Jealous

Lucian drove like a madman.

The roads blurred past him, streetlights flashing like distant stars, but his focus was locked on one thing, getting to Aiden. Stopping him from doing whatever he was doing.

He shouldn't be doing this. He knew it. He had no reason to.

But here he was, gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white, heart pounding in his chest like a war drum.

When he finally pulled up outside the house, he barely needed to step inside to know what kind of place it was.

The thudding bass of music shook the ground, the air thick with the stench of alcohol, sweat, and cigarette smoke.

The driveway was packed with cars, bodies spilling out onto the front lawn. Half-dressed teenagers laughed too loudly, some already too drunk to stand straight.

Lucian's stomach twisted in disgust.

This was exactly the kind of place he hated, the kind he would never willingly step into.

Crowded. Chaotic. Reeking of bad decisions.

But Aiden was in there.

And that was enough reason for Lucian to push through the crowd and enter hell itself.

Inside, the house was worse.

Music blasted from the speakers, shaking the walls. People shouted over each other, girls screamed in laughter, and the smell of cheap beer mixed with something stronger.

Lucian clenched his jaw. He wanted to get in and out of here as fast as possible.

But Aiden was nowhere in sight.

Lucian's sharp gaze scanned the crowd. Some of these faces were familiar, classmates from school. They were staring. Wondering.

Of course, they were.

Lucian was a walking mystery at school

, untouchable, unreachable. He never went to places like these.

He avoided crowds. Not just crowds but everyone except Jackson. Unlike the rest of them, he had no interest in pointless parties, mindless drinking, or meaningless hookups.

And yet, here he was.

Girls who had admired him from afar suddenly perked up, their eyes lighting with opportunity.

"Lucian?!" One of them gasped, touching her friend's arm. "Oh my God, is that really him?!"

Another girl flipped her hair, stepping closer. "I knew he wasn't as uptight as he pretended to be. This is our chance!"

"How can a guy be this perfect and yet untouchable!?"

But Lucian didn't even spare them a glance.

He moved through the crowd with sharp, determined strides, ignoring the stares, ignoring the whispers.

Aiden.

Where the hell was Aiden?

Lucian searched every corner, his frustration growing with each passing second.

He didn't know why this mattered so much, why the thought of Aiden being here, getting drunk, throwing himself away, made something deep inside him burn. This should even stop the feelings he had been having for him after seeing how he misbehaved, and yet, he couldn't stand the thought.

He didn't want to think about it.

But he still wanted Aiden out of there.

Now.

Giving up his pride, he finally stopped beside a group of people. They looked familiar, guys from school.

They were laughing, talking loudly over the music, cups of beer in their hands.

Lucian didn't bother with pleasantries.

He stepped forward, his voice sharp, commanding. "Aiden was here. Where is he?"

The boy he addressed stiffened immediately, his face paling.

Lucian's reputation preceded him. He wasn't the type to ask questions, he gave orders. And he didn't like repeating himself.

"I... uh..." the boy stammered, shifting nervously. "I don't know! He was here, but..."

Lucian didn't wait for him to finish.

He had already turned away.

But he wasn't done searching.

He moved through the house, asking again and again. And each time, he got the same response... Aiden was here. No one knew where he went.

Until finally, someone gave him an answer.

"Upstairs," a girl said, chewing her gum lazily, twirling her hair. "Saw him go up with some girls. He refused to let me join in," She sneered.

Lucian's jaw tightened.

He knew exactly what Aiden would be doing up there.

He took the stairs two at a time.

He wasn't even breathing heavily, his fury burned hotter than any exhaustion.

When he reached the hallway, he didn't have to ask which room. The faint sounds of laughter, hushed voices, and the telltale creak of a bed told him everything.

Lucian didn't knock.

He didn't hesitate.

He shoved the door open with one sharp push, the handle slamming against the wall.

Inside, Aiden lay sprawled across the bed, half-laughing, half-mumbling drunk nonsense.

Two girls draped themselves over him, one running her fingers through his hair, the other giggling as she traced patterns on his chest. They were still dressed, but barely.

Aiden's shirt was unbuttoned, his head tilted back, his eyes half-lidded with alcohol. His lips curled in a lazy smirk, lost in the haze of whatever self-destructive spiral he had thrown himself into.

Lucian saw red.

Without a word, he moved.

The girls barely had time to react before Lucian grabbed them both by the arms, yanking them off the bed.

"What the..." One of them shrieked, stumbling as Lucian all but threw them toward the door.

"Get out."

His voice was quiet. Dangerous.

The girls hesitated until they saw the way his eyes burned.

They scrambled, grabbing their shoes as they rushed past him, muttering curses under their breath.

Lucian didn't care.

He stepped inside, closing the door behind him with a loud bang.

Silence.

Aiden blinked up at him slowly, confusion flashing across his drunken expression.