เข้าสู่ระบบAria’s POVI kept pushing through the treadmill, legs burning but steady, the rhythm of my feet hitting the belt almost soothing after everything that had happened. Sweat trickled down my back and between my breasts, making my tank top cling to my skin, but I didn’t stop. For the first time in days I felt like I was actually getting the hang of this. My speed was improving, my breathing more controlled, and each stride felt stronger than the last. Zane had stepped out a few minutes ago to check on some noise, but I wasn’t worried. The room was quiet except for the low hum of the machine and my own heartbeat. I was finally doing something for myself, building the strength I needed to face Bianca and anyone else who thought they could break me.When my legs started to feel like jelly I slowed the treadmill and stepped off, chest heaving. My throat was dry and scratchy. I needed water. I turned toward the small fridge in the corner and reached for a bottle, but before my fingers tou
ZANE’S POVI knew they were going to pull something like this the second I saw their cars in the rearview mirror. My friends—the Steel brothers—had been shoving Bianca in my direction ever since they figured out I was interested in Aria. They wanted that engagement locked down tight, wanted the marriage between our families pushed forward no matter what I said. That was exactly why I had moved back to my private house in the first place. I was tired of the constant arguments at my parents’ place, tired of everyone treating my future like some business deal I had no say in. I already knew they would be forceful about it, and honestly it didn’t surprise me at all.I parked in front of the mansion and killed the engine, glancing over at Aria. She was still holding my hand, her fingers warm and a little tense. I gave them a gentle squeeze. “You ready?”She nodded, but I could see the worry flicker across her face when she looked toward the driveway. The brothers had already climbed out,
ARIA’S POVI sat in the passenger seat of Zane’s car, fingers twisting in my lap, and I still couldn’t believe any of this was real. The guy I used to watch from the bleachers during hockey practice, the one I had dreamed about for so long, was right next to me. Driving. Talking to me like we did this every day. And now I was actually going to his house. My heart kept doing these little flips that I couldn’t stop, even though part of me felt guilty for feeling anything good after everything with the brothers.Zane glanced over at me and smiled, easy and warm. “You okay? You’re kind of quiet over there.”I nodded, forcing a small smile back. “Yeah. I’m fine. Just… this feels weird. In a good way. I used to watch you from far away and now I’m sitting in your car like it’s normal.”He laughed softly, the sound low and nice. “It is normal, Aria. Or it can be. I’m glad you decided to come with me today. I meant it when I said I’d help however I can.”The whole drive he kept things light
ARIA’S POVThe next few days felt like one long nightmare I couldn’t wake up from. I did everything I could to avoid the brothers, slipping out of rooms the second they walked in, taking different routes to class, even eating lunch in the bathroom stall just to get some peace. But they wouldn’t let me have a quiet moment. At home they hovered near my door, knocking softly and calling my name like they had all the patience in the world. At school they appeared everywhere—at my locker, in the hallway between classes, even outside the girls’ restroom once. It was exhausting. And the worst part was the way the other students started talking. The jealous girls whispered behind my back, calling me names, saying I must be sleeping with all four of them to get that kind of attention. The rumors spread fast, and every time I walked past a group they went quiet then burst into giggles. I kept my head down and pretended I didn’t hear, but inside it burned.On top of everything I still had
REED’S POVI stood outside her door for the third time in twenty minutes, knuckles hovering like I was scared to knock again. My chest felt tight, the kind of tight that made it hard to breathe right. I’d tried everything—soft words, promises, even banging on the wood until my hand hurt. Nothing worked. She wouldn’t open up. Wouldn’t listen. The silence on the other side of that door was killing me more than any slap she could’ve given me.“Aria,” I called again, voice low and rough because I couldn’t hide the frustration anymore. “Come on, baby. Open the door. Let me explain what’s really going on. We weren’t planning to hide the truth from you forever. I swear. Just talk to me. Please.”No answer. Not even a sound. I could picture her in there, curled up on the bed with her arms wrapped around her knees, eyes red from crying. The thought made my stomach twist. I hated it. I hated that we’d done this to her. We’d started out thinking she was nothing—just a convenient fix for our
ARIA’S POVMy fingers gripped the railing so tight my knuckles turned white. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. My legs felt like they might give out any second. I pressed my back harder against the wall, trying to stay hidden in the shadows of the stairs, but my whole body was shaking. They were talking about me. Actually talking about me like I was some puzzle they’d been solving behind my back.Reed’s voice carried up first, low and frustrated. “She’s our mate, guys. We all feel it. The bond kicked in the second she walked into this house. That’s why we couldn’t stay away.”Mate. The word hit me like a punch to the chest. I was their mate? Me? The wolfless Omega they used to call pathetic? My breath caught and I had to cover my mouth so I wouldn’t make a sound.Cole jumped in right after. “Yeah, but we got close to her for one reason only—to sleep with her. The mating bond was the perfect excuse. We needed her body to break the curse. Nothing else mattered at first.”Tears stun







