Chapter Five

LAURA

Stumbling back, my initial shock morphs into anger.

"You..." I trail off, eyes locked on the man in front of me.

"It's really you," he whispers in a low voice, drawing closer.

"Don't come any closer to me," I snap. My hands ball into fists beside me. Lucien doesn't pay me any heed, his heavy boots clicking against the tiles with deliberate steps.

I can see him clearly despite the poor light. Every muscle twitch in his jaw, the way his hands reach out, then hesitate, something close to remorse clouding his eyes.

Remorse, how pathetic, I think with a snort.

Even after five years, his betrayal is still fresh in my mind. Every word, every disgusted look he gave me that morning. It is all there, like tearing open an old wound that I thought had healed.

I gave him everything, only for him to toss it into the trashcan like it meant nothing. Because it didn't.

My shoulders shake with rage and a sudden urge to make him pay for his sins.

"Look here," I grab him by the collar, shoving him against the wall. His eyes widen in shock as he realizes just how strong I have become.

I gaze at him, my expression cold. "Was he really hoping to meet the same vulnerable girl he left behind? Come near me and I'll make sure I rip you apart."

Instead, Lucien's hand moves up to my waist. I let out a stunned gasp as he pulls me flush against him.

The breath leaves my lungs in a sharp exhale as my body collides with his. For a moment, I forget I am supposed to hate him. Every nerve ending comes alive where we touch, that damned mate bond crackling between us like electricity after a storm.

Crap, I curse under my breath, knowing this can't end well. I hate how the heat rushes up my face, how I am suddenly hyper aware of his taut muscles, rippling under his shirt, the way my body responds to his proximity despite everything he'd done. For a moment, it is just like that night before my life got ruined.

Except it is not that night, and he had ruined my life and dusted his feet over the ashes.

"Let go of me," I hiss through gritted teeth, but my voice comes out breathier than intended.

His dark eyes search mine, and I see something flicker there—regret, longing, maybe even pain. "Laura, please. I can explain—"

"Explain?" I laugh bitterly, pressing my palms against his chest to push him away, but he holds firm. "You rejected me. In case you got hit in the head and forgot," I spit. "Even after that, you had five years to explain. Five years to come find me, to apologize, to do anything other than pretend I didn't exist."

His jaw clenches. "You don't understand the position I was in—"

"The position you were in?" My voice rises dangerously. "I was your mate, Lucien. Your mate. And you looked at me like I was something you'd scraped off your shoe."

His grip tightens on my waist, and I feel him lean closer, his breath warm against my ear. "You have no idea how much I've regretted that morning."

My hand moves across his face before my mind can keep up. A resounding slap echoes in the room.

Lucien stumbles back from me, holding his left cheek. The stunned look on his face is priceless.

Shoulders shaking, I step away, my index finger pointed at him.

I know a player when I see one. The fact that he is here, in a place like this tells me all I need. He is going to push any random drunk lady against the wall and shove his dick into her.

He isn't here for me.

No, he hasn't been looking for me. He just happens to run into me, period.

"I don't give a fuck about your fake regrets, Lucien," I spit. "And stay the fuck away from me or I'll make sure you have something to regret."

I storm off, forgetting to pick up my fallen mask, blood and anger rushing in my head. I take a glass of alcohol from a passing waiter and drain it in one gulp. The liquor burning down my throat does nothing to assuage my anger.

"Kayla, where are you? I'm out of here," I send Kayla a quick message on my phone.

There is no reply, of course not. She is probably off shagging with some random bastard.

The music and drunk laughter fade behind me as I march out of the party halls.

"Ew, let go of me!" A faint slurry voice filters into my ears.

My head turns towards a dark alley beside the building where the noise is coming from.

Keep walking, I mutter.

I am almost at the driveway. Top on my priority list is getting the fuck away from this place.

"Alpha king... Perfect bait... Do what we say." My ears catch bits and pieces of the conversation. I stop in my tracks.

Then the unmistakable voice of Kayla rings through the night in a scream.

My heart pounds in my chest.

Dammit! I am on the move immediately, racing towards the direction of the sound. My legs slow down, the effects of the alcohol kicking in.

Two motorcycles are parked against the wall and five men surround Kayla. One has her pinned against the wall, a hand clamped over her mouth. Her eyes are wide with fear.

I move as quickly as I can, pushing the first guy aside and kicking the other one.

"Stay away from her!" I yell, reaching for Kayla, pulling her away from the predators.

One of them, the leader steps forward, an eerie grin spreading across his face. "Even better," he purrs, flexing his wrists.

He wears a black Victorian suit. His mask slips off his face and I catch sight of his pale white skin, every curve of his jawline well defined with an ageless beauty.

I stumble back, pushing Kayla behind me. My blood runs cold.

I can recall Alexander's words. Vampires... And I am a target.

He moves fast, all I see is a blur and he is right before me, fangs snapping out. I hold up my fist, preparing to throw a punch but I am behind by a hair's breath.

His claws shoot out and next thing, I am flung across the wall, the weight of a man pressing against me. A hand tightens around my neck with inhuman strength. I cough, gasping for air. My feet dangle in the air.

"Alpha king Laura," he says in a harsh whisper. "The queen sends her regards."

My eyes bulge as he presses tighter. The air is sapped out of my lungs.

Now is a good time to shift, I think, summoning my inner wolf but I am met with silence. Lucien's unexpected presence has rattled her and she isn't going to come out.

This is it... I die in a dark alley at the hands of some filthy vampire.

Then suddenly, a howl cuts through the night, a huge wolf slams into the man holding me, throwing him off me.

I clutch my chest, gasping for breath.

"Kayla," I scream, suddenly remembering just as a muffled scream draws my attention. I run towards her but a vampire has his hands around her, positioning a dagger under her chin.

They rise to the air, taking Kayla with them.

My shoulders slump, knees crash down on the hard pavement, a choked sob escapes me.

Helpless.

I never feel so helpless. What is the use of being an alpha king if I can't even protect my friend?

Suddenly, I am that vulnerable little girl all over again.

Dragging myself up to my feet, I know I have to get out of here.

Find Alexander.

I stumble out of the alley, turning back only once. My eyes meet the huge werewolf, still locked in a fierce battle with the last vampire.

Only alphas can shift without a full moon.

Our eyes lock for a brief moment and I know exactly who it is.

Lucien.

Turning around, I run.

I run, stopping only when my feet can no longer carry me, collapsing in front of my house and yelling for Alexander.

The door swings open. Strong arms pull me to my feet, wrapping around me. "Kayla," Alexander speaks, like he already knows.

He lifts me, carrying me inside. I am too weak to protest. My bones ache. Everything gets blurry.

"Rest, Laura. We'll find a plan tomorrow." Alexander lowers me down on the soft surface of the king-sized bed.

My hands shoot up. I grab him by the collar and pulling, he lands on top of me, both hands caging me at either side.

My chest heaves in desperation, desperate to feel something other than pain.

His eyebrows raise.

"Please, Alexander, just this once."

His fingers trace down my chin almost lovingly. His lips brush against mine, then he pulls back slowly.

"I can't. You're drunk, and hurt. Not…like…this."