ARIAAs we come back to the academy in the morning, he stands against the door, blocking my path, looking into my eyes.“Did something happen last night?”“Huh? What do you mean?” I drop my gaze to the floor, avoiding meeting his eyes.“Look at me, Hailey.” He mutters softly.My stubborn gaze remains on the floor.“I found myself on the couch. You aren't talking to me except for yes and no. What happened last night?” He grabs my arm, pulling me closer to his firm chest.My gaze at last looks into his eyes.“Tell me, please.”“You were sleepwalking.” My lips say it.He slowly releases my arm.“Did I do anything wrong?” *Yeah. You kissed my cheek.* My mind screams the words but my voice stays silent. The truth would only make things awkward and complicated between us.Moreover, Jay already has someone he likes. The orange button in his ring belongs to her.“You didn't do anything wrong. You just fell asleep on the couch.” “HAILEY.” A voice calls my name.Ella runs over to me and holds
ARIAShe inhales a deep breath and says…“Raven Aylestone.” The name is unknown, a mystery, never heard before, not even from a hunter.“Do you know anything else?” “Mother never allowed me to step outside my bedroom. She would sit with him alone in the living room and discuss things for hours.” “I did overhear them sometimes.” “He has a deep voice. Doesn't speak much.”“Many wolves don't speak a lot. Say something that can actually help us.” Jay slightly raises his voice, intimidating and powerful.Tessa shrinks under the weight of his voice.“Stop. Don't scare her.” I turn my head to him.He holds back his rage, clenching his jaws.“What else, Tessa?” “Whenever he came to our house, he wore a black hoodie with an eagle logo. I never saw his face but I know he is evil.”“We need to search the boys' dorms for a black hoodie with an eagle logo.” Words come out of my mouth as my gaze turns to Jay.“Leave that to me.” He assures.“You two should stay here tonight. It's already very
ARIAAs we arrive at Victor's house, he opens the door and takes a step back, horrified. I didn't tell him beforehand about Jay Manchester.He grabs my arm and drags me to a corner.“Why is he with you?” “Did he find out your identity?”“Is he threatening you or something?”“Are we dying?”“Victor, stop it.” My lips whisper back.He gulps, glancing at him. While we are standing in the corner, Jay is slowly taking in the details of the cozy interior.“Jay is helping me find the Alpha's son. Don't you remember?” “Right. I remember.” He wipes off the sweat from his forehead.“Why did you bring him here?” “Jonathan Manchester wants me to get engaged to his son. He thinks we're mates. I had dinner with him tonight. Lozark Aylestone also paid us a visit.”“What?” He is shaken to the core.Suddenly, his eyes narrowed on my neck.“Aria, what is this?” “Did he mark you?” He gets furious.“Ehm…This is fake.” His forehead crumples up.“We're just making everyone believe in the academy that
ARIAAs he tightens his grip on the steering wheel, his palm turns red, and the engine roars. He shifts his gaze to the front and drives off the car at over 120.The car races against the wind, chasing the empty wet road, drenched after heavy rain. The speed only goes up, driving to the sky.“Will you please slow down?” He doesn't listen and keeps on driving.“Jay. I am talking to you.”My fingers clutch the seatbelt as tightly as they can, holding myself to the seat. It almost feels like a rollercoaster ride.The sound of the wheels scratching the road sends a shiver down my spine. Even a sports car wouldn't do that.With our fast speed, no other cars or transport are near our range. They are behind, way too behind, looking like ants.The veins stretch against his arms, revealing them through his skin. I am just shocked, stunned, and so many things.“Why are you doing this?”He suddenly stops the car with a forced break near an abandoned hill. As the engine falls to silence, a breat
ARIA “No, I can't take it off.”“Why?” His eyes sharpen.“This bracelet means a lot to me. Even if it's hurting, I won't take it off.” My wrist pulls away from his grip and hides behind my waist.“As you wish.” He forces a smile.The jade bracelet is the only thing protecting my scent. Without it, I am a hunter with a different scent.“Your real parents must be rich.”“Huh? What?” “The jade bracelet is an expensive one. You'll rarely see anyone wearing it except for the wolves in the pack house.”“Really?” “Your bracelet is different. It has more designs than a normal jade bracelet.”“Maybe the bracelet is special…”“No, not at all.” My voice interrupts him.“I have been wearing the bracelet since childhood and it never did anything special.”Jay Manchester is a clever one. The more we talk about the bracelet, he will only get suspicious about my identity.“Let's talk about the red ruby.”“What about it?” He raises a brow.“We searched Ralix's room last night after everyone else le
ARIAAs Lozark Aylestone steps inside, I close my fingers into a tight fist, suppressing my rage, and keep my calm. His powerful gray eyes meet mine and the air quickly turns cold.“Alpha.” Jonathan bows to him, and so does Sheena. Following the etiquette, I slightly lower my head along with Jay.He steps closer and we lift our heads.A maid brings him a chair similar to a throne, different from our wooden seats. Jonathan is giving him the special treatment.He pushes his dark cloak in the air aggressively and sits on the chair. His sharp eyes glance around the grand walls and somehow land on me.“So this is the girl you have chosen for Jay?” He rises one leg over another and leans back, resting his elbow on the armrest.“She is Hailey Randle, Jay's mate.” “Mate.” His gaze wanders on me from top to bottom. Perhaps, he is suspicious.Suddenly, Jay stands before me, shielding me behind his broad back, protecting my presence against Lozark's gaze.A breath slips free of my lips.“We rec