Lucas's POV
The taste of blood lingered on my tongue as I slammed Finn into the ground, my wolf roaring with fury. His mocking smile only fueled the fire burning inside me.
"Stay away from her!" I growled, my claws digging into his shoulders.
Finn laughed, a hollow, grating sound. "Still playing the hero, are we, Lucas? Tell me, how long do you think you can protect her before she realizes the truth?"
I tightened my grip, my claws piercing his skin. His blood, dark and tainted, oozed beneath my fingertips, but it didn't give me the satisfaction I craved.
"There's nothing for her to realize except how much of a threat you are," I snarled, my voice trembling with restrained rage.
Finn's eyes gleamed, a mixture of malice and amusement. "You can't shield her forever. She's more powerful than you think. Than *any* of us think. And when she figures that out…" He let out a low chuckle. "She won't need you anymore."
The words struck a nerve I didn't want to acknowledge, but I couldn't let him see the crack in my armor.
"You'll never get the chance to find out," I said through gritted teeth.
I raised my claws, ready to strike, but Finn twisted beneath me with inhuman speed, throwing me off balance. I landed hard, the air rushing from my lungs, and he was on his feet in an instant.
"You're strong, Lucas," he said, brushing the dirt from his shirt. "But strength isn't enough. Not when you're cursed."
The word hung between us like a blade poised to strike. My wolf growled, the reminder of our pack's weakness hitting deeper than any physical blow.
Before I could recover, Finn turned his attention to Aria. She stood frozen, her wide eyes darting between us.
"Aria," he called, his voice softening, almost gentle. "Don't you feel it? The pull? The connection between us?"
I pushed myself up, my chest heaving with the effort. "Don't listen to him, Aria," I rasped. "He's manipulating you."
Her gaze flicked to me, conflicted and frightened. "What is he talking about?"
Finn's smirk returned, and he took a step closer to her. "Lucas hasn't told you, has he? About the bond we all share. About the power that lies dormant inside you."
I forced myself to my feet, every muscle in my body screaming in protest. "Enough!"
Finn ignored me, his focus entirely on Aria. "You've felt it, haven't you? The memories clawing their way back, the strength building inside you. That's no accident. You're not just his mate, Aria. You're *more.*"
She shook her head, her breathing shallow. "Stop. I don't… I don't understand."
Finn reached into his pocket and pulled out a small glass orb. The sight of it made my stomach drop.
"Do you know what this is?" he asked, holding it up. The dark mist inside swirled, alive and menacing. "This will unlock everything, Aria. It will set you free."
"No!" I roared, launching myself at him.
But I was too late.
Finn crushed the orb in his hand, the shards falling like glittering rain as the mist inside exploded outward. It moved like a living thing, swirling toward Aria in an inky cloud.
Her scream tore through the forest, raw and filled with pain. The mist wrapped around her, sinking into her skin, and her body arched as if an invisible force was pulling her apart.
"Aria!" I shouted, desperation choking me as I reached for her.
But Finn stepped between us, his eyes gleaming with triumph. "You can't stop it, Lucas. It's already begun."
I slammed into him with all the strength I had left, driving him to the ground. His laughter echoed in my ears, even as I landed blow after blow.
"You think you've won?" I snarled, my fists colliding with his face. "You have no idea what you've unleashed."
Finn coughed, blood staining his teeth as he grinned up at me. "Neither do you."
His words sent a chill down my spine, but I didn't have time to dwell on them. Aria's scream cut through the air again, and I turned to see her collapse to the ground.
"Aria!"
I abandoned Finn, rushing to her side. Her body trembled, her skin pale and slick with sweat.
"I'm here," I said, cradling her against me. "I've got you."
Her eyes fluttered open, glassy and unfocused. "Lucas…"
"I'm right here," I whispered, brushing her hair from her face.
But her gaze shifted, her expression twisting with confusion. "Who… who are you?"
The words hit me like a physical blow, and my wolf howled in anguish.
"It's me," I said, my voice breaking. "It's Lucas."
She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "I don't… I don't remember."
Finn's laughter rang out behind me, cold and victorious. "You see? The bond is broken. She's free now."
I turned to him, my vision red with fury. "You'll pay for this," I vowed, my voice deadly.
But he only smiled, wiping the blood from his mouth. "Good luck, Alpha. You'll need it."
And with that, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving me with the broken pieces of the woman I loved.
As the night deepened, the pack gathered around us, their expressions a mix of fear and uncertainty. Eleanor knelt beside me, her hand on my shoulder.
"What do we do now?" she asked, her voice soft.
I looked down at Aria, still trembling in my arms, her memories shattered and her bond to me severed.
"We fight," I said, my voice hardening with resolve. "We protect her, no matter what it takes."
Because no matter how broken the bond, no matter how powerful the curse,
I would not let Finn win.
Aria was mine. And I would do whatever it took to bring her back.