Chapter 82

Lucian’s POV

Jasper’s words didn’t surprise me overmuch, but they did unearth some lingering annoyance that I thought I had buried deep down inside of me.

“So you are dating her,” I grumbled.

“Is that what I said?” Jasper asked, his tone utterly irritating with how smug it sounded.

I didn’t have time to play these asinine games, not with what I had to say to Jasper.

“You are failing as her new protector,” I said flatly.

He blinked, apparently surprised by my callout. “What are you talking about?”

“Nearly every man in this room has been checking out Aria since she arrived. All eyes on her, seeing her, possessing her, and you are simply allowing it.”

Jasper glanced around like he was only noticing for the first time. I was the main target of his mockery, so he’d clearly caught me watching Aria. But, as he glanced around, seeing what I had seen from the start, realization crossed over his face.

Clearing his throat, Jasper returned his attention to me. “Well, it doesn’t matter,” he says. “After all, what does it hurt if they look? They all must know they have no real power here. When the party is over, Aria will be going home with only one of us, and that person is not any of them.”

“You speak too boldly,” I snapped. “You are not being cautious enough.”

“I’m being plenty cautious, cousin. I just know I don’t have to watch my back with any of them.” Jasper’s smirk sharpened. “Just like I don’t have to worry about you either.”

“Jasper, you cannot play games with –”

“Aria’s coming home with me, Lucian. Not you and not anyone else. Let them look. Let them fantasize. It doesn’t matter to me.”

Jasper’s blatant disregard of Aria’s protection sent a rush of possessive anger and annoyance flashing through me.

This wasn’t some bar bunny that Jasper was disrespecting. It was Aria.

My Aria.

In a flash, before I even realized what I was doing, I swiveled toward Jasper, grabbed him by the lapel with one hand, while with the other, I pulled back for a punch.

Soft gasps around the room gave me pause.

In that moment, I’d realized what I’d been about to do.

Jasper looked at me with wide, nervous eyes – right up until we both realized I wasn’t could to actually punch him.

I couldn’t. As Alpha King, I couldn’t afford to break my serious façade. My temper was something I had to keep under lock and key. If I followed through on the punch, the whispers would immediately start.

A King needed to keep a level head. One with a temper was a tyrant.

The whispers would say, Maybe Lucian has finally cracked. Maybe it’s time for a new king.

To protect myself, I shoved Jasper away. As he stumbled backwards, he recovered himself and laughed, mocking me.

“You really are cold as a statue, aren’t you?” Jasper asked. “I pissed you off and you still can’t show your anger? No wonder Aria has been unsatisfied in your care. Have you ever showed her any emotion?”

“That’s not your concern,” I snapped, my annoyance flaring again. I breathed deeply, forcing it down.

Slowly, Jasper’s mocking smile fell. “This is exactly why you couldn’t hold onto her.”

The words hit me harder than any punch would have. Was that why Aria went to Jasper, because he was a bundle of emotion, never without a smile, while for me, everything was a struggle between showing too much emotion and none at all?

“You don’t know what you are talking about,” I said, but the anger deflated from within me, no longer even adding conviction to my voice.

Jasper’s fight depleted as well. “I think I do,” he said. “Maybe it’s time you look in the mirror, Lucian, and realize the kind of man you’ve become for the sake of the crown.”

“Get out of my face, Jasper.”

He shrugged. “Don’t say no one told you the truth. Someday you’ll realize it for yourself, but by then it will be too late. It’s too late now.” Jasper motioned toward Aria. “She doesn’t want you, cousin. And she never will again.”

The hole in my chest pulsed, causing me to flinch. Fortunately, Jasper had already turned away, seemingly done. Perhaps I had ruined his amusement for the evening, not responding as he had wanted me to.

I didn’t feel bad about that. Instead, I felt… nothing.

As much as I wanted to hate Jasper, he hadn’t stolen Aria away. She had been mine to lose and I’d lost her.

Perhaps if I had told her… well, so many things… I could have convinced her to stay. But I hadn’t. I’d held my tongue as I’d always done, expecting her to fall in line simply because of who I was.

She’d wanted something from me. Rather than try to figure out what that had been, I’d practically pushed her away. It shouldn’t have been shocking that she found solace with Jasper, who always seemed to have too much love to give.

Even if he didn’t deserve her.

Who did?

Not Jasper. And not me.

I could only hope that Aria would eventually find a man who could keep her safe and happy. The thought made my jealousy rage, but for her… For her, I could strain myself.

More than anything, she deserved to find the happiness she wanted. Even if it wasn’t with me.

At once, all of the phones in my phone started ringing. None of the party guests seemed disturbed by this, but I was. Because I knew who was likely calling now, to warn me.

Yet, before I could reach the phone, the front door burst opened.

Sheila stood there in a tight red dress. Her hair was high, hair sprayed into oblivion and her makeup was sharp and overdone.

“I’m here now!” she called jovially, as if she had been invited all along. “The party can begin now!”

I hurried forward to intercept her before she could leave the foyer. Though a bright smile remained on her lips, a show for everyone else, her eyes held fury directed straight at me.

“Funny how you forgot to mention this party, Lucian,” she said to me. “A rather nasty oversight, don’t you think? And then to have your lackeys follow me around like I’m some child in need of a babysitter. Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”

“Sheila, please don’t make a scene.”

“Who is making a scene? I’m here now and that’s all that really matters. You couldn’t possibly have a family gathering without me, could you? This had to be an oversight. You’ve been so busy lately, and I’m sure you are thinking about our future too, our children we will likely have.”

“Sheila.”

“You have a lot on your mind, Lucian. I forgive you, that’s what I’m saying. As long as this doesn’t happen again. Which it won’t, will it?” She batted her eyelashes at me.

I could see some of the other guests watching curiously. I wouldn’t be able to send Sheila away now without causing an even bigger scene. Sheila wouldn’t go without a shouting match.

“Just don’t stress out my father. Please,” I said.

She rolled her eyes. “It’s not my fault he has a weak heart. You can’t blame me for that.”

“Sheila –”

Sheila didn’t wait for me to say more, she forced her way around me and announced. “I’m here, everyone! Lucian’s date has finally arrived!”