas,” he insisted, each word cool and unyielding.

He wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of exchanging too much words with him.

A sneer appeared in Lucas’s tone. There was no way he was buying Alex's lie.

“Do you think I’m a fool, Alex? I know she’s here,” he retorted. “If she were safe and happy, she’d be home where she belongs. You think hiding her here will change anything?”

Lily’s stomach twisted, and before she realized what she was doing, she had already reached the top of the grand staircase, her feet carrying her toward the confrontation.

“Lucas, stop,” she said, her voice steady, though her pulse raced. 

Both men turned toward her, their expressions intense—Lucas’s eyes narrowed, a mixture of hurt and fury gleaming in them, while Alex’s gaze softened, as though relieved to see her but bracing himself for what might come next.

Without waiting for Lucas to speak, she descended the staircase, each step echoing in the tense silence. 

When she reached the last step, she stood tall and faced Lucas with a resolve she’d buried for too long. 

“Lucas,” she said, her voice laced with finality, “you need to leave.”

Lucas’s brows furrowed, his anger barely concealed beneath his shocked expression. 

“Leave?” he repeated, his voice dripping with incredulity. “You’re coming home with me. Don’t make a scene here, Lily. You know where you belong.”

“No, Lucas,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m not going with you. I came here because I needed space, and Alex has given that to me.” Her gaze flicked to Alex briefly, gratitude evident in her eyes before she returned her attention to Lucas.

Lucas’s face twisted in frustration. 

“This is ridiculous. You’re my mate, Lily. My Luna. You’re supposed to be with me,” he snapped, his voice rising. “Not hiding away in someone else’s house. Especially not his.”

Alex took a step forward, his expression calm but edged with warning. 

“Lily can make her own decisions, Lucas. She doesn’t need you deciding who she should be with or where she should go.”

Lucas scoffed, his eyes darting between Lily and Alex, simmering with a jealousy that was hard to ignore. 

“Is that what you think, Alex? That she’s suddenly her own person? You might be able to fool her, but I know what this is—some twisted need to feel important by stealing someone else’s Luna.”

Anger flared in Lily’s chest. She took a step closer to Lucas, her expression resolute. 

“You don’t own me, Lucas. Calling me your Luna doesn’t make me your possession. I decide who I want to be with, and right now, that person is not you.” Her voice quivered slightly, but her words held strength, defiance flashing in her eyes.

A dangerous look settled on Lucas’s face. 

“You’re making a mistake, Lily. You don’t know what you’re doing,” he said, his voice a low growl. “And Alex—” he spat, turning to him, “—you’re just as big a fool for letting her think this will work.”

Alex’s gaze didn’t waver, his tone calm yet steely. 

“The only mistake here, Lucas, is you thinking you have any right to control Lily’s choices.”

Lucas clenched his fists, every muscle in his body tensing as he glared at Alex. 

“This isn’t over, Alex,” he said coldly, his voice barely above a whisper, dripping with menace. “You’ll regret this. I’ll make sure of it.”

With that, he shot one final, scathing look at Lily, his expression a mixture of hurt, anger, and betrayal. Then he turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

The echo of the door closing left a heavy silence in its wake. 

Lily felt the tension slowly leave her body, but the weight of Lucas’s words hung over her like a shadow. 

She knew that, in standing her ground, she had stirred the waters in ways that would not easily settle.

Alex exhaled, running a hand through his hair before he turned to her, his gaze filled with concern. 

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice soft, his previous anger melting into compassion. He put his hand on Lily's shoulder.

Lily nodded, a shaky sigh escaping her. 

“I am… but I know this isn’t the end of it. Lucas doesn’t take challenges lightly.”

Alex reached out, gently taking her hand, his thumb brushing soothing circles over her knuckles. 

“Whatever happens, we’ll face it together,” he promised, his tone resolute. “You’re not alone in this.”

Lily looked into his eyes, a surge of gratitude and relief filling her. 

In that moment, she knew that, no matter what challenges awaited, she had someone who understood her, someone who respected her choices.