Chapter 66

Lucian’s POV

Surrounded by an eerie fog, I didn’t know where I was, but it seemed familiar somehow. I tried to focus on my surroundings, and made out the shapes of concrete pillars. Was this a parking garage?

Before me was a frightened, faceless girl. Behind her, on the ground, were two unconscious men. I knew I didn’t like them, but I couldn’t remember why.

Had they attacked me? No, they attacked the girl. She’d been scared, bullied by these men. I’d stepped in and protected her.

She wasn’t frightened anymore. That was right, now she was relieved.

I had saved her. We’d spoken for a moment, but the words were a mix of distant memories, blurring together incoherently. Yet as we talked, her face softened.

Her features remained in a haze. She seemed to resemble someone I knew, but I couldn’t piece it together. Even now, staring as hard as I could, she was only shapes and colors.

Our conversation passed without my knowledge. I couldn’t remember the things we’d said. At least, not at first. But then, with crystal clarity, I remembered what happened next – at least, in words. I still could not remember her face.

The girl gazed at me and in a strong, earnest voice, said, “I love you, and one day I will become your Luna.”

I startled awake, a name on my lips. “Aria?”

Blinking, I needed a few long moments to realize where I was and what was happening. I’d been asleep. I was in my bed. The world outside of my curtains was still dark.

The girl, the memories. I’d been dreaming. Why had I thought of Aria?

Aria. Where was she?

I looked around frantically, expecting her to be beside me. Had she gone somewhere? I didn’t hear any noises in the bathroom or the hall. She wouldn’t have gone far, would she? No without leaving a note or telling me where she went.

I started to get out of bed, desperate to search for her. For some reason, I had the very real sense that she might be in trouble. An ache pulsed in my chest, haunting me.

Then I suddenly stopped, remembering.

Speechless, I sat right back down on the edge of the bed, my mind reeling. Of course Aria wouldn’t be here. She hadn’t been here in months.

Rubbing my forehead, everything came back. The hollow emptiness in my chest panged in reminder.

Aria was gone. We’d mutually rejected each other.

This empty feeling in my chest? That was the place my bond with Aria used to be.

And all of it still bothered me for reasons that I could not explain. Aria had wanted the break, and I’d given it to her. That should have been the end of it. As Alpha, I should have already moved on from this.

And yet…

With a sigh, I flopped back down onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. I felt tired all over but knew that if I tried to sleep, I would find no more tonight. Turning my head, I checked the bedside clock.

3:30 am.

Great.

It was going to be an early morning and a long day.

Truthfully, I hadn’t had a full night’s sleep since the rejection. I was starting to wonder if I’d ever sleep soundly again.

Aria’s POV

As most of Dr. A’s appointments weren’t until this afternoon, I allowed myself to sleep in slightly this morning. Even awake, I took her time, preparing a big breakfast for myself, and then giving myself enough time to eat it at the table.

Typically, with these types of things, I would grab and go, always on the run.

I needed to start slowing down, for the sake of myself and my family. It was difficult though, because if I moved too slowly, invasive thoughts would creep into my head. I didn’t want to give myself enough time to reflect on how hollow I’d felt since the mutual rejection.

For my sanity, I had to keep pushing forward, never giving myself enough time to look back.

After breakfast, I placed my dishes in the sink. Just as I started the hot water to wash them, the doorbell rang.

Despite everything, my heart jumped up into my throat. It didn’t matter how many days passed, anytime anyone was at the door, my heart still hoped for Lucian.

I gave myself a moment to breathe, forcing my heart rate to slow. We’d committed the mutual rejection. He was likely living his best life with Sheila, not thinking about me at all.

He wasn’t the one at the door. I knew that.

Still, my heart thundered rebelliously as I made my way there and holding my breath, pulled the door open.

Lucian wasn’t there, but his Beta was.

“Ben?” I asked, confused.

“Forgive the early hour,” Ben said, eyeing my pajamas. “But the Alpha wanted me to give this to you.” He passed over an envelope. It was bulky, making me wonder what could be inside.

“Thanks,” I said, uncertain.

He bowed his head slightly, and then started to turn away.

“Wait,” I said.

Ben and I had never been great friends. He was Lucian’s Beta, after all, and only really dealt with me when his duties overlapped with my presence. Yet, even so, I had known him now for some time, and he’d always been cordial to me, even when he didn’t have to be.

“I’m sure Lucian told you about what happened,” I said carefully.

“It’s none of my business, Luna – er, ma’am.”

“I know that,” I said quickly. “I didn’t mean to ask for your opinion or for you to speak against Lucian. I just want to thank you.”

He glanced back at me, confusion on his face.

“Over the years, you were exceedingly kind to me, Ben, and I never really had the chance to tell you how much I appreciated it,” I said. “Now that everything’s…” Over. Ending. Done.

I still couldn’t make myself say the words.

“I wanted you to know, just in case we never see each other again.”

Ben seemed surprised by my words. He stared at me speechless for a beat or two. Then, however, he collected himself and replied, “I wish you a good life, Aria. Wherever you go. Whatever you do. I wish you happiness.”

“Thank you,” I told him.

He nodded. “Goodbye.”

“Goodbye,” I said.

With that, he turned and walked away from me, moving down the sidewalk to his car.

Stepping back into the house, I closed the door behind him.

Then, in the quiet morning, in the still of the house, I turned my attention to the envelope he’d given me. It seemed eerily familiar to the apology letter he had given to Dr. A – the one that had been filled with cash.

Why would he want to give me money? Was this some kind of payout?

Confused, I tore open the envelope. Sure enough, within it was a large stack of cash, as well as a folded up letter in Lucian’s handwriting.

Flipping through the money, I saw that there was easily $20,000 here.

It didn’t make sense.

Why would he give me this cash?