"That asshole!" Leona muttered under her breath as she watched Lucas make his way toward them.
Her jaw tightened, nails biting into her palm as she tracked every lazy step he took. She had no idea what game he was playing this time, or what had possessed him to deliberately walk in their direction.
She knew, however, that she couldn't afford to react the way she normally would. Starting a fight inside a crowded club filled with humans, would be catastrophic. Because not only would it cause a scene, but it would immediately draw Lily's attention.
Then the secret Leona had been guarding for years would come crashing down. And if Lily ever learned the truth, there was a very real chance she would cut Leorna off completely.
So, Leona inhaled and exhaled a few times, getting herself ready to face Lucas. Normally, Leorna would have welcomed the excuse to rip Lucas's head clean off his shoulders. He was insufferable, arrogant, and a walking embodiment of everything she despised about the TrashClaws.
But tonight, she had bigger problems.
Dorian and Thalia, standing just behind her, were already stiffening. She could feel their anger rolling off them in waves, especially toward someone like Lucas. If they lost control, even for a second, claws would come out. And once that happened, there would be no undoing it.
So before she could overthink it, Leona stepped forward. She placed herself squarely between Lucas, who had finally reached them, and Thalia and Dorian, who had instinctively positioned themselves side by side like a wall.
Lucas hadn't even opened his mouth yet when Leona spoke. "Why are you here?" She demanded, her voice sharp and controlled. "Are you really so desperate that you're doing whatever it takes to get around us now?"
Lucas raised a brow, clearly amused, but she didn't let him interrupt. "First, you claimed you were in our borders chasing after your so-called oracle." She continued. "Then we found out that was a lie because we were lured. And now you're here?" Her eyes narrowed. "Or were we lured again? Is that what this is?"
Lucas let out a chuckle, the sound dripping with
arrogance. "Get off your high horse, Leona." He said casually. "This is a club outside of town that does not bother either of our Packs. So what exactly gives you the right to question why I'm here?"
He tilted his head, eyes glinting. "Or are you implying that my presence is meant to get your attention?" He smirked. "Or upset you?"
He leaned slightly closer. "For all I know, you could be the one here to irritate me."
Leorna clenched her jaw. "Fine." She said, forcing out a smile. "Since you have every right to be here, why did you approach us?"
Lucas blinked, then laughed."Oh please, you were the one who blocked my path just when I was about to walk past." He replied smoothly.
She stepped aside immediately and gestured with exaggerated politeness. "Be my guest and forgive me for being in your way." She said coldly.
Lucas paused, then, instead of walking on, he leaned in close and lowered his voice so only she could hear. "That little girl of yours…" He murmured, his breath warm against her ear. "She's a human, isn't she?"
Leorna's eyes darkened. "And how?" She asked quietly. "Is that any of your business?"
Lucas straightened, his smile widening. "Wow." He said mockingly. "The future Alpha of a Pack, frolicking around with a petty little human."
"I don't see how that's a problem." Leona shot back. "To you, maybe not," Lucas said. "But I'm very sure the rest of the werewolf world would love to know that the reason we live in hiding, pretend we don't exist, and hide away from a species we're superior to…"
He leaned back slightly, eyes sharp."Is being completely undermined by one of their future Alphas openly mingling with a human."
"Mind your business." Leona snapped and Lucas raised both hands as if surrendering. "Who am I, really?" He said, grinning. "I don't have the right to interfere, do I?"
Suddenly, Dorian snapped and lunged forward, fist clenched, rage flashing across his face, but Leorna shot out her arm, stopping him instantly.
"Don't!" She hissed under her breath and her gaze flicked past Lucas to where Lily was. If a fight broke out, if claws were bared or someone shifted, Lily would see everything.
Lucas followed her line of sight, then chuckled.
"Oh my!" He said. "It's almost like the puny little human doesn't even know, does she?"
Leona's heart slammed against her ribs. "She doesn't know that she's been frolicking around with a pack of wolves." Lucas continued lightly, then his voice dropped. "Does she know she's been walking around like prey under the watchful eyes of predators?"
Leorna turned on him, fury blazing. "When are you going to learn how to mind your business?" She demanded. "Or do I need to teach you?"
"Do whatever you want." His smile sharpened. "After all, I won't be the one blamed when your precious little human finds out the truth you've been hiding from her."
Then he pointed toward the bar. "See him?" He said, nodding toward Oliver, still seated beside Lily, laughing at something she'd said. "I may not be eager to spill secrets, but someone like Oliver? Oh, he might."
Dorian stiffened as Lucas smiled wider. "He could casually bare his fangs, stretch his claws, and when she stares at him like she's just seen a monster for the first time, he'll gently remind her that the people she's been floricking with… are werewolves too."
Leona's fists clenched. "And then…" Lucas continued, voice almost sing-song. "She'll feel disappointed, while you'll be heartbroken." His gaze locked onto Leorna and he leaned closer.
"That thought alone brings a smile to my face."
Hissing under her breath, Leona took a step forward and Lucas raised a hand. "Ah, ah." He smirked. "I know you want to keep me here longer to admire my handsome face, but unfortunately, I need to use the restroom."
With that, he walked past her while Leona stayed
rooted to the spot, with her jaw tight, as she did everything in her power not to tear after him. The moment he was gone, she sucked in a sharp breath and exhaled slowly.
Then she turned to Thalia. "Go get Lily away from Oliver," Leona said quietly but firmly. "Do whatever you can, but make sure that it doesn't cause a fight."
Thalia nodded and with blazing eyes, she said. "If we stay any longer, I won't be able to hold this in." Dorian ran a hand through his hair. "I knew it!" He muttered. "I knew we shouldn't have brought Lily here."
Leorna faced him. "Whether Lily was here or not, I would've stopped a fight." Her voice hardened. "I'm preparing to become the future Alpha so a brawl in a human club would expose us and confirm every human suspicion that werewolves exist."
"And that could ruin everything you've worked for," Thalia said, already turning away. At the bar, she plastered a smile on her face and approached Lily and Oliver.
"Hey." She said lightly. "Lily, I need to steal you for a moment."
Oliver leaned back, eyes narrowing slightly. "You can't just take her because you say so." Then he turned to Lily. "I will only let her go if she wants to go. So tell me Lily, do you want to go?"
Lily blinked. "Well… no." Then she frowned at Thalia. "We just got here, so why are we leaving already?"
Thalia's mind scrambled. "Leona isn't feeling too well." She blurted out and Lily was on her feet instantly. "What? What do you mean she's not feeling well?"
"Let's go first," Thalia said quickly. "You'll find out when we get there."
"Fine." Lily grabbed her bag, then turned to Oliver. "I'm really sorry. I have to go." As she moved past him, Oliver gently caught her wrist.
"At least let me get your number." He asked and Lily smiled softly. "If we meet again." She said, easing her hand free. "Then I'll give it to you."
She tilted her head. "If we don't… then maybe we're not fated to be."
And with that, she followed Thalia and returned to where Leorna stood, and Leorna exhaled in relief on seeing her. The moment Lily reached Leorna, her hands were already on her.
"Leorna, what happened?" Lily asked, gripping her shoulders, eyes darting over her face, her arms, her posture. "You were fine five minutes ago, so how did you fall ill all of a sudden?"
Leorna blinked hard. "Fell… sick?" She repeated, genuinely confused.
Thalia immediately stepped in, smoothly. "I told Lily you weren't feeling well so you wanted to leave early." She said casually.
Leorna's eyes flicked to Thalia for half a second, long enough to understand, then she sighed and lifted a hand dismissively. "You didn't have to tell her. I told you not to."
Lily's hand landed against Leorna's shoulder in a light smack. "What do you mean you didn't want me to know?" She snapped. "You're not feeling well and you think I won't worry?"
"I'm fine," Leorna said quickly. "Really."
Lily wasn't convinced. "Are you sure? Do you feel dizzy? Nauseous? Do we need to go to the hospital?" Leorna shook her head, lowering her voice. "The only reason I told Thalia not to say anything is that it's just period cramps."
Lily paused, then frowned. "Our dates are usually close together, so you shouldn't even be on your period now." Leorna shrugged, trying to look casual. "I've been stressed out lately, maybe that messed things up."
Lily's expression softened immediately. "That's true." She murmured. "Stress does that." Then she took Leorna's arm gently. "Alright, let's all go home. You need rest."
With that, they turned toward the exit, moving through the pulsing crowd, and the music was still vibrating through the floor, when Leorna felt the unmistakable sensation of eyes on her.
She slowed, her steps faltering and her gaze slid over her shoulder to the top of the stairs where a man dressed in a black hoodie,
grey pants, and a black face mask stood motionless while staring directly at her. "What the hell…" She muttered, eyes squinting to catch the hint of emptiness in his eyes.