The whiskey burned Hunter's throat as he took another slow sip, his hand resting on the edge of his desk. His hand had a deep wound , a bite that was intense, a night he didn't want to remember but couldn't forget. The memory of Lucian beneath him, trembling, breath catching, his pulse fluttering like wings against Hunter's mouth, refused to fade. He had almost marked him. The thought sent a shiver down his spine, but bit his hand just in time
He could still feel it , the pull, primal and raw , something ancient that clawed its way out of him the moment Lucian had whispered his name. A scentless omega wasn't supposed to have that kind of effect. But Lucian wasn't like anyone else. His faint scent, almost non-existent, felt like static before a storm , it didn't overwhelm, it called. How could someone who was supposed to be scentless but somehow manage to drive him crazy, how did he smell it yet again, that faint smell that each time made him go crazy
Hunter stared into the amber liquid, watching the sunlight catch its edge. "You're going to ruin me, chiquitín," he muttered, voice low and rough.
Behind him, the bedsheets rustled. Lucian stirred, blinking sleep from his eyes, his curls a messy halo of brown and gold. For a moment, Hunter forgot how to breathe. He looked so defenceless like that, the shadows soft against his jaw. Then those eyes ,sharp and questioning even in drowsiness ,lifted to meet his.
"I've decided…" Hunter began, his tone even but his pulse erratic. He turned just enough to see Lucian's reflection in the glass. "I'll be your rider." He said as a moment of silence passed between them, i cant risk you meeting someone else, i cant have you looking like a mess with another alpha
Lucian's lips parted. For a heartbeat, silence filled the room. Then the tension broke, replaced by something fragile and electric. He couldn't find words, and maybe he didn't need to. The weight behind Hunter's decision said everything. The sun frays finally broke through the room as it filled the whole room and for a moment Lucien forget to breath, as Hunters blonde hair glowed in the morning sun , as he looked even more breathtaking , so angelic , god what's happening to me
Hours later, the roar of engines filled the stadium. The Regeants. It wasn't just an event , it was a world of its own. The smell of fuel, leather, and adrenaline blended with the noise of the crowd. Thousands of voices crashed together in excitement.
Lucian adjusted his gloves behind the main stage, trying to steady his hands. He'd been here before, but this time was different. The air around him felt charged. He could sense Hunter nearby, leaning casually against a wall, dressed in sleek black with silver accents that caught the light.
"Don't look so tense," Hunter teased, his tone quiet enough that only Lucian could hear. "You'll make them think I'm forcing you."
Lucian glanced up at him. "can you please stop saying ridiculous things" he said as his heart fluttered of yesterday event. How could you be so calm while my entire body is screaming , he shook his head , it wasn't the right time to be thinking about it now
A smirk curved Hunter's lips. " but you love it chiquitin."
Lucian rolled his eyes, but his pulse betrayed him.
Then the loudspeaker crackled.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the official opening of THE REGEANTS!"
The sound of cheering was deafening. Lights swept across the massive arena as fireworks ignited in the sky. The MC's voice boomed over the chaos. "Tonight, the engines will roar, the sparks will fly, and only the strongest will survive!"
Names began to roll through the speakers , the finalists, champions, rising stars.
"Returning racers: Bulldozer, the winner of last season championship! ,Spike! Lucian Dastin, the ghost mechanic himself!"
The crowd erupted.
Lucian stepped forward under the spotlight, the heat of it pressing against his skin. For a second, all the noise faded. He felt small, yet alive. He was back where he belonged , in the chaos, in the fire.
Somewhere in the VIP box above, Timothy Gray watched the stage through half-lidded eyes, a smirk playing at his lips as he swirled his drink. The screen beside him showed Lucian's face, calm and unreadable beneath the stage lights. Timothy's fingers tightened around the glass.
"Lucian Dastin," he murmured. "Still pretending you're untouchable."
His friend , lounged on the couch, still on his video games as he continued to play , not bothered by Timothy's rant at all
Timothy chuckled without humour. " The Dastins ruined everything. My father, our name, our seat. I'm just evening the scales." He said as he looks at the screen
"This race will end with him on the ground."
Back on the main floor, Ethan stood in a quiet corner of the prep room, staring at his helmet. The crotchet bracelet around his wrist stood out , Monica's gift and his lucky charm, He traced its edge with his thumb, lost in thought.
He clenched his jaw. "I'll win this time," he whispered to the reflection in his visor. "For both of us."
The MC's voice boomed again, pulling him back.
"And next up—Ethan Aaron Steel!"
The crowd roared.
Lucian's breath caught as Ethan stepped onto the stage, tall, confident, and wearing the same smirk that had once made him melt. He hadn't expected him to show up, but of course he did. Ethan never missed a chance to prove a point.
Their eyes met.
A thousand unspoken words flashed between them , betrayal, regret, longing. Lucian looked away first.
"And now," the MC continued, "introducing the wild card of the year, Timothy Gray!"
Timothy appeared from backstage, all swagger and arrogance. He made his way past Lucian, shoulder-checking him just hard enough to make a statement. "Move it, sucker," he sneered, before grabbing the mic.
Lucian bit back a retort. The cameras were on. He wouldn't give Timothy the satisfaction.
But then, before he could even catch his breath, the stadium lights flared brighter, and the crowd went wild as the MC's voice thundered through the speakers—
"AND OUR FINAL SPECIAL GUEST —THE UNEXPECTED GUEST— HUNTER DASTIN!"
The roar that followed was almost physical. The entire arena vibrated.
Hunter walked onto the stage, a confident calm surrounding him, every movement deliberate. His presence was magnetic , composed, powerful, dangerous.
Lucian tried not to stare. Ethan didn't bother to hide his glare.
Hunter's gaze swept the stage and landed on Lucian. He stepped beside him, their shoulders almost brushing. "You nervous?" he murmured.
Lucian shook his head, lying. "You didn't have to come."
Hunter smirked, leaning in close enough that his breath brushed Lucian's skin. "You think I'd miss your big moment?"
Before Lucian could react, Hunter reached out and ruffled his hair. The touch was playful, almost tender.
Lucian flushed scarlet. Ethan's jaw tightened.
From the crowd, Timothy watched the exchange and laughed quietly. "Two birds, one stone," he muttered under his breath, He formed a fist "ill crush the both of you and wont know what hit you , Dastins....." he whispered
After the ceremony, the crowd thinned, though the energy still pulsed through the air like a live current. Lucian made his way toward his stall, still trying to process the chaos. Cameras had followed him everywhere. Hunter's announcement had thrown the entire racing community into speculation , the famous Dastin heir joining as his rider? It was already trending.
"Lucian!"
He turned at the sound of Mason's voice. Mason stood by the corner of the garage bay, hands shoved into his pockets, eyes wide with concern.
"Mason," Lucian said, wary.
"I heard what happened at the club," Mason began, stepping closer. "I swear, I had no idea. I can't believe those bastards tried to touch you. I should've been there."
Lucian's expression hardened. "They said they were sent by a beta."
Mason froze ,did those idiots expose me , impossible . His smile faltered for a split second before he forced it back. "That's ridiculous. You know me. I'd never—"
Lucian didn't answer. The silence between them was sharp.
Mason sighed dramatically, lowering his gaze. "Lucian, come on. After everything I've done for you, after all we've been through…" His voice cracked in just the right places. "Don't push me away too."
Lucian hesitated. He hated that Mason knew exactly where to strike ,his guilt, his empathy, and he wasn't even 100% that it was Mason , it cant be him , we have been friends for so long right ?, "Fine," he said finally. "Let's just… drop it."
Mason smiled faintly, but his eyes stayed cold. Inside, he was seething. You'll regret doubting me, he thought darkly. Soon.
"Brother-in-law!"
He froze.
The entire garage seemed to pause as he turned around slowly. Tracy stood at the entrance, waving with exaggerated enthusiasm, black hair shined under the lights, her grin wide enough to split her face.
"BROTHER-IN-LAW!" she called again, loud enough for everyone to hear.
Lucian blinked. "What the hell?"
Mason looked at Tracy "did she call you brother in law?"
Lucien stood stunned, who the hell is she?