I frowned. "It was a freak of nature, Chris."

He laughed, but it wasn't because I was being funny. "You could burn the house down all you want, Gina. You still aren't getting it. You could ruin the entire house and its land, and you're still not getting it. You left before I could even tell youthat I was next in line for the house, and I don’t appreciate you fucking around with it."

Rage built up. He was next in line? Why? Why in God's name would he get it? "You're incorrect. I get the house if I'm married, and my wedding is in three months." I cringed internally. Why would I say three months? There was no way in hell we were going to get this figured out in three months!

"I'll believe that when I see it," Chris said, still laughing.

I knew I should just keep my mouth shut, but it wasn't that simple. I was so tired of everyone thinking they were better than me, so tired of everyone thinking I was just a mess.

"It's Lucas." I blurted. I knew his name still held weight even if he didn't live there. His parents were close friends with mine and were still very much involved with the pack.

Chris stopped laughing and went silent for a moment. I almost smiled, proud of myself, when Chris growled. "Bullshit. Lucas wouldn't marry you. You're not even on the same wavelength as him. Quit wasting my time, Gina, and tell me the truth. You're not getting married, and we both know it."

"I am," I snapped back. "He's my mate."

"Whatever. I don't believe you, and in a couple of days, when I visit, I'll see that isn't true, and you will hand the key back to me."

The line ended, and I sat frozen. I knew I shouldn't have barked back, but I couldn't help it. I wasn’t going to lose the only thing I wanted.

I looked down at my phone, staring at my contacts, and saw that Lucas was now in it. He'd taken my phone when I was talking to Ayden and put his number in, saying to call him if I had an emergency.

It brought tears to my eyes since no one had cared about me before, not even my parents. I remember when I broke my arm at school, and no one came to the hospital for me. My mother finally pulled up after they put the cast on and took me home. Instead of asking me what happened, she told me I should have been more careful and leave the big kids alone. The truth is that I was pushed off the slide because I was small.

I quickly shook my head and wiped my eyes. I was done being pushed around. I was getting what I deserved, and I deserved this.

Chapter 6 - Lucas

I took a long swig of my coffee and closed my eyes, letting my shoulders relax. I felt tense, and I knew it was because of yesterday. Everything happened so quickly that I didn't think about the aftermath. I wasn't taking back what I offered, but I wasn't sure how this was all going to work.

I could hear the guys coming up the stairs, and I looked at the clock, seeing it was eight. I hadn't realized the time went by that quickly.

"Morning, Lucas." Ayden was the first up the stairs, stretching his arms out as he came up. Behind him was Owen, who looked tired.

"Morning," I said, giving them a nod as I took another sip of my coffee.

Owen rubbed his eyes. "Man, I didn't sleep worth shit last night."

I raised an eyebrow when Owen threw himself into a chair, rubbing at his head. Ayden shook his head. "How was last night?" Ayden asked, walking towards the coffee maker.

"It was fine, no sign of anyone." I had worked overnight patrolling the border again. I enjoyed the silence rather than being cooped up inside the fire station every day. Tensions were high in the clan, and I liked to distance myself from it when I could.

"Good," Ayden said. "Who's working it tonight?"

Owen waved his hand, and I couldn't help but smirk. "You might want a nap before."

Owen glared at me and sighed. "Ivy is sick. She came crawling into bed with us last night, so neither of us got any sleep."

"Keep whatever you have in your own household," Ayden said. "I don't need it in my house."

"Maybe instead of being mean to me, my boss would offer me a coffee and some advice." Owen snapped back.

I snorted as Ayden slid him a mug of coffee. "Take a nap and keep yourself away from me."

I smirked as Owen rolled his eyes, taking a long sip of his coffee. "Speaking of women," Owen looked at me. "What was yesterday?"

I had been waiting for the questions. Why was I at the house? Who was the woman? Why were we talking, and how did I know her?

"That was Gina."