| Clementine POV |

Have you ever wished for a remote that could pause and rewind your life?

Because right now I absolutely fucking need one.

Pause, rewind, and start all over because I'm such a big git for saying yes!

I was doing so well, following Dua Lipa's new rules down to a tee but now here I am about to host the devil who ripped my heart apart.

I groaned loudly before banging my head on my office desk, contemplating how I could possibly get out of this one.

With my forehead sore and brightly red, I poured myself another glass of whisky before I was interrupted by Eric's laughter as he sauntered towards the love seat.

"Drinking at work? Classy Cece." Eric teased as he stared at the full-to-the-brim glass with a cheeky smile.

"Eric I will sew your mouth shut so fucking leave me be." I taunted as Eric tried to control the idiotic grin plastered on his face.

"I just can't help it! This is so amusing to me." He replied and I chucked a pen at him.

"Amusing? Nothing about this is amusing! Lucas is the bane of my existence and I don't want him in my space or anywhere near me!" I yelled before sculling the entire drink in my hand.

The bitter taste of the alcohol covered my mouth but it wasn't enough to numb the panic growing inside of me. Screw being a wolf and my high tolerance, I needed something stronger.

I sloppily got up from my chair and grabbed the wolfsbane off the shelf when Eric quickly yanked it off my hands and hid it behind his back. Like a toy taken from a child, I pouted my lip at him but he just rolled his eyes.

"Calm down Ce, it's only for one night and Tom will be there so you have nothing to worry about." He assured but I could only sneer in reply.

"Tom? He's also a big fucking problem trust me." I retorted before realising something that shook me sober.

Oh my god.

My place reeked of sex.

Panicking, I grabbed my car keys off the desk and rushed to the door before being pulled back by Eric who gave me a confused look.

"Ce, where the hell are you going?"

"Home! I need to go home now or heads will roll, specifically Tom's." I whined as I attempted to head out the door but Eric was quick to spin me around to face him.

Me and my big ass mouth. I forget how quick Eric could deduce things as if he was a Sherlock reincarnation.

"What has Tom got to do with thi..." He paused and I could see the cogs in his brain go into overdrive.

Here we go, and in 3. 2. 1.

"Omg no you didn't, you slag! Tom, my bro, really? You guys fucked!" He gasped and I winced at his reaction.

I could deny it but he already smoked me out, but I am a lawyer and I could easily buy his silence.

"Say a word Eric and I would reveal the gender of your baby." I threatened and I knew I got him as he looked at me pleadingly.

"What do you want, you evil witch?"

I smiled and patted his shoulder in triumph.

"Help me scrub down my house before they come over tonight and I'll make sure your gender party goes without a hitch."

He groaned defeatedly and grabbed the keys out of my hands.

"Let's go."

.

.

.

After 3 hours of being on our knees, cleaning every crook and cranny of my apartment with every cleaning contraption I had, Eric and I plopped down on the couch before laughing out loud at my current situation.

"I can't believe I helped cover for you and Tom. This is bloody ridiculous." Eric sniggered, making my eyes weep from laughing.

"Thank you, Eric and I'm sorry you had to steam my couch and mattress 6 times." I muttered thankfully and he patted my head in response.

"That's what friends are for and if not you, Pen would have dragged herself to your apartment with a bucket and a mop if she finds out about your secret booty call!"

I smiled. How do I tell this man that his wife was the first to find out about Tom?

Hmm, he doesn't need to know.

"Alright Dan from Gossip Girl, go tell your wife and give her a big hug for me." I goaded while getting up from the couch.

"Will do, I better head off then but call me if anything happens. Pen and I love a good tea sesh." He joked, earning him a sarcastic chuckle from me.

As soon as he left, I quickly sprayed copious amounts of air freshener around the house and switched on the oil diffuser to mask any remaining scent, just in case.

"This should do it." I beamed before hearing the buzzing of my phone on the kitchen countertop.

It was Tom, and it looked like I missed a couple of texts and calls from him because I was too busy cleaning our mess.

"Hey hey." I answered in a chirpy voice.

"Fuck Clem your apartment, our scent is everywhere!" He panicked, not knowing I was already miles ahead on that.

"Already done buddy. You fucking owe Eric a pint since he helped clean and pretty much knows about our heat bootycall. But don't worry, he won't blabber." I reassured before hearing him swear out loud.

"Good, I'd hate to kill Eric, he's a bro. And sorry you had to deal with it yourself, Clem."

"It's fine, what time will you guys get here?" I asked as I took out the extra pillows from the linen cupboard while balancing the phone between my cheek and shoulder.

"In 30 minutes. Just finishing up with the council then we'll head there." Tom replied before pausing, the silence filling the air for a hot second.

"Clem... are you sure you're okay with all of this, with him?" He asked with a hint of worry in his voice.

Of course, I am.

I am, right?

Or am I in denial?

"I'll be okay Tom. Besides, I'm over him and he can't break me anymore, trust me." I expressed, but the words felt weird in my mouth.

Tom sighed exasperatedly, not as convinced as I hoped.

"Clem, I'm here if anything happens. Okay?" He reassured me and I smiled.

After our call, I cleaned some more and set up the spare bed for Tom, making sure his pillows were plumped and new sheets fitted.

And for Lucas?

Well, the fucker could sleep on the couch with only one blanket because my generosity also has its limits.

The loud knocking on the door startled me and I quickly straightened my clothes and fixed my dishevelled hair, cursing myself for not having time to shower.

I clutched the door knob tightly between my fingers and exhaled out the anxiety in the pit of my stomach.

Calm down, heart.

Take it easy, heart.

Be strong, heart.

I plastered a firm smile on my face and twisted the doorknob to welcome the two expectant faces behind my door.

"Hey ugly, sorry need to use the loo."

Tom grinned before pushing his way in that I didn't even get to utter a hello. I flipped the idiot off before averting my gaze to the other presence in front of me.

Ugh. Why in the world does he smell so fucking good?

Fuck, no.

Focus Clem, focus.

"Clem." Lucas greeted me with a slight smile and my mouth almost curled up in response.

"Alpha, please come in." I replied coldly, stepping out of the way.

Lucas hesitated for a moment before walking inside and his eyes peered around to check my place out.

Is he checking my walls?

The lack of artworks or plants?

What the fuck is he looking at?

I cocked my eyebrow up at his curiosity before seeing his nostrils flare, once, twice, three times.

Did... did he just take a whiff? Shit.

I shifted uncomfortably, my heart dropping to my stomach at the thought of two big fucking wolves ripping each other in my apartment until Lucas broke the tension with a chuckle.

He chuckled. This man just fucking chuckled.

"What's so funny?" I asked both in annoyance and confusion.

"Your place is really nice." He replied but there was something in those eyes that made me uneasy.

It looked like agony and complete resignation.

It made my heart pang but I ignored it, choosing to suppress whatever feeling was bubbling up inside of me at seeing those decipherable eyes.

I walked ahead first before pointing at my couch where a spare pillow and blanket sat. Lucas's eyes followed mine as his eyebrows furrowed at his bed for the night.

"This is yours and Tom would stay in the spare room. Got complaints?" I questioned as he pressed his lips together tightly.

"No, this is fine. Thank you." Lucas grinned before sitting down on the couch.

Tom walked out of the bathroom and gave me a nervous look before mouthing a silent thank you for cleaning up our mess from last night. He then looked at Lucas' sleeping arrangement and walked over to him guiltily.

"Alpha, we can swap if you like?" Tom offered as I rolled my eyes at the kiss ass in front of me.

"No, no. I insist. I'm okay to sleep here, it's actually quite comfy." Lucas remarked as he bounced his ass on the couch.

"I'm sure the Alpha can stay the night on the couch for one night. Unless you want to sleep next to each other?" I winked at the two burly men and they both shook their heads in unison.

Shame, I would have loved to see that.

Two muscly men, 1 bed.

And a satisfied Clementine.

"Why are you grinning creepily like that?" Lucas asked, dragging me back to reality.

"What? No, I am not!" I quipped, dying inside that I let my intrusive thoughts show.

Both men looked at each other and chuckled out loud as I hissed a 'fuck off' at the two guests that I could easily kick out of my place.

Saving face, I stormed towards the kitchen to see what I could cook for dinner when I realised I barely had anything aside from alcohol and ramen packets.

Of fucking course. What a way to self-sabotage by exposing myself that I couldn't adult properly and cook a proper meal. Fantastic job, me!

"Um, I'm too tired to cook so let's do takeaway. Italian, good?" I blurted and took my phone out before the two could say anything.

"I want aglio olio!" Tom replied giddily.

"And, you?" I asked Lucas begrudgingly, not really loving the idea that I have to feed him too.

"Creamy mushroom pasta." He uttered and I quickly looked up from my phone.

"Mushroom, really?" I replied with a miffed expression.

"What? I really like mushrooms." Lucas said monotonously with an innocent grin.

"Since fucking when?"

"Since I was 10."

I grimaced at his response, knowing that was when he started taunting me and my mushroom haircut.

The food arrived and we all dug in, with Tom and I doing most of the talking as Lucas quietly ate on the side.

He didn't even try to join the conversation, only nodding and a few short answers when asked. Lucas was so lost in his thoughts, that it made me feel bad.

"Alpha?" I called out but he didn't even budge and continued to graze his fork on the pasta, not even eating it.

"Lucas?" I barked louder, dropping the formalities to get his attention.

Hearing the sound of his name, Lucas finally looked up at me but I saw the storm in his eyes like he was in strife with his wolf.

"Yeah?" He replied softly, tilting his chin towards me.

"You good?" I asked.

Lucas nodded with a flat smile which was barely convincing but I didn't push any further. Whatever it was, I shouldn't pry too much or I'll end up caring.

His sullen mood is not my business.

He is not my business.

But why am I so concerned about him?

.

.

.

Lying awake in bed, I just couldn't seem to fall asleep at all as my troubled thoughts kept me restless and my wolf, agitated.

After dinner, Lucas seemed so out of it, like he was suffocating so he went to get some fresh air.

But that was 5 hours ago, and I don't think I've heard him enter so he must still be out there.

What if he got locked out? Not my problem.

What if he got lost? Meh, he's a wolf.

What if he was hurt? I don't care, I don't care, I don't ca—

"I care, because he's my client." I mumbled as I sprung up from my bed and headed out to check the couch that was empty.

Ugh. Where could he possibly be? I don't have his phone number either nor even a slight clue of where he would have gone.

I could ask Tom but I didn't want him to think I was worried about Lucas.

Sensing my panic, my wolf fussed louder in my head, reminding me that there was a way for me to find Lucas.

I needed to follow his scent.

I quickly grabbed a jacket and chucked some shoes on, groaning that I needed a pay bump after this since it was not my responsibility to babysit Lucas.

I trailed off his scent like an idiot and walked around the still bustling streets when I noticed the remnants of his scent led to a nearby park.

"Alpha!" I yelled out, as the dim lighting barely illuminated my path to where the scent of amber and lavender was.

"Lucas? Lucas!" I shouted again and again as the crisp air dried my throat at each sound I bellowed out.

Where the fuck is he. I could smell him, I could sense his presence nearby but I couldn't figure out where he could be.

"Lucas, please, where are you?" I cried at the darkness but I was only met with the sound of rustling trees, the static of the night and utter silence.

Just when I was about to turn around to retrace my steps, the gleam of the moonlight peered through the sky and glistened on something underneath the tree which caught my eye. The light danced on the black fur of the beautiful beast laying down serenely under the oak tree, curled and hidden in the dark.

"Lucas?" I whispered cautiously as I approached the familiar wolf before me.

Lucas looked vulnerable and exhausted, yet he also seemed at peace with the loneliness around him.

I hate it. I absolutely hate how it tugged my heart and it pained my wolf.

"Lucas, get up." I grumbled out as I kneeled in front of him but was met with a snarl.

"Don't growl at me! I need you to shift back, you can't be seen like this by humans."

His ears perked as his head lifted from the ground and sniffed the air to assess if I'm a threat or not to him.

"It's just me Lucas, It's Clem." I reached my hand out slowly to touch him and his wolf shifted forward hesitantly before pressing his nose on my palm.

"It's okay, you're okay." I assured as I caressed his head, letting my fingers intertwine with his soft fur.

His wolf purred under my touch and then licked my hand, making me giggle at his stubbornness.

"Let's go home, Lucas." I whispered in his ears and got a grunt in acknowledgement.

I took off my jacket to place it on him and I faced away to give him some privacy. My wolf wanted a peek but I shushed her perverse thoughts, as this was not the time or place to be horny.

I winced as I heard his bones shift back, the sound loud enough for me to hear but muffled by the park's vastness.

"I'm sorry." Lucas quietly uttered and I quickly spun around to face him as he finished buttoning his shirt.

I should be angry and I should be annoyed but I couldn't bring it in me to get mad for some reason.

"What happened Lucas?" I asked as I stepped forward to face him.

"My wolf. He was feeling a bit on edge and I couldn't stop him from shifting. Don't worry, no one saw, I made sure of it."

"Why is he on edge?"

He paused and bit his bottom lip.

"Overwhelmed I guess." He replied back and I tilted my head, confused.

"Overwhelmed? Was it that bad that you lost control?"

"Yeah, it was just all too much... for my wolf I mean. But I'll be okay, don't worry."

I pursed my lips at the last bit, trying to figure out what he meant until it finally dawned on me.

His mood,

Those pained eyes,

And the hollowness in his voice.

"You know don't you? About Tom and I?" I revealed and he stiffened up.

"Hm, yeah. You did a great job at masking it but my wolf knew as soon as I stepped inside."

Fucking mate bond.

I heaved out a deep sigh, annoyed that I didn't fool him enough but I was even more vexed by his stoic expression.

"You don't seem that mad or itching to rip mine and Tom's heads off?" I sneered at him as I tried to gauge his reaction.

"I was for a bit and my wolf even more so, hence why I'm here. But I realised that getting angry would be pointless, it will just hurt you further. You're free to do what you want and see who you want, Clem." Lucas conveyed as I stared back at him, overcome with both awe and grief.

Grief. Because I hoped, even for a brief moment that there was a slight chance of us. But if there was, then what?

"So, you're okay with? You'll let me be?" I asked and he looked at me with those eyes again.

"Of course. I owe you that and more, Clementine." He smiled and placed a gentle kiss on my forehead before I watched him walk away from me.

This is what I need, heart.

This is our closure, heart.

But why does it hurt, heart?

=== End of chapter ===

I got the spicy cough hence the late update.

But, oh yeeeeee, it's a long chapter.

Lucas finally knows about Tom and Clem!!!

Is he letting her go and is that what she wants?

How will Clem react if she finds out he felt everything?

Happy reading, will edit mistakes in a bit!

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