Nicolas
"Let go of my brother!"
Lylia's voice cracked as she dropped to her knees, her hands clasped, eyes pleading.
I tilted my head, amused.
"You think begging works on me?" I asked, my tone light but laced with warning. "You should know better, Lylia."
A crowd had gathered around the midnight court, the scent of burning rubber and gasoline hanging thick in the air. Neon lights from modified cars flashed across our faces, shadows dancing like ghosts. Everyone was watching. Good. Let them.
"You don't even love me," she spat, desperate.
I smiled. "True. But I hate being second choice."
I nodded toward her brother bloodied, bruised, and held back by Nathan. Not dead. Yet.
Alice stood beside me, glass in hand, swirling the drink as if we were hosting a cocktail party .
"Make it more interesting," she purred, tipping her glass and splashing red liquid across Lylia's pale dress. "A race, maybe?"
I liked the sound of that.
"Fine," I said. "I'll give you a chance."
I stepped forward, my voice carrying across the court. "I, Nicolas Reed, will release both Lylia and her brother if someone here is brave or stupid enough to race me. And win."
Silence.
Of course.
I was the Alpha King's son. The one they feared. The one who always won. And tonight, I had no intention of losing.
Until I heard a voice from the edge of the court.
"I'll race you."
The crowd shifted. Heads turned.
He stepped out of the shadows like he belonged to them dark hair tousled, jacket slung casually over his shoulder, a motorcycle helmet hanging loosely from one hand. His eyes were sharp. Unreadable.
"Name?" I asked.
"Ethan," he replied simply.
That was all. No last name. Whatever it not like I'm going to lose.
My eyes narrowed. His scent was off. Not wolf. Not human. Not vampire. Maybehe won't a supernatural creatures that would make things easy.
Lylia's face lit up. She ran to him, clinging to his arm like he was salvation itself.
I hated that.
I hated how she looked at him. Like he was everything she wanted. That bitch a slut after cheating on me she till clinging to another person.
The engines roared.
I slid into my car, fingers tightening on the wheel. Ethan straddled his bike a slick, obsidian Kawasaki cool but too bad his gonna lose.
The flag dropped.
We tore down the road like demons.
I summoned a whisper of earth magic just enough to crack the asphalt beneath his tires. He wobbled. Swerved. Almost lost it. He good but not enough.
I smirke as i say " All is fair in love and war "
But then
A tree crashed down in front of me. I veered hard, tires screaming. My car slammed into another, spun out, and crashed into the woods with a shuddering roar.
I barely had time to catch my breath before I heard it
That damn engine.
That voice.
"All's fair in love and war, right?" Ethan said .
And then I saw it: his bike crossed the finish line.
He won.
Lylia ran straight to him, throwing her arms around his neck. Her laugh was full of relief. Of hope.
And when she looked back at me… it wasn't with fear.
Stupid bitch
I climbed out of the wreck, fury in my chest, I was losing control.
But before I could
"Nicolas."
Nathan stepped between me and the two of them, hands raised.
"Your father's back."
I froze.
Without a word, I turned and walked away, Alice and Nathan trailing behind me in silence.
But not before I looked over my shoulder—just once.
Ethan stood there, staring at me with a smile .