Lucian’s POV

Ragnar’s voice cut through the quiet. "You know, ever since you came back from that hunt, you’ve been smiling way too much."

My grin dropped. I tried to hide it, but it was too late.

He leaned forward, eyes sparkling with mischief. "I get it. You went to see her, didn’t you?"

A fresh wave of warmth spread through my chest. I couldn’t stop the smile that tugged at my lips again. "I couldn’t help it," I admitted, then tipped the last of the whiskey down my throat. The burn felt good.

Ragnar rubbed the back of his neck, his face growing serious. "Look... I haven’t properly apologized for how I acted before. About her. I was just trying to be careful, but I know I was a complete dick. I had no idea she was Boca’s sister." He let out a low whistle. "Can you imagine having someone like Boca as your brother?"

I nodded slowly. "Apology accepted. But if you had hurt her... you wouldn’t have been dealing with just me."

Ragnar turned pale. He glanced over his shoulder and flinched hard. His chair scraped back as he nearly tumbled to the floor.

Boca stood right behind him, arms crossed, eyes narrowed. "Did you try to hurt my sister?" His voice was low and sharp with anger.

"Hey, hey!" Ragnar raised his hands, forcing an awkward smile. His fingers trembled. "You don’t get to be mad at me now. This was before I even knew she was your sister. And let’s not forget—you tried to hurt her too. So let bygones be bygones. No issues between us, right?"

"Fuck you," Boca growled. He stepped past Ragnar, snatched the whiskey bottle from the table, and took a long swig. When he lowered it, his expression softened. A small, sad smile touched his lips as he stared at nothing. "I still hate that she’s over there. I want to bond with my sister. I want to know what makes her laugh, what she loves, what she hates... everything."

I reached out and gripped his shoulder. "You will. She’ll come back to us soon. I promise."

The room grew quieter. I watched him for a moment, then asked gently, "Tell me about your life before everything got destroyed. I never got to hear your real story."

Boca took another slow drink. His eyes grew distant, but his voice stayed steady.

"Our family was perfect. The house was always full of laughter and joy. Alina was only three. I’d begged Mom for a sibling, and when she came... I knew I had to protect her."

He swallowed hard.

"We weren’t respected because we were omegas. People treated us like trash. But our parents never let us feel small. They told us being an omega was precious. I wanted to believe them, but I saw how the alpha kids were treated. I didn’t want Alina to grow up feeling that pain."

His grip tightened on the bottle.

"Then the raid happened. They accused our parents of helping rogues. Aiden’s father executed them without proof. They took everything. Alina and I ended up in the orphanage. I still tried to protect her... until they forced me to live with another family."

His jaw clenched. Pain flashed across his face.

"They treated me like dirt. I was their slave. One day the man said he would find my sister, rape her, and bring me her dead body. Something inside me snapped. I don’t even remember what happened. It felt like another person took over. Power I’d never felt before rushed through me. When it was over... he was dead. I had become an Alpha."

Boca’s voice cracked slightly.

"Of course, they banished me. That’s when I met you, Lucian." He looked at me, eyes shining with gratitude. "You gave me hope. You showed me rogues aren’t the monsters everyone says we are. We’re just people who were treated unfairly."

A soft smile broke through the heavy memories.

"And now... you brought my sister back to me. I owe you my life, Lucian."

I felt my own lips curve into a smile as warmth and pride filled my chest.

"Wow, Boca, I didn’t know you had such a touching story," Ragnar said, pretending to wipe fake tears from his eyes.

"Not funny," Boca growled, eyes narrowing.

"Okay, okay, I’m sorry." Ragnar raised his hands. "You’re so aggressive, man."

I placed a hand on Boca’s shoulder and squeezed. "You don’t have to worry. We’re a family now. We’ll always make room for people like us."

A real smile slowly spread across Boca’s face. The tension in his shoulders eased.

"Speaking of people like us," Ragnar said, staring at his phone as a new message popped up, "the drugs we sent out got blocked again by Aiden’s men." His jaw tightened. "I hate that guy."

"You have no idea," Boca muttered, his voice dark.

"Let’s forget that for now," I said. "I promised Alina I wouldn’t get into any fights with him until she leaves that place. Tell the men to retreat. We’ll have time to sell later."

I was about to add more when my phone buzzed. The moment I saw her name, warmth exploded in my chest. A huge smile broke across my face before I could stop it. Alina. She wanted to meet me. Right now.

"I’ll be right back," I said, already standing.

"Don’t tell me you’re going to meet Alina," Ragnar called after me, smirking.

"Really? I want to come with you," Boca added quickly.

I paused at the door and glanced back at him with a wicked grin. "Hmm... maybe you shouldn’t. It would be weird for you to watch me bang your sister."

Boca’s face twisted into a deep frown. "Lucian—"

"You should understand," I said, laughing softly. I winked at him and walked out before he could throw something at me.

I jumped into the car and drove fast. She wanted us to meet at the old abandoned house. I didn’t even know she knew about that place. My heart beat harder the closer I got. I couldn’t wait to see her, to touch her, to feel her close again.

I arrived quickly and parked. The night air felt cool against my skin as I waited, leaning against the wall. Every second stretched. Then I heard footsteps. A wide smile spread across my face.

"Didn’t know you’d miss me this soon, I—"

The words died in my throat.

It wasn’t Alina.

Emily stepped out of the shadows, a smirk curling her lips.

"You," I said coldly. My stomach dropped. The warmth I felt moments ago turned sharp and sour.