Chapter 55

My heart sank as I processed the shocking revelation.

Lucas had a fiancée, and it seemed like he hadn't mentioned her to either James or me. The surprise on James's face mirrored my own.

Shocked, confused, and a little bit angry.

"Hi, I'm James," he introduced himself, extending his hand to Victoria.

It was so like James to still be kind to people even if he wasn't exactly in a good mood at the moment.

But Lucas's fiancée barely glanced at him, her attention was solely fixed on Lucas. "What have you been up to? I haven't seen you at any of the Alpha parties or events."

Lucas's smile was strained as he said, "I've been busy, Victoria."

Victoria? So, that was her name...

I tried to think if I'd ever heard her name before, but it didn't ring any bells.

And she was also from an Alpha family. I wondered what school she went to.

"Is it because of hockey?" Victoria asked. "I'm sure it's difficult being in charge of an entire team of wolves."

Her laugh was deep and sensual as she said, "Boys can be so troublesome. I heard the Dragons lost their winning streak last weekend."

Memories of what Jessica had done to me flashed through my mind, and I realized that Lucas's mind went to the same place because a muscle in his jaw twitched.

"Unfortunately," Lucas said lowly, "our undefeated streak ended."

"By a since goal!" James argued, rolling his eyes. "The other team scored a goal in the last five seconds. Lucas could've gotten us there if we would've had more time."

"Oh, I'm sure." Victoria twirled a loose strand of hair around her finger. She looked as if she didn't really care about Lucas and the hockey team. "Well, anyway. I've missed you at the events. In fact, everyone talks about you."

"People shouldn't talk about other people behind their back," Lucas argued.

"What about your father?" Victoria asked, a slow smile taking over her lips. "He talks about you all the time."

"I'm sure he does." Lucas frowned, his eyes falling to a spot on the table.

I could sense tension starting to grow in the air, and I found myself growing increasingly uncomfortable with Victoria's intrusive questions and condescending remarks.

While she was beautiful, she was giving me the same feelings a mean girl would give—

Someone like Jessica.

I didn't know if it was because she thought she was better than everyone else, or if it was because of her status.

However, one thing was very clear to me. She knew how to get under Lucas's skin, and I didn't like it.

I didn't like seeing him like this.

James, on the other hand, seemed to be growing more irritated with each passing moment.

He was never one to back down from a confrontation, especially when someone was being rude or dismissive.

It was also obvious that he was not the biggest fan of Victoria. The way he scowled at her without shame gave it all away.

"Yeah, well, maybe people wouldn't feel the need to talk about Lucas so much if they had better things to do," James retorted, not hiding his annoyance. "Everyone is so obsessed with gossip."

Victoria's gaze shifted to James for the first time, and she raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "And who might you be to talk to me like that?"

"I'm James, Lucas's best friend," he said, his voice holding a hint of sarcasm. "But you probably don't remember me since you didn't bother to acknowledge my existence when you walked in."

It appeared as if James's sudden bluntness caught her off guard, and for a moment, she seemed at a loss for words.

I couldn't lie, it was satisfying to see her face fall, even if it was only for a few seconds.

It was evident that she was used to being the center of attention, and James's directness was not something she expected.

Victoria turned her gaze on Lucas, throwing an accusatory hand on her hip. "Did you hear that, Lucas? Learn to control your friend's behaviors."

James's hands shot out, gripping the table like he was stopping himself from saying something offensive to Victoria.

"Victoria, that's enough." Lucas cleared his throat, attempting to defuse the situation. "Don't talk to my friends like that, and let's not make a scene," he said, trying to maintain his composure.

"Oh, don't worry, Lucas. I wouldn't want to embarrass you," she said with a smug smile as if she was satisfied with James's reaction to her words.

My frustration with Victoria reached its peak. This was turning into the worst first impression I've ever had on anyone.

Her attitude was making her so unlikable, and I couldn't hold back any longer.

"Victoria, it's clear you don't respect Lucas's boundaries or the people he cares about," I said firmly. "But you're not going to come between us or ruin our evening."

Her eyes narrowed at my challenge, and she scoffed. "And who are you to tell me what I can or can't do?"

"I'm Shana, Lucas's other best friend." I said, tilting my chin upwards in confidence.

"You're Shana?" Victoria asked with a scoff. "So, this is the girl you've been spending your time with?" Victoria looked at Lucas as her tone dripped with disdain as she looked me up and down. "You have an interesting choice in friends."

I felt my cheeks flush with a mix of embarrassment and indignation.

Who did she think she was, judging me like that?

Lucas frowned, obviously getting more and more annoyed with Victoria's behavior.

"Victoria, be polite," he said sternly, shooting her a warning look.

James finally spoke up again, irritation evident in his voice. "Yeah, it's not nice to be rude to people you just met," he chimed in, crossing his arms over his chest.

She raised an eyebrow skeptically, her lips curling into a smirk. "Oh, I didn't mean to offend," she said sarcastically, clearly not taking James's comment seriously.

Lucas looked visibly irritated by her comments, but he remained composed. "Shana is perfect just the way she is," he said firmly, defending me without hesitation.

When James shot Lucas a shocked look as if to convey, "What about me?" he said, "James, too."

Victoria's eyes narrowed, clearly displeased with Lucas's response. "Well, if you're into that, I guess I can't change your taste," she said dismissively.

"What is that even supposed to mean?" James asked, cocking his head at her. "His taste?"

"Exactly what it sounded like." Victoria crossed her arms over her chest. "You're okay looking, I suppose. But Shana?"

"What about me?" I asked, starting to grow restless. "Quit beating around the bush and just say it straight."

Victoria and I had a stare-down as she carefully sized me up.

"I'm surprised Lucas would even like someone like you," she said.

Oh, great. Here we go again! Another person who has something to say about my status as wolfless.

I snorted. "Tell me something original. I've heard countless people talk about my lack of wolf. It's all I ever hear anymore, and it doesn't bother me coming from you."

"I'm not talking about that." Victoria smiled menacingly. "It's just that Lucas doesn't like girls who are all skin and bones."