Chapter 79

Lucas POV

Victoria was awake.

Endless amounts of relief flooded through me, and I let myself finally release a breath I didn't even know I was holding.

Victoria's awakening brought a mixture of emotions to all of us, and we couldn't stop ourselves from rushing over to where she was.

Inside one of the ambulances, Victoria lay on a gurney. The blood that had dried on her face had been cleaned off, and there was an oxygen mask around her mouth.

Her eyes blinked slowly as she took in her surroundings.

"Victoria! Oh, my baby!" Victoria's mother shouted, fighting her way into the ambulance to sit next to her daughter.

Victoria took the mask off her face, and her eyes went from her mother to the rest of us.

An equal share of relief passed over her features.

"You're all okay," she said quietly.

"The question is, are you okay, Vic?" James asked, shoving his hands in his pockets. "You took quite the big hit to your head."

Victoria gave him a wry smile and sarcastically mumbled, "Thank you, James. What would I have done without you there?"

"You probably would've stayed unconscious?"

Victoria turned her gaze to Shana, and I watched as if the two of them shared a moment of understanding... their exchange a silent acknowledgment of the shifts that had taken place between them.

No longer were they enemies, but now, they were friends. And the two of them had just endured hell and back together.

I mean, all of us had.

"Victoria, we've already thanked this young man for making sure to protect you," her mother said. "And we let Lucas know how disappointed we are by his negligence in taking care of you."

"Mother, Lucas did nothing wrong," Victoria said firmly.

"But—"

"But, what? What could he have done once we were separated and lost from each other?"

"He should have found his way back to you sooner!"

"Lucas had no time for that! He was fighting for his own survival," Victoria explained, her face turning red. "I was perfectly fine with James and Emily. They helped me get to safety."

I didn't miss the gratitude in Shana's eyes as she silently thanked Victoria for setting the record straight with her parents.

After that explanation, it seemed as if their dynamic had shifted from rivalry to something closer to mutual respect.

It was a strange feeling, witnessing their evolving relationship, like watching two separate sides of a coin merging into one.

As things settled down, my father found me again.

I was a little apprehensive to talk to him after the last thing he said to me, but as he marched toward me, I could tell he wanted to say something.

I braced myself, hoping that I could handle whatever else he was about to throw at me.

The stern expression on his face was evidence of the turmoil that had transpired. He had been worried earlier, I could tell... But his typical sternness returned swiftly and now he was back to the same old Kendrick Busch again.

"Lucas," he began, his voice measured and composed, "I must address the matter at hand."

I prepared myself for his words, my heart pounding. What could he possibly say after all that had happened?

"I believe some clarifications are in order," my father continued. "Firstly, I want to make it clear that your actions were reckless and irresponsible. Getting lost in the woods during an earthquake—do you understand the implications of such behavior? Do you understand the danger you put yourself in?"

I nodded, my guilt heavy. "I do, Dad. But I didn't know the earthquake would hit."

My father's gaze bore into mine, unwavering. "Still, it was a stupid decision. Understood?"

"Yes, sir. I know it was."

"Good. Now, I need you to understand that your behavior does not only reflect on you but on our family and business as a whole."

His words stung, though they were not unexpected. My actions had repercussions beyond just myself, and this is something that I've known for years now. The business was my father's number one priority, and a bad reputation could ruin that.

"And now," he said, his voice taking on a more rigid tone, "there's another matter we need to discuss—

Shana."

I felt my muscles tense. I had a feeling this was coming, but that didn't make it any easier to face.

I could tell that my friendship with Shana bothered my father, although, I wasn't exactly sure why.

"Lucas, I have heard things," my father said, his tone sharp. "Things about your behavior at the Winter Formal, and about your association with Shana."

Winter Formal? My association with Shana?

I swallowed hard, my mind racing. So, he had heard about the speech I gave that night... What did that have to do with anything?

"You see," my father continued, "I've built our family's reputation and success on solid foundations. I've worked hard to establish connections and maintain a certain image."

I nodded, already aware of all this. Yet, a wave of unease washed over me.

"Shana," he said, his voice colder now, "does not belong in that image. She's a distraction, Lucas, and distractions can be threatening."

His words felt like a punch to the gut. I had known my father's priorities, but to hear them spoken so plainly was painful.

The truth hurt.

"I must insist," my father said, his voice unwavering, "that you distance yourself from Shana. And I expect her to do the same."

"Dad, you have it wrong. Shana is not a distraction, and I won't distance myself from her." I met his gaze, my jaw set in determination. "She's my friend."

"Lucas," my father's eyes narrowed, his expression stern. "Rule number one of business: do not let your emotions cloud your judgment. This is about our family's legacy."

"I understand that," I said, my voice steady. "But you've misunderstood my relationship with Shana. What happened at the Winter Formal— She's my friend, Dad. Just a friend."

My father's gaze remained fixed on me, "You're only allowed one distraction. Hockey, or your stupid little friend. I can't afford you to have your mind all over the place."

His gaze hardened. "Lucas, you must choose—

your responsibilities as an Alpha or this... worthless friendship. Hockey is already your hobby. Shana doesn't need to be in the picture any longer."

The weight of his words hung in the air. I knew I couldn't change his perspective overnight, but I couldn't simply walk away from Shana either.

And I wouldn't walk away from her, especially not after what happened.

I could've lost her... but I also wanted to make my father happy.

I didn't want him to only see me as a failure or a disappointment.

"I'll make you a deal, Dad," I said, my resolve clear. "I'll finish this year's hockey season, but after that, I won't let it affect my responsibilities."

"So, that's your decision?" my father regarded me, his expression contemplative. "You promise?"

"I promise," I said.

My father nodded. "Very well, Lucas. Finish this season, prove your commitment, and then we'll reassess. I hope that you won't let me down again."

My father walked away, and as I watched his back, my mind was a storm of emotions...

What had I just done?

I hoped I hadn't just made a huge mistake.