Veil of Secrets

Chapter Thirty-One - Feelings get Hurt.

After the movie, I caught sight of Lucas in the kitchen, gripping the edge of the counter like he was trying to steady himself. His knuckles were white, and he seemed so tense, I knew something was wrong. I slipped away from the others and walked over to him, standing beside him quietly for a moment before I placed a hand gently on his back. He stiffened under my touch.

"What's wrong, Luke?" I asked softly.

He didn't look at me when he replied. "Why did you invite me?"

I blinked, taken aback. "Because I wanted you here. You're my friend."

His jaw tightened, and he finally looked at me, his hazel eyes darkening with frustration. "Me and him don't get along as is, and he was touching what is mine-"

"Yours?" I cut him off, my voice sharper than I intended. "You're saying that like I belong to you, Lukas."

His eyes flashed silver for a brief moment, and he shook his head. "That's not what I mean, Ari. I'm sorry... I just... I just wish you could understand what I'm feeling."

"I do," I started, but he cut me off again, his voice raw with emotion.

"No, you don't," he said, turning to fully face me now. "You feel some of the bond, but not all of it because you're not a shifter. If you felt even half of what I feel, you'd be going insane too. So tell me... why did you invite me?"

"Because I wanted you here!" I repeated, feeling my frustration rise.

"Really?" he snapped, his voice harsher now. "Or did you just feel guilty?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but he cut me off again before I could get a word out. "Don't lie to me, Aria. I can feel your emotions."

"I... I guess a part of me did feel guilty," I admitted quietly, the weight of the truth settling between us. "But that's not the only reason-"

"That's all I needed to know," he interrupted once more, his voice final. His expression hardened, and without another word, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the kitchen.

"Lukas!" I shouted after him, my voice desperate, but he didn't stop. He didn't answer.

I watched helplessly as he left, the front door slamming behind him. The sound echoed through the house, leaving me standing in the kitchen, feeling the weight of my own confusion and guilt pressing down on me.

Why did it feel like no matter what I did, I kept making things worse?