Novel-novel oleh PrettyPen

ARIAOf course, I felt it. That unbearable warmth whenever he was near. The way his scent clouded my thoughts. The way my body responded, even when my mind screamed at me to resist.It was always the same with Killian, Darius, Rowan, and Lucian—only worse. But I couldn’t trust it. I couldn’t trust any of them. Only my wolf could tell me what was real.And she wasn’t here.My silence seemed to please Killian.“You don’t have to admit it,” he murmured, his fingers brushing against my wrist again—a featherlight touch that sent a shiver down my spine. “It doesn’t matter.”That snapped me out of it. Having a wolf matters!While others were naming their wolves, I was busy searching for mine. While others were shifting for the first time, I was being called a freak—born with unique physical traits but no wolf, no special abilities to back them up.People whispered that I was a true descendant of some rare wolves from the far north. But there was no proof.No parents. No wolf.No fucking noth

ARIABut to my disappointment, he was already lowering himself back to the floor. He wasn’t going to fight…Fight for what exactly? Me?I shook my head. Snap out of it, Aria. My gaze fell to my hands—where Killian was still holding me. His grip didn’t loosen, his fingers wrapped around my wrist like iron bands. The heat of his skin pressed against mine, grounding me in reality. This wasn’t some dream I could wake up from.Killian was right here, waiting for me to accept him. But as my eyes flickered back to Lucian—his slumped posture, the bruises forming along his jaw, the weakness in his gaze...I felt trapped. I had spent too much time being dragged around, claimed, ordered. And now, seeing Lucian’s defeated expression, seeing Killian loom over me with that arrogant smirk, fury boiled inside me.Aria was about to do what no one else had dared.Aria was about to tell Killian, an Alpha… off.With a sharp yank, I tore my wrist free from Killian’s grasp. Okay, I hadn’t planned that. The

ARIAAs for Tobias…One second, he was down the hall. The next, he was standing between them, a low, warning growl vibrating through his chest as he squared up to Killian.“Step back,” Tobias ordered. “Now.”With all the dominant pheromones in the air, I could only stay still. It was overwhelming. My head dangled as their scents made me dizzy. Unfortunately, Killian didn’t move. His gaze flickered to me for half a second—just long enough for my stomach to flip—before locking back onto Lucian. Of course, he couldn’t bear to be ordered by a Beta. But Tobias was no ordinary Beta. Maren had told me he trained hard. Funnily, not every trained Beta was chosen.But Tobias was chosen. That alone spoke volumes of his dominance.“You laid hands on Lucian,” Tobias snapped, baring his teeth now. “You don’t get to do that in his own pack.”I sneaked a glance at Lucian—who was still out on the floor, eyes unfocused, breathing heavily. Oh shit. He looked the most miserable today. I raised a leg, but

Aria’s POV I wasn’t sure what I had expected when I opened the door. But it sure as hell wasn’t this. Lucian stood before me, his bare chest rising and falling with shaky breaths with sweat trapped to his skin. His muscles were tense as if he had just fought off something— someone. And then there were his hands. They weren’t just trembling. They were bloody. Oh my Goddess…Fresh blood. He… “Lucian…?”“What the hell happened to you?” Lucian blinked, his eyes unfocused, like he was still trapped in whatever nightmare had just consumed him. For a moment, he looked completely lost. I didn't like that one bit. Then, slowly, he exhaled. “It’s nothing.” Nothing? That wasn't nothing. I narrowed my eyes. “You’re bleeding.” His jaw tightened. “It’s not my blood.” “Then whose is it?” No reply. His lips had pressed together, but he didn’t answer. A sinking feeling settled in my chest. It was obvious that something was terribly, horribly wrong. Lucian had always been col

Lucian's POVI went to bed early.But the darkness found—surrounding me, suffocating…like the arms of an octopus wrapping around my body, dragging me into its endless depths.I gasped for air, but my lungs found nothing.Fuckfuckfuck… not again! My body trembled violently, drenched in sweat, while my hands clawed at the emptiness, desperate for something—anything—to hold onto. Suddenly, a flash of light encroached the emptiness. It fluttered in and out like a dying flame, taunting me with its fucking relief before disappearing again. Then a deep and familiar voice followed.“Lucian.” The sound struck deep inside me, pulling me away from the abyss that threatened to swallow me whole. My father. “Father!” I cried out, blindly. “Is that you?”I missed him so much. “Albena’s birthday is today. Why don’t we go see her?” Albena? Albena… the name echoed in my mind. A bell tolled in the distance, ringing louder and louder until it was brighter.As bright as the sun… laughter. And

ARIAThat he had somehow walked away from a brotherhood of monsters who took what they wanted and left destruction?My eyes squeezed shut. I couldn’t believe that. Not when I still remembered the feeling of being paraded like a prize in front of them. Maren must have noticed, because she quickly changed the subject. “You know, most people don’t get kissed because they ‘smell bad.’” She made air quotes with her fingers. “That’s gotta be a first.” A laugh wanted to break out of me, but it got stuck somewhere in my throat. “I don’t think that’s why he did it,” I said quietly. Maren nodded, her tone turning softer. “Neither do I.” We walked a little farther until we reached the edge of the stone path. The garden beyond was quiet, and getting cold in the late evening air.My thoughts were too loud, my head too full. “Aria.” Maren’s voice broke the silence again. “Can I ask you something?” I gave her a look. “You’re already asking.” She smiled sheepishly, then dropped her ey