Sick Games

The Academy Awards ceremony came to a close.

Aurora stepped off the stage, feeling a wave of satisfaction.

Her speech had gone well, and now the world knew she was part of the prestigious Grey family.

She glanced around the room, and she spotted Julia storming out, her face twisted in anger.

Ava caught the sight too, and bit back a mocking laugh, enjoying every moment of Julia's defeat.

Meanwhile, Lucas was buzzing with excitement.

Now that it was clear Hades might be Aurora's brother, his suspicions about their relationship seemed unnecessary.

He felt a flicker of hope—there was still a chance for him and Aurora.

After the event wrapped up, Lucas made his way to where Hades stood, catching him for the first time.

"Hey," Lucas said, extending a hand, "I'm Lucas. Aurora's husband."

Hades raised an eyebrow, his expression cold and unimpressed. "Ex-husband, you mean."

Lucas chuckled lightly, trying to keep the atmosphere casual. "Not divorced yet."

Hades didn't miss a beat, his voice smooth but carrying a sharp edge. "Does that even matter when another man is already working on winning her heart?"

Lucas's smile faltered, confusion flashing in his eyes.

He knew there was something more behind Hades's words, but before he could ask, Hades leaned in slightly, lowering his voice.

"You should back off," Hades said, his tone more possessive than before. "Aurora is mine. Mine, and only mine."

Lucas barked out a laugh, mockingly. "But she's your relative."

Hades didn't flinch.

Instead, he stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with challenge. "She's my step-sister. That changes nothing."

Suddenly, the tension between them shifted.

Their wolves stirred beneath the surface, both ready to break free, to assert dominance over the other.

Neither of them blinked or backed down, both alphas unwilling to submit.

It was a silent battle of wills, with the air growing thick around them.

Just then, Aurora approached, her face lit with a smile.

She hadn't noticed Lucas yet, and as soon as she was within reach, Hades's entire demeanor softened.

The cold intensity in his eyes melted away, replaced with an almost tender warmth.

"Congratulations," Aurora said, her voice full of sincerity.

She turned slightly, her eyes catching Lucas, who stared at the scene with a trace of disbelief.

How could Hades, who had just moments ago issued such a dangerous challenge, now seem so calm and collected?

"Thank you," Hades replied, leaning in to peck her cheek—a gesture seen as normal in werewolf pack lands, especially between close siblings.

But Lucas's wolf wasn't having it.

A low growl rumbled through him, the sight of Hades's lips brushing against Aurora's skin making his entire body tense with anger.

Yet, to Aurora, it was nothing more than a brotherly act, a simple congratulations.

She flashed them both a smile before heading toward the car, unaware of the storm brewing between the two men.

The moment she was gone, Lucas turned back to Hades, his expression darkening, fury swirling in his eyes.

"You should go back to your mistress," Hades said, his voice dripping with annoyance. "Stop chasing after Aurora. There's nothing you can do."

Lucas's wolf surged inside him, and his voice dropped dangerously low. "Aurora is my mate. Touch her again, and you're dead."

For a brief moment, Hades felt a shiver run down his spine at the intensity of Lucas's threat, but as Lucas turned and walked away, Hades quickly regained his composure.

He smirked, watching Lucas disappear into the crowd, feeling a sense of triumph rise within him.

He glanced down at his award, the symbol of his newfound power and status, and kissed it.

"This is the key," he murmured to himself, "the key to more wealth, power, and Aurora's heart."

But before Hades could revel in his success, his eyes caught sight of Sophia storming toward him, her face twisted in fury.

His smirk faded as he braced himself for whatever confrontation she was about to bring.

Then, Hades opened his mouth, ready to either sweet-talk Sophia into submission or threaten her like he always did when she dared to defy him.

But before he could say a word, Sophia stormed up to him and, without hesitation, kicked him hard in the crotch.

Pain shot through him, and he groaned, staggering back, clutching his middle.

"You think you can keep playing me like this?" Sophia's voice trembled with raw emotion, but there was steel underneath it. "You used me, Hades. You toyed with my heart, made me believe I mattered to you, but it was never about me, was it?"

Her eyes blazed with a fire that Hades had rarely seen from her before.

He could see the pain he had caused, a deep wound he had carved into her soul, and now, the weight of her words crushed him.

"It was always about your sick games. Your ambitions. I was just another piece in your plan!" she continued, her voice cracking, but she held her ground. "But never again, Hades. Never. You don't get to break me again."

For a moment, she stood there, glaring at him, her chest heaving as if she could barely contain the hurt and anger boiling inside her.

She wanted him to feel just a fraction of the pain he had inflicted on her.

Without waiting for a response, Sophia turned and stormed out of the venue, her face streaked with tears.

Hades watched her go, momentarily stunned by the force of her words.

It wasn't the kick that hurt—it was the truth she hurled at him.

She was right. He had taken advantage of her, and now the consequences were staring him in the face. But that wasn't his biggest problem right now.

Sophia—furious and emotional—was heading right for Aurora.

His heart pounded in his chest as the fear took root.

If Sophia reached Aurora, she might reveal everything. He couldn't let that happen.

Hades broke into a run, pushing past guests still milling about the venue.

His mind raced with thoughts of what Sophia might say.

If Aurora found out the truth about him, about everything he had done to win her heart—planting that camera in Lucas's mansion, learning about her interest in Lucas because of his connection to the entertainment world—it would ruin everything.

Hades had spent weeks orchestrating his rise to power, winning this award to get closer to her, to show he could be the man she wanted.

And now, in one moment, it could all come crashing down.

He caught sight of Sophia in the distance, but before he could close the gap, something else grabbed his attention—a truck, speeding straight toward Aurora's SUV.

For a split second, time seemed to slow down.

Hades could see it all unfolding as if in a nightmare.

The truck sped toward the car, and within moments, the world erupted in a deafening crash.

The front of the truck smashed into Aurora's SUV, the sound of metal crumpling and glass shattering filling the air.

The force of the impact sent the SUV lurching sideways, and for a moment, it felt like the whole world had frozen.

The truck reversed, tires screeching, before speeding off into the night, leaving chaos in its wake.

Screams echoed around the venue as guests rushed to the scene, frozen by the horror of what had just happened.

Hades's breath caught in his throat.

"Aurora," he whispered, terror gripping him.

Without thinking, he sprinted toward the wreckage.

Sophia, despite the fury still coursing through her veins, had stopped in her tracks too.

The sight of Aurora's crumpled car snapped her out of her own storm of emotions.

In an instant, she forgot about Hades, their conflict, everything. All that mattered was Aurora.

Both of them—once hating each other with such bitterness—were now rushing towards the car.

They reached Aurora's car, Hades frantically trying to yank open the door.

Sophia rushed to the other side, her fingers trembling as she tried to pry the mangled door open.

Inside, Aurora was slumped in the driver's seat, unconscious, blood trickling down her forehead.