Chapter 6

Lucas's POV:

I've been sprawled across Sophia's bed for an entire day, my face buried deep in her pillow, desperately breathing in every last trace of her scent that still clings to the fabric.

Where the hell is she now? Is she safe? Is she really never coming back?

A commotion erupts from the hallway outside—servants chattering excitedly about something. Usually I'd tune out their gossip, but their animated voices make me prick up my ears.

"...heard it's gonna be the most extravagant bash in decades..."

"...the Lycan king himself is holding it..."

"...for the Princess's birthday! Can you believe it?"

"...word is the King's planning to find her a husband tonight..."

Princess? I've caught wind of rumors about the Wolf King's mysterious daughter who's never shown her face in public. Tonight's obviously her coming-out party, with every unmated Alpha in the kingdom ready to kiss ass for a shot at her hand.

But I couldn't give two shits.

Ever since I confirmed Sophia really bailed, my heart's felt like a gaping hole, as if someone took a sledgehammer to my chest. Some princess, some fancy shindig, some political marriage BS—I want no part of any of it.

Sophia's got my head completely screwed up.

The servants' voices fade away, and I sink back into this soul-crushing silence until my phone's obnoxious ringtone shatters the peace.

I check the caller ID—Dad's name flashing. I seriously consider letting it ring out, but my Alpha duty kicks in and forces me to swipe accept.

"What?" My voice comes out like I've been gargling gravel.

"Lucas." My father James's voice drips with irritation. "I just found out you blew off tonight's royal invitation. Please tell me that's not true."

I squeeze my eyes shut, already feeling a migraine coming on. "It's true. I don't wanna go."

"You don't wanna go?" His voice shoots up an octave. "Lucas, this isn't about what you want! This is a personal invite from the Wolf King himself, honoring his daughter! How can you, as Alpha of the Starlight Pack, give the finger to such an honor?"

"Send Isabelle in my place." I roll over to face the wall, praying this call ends soon. "I'm not fit for public appearances right now."

"Not fit?" Dad's voice turns deadly. "Son, did you forget who the hell you are? You're not just Lucas Stone—you're the leader of our entire pack! Your screw-ups reflect on all of us!"

"I don't want to—"

James cuts me off cold. "Don't think I don't know what this pity party's about! Some chick walked out on you, Lucas! I'm sick of this pathetic moping around! You're an Alpha, not some whipped little boy!"

"Matter of fact, Sophia taking off is the best thing that could've happened," Dad's voice turns even icier. "Now she's out of Aria's way. Aria's carrying your kid, and she's your fated mate! You two are a perfect match! Not some stray you picked up off the streets."

"Don't you dare talk about her like that!" I roar, shooting upright in bed.

"Enough!" His voice could freeze hell over. "I'm your father and the former Alpha of this pack. If you can't handle your responsibilities, maybe I need to rethink who's cut out to lead this pack."

That threat makes my blood boil. "Are you seriously threatening me right now?"

"I'm giving you a reality check." Dad's tone doesn't budge an inch. "Marcus will be there in an hour. You better be ready."

The line goes dead, leaving me sitting alone, rage and frustration eating me alive.

Fuck.

I glare at the phone screen, wanting to chuck it against the wall. But I know that won't solve jack shit.

We can just show our face and bounce, my wolf Victor mutters consolingly in my head.

I drag myself up and trudge to my room, mechanically throwing on a formal suit. Just as I'm wrestling with my tie, the doorbell rings. Marcus, right on schedule.

"Alpha, the car's ready," he says respectfully.

I nod without a word and head for the black sedan waiting outside.

The venue's even more over-the-top than I expected. Crystal chandeliers dangle from sky-high ceilings, gold trim gleaming under the lights. Guests decked out in designer threads cluster around in small groups, champagne glasses clinking while some fancy orchestra plays in the background.

Everyone's yakking about tonight's main event—the mystery Princess. But she's a no-show so far; supposedly she won't make her grand entrance until the ceremony kicks off.

I scope out a relatively quiet corner and post up against a marble pillar. Perfect spot to scope the whole ballroom while dodging small talk.

A few Alphas try to mosey over for some schmoozing, but my death glare sends them packing real quick. I'm not in the mood to shoot the breeze with anyone or pretend I give a damn about their fake-ass pleasantries.

Look at these phony bastards, Victor sneers in my head.* All wearing shit-eating grins and spouting BS they don't mean.*

I'm about to respond to his bitching when I accidentally glance up at the second-floor walkway.

That moment, my heart damn near stops.

A slender figure's gliding along the corridor, graceful as hell, and that silhouette...

That profile... it's way too familiar. So familiar it makes my whole world screech to a halt.

Sophia?