Forty Four

Chapter Forty Four

Harley's POV

Lucianna entered the arena with an expression I have… never saw in that face before.

I couldn't stay at the ground where I think I can protect her more since I'll be closer. The organizers urged me one floor up and I sat there with the audiences.

My mind was wandering as my eyes went to look up to where Roscoe is. He's still there where we left him, and his smile and eyes are screaming a victory.

A victory I cannot understand.

"The winner of this round will be the champion of the North nth Female Fighters Game!"

Lucianna was standing straight, her eyes are blank and it seems to me that the presence of her opponent does not bother her at all.

She's wearing her usual denim pants and loose shirt while the other girl wears a traditional fighter's suit. There's a huge difference in their body features. The opponent has a bit of bulk and muscles while Lucianna looks slim though taller.

The other girl lunges forward in her defensive stance, ready to take the first offensive attack.

My hands are cold and sweaty while watching. I know Lucianna promised Jacob a sure win but looking at her distracted and in daze like this, I don't think I'll take home an unscratched Luna.

Damn it. What the hell happened!?

I wanted to reach her mind but I might get in the way more so I silently prayed.

The girl run towards Luce while her hand formed into a hard fist. A meter away and she strike her, targeting her face.

I almost closed my eyes but then it widened when I saw how swift Lucianna dodged it and grabbed the girl's wrist.

Lucianna's kick landed on the girl's ribs while she still grabs on her wrist. There was no way her opponent can dodge that blow, she's cornered!

The kick on the limbs weakened her opponent and Lucianna let go of its wrist that made the girl fell on her knees while coughing blood.

Lucianna looked up, and her expression was deadly.

She was looking at someone with that eyes, with that aura that screams death.

It was too late when I noticed that her eyes are directed to her mate's brother. Roscoe seems to be enjoying it, his eyes are sparkling with satisfaction despite Lucianna's glare.

I saw our Luna's eyes darkened and without taking her eyes off the bastard Roscoe, she kicked her opponent's face. The sole of her feet landed on the girl's jaw, that blow has an intent to finish the match.

Her opponent's neck snapped, enough to knock her out.

The announcer yelled her name as the game's winner in a row.

She won.

I wanted to cheer, to celebrate her victory but she looks scary. It's intimidating that I don't know if I will go to her or what.

It's the fastest match and I adored her mind focus and strength but it doesn't seem normal to me.

My eyes went to where Roscoe was but he was no longer there. That bastard did something and that somewhat changed her mood.

"Something is wrong with her…" it was Dylan who spoke. He was standing beside me and his eyes are locked with Lucianna who was still at the middle of the field.

My jaw clenched as I nodded slowly.

"She is a good fighter, but she never fails to entertain the audience but now… she moved as if she wanted to end it fast. Heck, I think she'll kill her opponent for a second."

He was right. I saw it, too and hearing him say how Lucianna fight before then considering her performance now… she's not her usual.

In a blink, she was gone in the middle of the field and was standing in front of me. She's too fast!

"Congratulations, Luce! Stay a bit for your prize and--"

"Keep it." she answered in a monotone and not even smiling. She turned to me that almost made me jump. "Let's go back."

Lucianna didn't wait for me and walked away first.

Dylan and I was dazzled as we followed her with our gaze.

"Yeah, something is up. The Luce I know will never refuse the money." he sighed and tapped my shoulder. "I'll ask someone to deliver it to Shadow pack."

I nodded and run to Lucianna because I noticed her route was wrong.

"That's not the way to the car. Hey!" I held her elbow and made her face me.

Emptiness.

That was what turned to me. It's as if she doesn't have a soul inside. Like a lost child in the dark, merely breathing but not living.

"What did Roscoe did?" I snarled.

She looked away, not even shocked with my question.

"I don't know what you're talking about." she lied. "I want to run so I'll go east. I wanted to go home,"

I couldn't stop her when she ran away with her enhanced speed. Not just that, I don't think I can follow her because of an unfamiliar fear her eyes gave me.

Damn it.

Sighing and trying to calm myself, I ran and followed after her.

Keeping some distance and running behind her was better than leaving her alone.

**

Jacob's POV

"That's how far he can go, Jake." Brent said after I told him my encounter with my brother.

"Mother should know about this. She's manipulated by him and all her words about him will almost turn him into a saint."

"You can't blame her, she's a mother but I will report about this later. How's it going with Lucianna?"

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose.

"We're fine…"

"You think she'll still consider leaving you now? I've seen you changed, man, makes me puke everytime." Brent laughed.

I grinned and shook my head. I'm not ashamed of showing her affection she deserves.

"I think she's reconsidering but her doubts are still there. She refuses to talk about it and I haven't receive her final response."

"But you hope she won't leave, huh?"

I snorted and stood from my chair. "Who's in their right mind to hope otherwise?"

"Then if she did leave you, can you take it?"

I froze.

She's been gone for hours and even with the thought that she will come back any moment now, I am still bothered with her absence.

"I see you've completed the mating. I can think of the possibilities that you'll lose your head once she decides to go."

I... know that.

She's a strong willed woman, and it wouldn't be a problem for her now to wander away from me because I gave her the card to be free.

And now I am the one tied tight.

Given these circumstances, I know I won't stop her from leaving if she'll want to and yet I feel like a hypocrite for thinking that way.

A hopeless hypocrite slaved by my own fear and thoughts of losing her.

"Relax, it's just a hypothetical question." he tapped my back. "You're tensing up too much. Let's get to work.

**

'Jake,' it was Harley. Did they arrived?

Before I could answer, he communicated again.

'We're almost in the pack. Roscoe went to watch the fight and I think something was wrong with Lucianna. She acts like life has been taken away from her, even--'

He… what?

'Where are you?'

'We left the car back there because she wanted to run. Right now, we're approaching the Hill.'

I didn't waste a second and with full speed and strength, I jumped out of the window of my office and ran to the Hill.

How dare he come to the Trivian pack and watch my mate fought her battle?!

I kept thinking of any possible ways my brother must have done that might turn Lucianna that way but I can think of none.

Just when I reached the top of the Hill was when Lucianna arrived and behind him was Harley.

"What happened?" I asked her.

She was looking at me. Or more like, through me.

I think any moment she'll burst out crying but trying her best not to. My chest ached from the sight. Something was wrong, Harley was right.

"You can leave us alone now. I'll be with her." I said to Harley and he nodded. He walked slowly and even took a peak to Lucianna before moving on his way.

I walked to her, slow and with care.

"Baby, are you alright?"

I looked at her whole and she looked the same as when she left.

Her eyes looked at mine with nothing but sorrow and that made me frown.

"Talk to me." I begged in a whisper.

Her silence was deafening but also killing a part of me inside. The way she continues to gaze at me seems like she was memorizing my face, and that thought scares me.

"What did my brother do to you? Did he hurt you?"

She frantically shook her head and that made me frown deeper. "He didn't… we didn't even talked."

"Then what's wrong?"

Silence.

I sighed and pulled her in for a tight embrace. She's keeping something.

"Lucianna, I wanted to know what's wrong, please. You're scaring me…"

She could share it to me, I'll listen and I'll be by her side so why can't she?

Slowly, her arms wrapped on me and returned my hug. I sighed.

I finally felt she's with me by that small gesture she did and surprisingly, even when she was right in front of me, I couldn't feel her earlier.

"I…" she started to speak and I stiffened as I waited for her to say more. She paused for deadly long minutes before continuing. "I won."

A chuckle escaped my chest and I hugged her even tighter so that I could pull her up from the ground. A small gasp escaped her lips and she looked down to meet my eyes.

"Then I'll give your reward…" I whispered.

My system has calmed from what she said and just like that, I felt her coming back to me like she was gone for a moment.

She moved, leaning down to meet my lips and I kissed her hard and deep like how I promised to her.

The way her arms clung to my neck seems to be longing, and I know what she wanted. I could smell it, I can feel it. She want me as much as I do.

"Jacob…" she said, pulling away a bit.

"Hmm, baby…" I was trying to catch her lips once more but she pressed her forehead to mine so to stop me.

"I… I want to make love with you… all night." she said in gasped words.

My body quickly reacted from her honest confession. She haven't initiated this way and its turning me on so much.

I groaned and pulled her up. Her legs wrapped on my waist tight as I did, my hand went on the small of her back and urged her closer to my awoken manhood.

"Is this place fine for the first round, baby? I don't think I can wait to come home…"

She bit her lips and grind her hips when she felt my massive arousal. "I-I don't mind… I just want you."

Oh, dear god, how deep will you make me fall, Lucianna?