The past few days had been... different.
Luca was still here, still lingering in the background of my pack's life, but he wasn't just watching anymore. He was learning, studying me and my wolves in a way that felt more intentional than before.
He wasn't trying to fit in.
He wasn't trying to prove anything.
And yet, somehow, he had managed to slip into my orbit so seamlessly that I wasn't sure when I started expecting him to be there.
That was dangerous.
I already had a mate who wanted nothing to do with me. The last thing I needed was another Alpha complicating things.
And Luca?
He was nothing but a complication.
---
"Move faster," I ordered, stepping between sparring pairs as my pack trained in the clearing behind the packhouse. "You hesitate, you die."
Kian grinned, sweat glistening on her deep brown skin as she cracked her knuckles. "I don't hesitate, babe."
"Prove it," I shot back.
Kian's opponent lunged.
She dodged at the last second, fluid as water, before sending a blast of fire straight at their feet. They stumbled, barely catching themselves before Kian took them down with one solid kick to the chest.
"Damn," Nova whistled from the sidelines, flipping her red hair over her shoulder. "You could've warned him, Kian."
Kian rolled her eyes. "Ain't no warnings in a real fight."
I smirked. "Exactly."
That's why we were different.
We didn't fight like other packsâwaiting for orders, moving in tight, predictable formations.
We fought like warriors.
And we never lost.
---
From the edge of the clearing, Luca watched.
His expression was unreadable, but I could feel the weight of his gaze, the way his arms were crossed like he was holding himself back from saying something.
I ignored him.
Or at least, I tried to.
After training wrapped up, I was about to head inside when Luca finally spoke.
"Your pack fights like they've got nothing to lose."
I turned slightly, meeting his gaze. "That's because they don't."
Luca hummed, stepping closer. "They don't fight like a pack."
I arched a brow. "Oh?"
He tilted his head slightly, eyes sharp. "They fight like an army."
I studied him, trying to figure out what he was getting at.
"And what does your pack fight like?" I asked.
Luca smirked. "Wouldn't you like to know."
I rolled my eyes, but his words stuck with me.
Because he was right.
We weren't trained like other wolves.
We were trained to win.
---
Later that night, I was outside alone, letting the cold air cool the heat from training when Luca found me again.
I heard his footsteps before I saw him.
"You don't act like most Alphas," he said, leaning against the railing beside me.
I scoffed. "And you don't act like most rogues."
His lips curved slightly. "Fair point."
Silence stretched between us.
Then, his voice dropped lower. "They don't know, do they?"
I stiffened. "Who?"
He didn't answer right away. Just studied me like he already knew the truth.
"Damon's pack."
My throat tightened.
"They don't know what you are," he continued. "Not really."
I exhaled, slow and measured. "No."
Luca nodded, like he wasn't surprised. Like he'd known all along.
And maybe he had.
I expected him to push, to demand an answer.
But he didn't.
Instead, he tilted his head slightly, eyes gleaming with something unreadable.
"How long do you think that'll last?"
I hesitated. "Long enough."
His smirk was slow. Dangerous.
"If you say so, Alpha."