The day of the game against the Dragons and the Serpents had finally arrived. Excitement bubbled within me as I pulled on my Dragons jersey, the one that had Lucas's name and number on the back.The anticipation was killing me, and it seemed to be reflected in the charged energy around me as I walked inside the hockey stadium at Hollow High.This was the game that would determine the Dragon's place in the championships, and I had no doubt that Shadow High's team, led by Lucas, would give it their all.My phone buzzed with a text notification, and I glanced down to see it was from Lucas.Lucas: I'll be a bit late for the game. See you there!I frowned, wondering why he wasn't with the other players yet. Lucas was never late. I didn't think too much about it, and sent him a simple reply of, "See you at the game!" and headed to the arena with James.As the minutes ticked by and the game time drew closer, I began to feel a sense of unease.Lucas not showing up was unlike him, especially f
Lucas POVI had a plan.I knew that I needed to get to the game as fast as possible, and the only thing standing in my way was this lousy door and the six-foot guard on the other side.The tension that had been building within me finally erupted, fueling my every move.The security guard sent by my father had been an extra layer of protection for my father to stop me. But it wouldn't be enough to stop me.With all my strength, I lunged forward, my fists a blur of precision and power. The impact of my blows reverberated through the door, and I could practically feel the surge of energy coursing through my veins.I'd been training for most of my life. There's no way I couldn't get through this.With one final push, the door gave in and opened... Or more like it fell apart.The guard stumbled back, surprise and fear evident in his eyes. But I didn't allow him a chance to regain his composure.I quickly got to my feet and kicked the bottom of his feet to bring him crashing to the ground.
The buzz in the air after the Dragon's victory was infectious. The team had pulled off an incredible win, thanks to Lucas finally making it to the game in time.Everyone was in high spirits, basking in the glory of our triumph. But I don't think anyone was as excited as James."Hell yeah! Drinks on me tonight, guys!" James cheered for his teammates.All of them began to holler before Lucas stepped in, making all of them go silent."Nobody is drinking anything tonight," Lucas said like a stern father. All the players booed him."Come on, captain!" One of the guys pouted. "We just kicked ass out there!""Yeah, we all deserve to celebrate!" Sam shouted. "Especially you, Lucas. You're the one who helped us get there."They all batted their lashes and kept chanting 'please' before Lucas finally caved in."Okay, okay. Fine, you guys can go," Lucas said, leaving all the players cheering.James high-fived Sam just as Lucas said, "Except for you, James."James sagged his shoulders, stomping hi
Lucas POVDriving home after the exhilarating game, my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.After I said goodbye to all my friends, I hopped on my motorcycle and started to make my way to Grandma Jo’s.I spent the first few minutes of my drive thinking about the game we had just won. While I imagined the other players were out celebrating, I was already thinking about how much harder we were going to have to play at our next game.The victory had put us on the path to the championships, but it also meant that the pressure was on. As the captain of the Dragon hockey team, it was my responsibility to ensure we were ready to face whatever challenges came our way.Being in the championships was no joke. From now until the championship game, we had to take practice seriously. Mentally, I was already planning and plotting out drills for us to work on to make our team even stronger.I was determined to lead my team to victory.Turning onto the familiar streets that led to Grandma Jo's house, I
The weekend had finally arrived, and our plan to surprise Lucas was set in motion.It had been a difficult few weeks for Lucas, and James, Victoria, and I were all on board to help him forget about the recent drama that went down with his father.Lucas needed to enjoy the more carefree moments of life, and Kendrick had only been weighing him down.I remembered that there was a local bowling alley and arcade that Lucas, James, and I had gone to a lot when we were younger. We'd spend hours playing laser tag and arcade games to win the prizes.So that was our destination for today, the local arcade. There was no way we wouldn't have a great time. It always built the best memories full of laughter, and maybe a bit of friendly competition.But the real kicker here was that Lucas had absolutely no idea where we were going."Guys," Lucas said, his mouth turning downward into a frown. "When can I take this blindfold off?"The blindfold was a bit excessive, but it was James's idea, so Lucas ha
The night air was crisp as I made my way back home after our eventful day at the arcade.I waved goodbye to Lucas who had dropped me off.The entire evening still lingered in my mind, providing a warm contrast to the chilly evening. It always felt nice to hang out with friends and socialize. Seeing the small change in Lucas was enough to make me feel accomplished.I walked up to my front door. The previous buzz of excitement was slowly being replaced with a quiet night of relaxation.But as soon as I stepped inside my house, that anticipation was shattered.The scene before me was like something out of a nightmare. Empty bottles of alcohol littered the floor, evidence of a chaotic frenzy. The furniture was overturned, and papers and belongings were strewn across the room like the aftermath of a storm.It looked as if someone had broken into our house..."Dad?" I called out, my voice tinged with concern.I was pretty sure that my father was supposed to be working the night shift for Ke
I was still shaking even though I knew my father wouldn't be able to get up and hurt me.Lucas noticed that I was standing shell-shocked and approached me immediately, wrapping me in a comforting hug. I was too stunned to even wrap my arms around him.I stared down at my unconscious father, his figure sprawled on the living room floor, a stark reminder of everything that had just unfolded.Lucas's voice cut through the tension, his eyes reflecting concern. "What happened?""Kendrick." It was only one word, but it was able to sum everything up. Realization flashed through Lucas's eyes."That's why he said this was all my fault?" Lucas asked.I nodded. "But obviously he's wrong, Lucas. You did nothing wrong, and my father clearly isn't in the place to be starting arguments.""I know Shana, I'm not upset about that." Lucas pulled back from our hug, staring straight into my eyes. "He could've hurt you if I wouldn't have been able to come back in time.""But you did," I said. "And that's a
Life at Grandma Jo's house settled into a comfortable routine. Lucas and I rode to school together every day on his motorcycle. The engine's roar and wind whipping through my hair became a familiar soundtrack to our mornings.Lucas and I were closer than ever before.It was a throwback to our childhood, and the ease with which we fell back into this comfortability warmed my heart. I was just Shana, and he was just Lucas.It had only been a week, but with each passing day, Lucas seemed more like himself again.The weight of his father's control had lifted, and his laughter had returned, brightening our shared moments. There was a renewed sense of familiarity between us, as if we had stepped back in time to when life was simpler.When we didn't let others get in the way of anything. When we were too young to care.It felt refreshing to finally feel free from the stress that had constantly hung over our heads.But even even as our days found a comfortable, steady rhythm... There were con
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