LOGINAria"I'm a little bit between fine and not fine, Mallory," I breathed in the night's fresh air as we walked towards the dorm."Hmmm. Just do you, then." Mallory patted my shoulder, but I could tell she was also struggling underneath."Are you okay too?" I questioned as Mallory slowed down her pace."Yeah..." Mallory breathed. "It's just..."I bit my lips. Even as she seemed to hide it, she was worried about Ryder, and I totally understood.If she hadn't picked my side earlier, all of this wouldn't have happened in the first place.I'm actually glad, but I also wouldn't like to come in between the peaceful relationship they have built."He sounded hurt, though." Mallory chuckled. "He asked me the truth of what's going on between you and Kael. Not just about the dare, Ria."I paused instantly. The wind blew at my hair, causing it to cover part of my face. I tried to tuck it behind my ear.I felt nervous that Ryder's suspicions had started becoming obvious."What did you say?" I asked i
Aria"He's gone," my mate growled. "Such a painful sight, but at least we know where he stands."Yeah, over and over again, Kael has done that, I replied in my head, watching his figure disappear out of sight, with Serena well-cradled in his arms."Mate is useless..." my wolf said.I couldn't help but agree more with her. If he wasn't still at my need to become stronger, it's better off having nothing to do with him."But not entirely, though. At least we need him to make me come up sooner," my wolf growled.I grew silent, staring at nothing in sight."If he can just mark us..." My wolf snarled, turning helplessly. "But he didn't and won't do that.""Are you okay?" My wolf purred, sensing my silence."It made me sober up quicker, at least," I replied sarcastically."Yeah. There goes the remaining hope, shattered in regard to him," my wolf growled."Show's over, everyone. The rest of us can speed up and leave the hall. Except for those who would be cleaning," Mallory yelled, and I turn
KaelMy brain had gone totally haywire the moment I'd given in to the urge of the mate bond.I'd gone ahead to kiss Aria, and it's terrifying how good it felt having her in my arms. I actually enjoyed the sight of her melting into me.The split of sounds she failed so awfully to hide. The way my heart was racing with every second.But Serena's voice broke into all that just when I was starting to forget the people around us existed.The pull was in full force now, and aside from the aftermath of Aria's lips tingling on mine as I drew back, she looked so breathtaking, trying to catch her breath, which had gone short due to the kiss.She blinked at me while my hold on her hair, pulling her close, dropped. I took a step back, just as she adjusted to close her spread-out legs.My breath was heavy too, but I'm doing better at handling that. But the whole thing suddenly felt like some daydream."Hey, why did you kiss her?" Serena took hurried steps toward me, completely in a sour mood.Her
AriaTruth or Dare. That should be Mallory's next line, but it wasn't.“We can't have three truths in a row,” Mallory said, not giving room for intrusion.Then I realized the safer bet of picking truth had been dashed. Mallory was obviously enjoying the shock dominating my facial expressions.“But that's clearly not fair!” My refusal came out before my brain could process it.“What's not fair?” Serena snickered.“Hold it up, fire queen. I wasn't aware of this same rule, and it suddenly came out of nowhere,” I murmured.“Yeah. We didn't know you had to be told that,” Serena retorted. “Others are aware of the game, aren't you?”Of course, a few murmurs rose in support.There was nowhere to turn this around then. I sighed, catching a subtle calculating smile on Serena's face.Mallory cleared her throat, and everyone had to listen. “I dare you, Aria, to kiss Kael.”“What?” My response came out sloppy as my body froze where I sat.Mallory shrugged indifferently. “You've got it coming, swee
Aria“Is mate not going to regret this?” My wolf groaned.My ears turned red in embarrassment, and at that moment, Kael's gaze darkened like he had almost done something absurd.“What do you think you're doing?” Ryder's rough voice broke the cracks of silence.I jolted into my senses as Kael cussed. It came out low but sharp. He moved back like my body burned him and rubbing on him irritated him.My heart felt a sting, but I cleared my throat, staring away from him. Thankfully, things didn't escalate because, for a moment there, I entirely shut out the knowledge of Ryder being there to witness it.“Nothing, just got my hair in his space,” I retorted, but Ryder gritted his teeth.“I meant, why did you decide to attend?” Ryder's voice sounded strained, and my eyes wandered to Mallory, who was still practically plastered against his chest. Her eyes widened as she caught me staring like she could see through me, throwing daggers of questions she would probably have poured out if we were
KaelIt must have been so ridiculous, walking into the party today and getting riled up by the image of Aria seated across the counter, looking different in a good way.And she's not just quietly making everyone steal glances her way, but the bartender had her attention, and it made something inside me twist.I halted in my steps. I knew for sure Ryder needed to see me since I'm here now, but for some reason, the idea of leaving where Aria seemed so relaxed with another guy didn't sit well with me.Against all better judgment, I lingered, her easy laughter grating raw against my nerves. It wasn't the type of expression she had around me.The ladies were like a mass of noise, and I had to quickly shut one off before she got the receiving end of my boiling anger.When her eyes trailed into mine across the hall, my breath hitched. I'd only gotten a view of her back earlier, but seeing her face, my jaw tightened, and I wanted to storm towards her and take her far away from there.She look







