Chapter 142

I lift my eyebrows in surprise as Luca turns to stares at Jesse, appalled at the accusation. Jesse continues, either pretending not to notice or not caring.

“I mean,” Jesse says, turning his palm up as he talks it through, “unless I’m mistaken, you’ve never told her that you loved her before, right? At least not before last night. And now you’re throwing that word around a lot in a situation where you’re actively asking her for something. It might not be bullying, but it is a little manipulative.” Jesse grimaces and gives a shrug, and I can tell that he’s genuinely not happy to have to deliver the message.

But my jaw drops a little when I realize that….that Jesse’s kind of right on that one. Luca is pulling out the 1–word at the same moment when he’s asking me for something really big.

“I can’t believe you’re accusing me of not loving her, of saying that just because I want something –”

“We’re not accusing you of that,” Rafe says, his voice gentler now. “We’re just asking you to play fair, Luca. And to let her make her own decisions about what’s right for her. Even if that’s not what’s right for you.”

“So, you’re all going to take his side,” Luca snaps, drawing away from me now and standing up, clearly wanting a little space. “When obviously I am the better match for Ariel – I can handle her life as a Princess, I’m already your guys‘ best friend, I’m completely dedicated to supporting her through this Academy thing and have been for months. How can you not be on my side, after all of this!? We’re – we’re fucking friends!” noveldrama

“They’re not taking Jackson’s side,” I say quietly folding my hands in my lap and looking up at my mate, my heart sinking because I know he feels so betrayed. “This isn’t about sides,

Luca.”

“Screw that, it is about sides,” Jesse snaps, standing up to glare at Luca. But I watch as his face softens, as he forces himself to be kinder. “We’re not on Jackson’s side, but we’re not on yours either, Luca. We’re on Ariel’s side.”

“Always,” Rafe says, his voice likewise gentle and a little sad. “Always Ariel’s side, Luc. I’m… I’m sorry if that’s not what you want to hear, but she’s my sister.”

“My best cousin,” Jesse adds, and my heart swells with love at their support.

“And quite frankly,” Rafe continues, his face a little grim. “As her mate? I’d prefer it if you

were on her side as well.”

Luca just stares, slack–jawed, at his two best friends before looking down at me. I bite my lip, heartbroken and awkward, my fingers twisted together in my lap. We stare at each other for a long time, and down our bond I feel him questioning, apparently unable to put it into words right now, wanting and needing to know what it is that I’m asking for in this moment.

“The Goddess gave me both of you, Luca,” I say quietly, hoping to hell he hears me on this. ” Rafe and Jesse and I – we talked about it last night. And I think it’s right – I’m supposed to have two mates, she gave me both of these bonds for a reason.

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I shake my head, hating that I’m disappointing Luca, but so incredibly grateful that I have my big Alpha brother and cousin here to support me because if it was just me and Luca? I’m not sure I could find the courage to do this to deliver the words that I know are goi

going to break his heart.

“What are you saying?” Luca whispers, slow, taking a step closer to look down into my eyes.

“That I’m not going to reject my bond with Jackson,” I whisper, staring up at him, needing him to hear and understand it. “Not just because you want me to.”

Luca groans, tucking his face against his hands like it’s the worst thing he’s ever heard. I’m immediately on my feet, putting a hand on his arm, unable to just sit and watch him grieve like this. Rafe takes a step forward like he’s worried Luca will snap, and shove me or something, but he doesn’t.

Instead, Luca just takes a moment to understand, his body trembling slightly beneath my hand. I stand steadily next to him, letting him process it, bearing witness to his pain. And when he’s ready, Luca drags his hands down from his face and looks at me again. “I don’t know if I can do this, Ariel,” he whispers, shaking his head at me. “I don’t know how to do this.”