Chapter 272

Lucas and I headed back to Grandma Jo's house after spending time with James and Victoria. I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment.

It had been so nice catching up with our friends, laughing, reminiscing about the past, and sharing our thoughts of the future.

Hearing them talk about their plans left me feeling a bit... out of place. On one hand, I could relate with them and on the other hand I couldn't.

Their plans for the future were clear and purposeful, each step carefully mapped out. But for me, uncertainty loomed like a shadow, casting doubt on where my path would lead.

I couldn't share my aspirations, my dreams, or the complexities of my life with them. They had no idea about the responsibilities I now held as the White Wolf, and as much as Lucas was there for me, he couldn't fully understand it either.

I felt torn between two worlds, struggling to reconcile the ordinary with the extraordinary, the mundane with the extraordinary. My life was a delicate balancing act, a carefully orchestrated dance between duty and desire.

As Lucas and I settled onto the couch in Grandma Jo's cozy living room, I watched him with a mixture of pride and envy as he checked his emails on his computer. He's been checking his email constantly, waiting to hear back from his favorite university, Hawking, to see if he got accepted.

I watched him eagerly, curious to see if he had received any updates about his university applications.

Suddenly, his face lit up with excitement as he scanned through his emails.

"Shana, you won't believe it," he turned to face me. "I got accepted into Hawking University! I can continue playing hockey there!"

"Really? That's amazing, Lucas!" I exclaimed, genuinely happy for him. "I knew you would get in. You've worked so hard for this."

Lucas grinned, clearly thrilled by the news. "This is all I've ever wanted... and I did it all without my father's help. Shana, this means I have a good chance of playing professional hockey once I graduate. Their team is incredible."

I felt a surge of pride for Lucas as he shared his excitement. His dedication and perseverance had paid off, and I couldn't be happier for him.

"That's fantastic news, Lucas." I smiled. "You've earned this opportunity, and I have no doubt you'll excel at Hawking University on their hockey team. I know this is what Kendrick has always frowned down upon, but he'd be stupid not to be proud of you."

He beamed at me, his eyes shining with excitement. "Thanks, Shana. I couldn't have done this without you pushing me and being my good luck charm."

"Me?" I questioned. "I haven't done anything, Lucas. This was all you. All of your hard work. They recognized what a good player you are."

Lucas chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Don't underestimate your influence, Shana. Your support means everything to me. Whenever I felt doubt or frustration, knowing you were there cheering me on gave me the strength to keep going."

His words touched my heart, and I couldn't help but feel a swell of warmth. "Well, I'll always be your number one fan, Lucas."

"I wouldn't want it any other way," he replied, his gaze softening as he looked at me.

Despite his reassurances, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling of uncertainty about my own future. Lucas had his path laid out before him, but mine felt like a tangled web of possibilities and responsibilities.

As I watched him celebrate, a pang of sadness washed over me.

"What's wrong, Shana?" Lucas asked, noticing the change in my demeanor. "Did I do something?"

"No." I shook my head. "You haven't done anything wrong... I'm just thinking."

"What are you thinking about?"

I hesitated, unsure how to voice my feelings. "I don't know... I just feel... lost, I guess."

Lucas came over and sat beside me, his expression filled with concern. "Lost? What do you mean?"

"I mean, you have your future all figured out," I explained, gesturing towards his computer screen. "But I... I don't have a clear view of what lies ahead for me. Sometimes, I wonder if staying in the palace for training is the best choice for me."

Lucas took my hand in his, squeezing it gently. "Shana, being the White Wolf is your purpose. Can't you see that?"

"Is it though?" I questioned. "We still don't know anything... we don't know what's going to happen or what it means and I'm scared. I'm worried about my future."

Lucas listened attentively, his thumb tracing soothing circles on the back of my hand. "I understand your fears, Shana. But being the White Wolf is more than just a title or a duty. It's a part of who you are, deep down."

I sighed, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders as I poured out my concerns to him. "I know, but sometimes it feels like I'm being pulled in so many different directions. I want to make the right choices, but I don't even know where to start."

"You're meant to protect and serve the kingdom. You're meant to be something bigger than me. Bigger than James or Victoria, hell, bigger than my father."

The thought made a chill run down my spine.

Lucas's words resonated with me, reminding me of the gravity of my role as the White Wolf. "I know," I whispered, feeling a sense of responsibility settling over me once again. "But what if I'm not strong enough? What if I can't live up to everyone's expectations?"

"You are strong, Shana," Lucas insisted, his voice firm and unwavering. "I've seen it time and time again. You have a resilience and determination that's unmatched."

"And you don't have to do this alone," he continued. "You have me, and you may not have them yet, but when the entire kingdom realizes who you are, they'll be behind you, too."

"Do you really think so?" I asked, unsure of how others would react to the White Wolf being a young girl.

I knew that many people would supportive of me, but there would also be people that doubted me.

"Absolutely," Lucas affirmed, his gaze meeting mine. "There will always be people who challenge you, but the ones who truly matter will see your strength and courage. And as for the others... well, they'll come around once they witness the impact you'll have on our kingdom."

I nodded, finding comfort in his words. "Thank you, Lucas. I needed to hear that."

"Don't let doubts cloud your judgment, Shana. You have plenty of time to figure out what you want to do with your life. For now, focus on graduation and your training. Everything else will fall into place when the time is right. You can't be too hard on yourself for not having all of the answers right now."

His words brought a sense of comfort, and I found myself nodding in agreement. "You're right, Lucas. I shouldn't worry too much about the future. I'll focus on graduation and my training for now."

Lucas smiled, pulling me into a warm embrace. "That's the spirit, Shana. We'll figure everything out together."