Lucas gently took my hand and led me away from the dance floor, guiding me through the crowded dance floor toward a more secluded area.As we walked, I could feel the warmth of his hand in mine which offered some comfort amidst the swirling emotions inside of me.Finally finding a quieter spot, Lucas pulled me close, wrapping his arms around me in a comforting embrace."You can tell me anything, Shana," he whispered, his voice filled with concern. "I hate seeing you upset."I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I didn't want to burden him with the hurtful words I had overheard, but I also knew that keeping it to myself would only weigh me down further."There were some girls in the restroom, and they were talking about me," I admitted, my voice trembling slightly. "They said horrible things--""What did they say?" Lucas asked his grip on me tightening as he listened to my words."Just bringing up that I'm wolfless, as usual. But they were also questioning why you would be wit
As Lucas made his way to the stage, I watched him with admiration. A wall of nerves hit me as he took the stage, but it was short-lived. Once he approached the microphone, he looked completely confident.A hush fell over the crowd as everyone was suddenly eager to hear what the school's star athlete and son of a top billionaire Alpha had to say."Good evening, everyone," Lucas began, his voice projecting authority. "I'm sure most of you know that I'm the student body representative, and holding such a title requires me to make a speech for you tonight."My eyes turned to look at the dean who was standing off to the side of the stage. He was watching Lucas carefully, and I wondered if he thought Lucas would say something to get the school in further trouble.But I didn't think Lucas would say anything about the events from the past week since the situation with Jessica had already been handled."Tonight, I stand before you not just as an Alpha, but as someone who deeply cares about thi
Just as everything felt like it would be unbearable, James appeared in the sea of people, making his way over to us."Oh, there's James!" I said to Lucas, hitting his arm to get his attention.James waved at us as he made his way over to our table. He wore a sleek, black suit that fit him perfectly, and I couldn't help but be shocked at how polished and professional he looked.It was weird in a good way – a stark contrast to his usual laid-back and goofy demeanor."Hey, guys!" he greeted us with a grin. "Dang, you both clean up pretty nicely."Lucas chuckled and replied, "Thanks, James. You're looking sharp yourself.""Yeah, who knew James could rock a suit so well?" I teased, earning a playful glare from him."I clean up nicely when I want to," James said, feigning seriousness before breaking into a grin.We all laughed, and the tension from earlier seemed to dissipate. It felt good to be around friends who could always bring a sense of lightness to an otherwise overwhelming night."
My heart sank as I processed the shocking revelation.Lucas had a fiancée, and it seemed like he hadn't mentioned her to either James or me. The surprise on James's face mirrored my own.Shocked, confused, and a little bit angry."Hi, I'm James," he introduced himself, extending his hand to Victoria.It was so like James to still be kind to people even if he wasn't exactly in a good mood at the moment.But Lucas's fiancée barely glanced at him, her attention was solely fixed on Lucas. "What have you been up to? I haven't seen you at any of the Alpha parties or events."Lucas's smile was strained as he said, "I've been busy, Victoria."Victoria? So, that was her name...I tried to think if I'd ever heard her name before, but it didn't ring any bells.And she was also from an Alpha family. I wondered what school she went to."Is it because of hockey?" Victoria asked. "I'm sure it's difficult being in charge of an entire team of wolves."Her laugh was deep and sensual as she said, "Boys
“It’s just that Lucas doesn’t like girls who are all skin and bones.” Victoria’s words played in my mind on repeat.The sting of embarrassment on my cheeks is impossible to hide.As Victoria's cruel words hung in the air, James couldn't hold back any longer.As Victoria's awful words hung in the air, James wasn't able to hold back any longer. He stepped forward, moving to stand beside me, his voice firm and unwavering."That's enough!" he said, his eyes locked with Victoria's. "You've been nothing but horrible the second you walked over here, and I won't let you talk to Shana like that."Victoria scoffed, brushing off his comment as if it didn't matter. "Oh, lighten up, James! I was just having some fun," she said, not bothered by the tension she had caused. "Besides, Shana doesn't look too bothered by my observation, do you?"I glared at her, feeling my fists tightened in my lap. As much as I didn't want to admit that her words hurt-- they did.And how well did she even know Lucas to
Listening to Lucas's explanation, I couldn't help but feel sympathy for him. I had no idea what it was like to be in his shoes, and I could only imagine the intense pressure he felt every day having the Busch name attached to him."Would you really accept a marriage like that?" I asked him. "I mean, you still have free will. Your father can't control every single aspect of your life."Lucas fidgeted at my question, clearly not knowing how to answer it. I started to grow worried about his response.It looked as if he was having an internal battle with himself on what was right and what was wrong.I wondered if his behavior was a result of his father's commands and twisted parenting styles. Lucas always looked like he was double-checking to make sure that his actions aligned with what his father would want. He was afraid to fall out of line."Of course, I don't want to marry Victoria," Lucas admitted, half torn and half nervous to continue. "I'd have to be out of mind if I actually want
As Lucas repeated his assurance that James and I would always be his best friends, frustration bubbled within me, taking over my train of thought.I couldn't bear to hear him say those similar words again—it was as if he was using them as a shield, a way to justify his actions without considering how they affected us."Stop saying that," I blurted the words out, unable to hold back my emotions any longer.Lucas looked taken aback by my outburst, a frown crossing his face."Shana, what's wrong now?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern. "I'm just—""No, Lucas." I stopped him from saying anything else.I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts."It's just... It's not fair, Lucas," I said, my voice trembling with emotion. "You're willing to trade your own lifetime happiness for status and money... I can't understand that."Lucas sighed, "Shana, it's not that simple. It's not like I want things to be this way," he said, his eyes pleading for my understanding. "My father is...
“Of course, I’m not jealous, don’t be ridiculous,” I said, trying to sound casual, but my own words felt off as soon as they left my lips. It felt like I was deceiving not only James but also myself.With a forced scoff, I attempted to hide my unease, pretending to be nonchalant as I stared at the dirt under my nails. "Besides, what would I have to be jealous of, right? I'm definitely not the jealous type."James gave me a small smile, tilting his head as he observed me. "You keep repeating that word, 'jealous.'"It was obvious that I wasn't convincing him. Hell, I wasn't even able to convince myself that I wasn't jealous.God. This was not good.Is that what this feeling is? Jealousy?Is that why I said something so harsh and cruel to Lucas? To hurt him back because I was... jealous?"No!" I blurted out loud, even though I meant to keep it to myself. My true emotions escaped my attempts to keep them hidden."No?" James asked. He was staring at me harder than he was a few seconds ago.
TWO MONTHS LATERThe sun cast a warm glow over the royal gardens of the Ethereal Palace as Lucas and I stood across from each other, ready to exchange our vows in front of our closest friends and family.Grandma Jo, Victoria, and James stood by our sides, along with King Alex, Professor Black, and Liam. Alex actually insisted on officiating our wedding which took some convincing. Lucas wasn't too keen on the idea."Imagine being able to tell people that the Alpha King was the one who married you two," Alex had said, wiggling his eyebrows at Lucas. "Doesn't that make for a good story?"Lucas rolled his eyes playfully. "Yeah, a story we'd have to explain for the rest of our lives. No thanks."I chuckled, patting Alex on the shoulder. "I think it's a fantastic idea, Your Majesty."Alex grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I know, isn't it? I do love a good story. Perhaps I'll write a book about it."Lucas shot me a sideways glance, a playful glint in his eye. "I don't know about y
I had the brilliant idea of surprising Lucas will all the new skills I had learned.I'd been so busy study, that I was always too tired when I got home.Showing him the magic I had learned was the best way for me to show him just how much I had grown. With a quick spell and a flick of my wrist, I conjured a portal right in our living room, ready to transport myself back home.As I stepped through the portal, the familiar rush of energy enveloped me, and with a flourish, I emerged in our cozy living room."Lucas?" I called out, unable to contain my excitement.Lucas, who had been engrossed in studying for his upcoming exams, jumped in surprise at the sound of my voice. "Shana? What... How did you... What's going on?"I couldn't help but laugh at his bewildered expression. "Surprise!" I exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear.His eyes widened in disbelief as he took in the sight of me standing there, a portal shimmering behind me. "Shana, that's incredible! How did you do that?""I've been
Studying the ancient text of the White Wolf book became my daily ritual.With each passing day, I delved deeper into its pages, absorbing the knowledge and wisdom it held within.When I had told Lucas that the book was finally unlocked, he was ecstatic, and recommended that Professor Black teach me more.Thanks to Lucas, Professor Black had become somewhat of a teacher, helping me decipher the intricate spells and teachings hidden within its ancient script.Even though he couldn't see the pages himself, I practiced rewriting and retracing everything for him to the best of my ability so that he could help me."Professor Black, I need your help with this passage," I'd say, flipping through the pages of the book as he leaned in to listen attentively. Together, we would dissect the ancient text, discussing its implications and applications in our world.His involvement in my studies caused him to visit the palace much more frequently.Alex quickly recognized the value of having Professor
I stood before the locked White Wolf book, a sense of determination washed over me.This was the moment I had been waiting for—a chance to unlock the secrets hidden within its pages and delve into the mysteries of my life.This book had the ability to tell me more about who I was and what I was meant to do.Suddenly, all the trials and tribulations that I had been through in the past year felt worth it for this moment. I deserved this. I deserved to know who I was.With Alex by my side, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. This was no ordinary book—it held the key to unlocking my true potential as the chosen White Wolf."Are you ready?" Alex asked, his voice filled with anticipation.I nodded, my heart pounding with excitement."You've got this, Shana," he said, his voice filled with confidence. "You were born for this moment.""Let's do this."With a steady hand, Alex pricked his finger, drawing a small drop of blood. I did the same, allowing a single tear to f
As I stepped into the grand halls of the palace, I couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation swirling within me.King Alexander had called me here, promising a surprise, and I couldn't help but wonder what it could be.It wasn't unusual for him to call me to the palace, but what he had said over the phone had me nervous."Liam's going to come pick you up to take you to the palace. I have a huge surprise for you," he had said."I hate surprises," I replied, already starting to chew on my bottom lip."Too bad," Alex said and I could practically see the smile that was on his lips. "See you soon!"As I awaited Liam's arrival, my mind raced with nervousness.Surprises were not my forte, especially when they involved King Alexander.He was a wild card and always seemed to be up to no good.Yet, despite my apprehension and hesitation, there was a flicker of excitement building within me.What could Alex have planned for me that needed to be such a secret?When Liam finally arrived, I couldn
A FEW MONTHS LATERThe warm breeze brushed against my skin as I made my way through the palace gardens, the vibrant colors of the flowers blooming all around me.Even though Alex had called the royal gardens overrated, it was my favorite place here.I always found myself walking through the rows and bushes of flowers.It had been a few months since the tumultuous events that had changed the course of our lives, and yet, the memories still felt fresh in my mind.Despite not moving into the palace, I found myself spending more and more time there, drawn by the sense of duty and responsibility that now rested on my shoulders.As King Alexander's right hand, along with Liam, I had taken on a new role within the kingdom, providing support and guidance to the young monarch as he navigated the challenges of ruling a kingdom.The transition hadn't been easy, but together, we had managed to weather the storm, leaning on each other for support as we forged ahead.As White Wolf, I commanded a le
I rushed through the hospital corridors, my heart pounding in my chest as I navigated my way to the room where Lucas and Kendrick were.The sound of my footsteps echoed off the sterile walls, each step bringing me closer to the moment I had been anxiously awaiting.Finally, I reached the door and pushed it open, stepping inside to find Lucas sitting beside his father's bed.Relief flooded through me as I saw Kendrick. His eyes were closed, but I could tell that he was just asleep and not completely unconscious as the machines beeped steadily."Lucas, I'm here," I said softly, crossing the room to stand beside him. "I got your text. How's he doing?"Lucas looked up at me, a grateful smile spreading across his face as he stood up. "Shana? What are you doing here?""What do you mean?" I asked with a frown. "I had to come as soon as I could once I found out he was awake. Are you okay?""I'm so glad you're here," he replied, his voice filled with emotion. He pulled me into a hug and I sque
LUCAS POV "Graduation is almost here and I want to go to Hawking University to play hockey. It's what I've always wanted," I continued, hoping my father could finally understand things from my point of view.But my father's expression darkened, a shadow of disappointment crossing his features as he shook his head slowly."Lucas, I've spent my life building this company," he said, his voice tinged with frustration. "I thought I could count on you to carry on the legacy."I couldn't help feeling a surge of guilt wash over me as I struggled to find the right words to express my feelings."I appreciate your confidence in me, father," I replied, my voice trembling slightly. "It's been difficult navigating everything since you've been gone, but I feel as though I was able to handle it because of everything you've taught me. But having this experience, I'm not sure if I'm fully ready to commit to such a big responsibility."My father listened as I poured out my heart, his expression unreada
LUCAS POV My phone rang with an unfamiliar number, and my heart skipped a beat as I answered it, the anticipation clawing at the edges of my mind.I had gotten used to answering unknown callers over the past few weeks ever since I took over the business for my father. He got far more calls than I imagined, and many of them were scammers trying to steal information from him.I was already exhausted, ready to go home for the day. I didn't want to deal with any more problems today, and that included talking to a stranger on the phone that just wanted to play games with me."Hello?" I said, my voice tight with apprehension."L-Lucas?" came the hesitant voice on the other end of the line. The voice cleared. "Hello, is this Lucas Busch?""This is he," I replied, ready to give this person a piece of my mind. "Is there something I can help you with?""Yes, I'm your father's doctor and I have some news to share with you."I stilled, hearing the words, hoping that it wasn't a prank.My father