My footsteps echoed down the empty hallway as I made my way to Lucas's private locker room.I was nervous to finally see him face-to-face after these weeks of us not speaking to each other.As much as I'd never admit it to him, I missed seeing him all the time. I missed the connection we used to share.I knew that I had to keep my distance because if I got too close, he would only end up hurting me like he already has.But seeing him so defeated on that ice rink earlier — not because the Dragons lost, but because of the emotions weighing him down — I felt so much empathy for him.He needed someone right now, and I would gladly be that person.But first, we needed to clear the air after the conversation we had on vacation.I didn't know how Lucas would respond, but I was willing to take a chance.As I reached his door, I noticed that it had cracked open slightly. Frowning, I was about to push it open when the sight that greeted me left me stunned.Victoria was inside, standing very clo
Lucas POVThe rain pounded against me as I drove my motorcycle through the stormy night, my heart and mind racing with determination.I needed to see Shana.After James had barged into my locker room, trying to start a fight with me and Victoria, he told me that Shana had been looking for me.I had no idea Shana was even there. A small part of me felt embarrassed that she witnessed me play so horribly in front of everyone.Today was not my day.When I asked James why she left, he couldn't give me a straight answer.I wondered if she left because of the way I played, but I knew Shana wasn't like that.Still, it made no sense. Why would she come to the game when she's supposed to be upset with me? I thought she hated me...Hearing that she left so quickly made my chest ache. Did I do something wrong?I couldn't think straight. I just needed to get to her house as soon as possible and see her, talk to her.Finally, I pulled up in front of her house and hurried off my motorcycle. Upon ins
Shana POV"I think I had a realization today too," I said to Lucas as we talked. It was time for both of us to be candid and vulnerable to each other. I didn't want this topic to keep coming up because quite frankly, I was sick of it.I hoped that this would be the last time I ever had to talk to Lucas about this because it just felt like we were going round and round in circles."I don't think I've been fair with you. Your father has been telling you how to live your life, and I realized that in a sense, I was doing the same thing.""How so?" Lucas asked, cocking his head to the side in question."Well, I don't fully understand your lifestyle. I don't know what it's like to be you. I don't know all of the trials you had to go through with Kendrick over the years. I don't know what it's like to be an heir. All I know is that the way he's treating you is wrong.""But you aren't doing the same thing, Shana. You're just sharing your opinion on the matter like a good friend would. You're
Lucas POVI wasn't lying about what I said in my conversation with Shana. I was going to end my engagement with Victoria, and I was going to end it today.I figured the best way to do it would be to invite Victoria and her family over for dinner.When I suggested the idea to my father earlier, he seemed satisfied. His acknowledgment told me that he thought I was finally willing to bond with Victoria's family.That couldn't be further from the truth.We had a private chef elegantly set the table for us, complete with floral arrangements and golden candlelight. This dinner was supposed to signify unity, power, and a step toward a pre-planned. future.But for me, it had a completely different purpose and nobody had a clue.As the first course arrived, I felt an unsettling sense of nervousness as Victoria's parents sat across from me. They were currently talking with my father about a recent business deal hiccup— the usual topic of conversation.I was so incredibly bored, and I couldn't h
Lucas POVMy words hung heavy in the room, the silence that followed punctuated by the rise and fall of furious breaths.A sudden thought crossed my mind. I wondered if it was the best idea to anger a room full of Alphas...My father's face shifted into a mask of disbelief as his hands curled into tight fists.The tension in the air was nearly suffocating."Care to repeat that, son?" my father seethed, his voice barely controlled. Each word out of his mouth was punctuated with anger."I won't go through with the engagement, Dad." I held his gaze, unwavering despite the instinct inside of me telling me to run."Are you out of your damn mind?" his voice finally cracked with restrained exasperation as he shot up from his chair. The sound of the legs scratching against the floor punctuation around the quiet room.He slammed a fist down on the table, making all the cutlery clang together.Stealing a look in Victoria's parent's direction was no less frightening. Their expressions mirrored m
Lucas POVVictoria and I fell silent as the three parents re-entered the room. I wasn't surprised to see that the anger hadn't dissipated. If anything, they looked even more disappointed now than before.The sharp edge to their smiles betrayed their true feelings."Lucas, sweetie, let's think about the benefits of keeping this engagement intact," Victoria's mother's voice was honeyed, laced with calculated kindness. "We realized that we may have been a bit harsh with you from the start. If that's what all of this is about, then we're willing to accommodate things."A bit harsh? That was the understatement of the century.Victoria's parents haven't liked me from the start, that much was clear, and they weren't going to start liking me now either.I knew they were only making this offer because they needed my father's name and business more than we needed theirs. This marriage contract benefits their business more than ours.I exchanged a glance with Victoria who was wearing an expressi
Shana POV"He's still not here yet?" James asked as he entered the cozy little coffee shop the next morning.I was currently nursing a cup of warm coffee, and anxiously looking toward the front door for a few seconds."No, he's not here yet," I said, taking a sip of my coffee. "He's probably running a bit late."James sighed, pulling out the chair across from me. "Well, he better hurry up. I'm dying to hear what happened."James and I spent the whole night worrying about Lucas and waiting for some kind of news. After he called me, he called James, and then James texted me immediately: WTF???!!!All of us had a restless night, worrying and wondering what was going on in Lucas's world.As if he'd just heard us talking about him, the door to the coffee shop jingled, and there he was. Lucas walked inside with his usual cool swagger, but if you knew him well—like I did—you'd be able to see the turmoil that was beneath the surface."Dude, we were just talking about you," James said as Lucas
I jumped, surprised that Kendrick had heard us coming.He wore a permanent glare as his eyes skimmed over James and I. When his eyes met Lucas's, they hardened even further."Didn't I tell you I didn't want you here?" Kendrick's voice dripped with anger and disgust. "You've got some nerve to show your face here again.""I forgot something," Lucas explained, keeping his body tight. "I'll be out of your hands in the blink of an eye."It was clear that he was trying to appear unaffected by his father's overwhelming power.Kendrick sneered and I watched as his fingers tightened around the doorframe. "Why did you bring them with you?""Dad—" Lucas started to say, but his father cut him off with a low growl."Were these two a part of your little rebellious plan to ruin your entire future?" He shook his head. "I told you to avoid them. I told you to spend your time with better—more important friends. Not these rodents..."I stiffened in shock, stealing a glance at James who was flaring his n