**Eight Months Later** Aria "Aria, get your ass downstairs already! You're gonna be late for your first day of college!" Aunt Esther yells from the kitchen. "I'm coming!" I shout back, rolling my eyes as I smooth my hands over my hair. With one last glance in the mirror, I nod in approval. Palaz
And just like that, she pulls me into a hug. I clutch her back, squeezing my eyes shut. "I’m sorry… so, so sorry." After a few minutes, we’re all sitting together in an empty lecture hall, still processing the absolute mindfuck that we’ve somehow ended up in the same university. "I can't believe
Aria All throughout classes today, I couldn't concentrate. My mind keeps replaying what Mia and Lily said. Apparently, they and Damon and Theo—had been just as shocked as I was when they found out Lucas was attending this university. But I know the real reason why. It’s because of me. I told him
Aria The moment the lecture ends, I practically leap out of my seat, ready to escape. But, of course, Lucas doesn’t waste a damn second…he’s already heading for the door, and, surprise surprise, she’s right there beside him. I exhale sharply. Great. Just fucking great. As we step out of the cl
Aria I rush outside, chasing after Lucas, my heart hammering like I just ran a damn marathon. "Wait, Lucas!" He keeps walking. Of course, he does. I push harder, practically jogging now. "Lucas, wait, please!" I finally catch up, stepping right in front of him, blocking his path. Up close, I can
Damon sighs, squeezing my shoulder. "We’re just glad you’re okay." I nod, but deep down, I know I’m not okay. Not when Lucas looks at me like I’m a stranger. Not when every word he speaks feels like a dagger to my chest. Not when I know…know that I did this to him. I'm glad you're okay too. I was
Aria Lucas doesn’t even blink. "Well, I don’t have anything to say to you, so get the fuck out." He starts to shut the door, but I throw my hand out, stopping it. "Are you seriously not gonna give me a chance? Don’t you wanna know what I’ve been up to all this time?" My voice comes out frantic, d
Aria "Are you done?" Lucas calls from the other side of the door. "Uh, yeah... I—I don’t have... my clothes are wet," I mumble, stepping out hesitantly. His gaze flicks over me before he tosses a large T-shirt my way. "Here." "Thanks." I clutch it like it's a damn lifeline and slip it on over t
But Lucas? Oh no. He’s not calming down one bit. “I can’t calm down, Aria. You need to say something right now. Tell this idiot you belong in Shadow Pang.” He’s practically barking it, and honestly, I’m about two seconds from losing it too. “Lucas,” I start, trying real hard to keep my voice soft a
Aria “Aria, I’m telling you, there’s nothing to be scared of. I mean, yeah, the Hollow sect are creepy as hell and all that, but Alpha Marcel’s got the resources. He’s got the people, the connections. You’re safe here,” Mark says the second we step into the living room, like he’s trying to sell me
Aria After I shower and get dressed, Lucas and I head downstairs for breakfast. Alpha Marcel’s not in the living room yet, and Mark... well, goddess knows where he is. Probably off being mysterious and annoying, as usual. We make our way to the dining room where the maid who called us is already
I turn to the side, my back pressed against his chest, and his arm slides around my waist like it belongs there. His body’s warm, grounding, and his scent…gosh it's so soothing. “Goodnight, baby,” he whispers, pressing a soft kiss to my shoulder. “Goodnight, baby,” I murmur back, letting my hand s
Aria “Oh yeah… they’re not here right now,” Alpha Marcel says, scratching his head like he’s trying to dig out the answer. “They went outta the country to visit a relative of my wife.” I nod, but honestly, it sounds like total bullshit. Like, really? In the middle of all this chaos? The pack’s cu
“Let me guess. He said, ‘Screw this fire crap’?” “Pretty much. Said it was barbaric and refused to keep sacrificing his people. And the moment he stopped? Curse hit us like a wrecking ball. No sunlight, no crops, no peace. Just rot and death. Now there’s some weird-ass illness spreading…werewolves
Aria Lola takes a deep breath, glancing over my shoulder like someone might be eavesdropping, then locks eyes with me. “Your mother... she was a beautiful and brave woman,” she says, and for a second, she looks like she’s about to cry or punch someone. “I used to wait on her.” Wait, what? “You did
Alpha Marcel groans like I just smacked him with nothing but facts duh. "You’re right," he mutters, rubbing his forehead. "I’m just, you know... skeptical. I’m scared because he grew up with his father, and I worry he’ll be like him." I shake my head and look straight at Lucas, feeling my heart do
Aria The woman. It’s definitely her. Same long black hair, same damn round face, same sad ass eyes. What the hell is she doing here? I swear something feels weird and off as fuck. "Aria, are you alright?" Alpha Marcel’s voice yanks me back to reality. He’s looking between me and the lady like he’