Chapter 6

Aria's POV

Even from where I stood, I still couldn’t understand why Trenton was staring at me with such suspicion. That look wasn’t just terrifying—it was horrifying. This was the first time he had ever looked at me that way.

Even though the scene refused to leave my mind, I decided to brush it off. Maybe he was just exhausted from practice and the game, I told myself.

Instead, I focused on the dinner we would have later that day. A broad smile spread across my face as I wondered what he wanted to tell me. I could make a guess… but I wouldn’t.

I made a mental note to look drop-dead gorgeous so he would be completely smitten when he saw me.

Realizing I didn’t have any appropriate date dresses—since I had never been on one before—I decided to order from a high-end fashion boutique down the street and book an appointment with a hairstylist.

I retrieved my phone from the black crossbody bag slung across my shoulders, logged into the fashion website, and placed an order for a gorgeous red silk dress. Even though it cost more than half of my monthly upkeep money, I didn’t mind. I could always ask the Alpha for more.

Alpha Liam had always complained that I never asked him for money, so it was high time I started spending it.

I also booked the stylist for an hour later so I wouldn’t be late.

“Now, we will let the boys get some rest today,” Coach Damien continued. “But tomorrow, there’s a celebration party at the club downtown and you are all invited.”

The students cheered as the boys turned away from the rink and headed toward the locker room. Trenton eyed me one last time before finally turning away.

That was when it dawned on me: I would have to explain to Tristan why I couldn’t poison the drink later. That bastard would definitely demand an explanation.

I rolled my eyes and turned away just as Maya appeared beside me, gripping my hand tightly like she always did. This time, instead of the usual happiness, I felt a wave of disgust and disdain. I forced myself to remain calm.

“Is there something between you and Trenton that you’re not telling me?” Her voice was smooth, laced with curiosity.

And now I saw it clearly. She wasn’t asking because she genuinely cared about me—she was spying for her boyfriend. She always had been. She wanted to know why I hadn’t poisoned his drink so she could report back to Tristan.

She tucked a strand of my ginger hair behind my ear. “He’s been staring at you the whole time. Do you think he still loves you, even though he knows you’re head over heels for Trenton?”

Now I couldn’t take it anymore.

Instinctively, I yanked my arm away from her as if she were a plague. “And what the hell is your business, Maya?” My voice rose with anger, drawing the attention of the other cheerleaders. My eyes blazed. “Why do you care so much about who I love and who I don’t?”

Her mouth and eyes widened in disbelief. She quickly hid the flash of anger behind a fake smile. “What’s wrong with you, Aria? You’re my best friend. If I don’t care about you, who will?”

“Best friend?” A bitter laugh escaped my lips. “You call yourself my best friend or my worst enemy?”

She frowned, genuinely confused. “What do you mean?”

For a moment, I felt like spilling everything—her entanglement with that idiot Tristan, her hatred for me because I was smarter, her betrayal—but I decided against it.

“We both know you’re not my friend… so drop the act already.”

She scoffed bitterly. “Are you okay, Aria? What act are you talking about?” She stepped closer and reached for me. “It’s Maya you’re talking to…”

For a few seconds, her touch felt like it burned. With a strength I didn’t know I possessed, I yanked my arm free. “Stay the hell away from me!”

She stumbled backward and hit the floor with a loud thud that echoed across the rink.

The other girls slapped their hands over their mouths, gasping.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Aria?” Her voice broke with fake pain. “Why are you acting so strange?”

I’m acting strange because I’ve been reborn and I know all your tactics. I wished I could say it out loud, but I only hissed through clenched teeth.

“Just stay the hell away from me,” I spat, pointing an accusatory finger at her.

Two other girls—Bella and Aurora, daughters of Gamma Sebastian and Karl—rushed to Maya’s side. They had been her friends before I joined the pack and had always hated that she was close to me. They helped her up gently.

I had always been an introvert who preferred to stay by myself, but when I first came to the pack, Maya had been kind and friendly. Thinking about it now, I realized it had all been a scheme.

“We’ve always told you that this weak, barely-better-than-human girl doesn’t deserve to be your friend,” Aurora spat, her voice thick with rage.

Maya didn’t respond. She just lowered her head, wrapping her arms around herself.

Bella glared at me. “You should be grateful that Maya is humble enough to want to be your friend, you worthless bitch.”

I stepped closer to her. “Call me worthless one more time and I swear, you will regret having a tongue,” I threatened.

Everyone stared at me in disbelief.

I had always taken their insults in silence.

A weak Omega. My mother being a gold-digger for seducing and marrying the Alpha. Me, trying to act like a princess even though I wasn’t royal-born.

But I wouldn’t take the insults anymore. In this life, I refused to be weak and pathetic.

Bella was dumbfounded. She opened and closed her mouth several times, but no words came out.

I might not have been a match for her in strength, but one word to Alpha Liam about her behavior would earn her severe punishment. And everyone knew how much the Alpha adored me—they wouldn’t dare cross him.

My blazing eyes swept over the crowd. “You all had better watch how you speak to me… or I won’t take it lightly with any of you.”

No one spoke. They simply stared at me like I had grown two heads.

I absolutely loved this version of myself.

I was bolder. Stronger. Fiercer.

Of course, if you had died once, you would evolve into a better version of yourself to keep the same mistakes from happening again.

I tossed my hair back. “Now, if you’ll excuse me…” I walked away, my shoulder deliberately brushing Bella out of my path.

I made my way toward the locker room to see the absolute love of my life—Trenton Blackwood.

Mentally picturing how I'd enjoy the rest of the evening with him at a top restaurant in town, while he held my hand from across the table and his silver eyes locked on me, I stepped into the locker room.

But when our eyes met... I knew something was wrong.