Maya And Lucas Love Shattered

Chapter 3: The Heartache of Unrequited Love

Contrary to Alpha Lucas's happiness, my heart sank into the depths of despair. The arrival of Aria had completely altered my fate. It was a devastating blow, one that I never saw coming. I couldn't wrap my mind around what had just happened. Lucas had found his mate, and it wasn't me. It felt as if my world had crumbled into dust in an instant. Lost in thoughts, I failed to notice when Lucas quietly exited the room, leaving me behind. 
Hours passed, and the isolation became suffocating. I felt trapped, unable to escape the torment that engulfed me. The thought of facing everyone, pretending that everything was fine, seemed unbearable. I tried to distract myself by burying my nose in a book, but the words blurred before my eyes. Thoughts of Lucas and Aria invaded my every waking moment, a constant reminder of what I could never have. 
Outside the room, Lucas wasted no time in parading his newfound mate. They entered the bustling hall, and all eyes turned to them. The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, celebrating their union. Lucas's smile shone brightly, his pride clear as he addressed the pack members and guests. 
"I have found my mate," he declared, his voice filled with joy. "Allow me to introduce Aria, my future Luna, daughter of Alpha Rodriguez from the Riker pack." 
Aria blushed, her gaze shifting nervously under the weight of the crowd's attention. Lucas drew her closer, planting a tender kiss on her forehead, solidifying their bond in front of everyone. Their love was palpable, radiating from their every touch and glance. 
Meanwhile, I stood just outside the hall, listening to Lucas's words, my heart sinking further with each passing moment. The reality of his choice cut deep, twisting my insides with a mix of envy and pain. Summoning my courage, I took a deep breath and stepped into the hall, inadvertently overhearing snippets of sympathetic conversations from some pack members. "She must be devastated," whispered one voice. 
"I heard they were together for years," added another. 
Their words stung a reminder of the shattered dreams and the invisible wall that now stood between Lucas and me. 
Contrary to Alpha Lucas's happiness, my heart sank into the depths of despair. The sight of him and Aria basking in the glory of their newfound love filled me with a bitter jealousy that tore at my soul. It was a cruel twist of fate that shattered the dreams I had held so dearly. As I stood there, watching them being congratulated by the crowd, a mix of emotions surged within me. Anguish, longing, and a burning sense of betrayal consumed my being. I couldn't bear the weight of my unrequited love any longer, and with a trembling voice, I approached Lucas. 
"What about me, Lucas?" I mustered the courage to speak, my voice laced with a fragile hope that he would choose me instead. But his smile, warm as it was, spoke of a friendship that would never evolve into something more. 
"You're always my best friend, Maya," he replied, his words delivering a crushing blow to my heart. It was a painful reminder that I would forever remain on the periphery of his affections.

My voice quivered as I fought back tears, struggling to make him understand the depth of my pain. "What do you mean; I'm just your best friend?" I cried out, my voice trembling with a mixture of anger and heartache. "Lucas, how could you do this to me?" 
Confusion clouded his face as he tried to comprehend my anguish. "What are you talking about, Maya?" he asked genuine confusion clear in his eyes. 
The floodgates of my emotions burst open, and I poured out my frustration, hurt, and disappointment. "You promised me, Lucas. You promised I would be your Luna if you didn't find your mate by 25," I choked out, tears streaming down my face. "But now, here you are, introducing Aria as your future Luna. Did our bond mean nothing to you?" 
Lucas's expression softened as he tried to explain himself. "Maya, I never forgot about you," he said, his voice filled with a hint of sorrow. "But Aria is my mate, and I can't deny that fact. 
I'm sorry if I hurt you, but I have to follow my heart." 
The weight of his words crushed me further, and anger mingled with despair. "Follow your heart? What about the promise you made to me?" I demanded, my voice tinged with bitterness. "Did that mean nothing to you?" 
Lucas's gaze dropped, and he struggled to find the right words. "I didn't forget about the promise, Maya," he finally replied, his voice tinged with regret. "But things change, and I have to do what's best for my pack." 
The pain in my chest intensified as reality set in. The man I had loved with all my heart had chosen someone else, leaving me shattered. "I can't believe you, Lucas. You've broken my heart," I whispered, my voice trembling with the weight of my emotions. 
Lucas's voice softened as he tried to offer solace, but his words fell upon deaf ears. In my anguish, I lashed out, unable to contain the storm of emotions raging within me. I raised my hand and struck him across the face, my actions fueled by a mix of anger, hurt, and desperation. 
Chaos erupted in the room as the repercussions of my actions spread. I shifted into my wolf form, driven by instinct and a surge of uncontrollable rage. Aria became the unfortunate target of my wrath, my claws leaving bloody scratches on her face. 
Lucas, his expression a mask of shock, attempted to restrain me. He grabbed hold of my arm, his voice resonating with anger and frustration. "Maya, what are you doing? Stop this right now!" 
But reason had abandoned me, and my sole focus remained on venting my overwhelming emotions. 
"She's stealing you from me!" I shouted, my voice trembling with an intensity born of heartbreak. "She doesn't deserve to be your Luna!" 
In the midst of her pain and confusion, Aria cried out, pleading for understanding. "Please, Alpha Lucas, I don't know what's going on. I didn't mean to cause any harm," she whimpered, tears streaming down her face. 
A dark expression settled over Lucas's features as he observed the injuries on Aria's face. Relinquishing his hold on me, he shifted into his wolf form, assuming a protective stance over his mate. Through the mind link, he commanded his Beta to summon the soldiers, recognizing the urgency of the situation. "Get the soldiers here now. We have a rogue wolf on our hands." Realization washed over me, the gravity of my actions sinking in. "I'm sorry, Lucas. Please forgive me," I pleaded, tears mingling with the regret etched on my face. "I didn't mean to hurt her." 
But the damage was done. Lucas's resolve solidified, and he decided. "I can't forgive this, Maya," he declared sternly. "You've broken the pack law and harmed an innocent member of another pack. You will be arrested and face the consequences of your actions." 
The soldiers arrived to take me away.