Chapter 200

LUCAS POV

My father's words hung in the air, a looming pressure that threatened to suffocate any semblance of reason.

I struggled to calm myself down as my breathing grew deeper.

The SUV sped down the road, and with each passing moment, the gravity of the situation tightened its grip on my conscious.

He wanted Shana to be my family now? Just because she was the White Wolf?

I could see the wheels turning in his eyes. He had some plan up his sleeve, like he aways did. He couldn't help but meddle where he didn't belong.

"I'll ignore all the stupid things the two of you have done before to defy me," Kendrick promised, his tone laced with a sinister charm. "None of that will matter anymore. We can forget it ever happened."

"This changes nothing for me," I argued. "Just because you know she's the White Wolf, I'm not going to go crawling back to you."

"Oh Lucas, you still aren't seeing the bigger picture here," my father said, crackling his knuckles. "Think for a second how perfect this is."

"W-what?" I sputtered, confused by his sudden shift. He thought me being with Shana was suddenly perfect when he's been trying to split us up for months?

"What exactly do you think is going to happen?" I asked him. "What's changed? What are you planning?"

"If you become Shana's mate, she becomes your Luna. The two of you would be the strongest werewolf couple, give birth to the strongest heir. Think about the power you would hold, Lucas... the legacy." Kendrick shook his head. "The fame this would give the Busch name."

Of course, all my father seemed to care about was how the outside world perceived us. He only cared about our image.

The repetition of this twisted cycle echoed in my ears, and I felt a surge of defiance rising within me. I refused to be shackled by my father's ambitions.

He only saw me as a pawn in his grand scheme of plans, and I hated being reduced to that.

"I won't be your reproductive machine, Dad," I asserted, my voice unwavering. "I won't be a part of your manipulative games. I've already told you I don't want to be the heir."

"You wouldn't need to reproduce any heirs—yet. There is still plenty time for that. You would need to learn to hone in your new strength... there's much that would need to be done before you start having children."

"I don't want that," I said through gritted teeth. "And I don't want Shana put in that scenario, either."

"Whether you like it or not, you will always be a Busch. Wouldn't you rather provide Shana with a safe life where she wouldn't need to worry about having to struggle?"

I did want to provide for Shana and keep her safe, but I didn't need my father for that.

"I don't need you in order to do that," I argued. "I can do it all on my own. I've been keeping her safe just fine for the past few months."

My father tsked at me, "Lucas, look at what you're doing for Shana now. You're using my lawyer—my contacts. Do you honestly think you would've been much help to her without what I've been able to give you?"

I bit my tongue, not wanting to lash out at him. I hated that he was right about this. Without Gregory or the realtor, I'm sure this process would've been much harder for Shana.

My father was also paying for these services, whether he knew it or not. Of course, it was just petty change for him, but still.

He was providing everything... I was nothing for Shana if I didn't have my father's wealth.

"I see that's got you thinking," my father said with a smug expression on his face. "You know I'm right, don't you?"

"I'm still young. I can build my own wealth," I argued. "Once I go to college and play professional hockey, I'll be able to make a living off of it. I will be able to give Shana anything she could need, in regards to money."

I sighed, continuing, "But all that Shana really needs is someone to be there for her, and that's something money can't provide. She has nobody, except for me now. That's more valuable than anything else."

My father rolled his eyes. "Love doesn't last, son. You can't rely on that to sustain your relationship."

"Just because it didn't work for you, doesn't mean it won't work for me," I replied, knowing how cruel the words were to hear.

My father had never bothered to give love a chance. His only love was business, and there was never any time for anything else.

My father's eyes flashed with a predatory gleam, his voice a low rumble. "You don't realize what you're turning away from, Lucas. The potential, the power we could have—"

"That right there!" I cut my father off. "We. There is no we in this. There's only me and Shana. You're not going to insert yourself into our relationship—in our life—just so you can have your way."

"Regardless of what I want," my father continued, "you will need to think about these things if you're going to remain with Shana. This is the reality."

"I don't want it!" I interrupted, frustration bubbling to the surface. "Shana and I have our own dreams. We'll navigate things however we choose to. We won't be controlled by you."

A tense silence settled between us, the unspoken clash of wills echoing through the confines of the vehicle.

My father's lips curled into a disapproving sneer, and I could sense his mounting frustration at my defiance.

"You'll regret this, Lucas," he warned, his voice carrying a venomous undercurrent. "Reconsider your decision. The whole world will find out about her soon."

A surge of apprehension coursed through me, but I stood my ground. "No one will find out. Shana and I are working on understanding her abilities, getting her wolf under control. What happened last time won't happen again."

"How can you be sure of that?" My father asked. "You said this is only the second time she's shifted. What if she does it again somewhere more public?"

"Don't you worry about that," I said, wanting to get off this subject matter as soon as possible. I didn't want my father to know too much about Shana and her wolf. "It's all under control."

My father's eyes narrowed, a sly smile playing on his lips. "You're wrong, Lucas."

I frowned. "I'm not wrong. You'll see, everything will be fine."

"Everything will be fine," my father agreed with a nod. It looked like he was trying to hold back a smile which only upset me further.

"What is it?" I questioned, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. "Why are you making that face?"

"Because I've already informed the Alpha King," my father said simply, face void of any emotion. He was studying me, assessing what my reaction would be.

I tried to remain calm on the outside, but inside, dread gripped my chest. The revelation sent shockwaves through my system, and I struggled to comprehend the ramifications of my father's actions.

"W-what do you mean?"

"The Alpha King knows about Shana."