Lucas POV
The car door clicked shut. I stepped out, adjusted my cuffs, and walked toward the mansion without looking back. The cold air hit my face, sharp and clean, but it did nothing to clear the fog behind my eyes.
I was tired. Not the kind of tired sleep could fix. The kind that sat in my bones, heavy and dull, pressing against my skull like a vice.
I didn’t knock on my father’s door. I never bothered to.
The study was warm, too warm. The fire crackled low in the hearth, casting long shadows across the walls. My father sat behind his desk, a half-empty glass of something amber in his hand. Caleb was there too, lounging in the chair across from him like he was bored out of his mind.
"Lucas," my father said, raising his glass. "You actually came."
I didn’t respond. I walked to the empty chair and sat down, letting the leather groan under my weight.
Caleb didn’t look at me. He was staring at the wall, his jaw tight, his hands curled into loose fists on his knees. Something was wrong with him. I didn’t care enough to ask.
"What do you want?" I said, my voice flat.
My father set down his glass. The playfulness in his eyes faded, replaced by something heavier.
"Maya."
The name landed like a stone dropped into still water.
Caleb’s jaw tightened. His fingers curled tighter.
"She’s a Luna Healer."
I had known. Somewhere, deep down, I had known. The way she had brought Aria back. The way the pack had started treating her differently. The way my father had doubled security overnight. But hearing it said out loud still made my chest go cold.
"A Luna Healer?" Caleb’s voice was sharp. "What the hell is that?"
My father sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "She can heal others by taking their wounds onto herself. In extreme cases, she can pull them back from death. But the cost is high. If the damage is too great, she dies in their place."
Caleb’s eyes widened. "That’s how she saved Aria."
"Yes."
"How many of them are left?" I asked.
My father’s gaze flicked to me. "Very few. Most were hunted. Used until there was nothing left. If other packs find out what she is, they will come for her."
Silence stretched between us.
"She can’t know," my father said. "Not yet. If she finds out, she might panic. Or she might start using the ability more freely. Either way, it puts her at risk."
I studied him. He was hiding something.
"Luna Healers aren’t supposed to have children," I said. "It kills them. Right?"
My father’s hand tightened around his glass. He nodded.
"Yes."
"And you weren’t going to mention that?" My voice stayed even, but I felt the weight of the words. "Especially with the engagement so close?"
"She cannot know." His voice was firm. "Not until we’re sure." He turned to Caleb. "If the marriage proceeds, there must be no children. Do you understand?"
Caleb was quiet for a long moment. Then he nodded. "I understand."
I didn’t believe him.
My father continued, "Lucas, you’ll be out of the country for a few days. While you’re gone, Caleb will be responsible for keeping her safe."
Caleb’s gaze finally slid to me. Something dark flickered behind his eyes.
"You seem very concerned about her," he said slowly. "Almost like there’s something between you."
I met his stare without flinching. "She’s pack."
"Is that all?"
I leaned back in my chair, letting the silence stretch. Then I smiled—a cold, humorless curve of my lips.
"If I wanted her, I would have taken her a long time ago. You’re the one acting like she’s already slipping through your fingers."
Caleb’s fist slammed against the armrest. He stood, his voice dropping low and sharp.
"Remember your place, Lucas. She chose me. Not you. Not anyone else. And I would advise you—" his eyes locked onto mine, dark and cold, "—not to do anything you’ll regret later. She is mine. You would do well to remember that."
I held his stare, unflinching. The air between us grew thick, heavy with unspoken words.
I didn’t answer. I didn’t need to.
My father cut in before it could go further. "Enough. This conversation does not leave this room."
I stood. "Blake and I leave in the morning. Anything urgent can go through Zain."
I walked out without looking back.
The hallway was cold. Empty. My headache pulsed behind my eyes.
Maya.
I wanted her.
Desperately.
And I was getting tired of pretending I didn’t.
****
Maya POV
I slipped through the side door, my heart slamming against my ribs.
The hallway was empty. I let out a shaky breath and pressed my hand against my chest, trying to slow the frantic beating. I had made it. Somehow, I had made it back without being caught.
Except Zain.
Zain had seen me. He had made me promise to deliver a file to Lucas in exchange for his silence. I should have refused. I should have told him to do it himself.
But I didn’t.
Now the folder felt heavy in my hands, a constant reminder of the mistake I had made.
I stood outside Lucas’s study, my pulse racing. I just had to drop it and leave. That was it. In and out. No one would know.
My phone buzzed in my pocket.
Katherine: So? Are you back? Did you get caught? Seen your man yet?
I rolled my eyes. I should never have given the full details of what happened that night to Katherine.
Me: Stop. I’m stressed. Zain caught me and now I have to drop a file in Lucas’s study. I just want to leave it and go.
Katherine: Just drop it and run. Don’t overthink.
Me: Easier said than done.
Katherine: You’ll be fine. He’s probably not even there.
I slipped the phone back into my pocket and eased the door open.
She’s right. He’s probably in his room, asleep.
Just drop and run, Maya.
Drop and run.
The study was dark, lit only by the pale glow of the moon streaming through the windows. It smelled like old paper and something faintly cold, like winter air that had lingered too long. Tall shelves lined the walls, crammed with books that looked like they had never been touched.
I crossed the room quickly, my footsteps muffled by the thick rug. I placed the file on the desk, my fingers trembling slightly.
I should have left right then.
But my eyes caught on the books. Rows of them. Spines neat and inviting.
I had always loved books. They were the only place where my thoughts went quiet, where the noise in my head faded to nothing. My fingers brushed one of the titles before I could stop myself.
Just one second.
I stretched up onto my toes, reaching for it.
"Almost there. Almost—"
A hand closed over mine. His palm was warm, his fingers wrapping around my hand completely, leaving no space for me to pull away. It wasn’t rough, but it was final. Like he had already decided I wasn’t going anywhere.
I froze.
The warmth of a body pressed close behind me. I could feel the heat radiating from him, the steady rhythm of his breath against my hair. My face burned.
No, no, no, no, no. Let it not be him. Please, let it not be him.
Slowly, I turned.
Lucas.
His hazel eyes met mine, dark and gleaming in the low light. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. His hair was slightly messy, as if he had run his hand through it more than once. He was close—too close. Close enough that I could feel the heat coming off him, close enough that I could smell the faint scent of cold air and something else I couldn’t name.
He tilted his head, his eyes never leaving mine.
"Now tell me, Maya," he said, his voice low and rough, scraping against my skin. "How exactly should I punish someone who sneaks into my study without permission?"