Chapter 3

Aria’s POV

 “So are we going to pretend like nothing happened?” Seren asked for the tenth time, seated on a chair in front of my bed while she stared at me.

I let out a heavy sigh and tossed to and fro on my bed with flashes of his face on my mind. His scent and how much trouble this could land me. Honestly, it was as if I were in some sort of dark room trying to process thoughts I had no control over. 

Seren's warm hand on my thigh made me lie still this time. I sat upright carefully and rested my back against my bedrest as she waited for me to speak. 

My eyes fell, almost as though I’d realized Seren's feelings for Alpha Kael and why she wasn’t crashing out yet. “Seren, about the kiss… I’m deeply sorry.”

The room went silent as she forced a smile. “It's alright. Besides, it was only a dare, and it’s not like he was actually going to notice me,” she said, dragging every word, but from her tone, I could tell she was lying. 

I’d take it back if I could, to be honest, and I never wished to hurt Seren. Ever. 

Lies! Stop being a hypocrite and admit you liked that kiss. My wolf voice whispered in my head as I remained still. The guilt was heavier this time as Seren just held my hand and caressed it softly. 

The heaviness in my chest, now solid as a rock sinking deep into the seabed. Dwelling on the truth that I could lose more than one thing in my life. 

“Look, Aria, I know you don’t like Kael, so I’m not worried, but girl, we have far bigger fish to fry,” she explained, and this time I chose not to think about the fact that I had hurt her. 

I nodded and blinked rapidly. “Seren, my mother doesn’t need to know about this, but then I’m worried about Ronan.”

“He would not take this lightly. I could be punished and, who knows, maybe restricted from coming to campus,” I added, thinking of every single bad thing that crossed my mind. 

“Of all the things to be worried about it’s him.”

I didn’t say a word, because a part of me knew she was right. She pulled me into a warm hug as I stayed still. Whatever was coming, I knew she was well aware because she was good at giving advice, and her silence affirmed it. 

It was only supposed to be a harmless kiss. 

The gentle knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts as Seren and I took a brief glance at each other. 

Without looking, I already knew it was a junior in our block. She slightly pushed open the door and pushed her head forward. “Aria?” She called. 

I dropped my legs from the bed. “Yes!”

“Your fiancee’s outside waiting for you,” she announced before she briskly walked away. My stomach dropped as numerous thoughts ran through my mind. Why exactly was Ronan here at this hour? And for him to come alone intensified my curiosity even more. My heart beat faster as I waited for Seren to say something. 

Seren squeezed my hand, her eyes sharp as she glanced at me. “You don’t have to go.”

“I do—“

“Aria, it is unclear to us why he’s here, and that young man doesn’t care about you. Please,” she reasoned, hoping I would just stay put.

My legs grew heavier, knowing my brain had also processed the uncertainty of the situation. “He’s only going to come here if I don't, and Ronan wouldn’t hurt me.”

She was hesitant at first but eventually freed her hand on mine. “I would just hang around just in case,” she added, and my heart softened as my entire body relaxed for a minute. Seren would never change. 

 I dragged my feet outside down to the end of the hallway where he stood leaning against the wall. I thought the block staff didn't let male students here. The moment he sighted me, he stood straight, and clearly this was going to be chaotic. 

Now standing in front of him with only a few gaps keeping us apart, he said. “We need to talk.”

I nodded, giving him a go ahead signal . “What the hell were you thinking?” He yelled, not minding if others would actually hear us. 

I froze as cold brushed against my skin. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I fired back. 

He moved closer while I took calculated steps back. “You stood in front of the entire school and let that bastard put his hands on you.”

My brows furrowed as I struggled to put together whatever he was babbling about. “Kael was drunk, and it was just a party, so don’t act as if I planned it all,” I retorted, glaring at him. 

I took a deep breath and exhaled. When would all this be over? Come to think of it, has Ronan always been this annoying?

He threw his hands in the air in disbelief. “Doesn’t change the fact that you could be so cheap, Aria.”

I stood still, refusing to break eye contact. What on earth was wrong with him?

 “Look who's calling names; you’re the worst.”

“And I don’t mind what anyone’s going to say; maybe you should leave and let me handle this, okay?” I hissed, trying to show some strength, but deep down I knew I couldn’t do shit. This was a big mess.

He grabbed hold of my wrist and angrily pulled me outside. His eyes had gone dark as I dug my feet into the dirt to stand my ground, but clearly it was failing. 

“You made a fool out of me. In front of the big names and…”

My breath heavy, I shook my head as my hair sweated behind my back. “You humiliated me first, and what do you take me for? All these years, Ronan, you’ve totally ignored me.”

His nostrils flared as he pulled me harder to the car. “So your answer for my attention was Kael, right?!”

His words struck harder than his grip could ever would. “Why am I even explaining myself to you?”

“You're my fiancée, and yet look at us, at you,” I concluded as I stood there under the moonlight with Seren making her way to us. 

“I wish I had never agreed to this union.”That was all it took for him to snap. He struggled with the car keys as I tried to bite him off. 

“Maybe when we get home you’ll understand how serious this is?”

I paused. “What do you mean?”

“Kael's wolf wants you, Aria, and there's nothing you’re going to do now that will stop that,” he lectured, glaring at Seren to keep her distance. 

“The black fur alpha crossed a line, Aria, and you are the cause; I hope you really tell the council what happened.”

My heart dropped at the mention of the council. Only big matters were discussed there. Will I be a rogue? 

My stomach dropped. “I’m not going; let go of me!”

His expression hardened as he pushed me into the car; my head hit the seat's headrest as I lay there, my breath slow while he gave me an irritated look. 

“I already told your mother,” he mentioned before getting into the car and slamming the door shut. I heard Seren call out my name, but I was too weak to reply. 

Hot tears streamed down my eyes as I watched him as my blood boiled over.

“You better start praying, Aria. A war has been waged over your head.”