Alina’s POV

"What are you doing?" I said, pushing him away. "You can’t kiss me out here in the open."

He smiled, but before he could say anything, a heavy punch slammed into his face. I gasped.

"How dare you come here?" Aiden’s voice thundered, shaking with raw anger. "You fucking bastard!"

Aiden swung again, but Lucian caught his fist mid-air, twisted it, and drove his own punch straight into Aiden’s jaw. Aiden stumbled but didn’t fall. He charged forward and slammed his fist into Lucian’s face.

"Both of you, stop!" I yelled.

They both turned to look at me, chests heaving, eyes blazing.

"What are you doing?" I asked, voice shaking.

"What am I doing?" Aiden growled, his voice low and dangerous. His fists were still clenched tight, veins popping on his arms. "What the fuck are you doing, Alina? This man is the reason so many wrong things are happening to this pack. We have lost so many brothers and sisters because of him... and you’re out here kissing him in the open? What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"I didn’t do anything," Lucian said calmly, though his jaw was tight. "Of course you blame everything on the scarred rogue. We are easy targets, aren’t we? Every killing, every bad thing — you put it all on us."

"You fucking liar, you—"

"Aiden!" I yelled, cutting him off.

"You can’t accuse him like that. You keep forgetting that Lucian was the one who saved my life."

"So what?" Aiden snarled, stepping closer, his eyes dark with fury. "That’s why you give him your body like a fucking whore?"

"Do not cross the limit," I warned, my voice sharp.

"It is the fucking truth, Alina!" His voice rose again, fists shaking at his sides. "Can’t you see what he’s doing? He knows you were once my wife. That’s why he’s all over you. He’s doing all this to piss me off and—"

"You said it yourself," I cut in, trying to stay calm. "I was once your wife. Not anymore. Lucian came here to help me get a new shop — the one you destroyed. That’s why he’s here. To help me."

"All he does is never for free. He isn’t to be trusted, he—"

"Right now, you aren’t to be trusted either," I shot back. "Why are you here? It’s supposed to be your wedding night."

Aiden’s eyes flickered. For a second, something raw and painful flashed across his face.

"Please don’t get involved with me, Aiden," I said quietly. "Lucian, let’s leave."

I turned and started walking away, my heart pounding hard in my chest.

"I am still your Alpha," Aiden said, his voice deep and commanding. "You still obey me."

His words stopped me in my tracks. Annoyance burned in his eyes as he stepped closer.

"Lucian is trespassing, and that is not allowed here," he continued, his tone growing darker. "So if you don’t want me to get him arrested or killed, you will go back inside right now, Alina. This isn’t a warning. This is an order."

Fear gripped me. I was scared. Terrified.

"You can’t harm me," Lucian replied, his voice steady and full of confidence. "You can’t lay a single finger on me, Aiden. She goes with me. She is my mate, and I have every right to be with her."

A jagged, bitter laugh escaped Aiden’s throat. His fists clenched tight at his sides, shoulders tense like he was ready to explode.

"This isn’t the first time I have beaten you, Lucian," Aiden growled, his voice low and threatening. "And I will do it again. So you should leave now... or things will get seriously ugly."

"Go for it," Lucian shot back, stepping closer to Aiden until they were almost chest to chest. His eyes burned with challenge. "You know I love to dance."

I had to stop this before it got worse. I could always look for the shop some other time.

"Lucian, please leave," I said quickly. "I don’t want any trouble."

Lucian turned his gaze to me, surprise flashing across his face.

"Alina, you don’t have to worry. He can’t harm me," he said.

But I wasn’t taking any chances.

"Do you hear what I said? Leave!" I yelled, annoyance sharp in my voice. "Don’t come back here."

Hurt filled Lucian’s eyes. I knew I shouldn’t have said it like that, but I didn’t want more problems. He gave a small nod, turned, and walked to his car. I watched him drive away, my chest tight.

"I have no idea when you suddenly became like this, Alina," Aiden said, his voice cold and serious. "But what you need to know is this: you don’t make the rules here. I do. And as long as you are living under my roof, you must obey me."

He turned and walked away without another word.

He was right. I would never get my freedom completely if I stayed here, living under his roof. I needed to leave. I had to find a way to get out of this place for good and never return.

I stood frozen in place as Aiden’s footsteps faded into the distance. My hands shook at my sides. The air still felt heavy, like the fight between him and Lucian could explode again at any second.

I turned and hurried back toward the pack house, my heart hammering hard against my ribs. Every step felt heavier than the last. Aiden’s words kept ringing in my head.

You still obey me.

As long as you are living under my roof, you must obey me.

By the time I reached my room, my chest was tight. I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, breathing fast. I couldn’t stay here anymore. Not like this. Not under his constant control.

I needed to get my freedom, but how? I had signed that contract saying I would stay here. Even if I left, they wouldn’t let me take Leo with me. I had to be practical. I had to plan this escape carefully and become completely free. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Because now that Emily was the pack Luna, she would make my life miserable. I wouldn’t stand it.