Chapter 38

Lucy's feet came to an abrupt stop. There he was–Leo. He was walking down the hallway, dressed in a fitted black jacket and jeans towards Lucy. Lucy mused, and could only stare while Marie followed the direction of Lucy's eyes to see what had stopped her from moving. Lucy watched as Leo walked, his presence which seemed to command attention without effort as everyone bowed as he walked past them. His stride was confident, each step deliberate, exuding the natural authority he carried as the Alpha's son. 

The fitted black jacket he wore clung to his muscular frame, the fabric emphasizing the sharp lines of his broad shoulders and chest. The deep black color contrasted against his skin, highlighting his powerful build. His jeans fit him perfectly, completing the look that radiated a minor casual dominance and raw masculinity.

His hair, dark and slightly tousled, fell effortlessly across his forehead, giving him an air of careless perfection. 

As Leo walked closer, time seemed to slow for Lucy. Her breath hitched, and her heart pounded in her chest. Every part of her wanted to reach out to him, to feel his presence, to connect in some way—any way. But Leo’s gaze remained fixed ahead, his attention seemingly absorbed in the conversation with Ethan and the guard. His face, usually so expressive, was now a mask of calm indifference, revealing nothing of what he might be thinking or feeling.

Lucy couldn’t tear her eyes away from him. Every step he took brought him closer, and the air between them crackled with a tension she couldn’t ignore. Her heart raced, hope flickering briefly in her chest as she silently pleaded for him to look her way, to acknowledge her, even if just for a moment.

But when he finally approached her, passing by so closely that she could almost feel the heat of his body, Leo didn’t glance her way. Leo noticed her; she could tell by the brief flicker in his eyes. But he didn't look her way. 

He didn’t stop. He didn’t hesitate. He walked right past her, his gaze unwavering, his focus elsewhere. To anyone else, it might have seemed like a mere oversight, a moment of distraction, but to Lucy, it felt like a dagger to the heart.

A smirk rugged at Lucy's lips, but it wasn't out of amusement. Itbwas a smirk of disbelief, of bitter acceptance. The way he passed by without even a flicker of acknowledgment, made the world around her feel like it was crumbling. 

She had always known Leo to be intense, but this was different. This was cold, distant, almost cruel. The hope that had sparked within her quickly withered away, leaving a hollow ache in its place.

She smiled, nodding her head slightly as if trying to convince herself that she didn't care, that it didn't hurt. But deep down, she was crumbling. The corners of her lips drooped, and her eyes lost their brief glimmer. 

The pain she felt in that moment was almost unbearable, as if all the emotions she had been holding back were threatening to spill over. How could he just walk past her like that? How could he ignore her when she was standing right there? At least a brief look would have suffice.

Marie noticed the change in Lucy immediately. She saw the way her friend’s smile faded, the light in her eyes dimming. She placed a gentle hand on Lucy’s arm, trying to offer some comfort. “Come on, Lucy,” Marie whispered softly, urging her to move forward. “We need to get to our room.”

Lucy forced another smile, but this time it was even weaker than before. It was an empty gesture, devoid of any real emotion. She nodded at Marie, trying to shake off the heavy feeling that had settled in her chest. 

“Lucy, we have to go… we can't be seen just standing here.” She held Lucy's hand in an attempt to force her but Lucy pulled her back.

“Marie,” Lucy began, getting Marie's attention. “I've made up my mind. Leo… Leo is no one to me now. From this moment on, he's just another face in the pack.”

Marie's eyes widened in surprise. She had witnessed Lucy's struggle, the way she had held onto hope, even when things seemed impossible. To hear her friend speak with such finality now was shocking. 

“Lucy, I don't think you know what you're talking about… this is Leo we're talking about. You've always cared about him…. And don't try to deny that, I've always noticed the way you look at him even when you act like you don't care.”

Lucy nodded firmly, her jaw clenched as if she were trying to hold back the flood of emotions threatening to break free. “I've had enough, Marie. Enough of waiting, enough of hoping, enough of this constant pain. He rejected me first, whether he meant to or not. He made it clear today that I don't matter to him, so now I'm rejecting him. It's over.”

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, but the anger and hurt were bubbling just beneath the surface. “All I feel for him now is hate and resentment. I used to think he was strong, that he had some hidden depth that I could connect with. But now… all I see is a coward.”

Marie blinked, taken aback by the venom in Lucy's words. She immediately reached out with her hand to cover Lucy's mouth. “Lucy… you–”

“No, don't stop me, I don't care who hears me.” Lucy interrupted, shaking her head. “He's nothing but a puppet, controlled by others– I don't know, Isabella, his father… He can't even make his own decisions. He's weak, and I won't waste another moment on someone like that.”

Marie's discomfort grew as she watched the fire in Lucy's eyes. It was a side of her friend she had seen before, this steely determination mixed with bitterness. 

Lucy’s gaze was intense, unwavering, and it made Marie feel uneasy. She opened her mouth to say something, but the words got stuck in her throat. What could she say? Lucy was hurting, and no amount of comforting words could erase the pain Leo had caused her.

“Lucy, you have to be careful, remember your emotions could trigger your wolf… nothing can happen to you now… please.” Marie held her hands. “There's no going out of this pack… the only mate you have is Leo and I think you'll just have to wait for him till he comes around… don't get too emotional about his actions.” Marie forced a small, uncertain laugh, trying to lighten the mood. 

“Are you kidding me? Wait for him… you can't be serious… I can't keep doing this to myself, waiting around for someone who doesn't care. I'm stronger than that and I deserve better. Leo may look the part of a leader, but he's nothing more than a hollow shell. His actions have shown me that.” 

Marie's laughter faded into silence as she saw the sincerity in Lucy's expression. This wasn't just a moment of anger. Lucy was truly determined to sever whatever ties she had left with Leo. Her friend's unwavering resolve made Marie realize that maybe this time, Lucy was serious. Maybe she really was ready to let go, despite the pain it would cause.

“You really meant it, don't you?” Marie finally said, her voice soft and filled with sadness.

Lucy nodded, her gaze never leaving Marie's. “Yes. I'm tired of being hurt, Marie. Tired of feeling like nothing. From now on, I'll just think of a way, I don't know but it's definitely not Leo.” 

Marie sighed, her mouth opened slightly, ready to speak the thoughts that had been swirling in her mind ever since Lucy's confession. She wanted to say something –anything–to ease the tension between them. 

But just as she was about to speak, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway. A group of other maids passed by, their arms full of linens and cleaning supplies, too busy with their own tasks to notice the turmoil on Lucy and Marie's faces.

Marie clamped her mouth shut, deciding it wasn't the right time. The presence of the other maids made her feel exposed, vulnerable. She glanced at Lucy, who seemed lost in her own thoughts but Marie hesitated, waiting for the maids to pass, her heart beating a little faster as she wrestled with what she wanted to say.

Once they had passed, Marie took a breath and turned towards Lucy, her words finally ready to spill out. “Lucy, I–”

But before she could say another word, a sharp commanding voice cut through the air, freezing them both in place.

“What are you two doing, standing around in the hallway like lazy fools?” Isabella's voice rang out from behind them, dripping with irritation.

Marie felt her heart lurch into her throat, her body tensing involuntarily at the sound of Isabella's voice. 

“Don't turn around.” Lucy whispered. Her reaction was immediate and instinctual–without a word, she grabbed Marie's wrist, her grip firm but urgent. She knew better than to turn around and face Isabella. There would be no point in trying to explain themselves; Isabella would twist their words no matter what they said.

Marie, on the other hand, had always been the type to explain, to try and reason her way out of difficult situations. She instinctively started to pull back, wanting to turn around and offer some kind of excuse. But Lucy’s grip on her wrist tightened, stopping her in her tracks. Lucy’s silent message was clear: don’t engage, just leave.

Without looking back, they both hurried away, their steps quickening as they moved down the hallway toward their room. Isabella’s voice followed them, sharp and biting, but they didn’t slow down.

“Get back to work, you useless maids!” Isabella’s shout echoed after them, filled with anger and disdain. “If I catch either of you standing around again, you’ll both regret it!”