LOGINWrenDani froze. His furious expression shattered, replaced by a look of sheer, stunned shock. "What did you just say?""You heard me!" I vented, months of built-up frustration pouring out of my mouth in a tidal wave. "You act like you own me, but you won't even set a clear boundary! Even Sienna confronted me on campus today, putting me down and reminding me of all the girls you used to sleep with! I am so tired of your past hanging over my head while you stand here screaming at me for talking to a classmate!""Is that what you think this is?!" Dani roared, his hands shooting out to grab my upper arms. "You think I give a damn about Sienna or anyone else?!""You used to sleep with half the campus—""I DON'T WANT HALF THE CAMPUS!" Dani screamed right into my face.Before I could blink, before I could process the words—Dani grabbed my waist, yanked me violently forward against his chest, and slammed his mouth onto mine.A gasp was trapped in my throat.The kiss wasn't gentle. It was po
Wren"Hello?" I called out, my voice sounding small and weak in the cold air.Only the rustling of fallen leaves answered me. Frustration and fear pooled in my stomach. Am I losing my mind? I thought, pressing my hands against my temples. Julian is locked up. Blake is ruined. Why can't I stop feeling like I'm being hunted?"Wren!"I turned and saw Anna running toward me across the grass, waving her arm."Hey!" Anna said, catching her breath as she stopped beside me. "Why are you standing out here looking like you just saw a ghost?""I... I thought someone was following me," I admitted softly, looking back over my shoulder. "Anna, I feel like I'm losing my mind."Anna’s energetic mood instantly softened into deep concern. She grabbed both of my hands, looking me in the eyes. "Wren, look at me. You just survived a stalker, a break-in, and an academic sabotage all in the span of a few months. Your brain is on high alert. It's trauma, okay? You're hyper-vigilant.""Maybe you're right," I
Wren"Please remain behind after class," Professor Vance said over the microphone, his tone calm, authoritative, and utterly unyielding. "We have an important matter to discuss in private."The large wooden doors of the lecture hall clicked shut as the last student left, leaving an uncomfortable silence behind.I stood in the middle aisle, my backpack strap clutched tightly in my hand. Down on the front stage, Professor Vance was calmly packing a stack of papers into his leather briefcase."Miss Wren," Professor Vance said softly, not even looking up from his bag. His deep voice echoed off the empty wooden seats. "Please, step down to my desk. Take a seat."My feet felt heavy, but I walked down the carpeted steps and sat on the cold chair across from his desk."Is everything okay, Professor?" I asked, keeping my voice polite and distant."That’s what I want to ask you," Professor Vance replied. He sat back in his leather chair, folding his long fingers together over his stomach. His d
Wren"Enjoy your little victory while it lasts, Wren. Dani might protect you today, but drama follows you everywhere. Karma isn't finished with you yet." She sneered at me."Back off, Sienna," Anna snapped, stepping in front of me and shoving Sienna’s hand away. "Go complain somewhere else."Sienna glared at both of us, let out a harsh laugh, whipped around on her heel, and strutted away into the building.I shook my head, taking a deep breath to calm my racing heart. "She's ridiculous.""She's just mad because Dani blew her off in front of everyone," Anna said, linking her arm through mine as we continued walking toward the Humanities building. "Oh, speaking of Blake's little crew... have you seen Emily lately?"I frowned, looking at Anna. "Emily? No. Why?""It's really strange," Anna whispered, scanning the crowd around us. "She hasn't been to a single class in three days. Her dorm room is completely untouched, her phone goes straight to voicemail, and her sorority sisters said she
Wren The apartment fell into a heavy, suffocating silence after Dani stormed off. Ross stood near the kitchen island, running both of his hands through his sandy hair, letting out a long, ragged sigh. He looked completely exhausted. The bright, easy-going boy I had grown up with looked like he was carrying the weight of the entire world on his shoulders. I walked over to the stove, filling the kettle with water and turning on the burner to make a cup of tea, trying to calm my racing pulse. "I'm sorry, Wrennie," Ross said quietly, his voice raspy. He sat down on one of the wooden barstools, staring down at his hands resting on the granite counter. "I shouldn't have yelled at him. He's just stressed because he wants to keep you safe." "He's not the only one who's stressed," I murmured, turning around to face him, leaning my back against the counter. I looked at him closely, taking in the dark circles beneath his eyes and the tension in his posture. "Ross... can I ask you someth
WrenIf Blake has been passed out at a bar for two hours...Then who the hell was standing on the roof watching us?The front door of the apartment slammed shut, and Dani instantly threw the heavy deadbolt into place.I leaned my back against the wall, my chest heaving, my heart hammering against my ribs. My fingers were still trembling from what we had seen on the roof. The image of that dark, broad figure standing in the shadows of the opposite building, staring right at us, was burned into my mind."Dani, call Ross again," I whispered, my voice shaking. "Please. Call him right now."Dani pulled out his phone, his face pale and rigid. His thumbs moved fast over the screen as he hit speed dial and put the call on speaker.After two quick rings, Ross’s voice came through the speaker, loud over the background noise of music and clinking glasses. "Dani? What’s going on? Is everything okay with Wren?""Ross, I need you to look at Blake right now," Dani demanded, his tone sharp and urgent
WRENScreams and cheers erupted in the arena.Everything had happened within seconds, everyone had risen to their feet, both teams trying hard to stop them from throwing punches, I stood there with my scarf still wrapped.“I bet Blake feels inferior getting beat by Dani’s team, he really can’t acce
WREN “Damn you, Dani.” I turned around and literally sprinted to my room, my cheeks flustered. Did Dani just wink at me? I dropped my plate on the nightstand and plopped on my bed, staring at the ceiling. I slapped myself lightly wondering if this was a dream but from the slight sting I coul
WRENI ran so fast I nearly broke the door down.The kitchen. I needed to get to the kitchen, find something to do with my hands, and blur my mind from the atrocity I had just watched…. Something I shouldn’t be watching or even have ever seen but the image had been buried in my mind and it wasn’t g
WRENThe ceiling of my dorm room had a crack in it shaped like a question mark. I'd spent the last three weeks staring at it. I had been on the list for a room change for a week. I kept staring at my phone, hoping for good news."Wren." Ross snapped his fingers in front of my face. "Are you even li







