Mag-log inAria’s voice echoed in my head.“They like each other.”“Guys,” Ryder cut in, his tone sharper now. “Give us a minute.”The room quieted slightly.“We’ll meet you on the field,” he added.There were a few nods, a couple of claps on my shoulder again, lighter this time, more careful.“Let me know if
Then I looked up.The mirror reflected it all back.The uniform with my last name at the back. BlackthonThe number. 1The image, perfect future alpha, quarterback, captain..The lie.I held my own gaze for a second longer.Then I turned away.I reached for the table beside me, where Coach had left
Kai.I stood in front of the mirror longer than I should have because I couldn’t quite believe what I looked like.The reflection staring back at me barely resembled the person I was supposed to be.My left eye was bloodshot, the red stark against the pale of my skin. A dark bruise spread across bot
The one Kai had taken from my bag.The one piece of home I still had.My chest tightened.I reached out slowly, brushing my fingers along its surface. The memory hit immediately, him handing it back to me, and lying to my face that he had bought it. I shook my head as a tear escaped my eyes.I swall
Aria.The phone rang longer than I expected.I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the floor, my fingers gripping the device a little too tightly as I waited. For a second, I thought he wouldn’t pick up. Maybe I had called at the wrong time.Then the line clicked.“Hello?”I let out a small breath
She was calling me.My thumb moved before I could think.I answered on the first ring.“Kai—” Her voice was soft and something warm rushed through me so suddenly it almost hurt more than the pain. My chest tightened again, but this time it wasn’t just agony—it was something else.Relief mixed with d
KaiCoach Everett’s whistle cut through the morning air like a blade.I had barely stepped onto the field before his voice followed it, sharp and loud enough to turn heads.“Blackthorn. Nice of you to join us.”The team slowed, a few guys smirking like they’d been waiting for this. My head throbbed
My blood went hot.I stopped running.It was a stupid choice. Coach Everett hated when anyone stopped. But I didn’t care. My head roared, my body tense with anger, and Ryder’s words kept hitting the same nerve over and over.Ryder stopped too, turning to face me, chest rising with controlled breaths
Aria“I couldn’t say no. I couldn’t defy my father, the Alpha’s wishes.”I hated that sentence. I hated what it implied. The lack of choice. The way their lives were contracts and chess pieces for power hungry leaders.“So the contract was sealed,” Kai said, voice flattening again. “Our packs agreed
Kai.I grabbed my jacket from the hook by the door and shoved my arms through the sleeves as I ran out of the house. My pulse was pounding so loud I could barely hear my own thoughts. Serena’s voice kept echoing in my head, her tone sharp and cold as she told me what she had done. “Oh, and your lit







