LOGINARIA’S POVI rushed upstairs to grab the medical kit from the bathroom cabinet, my hands shaking a little. Jasper was still sitting there by the table, back hunched like it really hurt. I felt so guilty. I was the one who bumped into him. If I hadn’t been so clumsy none of this would’ve happened.When I got back he had already pulled his shirt up over his head. His back was bare and I could see the swelling starting to form right where he’d hit the table. It looked bad, all red and puffy, even though I knew werewolves healed fast. Still, it was going to ache for the next few hours at least.“Hold still,” I said softly, kneeling behind him. I opened the kit and pulled out the ointment and some bandages. My fingers brushed his skin and it was so warm. I blew gentle air on the swollen spot, trying to cool it down like my mom used to do when I was little. “Does this hurt a lot?”Jasper let out a low breath. “A bit. But it’s not that bad. You don’t have to do all this, Aria.”“I do,” I whi
Aria’s POVI woke up with my body still humming from everything that happened by the river. My legs felt heavy, my skin still remembered the cool water and Kai’s hands. I lay there for a minute staring at the ceiling, trying to push the memories away. I couldn’t keep letting them take over my head like this. I needed water. My throat was dry and my mouth tasted like I’d been running for hours.I slipped out of bed, pulled on a loose t-shirt over my panties, and padded downstairs quietly. The house was dark except for the soft glow from the kitchen. I was halfway to the fridge when I bumped straight into a warm chest.Jasper.He steadied me with both hands on my arms, gentle like he was afraid I’d run. I wanted to ignore him again, turn around and go back upstairs without a word. But he spoke first, voice soft and almost careful.“Aria, wait. I didn’t mean you any harm. I just want to talk to you. Please.”I stepped back, heart beating faster. He sounded so nice, so different from the
KAI’S POVI carried Aria up the steps of the villa, her body warm and soft against my chest. She was still a little out of it from the river, legs wrapped loose around my waist, arms around my neck like she didn’t want to let go. My heart was doing that stupid heavy thud thing again. I wasn’t even tired. I could’ve carried her forever.I pushed the door open with my shoulder and started up the stairs. “I wasn’t planning to do anything today, you know,” I said quietly, voice low so only she could hear. “I really wasn’t. You were the one who seduced me out there. Swimming around like that, looking all wet and perfect… I just couldn’t control myself anymore.”She buried her face in my neck, cheeks burning hot against my skin. “Kai, stop. Don’t talk about that when we get home. It’s embarrassing enough already.”I chuckled, even though my chest felt tight. “Why be embarrassed? There’s nothing to worry about with us. This is something we’re supposed to do. It feels right, doesn’t it?”She
Aria’s POVI didn’t reply.Kai slowed to a stop beside me, breathing steady even after the long run. “I believe in you, Aria. Wolf or no wolf. You’ve got more fight in you than you know.”I wiped sweat from my forehead and looked at him, heart doing this stupid little flip. I didn’t know if I was supposed to feel happy or not. Part of me wanted to smile and say thank you. The other part remembered every cruel word they’d thrown at me before. “Yeah… thanks,” I muttered, not sure what else to say.My legs felt like jelly. I walked a few more steps and stopped by the river. The water looked so clear and cool under the trees. I needed to cool down bad. “I’m taking a swim,” I said, already kicking off my shoes. “You coming in with me?”Kai shook his head, leaning against a tree. “Nah. You go ahead. I’ll watch over you from here.”I shrugged. “Whatever.” I didn’t feel like hiding anymore. He’d seen every inch of me already. I peeled off my top, then my skirt, left standing there in just my
Aria’s POVThe bike slowed down and Kai killed the engine deep in the woods. Trees surrounded us, thick and quiet, the same spot we’d been before. My legs felt shaky when I slid off the seat, but I kept my face straight. I didn’t want him to know how much I’d been thinking about the last time we were here.Kai took off his helmet and looked at me, calm and serious. “Alright, first thing we’re doing is breath control. You need to learn how to regulate your breathing. It’ll save you if you’re ever in danger and can’t run. Plus it helps with your energy levels when things get intense.”I crossed my arms, trying to ignore the way my heart was already picking up speed just from being alone with him. “Breath control? That’s it? I thought we were doing fighting stuff.”He stepped closer, voice patient. “This is the foundation, Aria. You can’t fight if you’re gasping for air. And later we’re doing underwater training. You’ll need to hold your breath for a long time underwater. It’s crucial. Tr
ARIA’S POVI stood there in the hallway watching Zane drag Bianca away, and something inside me just… sank. Disappointment hit me hard, heavier than I expected. I mean, I knew he was engaged to her. I knew he had to keep up appearances. But after everything....the way he waited by my locker, the way he offered to take me home, the way he stepped in when she slapped me....I thought maybe he was finally choosing me. At least a little.Guess I was wrong.He still took her side. He still left with her. My cheek still stung from her slap, but the real ache was deeper. I’d spent the whole morning getting ready, picking this outfit, doing my makeup, planning how I’d smile at him, touch his arm, use everything the brothers taught me to make him look at me the way I wanted. I was ready to be better than Bianca. To finally steal his full attention. But he walked away like none of it mattered.“Idiot,” I muttered under my breath, wiping my eyes quick before anyone saw. “You really thought he’d p







