CHAPTER TWO: ARIA

Finally Mrs. Raina arrived, apologetic smile plastered on her face. Majority of the class settled in, the literature lesson started but today I wasn't interested in Elizabeth's Generous Mr Darcy. My attention drifted back to Ryder, he was fine this morning but I decided to mind link him.

'Hey Ry, We're having Lit. class where are you?' I asked

'Hey...uhm yeah I'm skipping' he replied

'Are you fine Ry?'

'Yeah...yeah Aria I am... I'm uhmm at the library, talk to you later sis' he replied, his tone low.

'Uhm okay Ry'

There was something Ryder wasn't telling me. He'd never skip class and he's at the library? Ryder's not a library person. I'd have to find out what was going on.

The bell rang, signaling the end of class. Chloe gathered her things, and we both walked out into the bustling hallway. I spotted Spencer and Ryder across the crowd, his eyes locked on mine for a brief moment before he nodded and continued on his way.

Ryder stood at around 6'1" with a lean yet athletic build, honed from years of running and training in the woods. His skin had a warm, golden undertone, a testament to his mixed heritage, unlike my pale own. His grey eyes were a striking feature, seeming to gleam with a mix of intensity and kindness, depending on his mood.

His brown hair was always perfectly messy, with a few stray strands often falling across his forehead. He had a strong jawline and nose, giving him a confident and determined look. When he smiled, his whole face lit up, and his eyes crinkled at the corners, making him seem more approachable and relaxed.

Ryder's presence was both calming and intriguing, and he had a way of commanding attention without demanding it. He exuded a sense of quiet confidence, as if he knew exactly who he was and where he was going, even when the rest of the world seemed uncertain.

"Hey, let's catch up with them," Chloe suggested, already heading in Ryder's direction.

I followed, my heart racing slightly. I knew Ryder's moods, and today seemed different. As we approached him, Chloe smiled brightly. "Hey, Spencer, Ry! What's up?"

Ryder's expression softened slightly. "Hey" he greeted, not his usual hair ruffling greeting and as much as I appreciated that he didn't ruffle my hair today, it meant something was definitely wrong. "Not much, Chloe. Just got some pack stuff to take care of." He added.

Chloe's eyes lit up. "Pack stuff? Sounds mysterious!"

Spencer Ryder's best friend, son of present Alpha, Alpha Ryker and supposed future Alpha chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. His black hair was cut short, framing his chiseled features and accentuating his sharp jawline and deep kind brown eyes. His build athletic and toned, honed from years of training and physical activity just like Ryder's.

He stood tall, with broad shoulders and a commanding presence that drew attention without effort. His features were strong and defined, with a sense of ruggedness that hinted at his werewolf heritage.

When he moved, Spencer seemed to embody a quiet power and control, as if he were always aware of his surroundings and his place within them. His brown eyes seemed to assess and evaluate those around him, but they also held a sense of kindness and empathy, suggesting that he was a leader who cared deeply about his pack.

Despite his youth, Spencer seemed to carry the weight of his father's legacy with ease, as if he were born to lead. His presence was both calming and inspiring, and those around him seemed to respond to his authority with a mix of respect and admiration. "Just routine, Chloe. Nothing exciting. Hi Aria, you good?" Spencer asked, I nodded with a smile.

I knew there was more to it, but I didn't push. Not here. Instead, I fell into step beside Spencer with Chloe walking alongside Ryder. The four of us navigated the crowded hallway, a familiar rhythm to our steps.

As we walked, I couldn't help but notice the way Chloe looked at Ryder – a mixture of admiration and affection. I smiled to herself, knowing Chloe's feelings but also aware that Ryder seemed oblivious to them. I really hoped they were mates because I can't imagine how hurt Chloe would be if they weren't.

Our little group reached the cafeteria, and the smell of food wafted through the air. Ryder nodded at us. "I'll catch up with you girls later. We need to meet Alpha Ryker about some pack business."

"See you girls later" Spencer added with a wink and they were gone before we could even respond.

I watched Ryder go, a sense of concern lingering. I'd have to ask him about today later.

Chloe's grin and flushed cheeks caught my attention. "Gosh Aria Ryder's just so... Ryder, you know?"

"I know" I chuckled, Chloe always had a funny way of taking my mind of stress.

As we entered the cafeteria, Reena and her friends caught my eye, their gazes cold and unfriendly. My instincts told me to steer clear and maybe just have lunch at the bleachers like I usually did, but Chloe didn't hesitate, marching over to our usual table with a confident stride.

"Let's grab lunch and ignore those drama queens," Chloe said, tossing her hair over her shoulder.

I shook my head and smiled at her dramatic flare.

I and Chloe sat down at our usual table, with our lunch. I couldn't help but think about Ryder's situation. I knew he was being groomed for a potential leadership role, given our father's beta position and the current alpha's age. Ryder's sense of duty and responsibility was strong, but I was worried about the pressure he might be under.

"Do you think Ryder's going to be alpha one day?" Chloe asked, her voice low, as if she'd read my thoughts.

I shrugged. "I don't know. Dad's beta, so maybe. But there's a lot of competition within the pack. It's not just about being the beta's son."

Chloe's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "But do you think Ryder actually wants to be alpha?"

I hesitated, unsure of his true feelings. "I think he feels duty-bound to consider it, but I'm not sure if it's what he truly wants, besides I doubt he'd willingly want to go up against his best friend"

We were almost finished with our lunch, when I noticed Reena watching me from across the cafeteria, a scowl on her face. Chloe followed my line of sight and just rolled her eyes. Reena, Ryder's twin and my sister, was a striking young woman with a presence that was hard to ignore. She stood at about 5'8" with a lean and athletic build similar to Ryder's, but with a more petite frame. Her skin had the same warm, golden undertone as Ryder's.

Her long, dark brown hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, framing her heart-shaped face and accentuating her sharp features. Her grey eyes, identical to Ryder's, seemed to gleam with a sharp intelligence and a hint of superiority.

However, while Ryder's grey eyes were warm and introspective, Reena's seemed colder, more calculating. They narrowed slightly as she looked at you, as if sizing you up and finding you lacking. Her features were delicate yet bold, with high cheekbones and a small, pointed chin.

Her full lips curved into a perpetual pout, giving her an air of haughty superiority that could be both captivating and off-putting. She had a way of carrying herself with confidence, her posture ramrod straight and her stride purposeful, as if daring anyone to get in her way.

Despite her physical similarities to Ryder, Reena's demeanor was distinctly different. While Ryder's presence was calming and intriguing, Reena's was proud, condescending and calculating.

When she smiled, it seemed almost like a calculated move, a way to disarm and manipulate those around her. Her full lips would curve into a precise, polished smile, but her eyes remained cold, looking down on almost anyone.

"Don't let her get to you, Aria. You're amazing just the way you are," Chloe said, her voice filled with conviction.

I looked away and smiled, grateful for Chloe's support. We got up to leave the cafeteria, we were almost at the exit when cold liquid got splashed on my blue sweater shirt from my left side. Before I turned to see who it was, Chloe screamed.

"Taylor you bitc..."

"Chloe leave it, let's go" I quickly stopped her from grabbing a brunette holding an empty paper cup; Taylor one of Reena's minions. They weren't worth the trouble.

"Awww look the scrawny kid has a crazy mother hen to fight for her" Reena sneered earning a couple of laughs from the other kids in the cafeteria.

"No Aria, look what she did. I'll teach her some manners she needs them with those sea urchins she has as fingers" Chloe raged, Taylor took a step closer breathing hard both their eyes flashing between brown and amber.

"What did you say?" Taylor's shrill voice rang out.

"I said you have sea urch..."

"Chloe, stop. Let's go" I pulled her arm, she stared at me, huffed and stomped out not before glaring at Taylor and the rest of the sneering girls saying nasty things I didn't care to know.

I took a glance at Reena who smirked at me. I couldn't shake off the feeling that Reena's animosity was more than just typical sibling rivalry. There was something deeper, something that made my skin crawl.