She looked just like the woman who had stolen his heart before, but now her eyes were sharper. Diego, the Alpha, had never liked the past, but the tension in the room was undeniable. There was an invisible thread between them that held memories and feelings from the past.
Diego said, "Lucia," in a low, careful voice that still had a hint of surprise in it. He stopped moving his hands when he looked up at her. "I didn't expect this."
Lucia smiled a small, confident smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I didn't think you would mess things up so badly either," she said, her voice sharp but soft.
Diego put the report down and crossed his arms over his chest. "What do you want, Lucia? It's been so long."
She moved closer and tilted her head. "I want what I've always wanted, Diego," she said in a soft voice that was full of purpose. "I want us back." I know I was wrong and that you've moved on, but this... This thing with Mariana? It's not fair. "We're meant to be together."
Diego's stomach turned. He had tried to hide how he felt about Lucia, but hearing her words brought those feelings back. He thought about the love they used to have, and each memory made it harder to say goodbye.
Diego, on the other hand, couldn't let himself go back to the past. He had to lead a group. "Lucia," he said in a calm, firm voice, "I made my choice. I'm with Mariana right now.
Lucia's face got hard. "Look where that's gotten you. Diego, she's not here anymore. You're by yourself. I can help you get back on track, but if you keep going down this road with her, you'll lose everything. "I've already lost you."
The room was very quiet. Diego's mind raced. He had lost Lucia before, and he wasn't going to let it happen again. But Mariana, the betrayal still hurt, and he wasn't sure he could fix what had been broken. Even though he was determined, he couldn't stop wanting Lucia.
He stood up and spoke sharply. "I don't need this right now." You have to leave.
Lucia didn't move; she squinted her eyes. "I'll give you time, but don't say I didn't warn you." She turned and left, her heels clicking loudly on the floor. Diego was left alone with his thoughts, which were so loud that they hurt.
Diego was alone in his study that night. The sun setting made long shadows in the room. His mind was racing, and Lucia's visit had only made it worse. She had come back with the ghosts of a past he couldn't get away from.
A gentle knock on the door brought him back to reality. "Come in," he said, sounding tired.
Enzo Castillo, the eager Alpha-in-training, came in with a tense face. "Diego, I don't want to bother you, but the pack is on edge. What's going on with Lucia? I don't trust her."
Diego didn't make eye contact with him. "She only came here to talk to me." That's all it is.
Enzo shook his head. "I don't know. The way she's been acting... It's not just for the sake of memories. She has a plan. Can't you see it?"
Diego sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "I'll handle it." I know what I'm doing.
Enzo wasn't sure. "Just be careful." If she gets her claws into you, it could cost us everything.
Later that night, Mariana Pérez sat in her dark room with her mind racing. She didn't think she would ever come back to this world of power struggles and lies, but here she was, betrayed by Diego and secretly pregnant with his children. Every day was a fight.
A knock on the door brought her back to reality. She opened it and saw Álvaro García, who used to be a pack warrior. His face was serious, and his eyes were worried.
"Álvaro," she said softly as she moved out of the way.
He said in a low voice, "I need to talk to you." "It's about Diego."
Mariana's stomach sank. "What about him?""
"His family... He has a dark secret that could destroy everything he's worked for. The Rivas family tree isn't what you think it is. For years, it has been hidden.
Mariana's breath caught. "What do you mean?""
Álvaro's face got darker. "The truth about Diego's past could change everything." Especially for your kids. "You've been kept in the dark for too long."
Mariana's head was spinning. She had always known Diego had a rough past, but this? She couldn't handle it all.
She shook her head. "I don't want to know. Not right now. "Not after all he's done."
Álvaro's eyes became softer. "You have to." For your children. For the group."
Mariana felt a cold chill in her bones as he left. His words hung in the air, thick with something bad.
Diego ran into Valentina Ruiz, an Alpha from a nearby pack who was also his enemy. She seemed calm and sure of herself, but Diego felt uneasy around her.
"Diego," she said with a smile, knowing he was tense. "You look upset."
Diego snapped, "I'm fine," not wanting to play her games.
Valentina got closer, and her smile got bigger. "I can feel it." The pressure. The hidden things. They always find a way to get away, don't they? When you least expect it, especially.
Diego frowned because he didn't want to admit how much her words hurt him. "What do you want, Valentina?""
She leaned in and spoke softly. "Diego, be careful with Mariana. You might not know what's in store for your pack and your bloodline. Something is coming that could ruin everything you've worked for. The prophecy... "It's closer than you think."
Diego's blood froze. He didn't know if Valentina was lying or trying to control him, but he did know that everything he thought he knew was about to fall apart.