Aria’s POV
I was walking too fast for someone who was supposed to be showing the Alpha’s son around. But I didn’t care. I just wanted this to be over.
The quicker I got through this task, the quicker I could get away from him. He was unsettling in a way I couldn’t quite describe. There was something about the way he looked at me that I couldn’t point out…like he could see right through me.
I exhaled sharply, focusing on the path ahead. Just a little further. Just a few more minutes, I suddenly realized I couldn’t hear his footsteps anymore.
I stopped and turned around to find myself completely alone. Panic shot through me.
Where the hell was he?
I scanned the busy street, my heart pounding. My gaze finally landed on him and I nearly rolled my eyes.
Lucian was far behind me, standing in the middle of a group of women, all of them giggling and fawning over him and he was loving it.
Of course.
I crossed my arms, watching as he flashed them his signature smirk, running a hand through his dark hair. One of the women reached out, resting her hand on his arm, and he leaned in closer, whispering something that made them all burst into another fit of giggles.
Unbelievable.
I should’ve just kept walking and left him there. But then reality hit me like a slap to the face.
Lucian was also the Alpha’s son.
Which meant he could easily report me and if he did, I’d be punished. The guards would drag me straight back to the packhouse, and I’d be thrown into a cell for disrespecting him.
I gulped.
As much as I hated the idea of going back to him, I had no choice. So, swallowing my pride, I rushed back toward Lucian and bowed. I felt his gaze on me before I even looked up.
When I finally did, he was smirking. “What’s the rush, little one?”
I clenched my fists but forced a calm tone. “I… apologize for leaving you behind.”
Lucian studied me, amusement flickering in his dark eyes. “Hmm.” He tilted his head. “Why do you look like you’d rather be anywhere else but here?”
Because I would rather be anywhere else but here, I thought but I kept my mouth shut.
His smirk deepened. “You don’t like me very much, do you?”
I kept my mouth shut. The girls surrounding him all turned their attention to me, their eyes glinting with jealousy—because Lucian was talking to me.
Lucian chuckled. “Interesting.” Then he turned to the girls and bid them farewell. A chorus of disappointed sighs followed, but he swiftly silenced them with a playful flying kiss—leaving them blushing like maidens at their first ball.
I shifted on my feet, desperate to change the subject. “Should we continue—”
“Tell me something,” he cut me off, stepping closer.
I swallowed. “What?”
His gaze flicked over my face, sharp and calculating. “Why are you so in love with Kian?”
My breath caught in my throat.
Oh, God. How did he know about that?
Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I quickly turned away. Gossip spreads fast in the pack, but I never imagined I’d be at the center of it. Had he heard about that humiliating moment with Kian? Had he seen the way I made a fool of myself—the way Kian rejected me?
I gritted my teeth. “I’m not in love with Kian.”
Lucian hummed in amusement. “You’re a terrible liar. You know the walls of the packhouse have eyes and ears.”
I stayed silent.
He smirked. “Tell me your name again?”
I hesitated before answering. “Aria.”
“Aria,” he repeated, rolling my name over his tongue like he was testing it. “And your father’s name and rank?”
I stiffened.
Why did he want to know that?
After a moment, I muttered, “Garrick, we’re omegas.”
Lucian nodded as if that name meant something to him.
Then he smirked again. “You’re in so much misery. So what do you exactly see in a brat like Kian that you want him to be your mate?”
I snapped my head up, my eyes widening.
“Excuse me?”
Lucian chuckled, clearly enjoying this. “He’s an arrogant, spoiled, selfish little prince. So tell me, Aria…” He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Why him?”
I was astonished.
I shook my head. “You’re wrong.”
“No, I’m not.”
“I don’t love—”
“I can see it, Aria.” His smirk faded slightly. “It’s in your eyes.”
My stomach twisted. I opened my mouth to argue, but the words wouldn’t come out.
Lucian just smiled. “Thought so.”
I hated him. I hated how he saw things I didn’t want him to see. I hated how he was right.
But then Lucian suddenly stretched out a hand toward me. “You know…I have a crazy idea.”
I froze. My entire body locked up and my heart stopped as Lucian watched me closely. “W-what is it?”
And then, with a wicked glint in his eyes, he added. “Let’s make a deal.”