Lucas
The morning felt heavy as I watched Kaelen and Alara prepare for their honeymoon. Everything was in place–the tickets, the luggage, the arrangements–and yet, I couldn’t shake the tension that settled deep in my chest. Alara stood beside Kaelen, a strained smile on her face, trying to act like everything was fine. But I knew better.
I stood near the door, watching them finalize their preparations. Kaelen seemed more relaxed than usual, maybe because he was eager to get away, to make something of this trip with Alara. He’d been distant with her lately, and I suspected he felt guilty about it. A honeymoon was supposed to fix things, but he didn’t know that it would be the start of something much more complicated.
Kaelen turned to me before they left the house, his expression serious. “Lucas, I’m counting on you to handle things while I’m gone,” he said. “Take care of the company, the pack… I’ll only be gone for a little over a week, but I need to make sure everything runs smoothly.”
I nodded, giving him my best reassuring smile. “You can trust me, Kaelen. I’ll keep everything in line. Focus on your trip and on Alara.”
He studied me for a moment, his sharp eyes narrowing like he was trying to read something in my face. But he wouldn’t find anything. I’d become good at hiding my true intentions, especially from
him.
Kaelen seemed satisfied with my response and patted me on the shoulder before turning back to Alara, who was standing by the car, waiting. I followed them outside and climbed into the driver’s seat, offering to drive them to the airport. It was the least I could do after convincing them to take this trip in the first place.
As we drove, the silence in the car felt suffocating. Kaelen and Alara exchanged a few words here and there, but it was mostly about the logistics of the trip. They avoided any conversation that delved too deep, and I could see that Alara was still unsettled. She kept her gaze fixed out the window, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. I could sense her discomfort, but I didn’t dare say anything in front of Kaelen.
My knuckles tightened around the steering wheel as I tried to keep my eyes on the road. The last thing I needed was for Kaelen to notice how often I glanced at Alara through the rearview mirror. Every time I did, a wave of frustration surged through me. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. I should be the one sitting next to her, taking her to Crestwood, not him.
When we arrived at the airport, I helped them unload their luggage. Kaelen’s phone buzzed, and he muttered something about needing to take care of a few things before they could check in. He
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excused himself, leaving Alara and me standing by the car.
25 Points
The tension between us was palpable. I could feel her eyes on me, and I struggled to keep my composure. There was so much I wanted to say, but this wasn’t the time or the place. Not yet.
“Lucas,” Alara finally said, her voice soft, almost hesitant.
I turned to face her, my heart pounding in my chest. “Alara,” I replied, my voice equally low. “1… I hope this trip helps. I hope it brings you the happiness you deserve.”
She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Thank you,” she said, her voice quiet. “I don’t know what to expect anymore, but I’m trying to stay hopeful.”
I wanted to reach out to her, to tell her that I could give her the happiness she was looking for–that Kaelen wasn’t the one for her. But I couldn’t. Not yet. I had to be patient.
“You know,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper, “I’ll always be here for you. No matter what happens.”
Alara looked at me, her eyes filled with something I couldn’t quite read–sadness, maybe, or confusion. She nodded but didn’t say anything else. The weight of our unspoken words hung between us, and for a moment, I thought she might say something more. But then Kaelen returned,
and the moment was lost.
“Everything’s sorted,” Kaelen said as he approached. “We should head in.”
Alara quickly looked away, her expression neutral once more. She didn’t glance at me as Kaelen took her hand and led her toward the entrance. I watched them walk away, my stomach churning with a mix of anger and frustration.
I’d done everything I could to push them toward this trip, to get them to Crestwood. Now, all I could do was wait. Wait for the inevitable unraveling of their relationship, for the truth to come to light. And when it did, I’d be there.
Kaelen might have been my Alpha, but I didn’t care. Alara was the only thing that mattered to me, and I would do whatever it took to make sure she realized that. Even if it meant destroying everything Kaelen had built.
As I stood there, watching them disappear into the airport, a plan began to solidify in my mind. I wouldn’t have to wait long. Once they were in Crestwood, surrounded by the echoes of the past, everything would begin to fall apart. Kaelen couldn’t run from the truth forever, and neither could Alara.
I clenched my fists, determined to see this through. Kaelen might think he had everything under control, but he had no idea what was coming. Crestwood wasn’t just a honeymoon destination–it
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*25 Points
was a place where secrets would be exposed, and relationships would be tested.
And when the dust settled, I’d be the one standing by Alara’s side, not him. Because unlike Kaelen, I wasn’t afraid to fight for what I wanted. I wasn’t afraid to risk everything.
Alara would see that, eventually. She would realize that I was the one who truly cared for her, the one who would never let her down. All I had to do was wait for the right moment.
As I got back into the car and started the engine, I allowed myself a small smile. Everything was falling into place, just as I’d planned. Now, it was only a matter of time before Kaelen’s world
crumbled, and Alara turned to me.
I drove away from the airport, the weight of my plan settling comfortably on my shoulders. This was just the beginning, and I was ready for whatever came next.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
