10

~Aria

Without moving a single inch, I watch as Malik pulls a chair out from under the reading table, before he slumps down on it, although, he manages to make it look graceful, regardless. With closer observation, I can see the beginnings of dark circles under his eyes.

He's tired? Maybe it's from all the traversing after me in the depths of night he enjoys.

"Punishment," I echo his last statement, trying to make the word sound a little more real in my ears. I should have suspected a repercussion for all this sneaking around; especially after Brynn's incident with him earlier today. She got away with a strict warning, while I managed to obtain a new nickname and the title - still unknown to everyone-of the first competitor to meet the Alpha.

The soft curves of Malik's mouth tilts up. "This could entail whatever you would like it to."

We stare at each other, blue on a slightly les