CHAPTER 42: YOU BASTARD!

Iris’s POV

Zane’s face twisted in pain, his knuckles bloodied as it seeped between his fingers as he clutched his injured hand. His fingers, swollen and unnaturally bent, looked broken as a sharp wince left from his lips. His eyes burned with defiance, but the pain was undeniable as he glared at Lucas. "I’m not apologizing," he spat. "Not to her. Not to anyone."

Lucas stood unmoving but relaxed, his eyes cold. His hands remained in his pockets. "You’re making this harder than it needs to be," he said.

Zane’s lips curled into a sneer, but the pain in his hand betrayed him, his shoulders hunching slightly as he tried to cover the agony. "You think you can just throw your weight around, Lucas?" Zane growled, taking a step forward, his uninjured hand balling into a fist. "You’re not alpha yet. You’re just an illegitimate son of a worthless mother."

Before I could blink, Lucas’s fist swung toward Zane’s jaw in a clumsy, rage.

Zane, effortlessly, sidestepped the blow.

In one swift motion, Lucas grabbed Zane’s wrist, twisting it just enough to force Zane to his knees. A sharp yelp escaped Zane’s throat, his face contorting as he hit the ground, dirt smudging his cheek.

"Lucas, stop it!" Liora yelled. She rushed forward. "Let him go, you psychopath! You’ll regret this! I swear, you’ll pay for this!" Her hands flailed, as if she wanted to claw at Lucas, but she stopped short, her gaze darting between Zane’s crumpled body and Lucas who didn’t look remorseful. Even though I didn’t like what’s going on but that serves Zane right.

Lucas didn’t even glance at her. His eyes stayed locked on Zane, who was breathing heavily as he struggled against the hold. "Last chance," Lucas said. "Apologize."

Zane’s cold eyes flicked to me. "Go to hell," he snarled as he tried to wrench free and then Lucas released him abruptly, and Zane stumbled backward, collapsing onto the grass with a grunt. Blood from his hand smeared across his shirt, and he cursed under his breath. "You bastard!"

Liora dropped to her knees beside him, her hands hovering over his bloodied knuckles, her face filled with worry. "Zane, oh my God, are you okay?" Her voice trembled as she tried to help him up. "This isn’t over, Lucas." She shot a glare at him with rage and then turned to me, her eyes narrowing to slits. "And you," she hissed, "you’ll regret this too."

Zane staggered to his feet, one foot dragging slightly as Liora looped her arm under his to support him. His face was obvious of pain and fury, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer before he turned away, leaning heavily on Liora as they left.

Immediately, I spun to face Lucas, my hands clenched into fists at my sides. "What have you done?" I snapped. "Do you have any idea what kind of mess you’ve just made? They’re going to come for me now, Lucas! They won’t let this go!"

His eyes met mine, but before he could respond, I turned on my heel and left. I couldn’t stand there, not with the chaos he’d just unleashed. My feet carried me away but as I approached the maid quarters, I saw Amelia, sitting alone on a flat rock by the river, her knees drawn up to her chest as she sobbed. My anger disappeared instantly, replaced by concern. I slowed my steps as I approached.

"Amelia?" I called softly, crouching beside her. "What’s wrong?"

She startled, her head snapping up as she swiped at her tears with the back of her hand. Her eyes were red-rimmed and then she forced a smile. "Nothing," she said quickly. "I’m fine, Iris. Really."

Studying her face, I knew it wasn’t nothing. I slid onto the rock beside her. "Amelia, come on," I said gently, reaching for her hands as I held them. "Talk to me. Is it... is it about what you saw earlier? I and Lucas?"

She shook her head quickly, too quickly. "No, it’s not that. I just... I have a headache, that’s all." I didn’t believe her.

"Amelia," I said softly, squeezing her hands tenderly. "If this is about Lucas, you’ve got it all wrong. There’s nothing between us, I swear." I hesitated, my throat tightening as I saw the doubt in her eyes. "I don’t feel anything for him. He was just... being nice, that’s all. I almost fell, and he caught me. What you saw wasn’t what it looked like."

Her lip quivered, and she wiped her eyes again, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "I’m sorry," she said. "I didn’t mean to... I just got overwhelmed. I shouldn’t have assumed."

I pulled her into a hug. "It’s okay," I murmured, rubbing her back. "I get it. I’d feel the same way if I thought... well, you know. But there’s nothing to worry about, I promise."

She hugged me back, her arms tightening around me for a moment before she pulled away. "I believe you," she said softly, a small smile breaking through her lips. "I’m sorry for acting so silly."

"You’re not silly," I said, smiling back. "You’re my sister, and I hate seeing you sad." I paused, then decided to shift the conversation, hoping to lift her spirits. "You know, I was talking to Lucas about you earlier. Said some nice things."

Her cheeks flushed a soft pink, her eyes widening. "You did?" she asked, her voice shy but curious.

"Yeah," I said, smiling. "I told him how kind you are, how you’re always looking out for everyone. He seemed pretty interested."

Her blush deepened, and she ducked her head, a real smile tugging at her lips. "Really?" she asked.

"Really," I said, nudging her shoulder. "You should talk to him sometime. He’s not as intimidating as he seems."

Her smile grew, and she looked up at me. "Actually... I was wondering..." She bit her lip, hesitating, then took a deep breath. "When you’re next serving him, could I maybe... Come with you?"