Chapter 6

Aria

Okay, I’ll admit it, Lucas’s suite is freaking ridiculous. Like, who needs this much luxury on a damn cruise ship? The elegant carpet feels like walking on clouds, the furniture looks like it was handpicked by a billionaire… which, duh, he probably is—and the bed? It’s freaking massive. I’m pretty sure the moon goddess herself would curl up here.

“You like what you see?” Lucas smirks, standing by the door with that smug expression he probably practiced in front of a damn mirror.

I clear my throat, trying not to let my awe show too much. “Your suite is… great. Actually, it’s amazing. Better than Ethan’s.”

His smirk deepens. “Well, as the son of the chairman of Crescent Wolf Academy, I deserve only the fucking best.” He winks like he’s in some cheap perfume ad. “I could buy this ship if I wanted.”

I roll my eyes so hard they almost fall out of my face. What the fuck, Moon Goddess? First, Ethan the dirty cheater, and now this cocky, out-of-my-league Alpha as a second-chance mate? It’s like she enjoys seeing me suffer.

Lucas walks in, setting my bag in the closet. “Feel free to use whatever you want,” he says, gesturing around like he’s showing off a masterpiece. “The fridge is stocked, the TV’s loaded with movies, and, oh yeah, there’s a jacuzzi if you’re feeling fancy.”

I nod mutely, my brain still short-circuiting over the sheer size of this suite. He yawns dramatically. “I’m hitting the shower.”

Oh no. My heart does a little somersault, and not the fun kind. The bathroom door is…fucking transparent. Like, who thought that was a good idea?

Before I can even process my horror, Lucas peels off his shirt. Just like that. No warning, no lead-up, nothing. And let me tell you, his chest looks like it was sculpted by Greek gods on their best day—tattoos swirling across muscles that scream, look but don’t touch.

I whip my head away, swallowing the lump in my damn throat. Stay cool, Aria. You’ve got this.

“Something wrong?” he teases like he isn’t guilty. “You shy? I thought you weren’t attracted to me.”

“Keep dreaming, Alpha. I’m not interested.”

Gail, my wolf, yawns sarcastically in my head. ‘Sure, Aria. Whatever you say.’

Lucas chuckles, clearly not buying my act, but thankfully he disappears into the bathroom with his pants on, thank the goddess. I plop onto the bed, trying to focus on literally anything but him. It’s not working.

The water runs, and my eyes accidentally flick toward the glass door. Big mistake. Even with the frosted edges, I can see enough to know that this guy has no iota of shame.

Minutes later, the door swings open, and he steps out. Completely naked.

“OH MY fucking GODDESS!” I leap off the bed, slapping my hands over my eyes. “Are you fucking insane?!”

“What? You’re not into me, right?” His tone is dripping with mockery, and I can practically hear his stupid ass smirk.

“Alpha Lucas, have you ever heard of decency? Or pants?!”

“Relax. It’s not like you haven’t seen a naked guy before.”

I peek through my fingers. “Put some damn clothes on, I beg you!”

“Fine, fine. Don’t have a heart attack.” He laughs, strolling to the closet majestically.

When he finally emerges, he’s dressed… well, sort of. A tight white t-shirt that clings to him like a second skin and low-slung jeans that might as well be illegal. Great. Just great.

“Are you hesitating to shower because of me?” he asks, sauntering toward me with that cocky glint in his eye.

I straighten my spine. “Why would I be shy around you?”

“Because,” he says, leaning in close, “you’re scared of how much you want me.”

I snort, trying to play it cool, but his scent…spicy and woodsy hits me like a freaking drug. I hold my breath, but it’s no use. My traitorous body reacts anyway.

“Keep dreaming, Alpha,” I snap, but my voice wavers just enough to betray me.

He chuckles darkly. “If I wanted to, Aria, I could make you beg me to fuck you so hard. And you’d love every second of it.”

My jaw drops. “You’re fucking delusional.”

“Am I?” He tilts his head, studying me like I’m some puzzle he’s dying to solve.

“I’m not one of those girls who throw themselves at you,” I snap, crossing my arms.

“Sure you’re not,” he drawls, stepping back with a lazy grin. “But let’s be clear—I’m not into you either. You’re not my type. But if you’re willing…” He shrugs, letting the implication hang in the air.

I glare at him, my cheeks flaming. “You’re such a fucking manwhore.”

He laughs, clearly unbothered. “See you later, Aria.” And with that, he strides out of the suite, leaving me fuming and flustered.

As soon as the door shuts, I collapse onto the bed, letting out a groan. How the hell am I supposed to survive this tour with this ass hole?

The worst part? Gail is practically purring in my head. ‘Oh, shut up,’ I tell her. But deep down, I know I’m screwed. Literally and figuratively.

I just have to hold on. Starting tomorrow, I’m going to make that fucking bastard Ethan regret his decision.

***

Lucas

I stride out of the suite, grinning like a damn idiot. Aria’s hilarious, acting like she’s not fighting her own freaking desires. Like, hello? Does she not realize we’re mates? I can literally smell her arousal… sweet and intoxicating, but whatever. Let her pretend she’s not affected. This is business, no strings attached. That mate bond crap? Not worth the trouble. Not after what happened to my mom.

I head down to the game room, where Damon and Theo are waiting for me. They’ve been my ride-or-die since we were kids. We’re tight, the three of us, bonded by years of hockey, bad decisions, and loyalty. When I take over as Alpha of the Shadow Fang Pack, one of them is definitely going to be my Beta and the other my Gamma. It’s a no-brainer.

“Yo, man! Where the hell have you been?” Theo hollers the moment I walk in.

They’re already into a game of snooker, the room dead silent because Damon probably scared off anyone else who dared to stick around. That’s just how we roll… untouchable, untouchably arrogant, and we know it.

“Relax, I was just grabbing a quick shower,” I say, slipping a cigarette from my pocket.

Theo raises one of those thick, brooding brows at me, the way he always does when he knows there’s something I’m not telling him.

“Alright, hit me. What’s on your mind?” I sigh and light up, taking a long drag.

Theo doesn’t waste any time. “Damon says he saw you with Aria. Heading to your suite. What’s up with that?”

“Yeah, Aria,” Damon adds, leaning on his cue stick like some kind of judgmental ass hole. “Ethan’s mate.”

“Ex-mate,” I correct with a smirk, blowing out a cloud of smoke.

Damon’s brow furrows deeper. “Okay, so what were you doing with her? Don’t tell me you’re trying to comfort her or some shit. You don’t care about stuff like that.”

I grin, loving the way their jaws drop when I say, “She’s my mate.”

“What?!” they yell in unison.

“Yep. Found out a few hours ago. Crazy, huh?”

“That’s insane,” Damon says, disgust etched all over his face. “How the fuck is Aria your mate?”

“It doesn’t matter; she’s just useful right now,” I reply, leaning back in the chair before filling them in on my plan.

Theo shakes his head, his green eyes narrowing. “You’re fake dating your mate? Dude, that’s… messed up.”

“Maybe,” I say with a shrug. “But it’s gonna piss off Ethan, and that’s all I care about.”

Damon laughs, slapping the table. “Man, that’s wild. I’m here for it. Anything to make that stupid bastard squirm.”

Theo, on the other hand, looks skeptical as hell. “What about Aria, though? You sure she’s okay with all this? I mean… she’s your mate.”

“She’s on board,” I say smoothly. “She’s pissed at Ethan and wants to get back at him. Win-win for both of us.”

“And while you’re at it,” Damon says, grinning like a devil, “you might as well fuck her and really drive Ethan up the wall.” He fist-bumps me, and I laugh.

“Trust me, bro, I’m on it.” I blow out another puff of smoke, already picturing Ethan’s stupid face when he sees us together. “I’m gonna wreck him.”

Theo groans. “I don’t know, Lucas. This feels… risky.”

“Cut the crap, Theo,” I snap, glaring at him. “You know how much I hate Ethan. After what his family did to my mom, I’ll never let it go.”

Theo exhales, backing off. He knows better than to push me when it comes to my mom. They both do.

“Fine,” he mutters. “But what about your dad? Have you told him about Aria?”

I scowl. My dad. The one guy who’s been riding my ass about finding my mate, yet will flip the fuck out when he finds out it’s Aria. “I don’t need to tell him shit,” I say coldly. “Beta John will fill him in eventually.”

Damon snorts. “You think he’ll approve? Someone like Aria? Come on, man. Your dad’s gonna lose his shit.”

Theo nods, his voice tight. “Yeah. She’s an omega. Poor. From the Full Moon Pack, no less. He’ll never accept her.”

“He doesn’t have to,” I reply, taking another drag. “We’re rejecting each other after the tour, anyway. This is temporary. No strings.”

“Damn.” Damon grins, his brown eyes lighting up. “Well, while it lasts, let’s see how far you can take this. You sure this is gonna work? Ethan’s got Vanessa now. That chick’s, like, a solid ten.”

I smirk. “Don’t worry. Aria’s got potential. Tomorrow, I’m giving her a makeover. She’s gonna go from mid to… unstoppable. Just watch.”

Damon whistles, clearly impressed. Theo, on the other hand, still looks uneasy.

“You’re insane,” Theo mutters, shaking his head.

“Maybe,” I say with a cocky grin. “But that’s why you love me.”

And just like that, the plan is set. Tomorrow, we start the show—and Ethan won’t know what hit him.