Aarya
Time had flown by, and I had already spent over a month in the United States. Adjusting to a new educational system and way of life was quite the challenge, but having Steven, Lea, and Nyx by my side had made it a lot easier. They had become my pillars of support, helping me cope with the homesickness and the cultural differences.
When the festival of Diwali arrived, homesickness struck me hard. In response, the trio of my newfound friends took me to a nearby Indian restaurant. The food might not have matched my mother’s culinary magic, but the taste still carried a slice of home. Following dinner, we embarked on a leisurely drive in Steven’s car, culminating in a night spent by the beach. It was in those moments that I realized they had evolved into more than just friends; they were my chosen family, my confidants, and the people I instinctively trusted.
Presently, I found myself sitting through one of my less engaging classes, my mind wandering through the events that had unfolded over the last few weeks. Boredom was gradually lulling me into a state of drowsiness when a paper ball abruptly struck my head, jolting me awake.
“Ouch,” I murmured. My hand instinctively moved to soothe the stinging impact. Lea’s mischievous smirk was impossible to miss as I met her gaze.
The professor’s stern voice interrupted my thoughts. “Miss. Verma, is there something you’d like to share with the class?”
Caught off guard, I stammered, “N-No, sir.”
He pressed on, his gaze fixed on me. “Can you enlighten us about the strategies we just discussed?”
Feeling put on the spot, I hesitated before responding, “Umm, sure.”
He persisted, “Let’s hear them then.”
Before I could muster a response, the shrill ring of the bell signaled the end of the class. The lecturer’s attention shifted, and he briskly departed with a reproachful parting remark. “Next time, Miss. Verma, pay attention.”
Lea’s laughter rang out beside me. “Look at you, Aarya. You seemed like you were about to pass out.”
I huffed, “Thank you very much for that. I don’t want to land in trouble.”
Lea answered, “Come on. It was funny!”
I shot her a glare, albeit resembling, as my brothers would put it, an adorable child. But Lea seemed to recognize the dangerous territory she was treading and refrained from teasing further.
Lea tried to pout, offering, “Come on, let’s go grab some chocolate milk. Consider it an apology.”
A smile tugged at my lips, and I nodded appreciatively. Together, we made our way to the cafeteria, leaving the classroom and its monotony behind.
Inside the café, Steven and Nyx were already waiting. Steven’s inquiry was direct. “So, what did you do this time?” He looked at Lea, an expectant glint in his eyes as he kissed her forehead tenderly.
Lea feigned innocence, her response dripping with sarcasm. “Me? Oh, nothing at all.”
Taking a sip of my chocolate milk, I chimed in, “Yeah, and I’m the Queen of England. Lea here decided to throw a paper ball at me, and guess what? The professor caught me!”
Steven’s smirked as he questioned Lea, a gentle kiss planted in their interlaced hands. “Did you now?”
“Hey, I bought chocolate milk as an apology, so I am not guilty anymore,” Lea said.
As we enjoyed our beverages, I shared, “Guess I forgive her. She bribed me with my absolute favorite, chocolate milk.” Laughter filled the table, the bond among us growing stronger by the day.
Lea shifted the topic. “So, what’s the plan after classes?”
Steven’s suggestion was full of enthusiasm. “How about catching a movie?”
Nyx intervened, her tone a touch stern. “No can do amigos. Steven, but we’re meeting my brother first. Did you forget?” Steven winced, giving her an apologetic smile. Huh? Wonder what’s that was about?
“Wow, Alpha... uh, your brother is coming here?” Lea inquired, a touch taken aback, before gazing at me and smiling uncomfortably.
Nyx’s gaze twinkled, a knowing smile curving her lips. “Yeah, and after that, we’re hitting the party at Pawprints, the new club.”
Lea’s excitement was palpable, evident in her enthusiastic response. “Party? Count me in!”
As for me, I had been blissfully sipping my chocolate milk and missed most of the conversation. Slightly confused, I inquired as Lea shimmed her shoulders, “What’s got you so excited? Why the monkey dance?”
“We’re heading to a party, and you’re coming with us! No excuses!” Steven remarked.
“No way. We have internships to apply for, a paper due by Tuesday, and midterms to study for. Midterms are in just ten days!” I responded by counting my fingers.
“Come on, Aarya, we have plenty of time to get everything done. Please, please, please, please, pretty please,” Lea had made a request making a pleading gesture.
I remained steadfast, unwilling to budge. “You guys go ahead. I’m not up for it.”
“Oh, the fact that she can’t dance scared someone!” Nyx smirked, knowing she’d struck a chord.
“Hey! I’m a fantastic dancer!” I declared.
Nyx attempted to rile me up by saying, “Prove it in the club with a dance battle.” Knowing how it would work, I groaned.
My competitive nature, honed by growing up with brothers, couldn’t resist a challenge. “Fine,” I relented, “but I have nothing to wear.”
Lea’s reassurance was swift. “Don’t worry about that. I’ve got plenty you can borrow.”
“We’re going to have an absolute blast. We’ll have booze, dancing, and hot guys!” Nyx remarked, her brows wiggling. We laughed at her while we ate the rest of our meal.
As we left the cafeteria and strolled down the bustling corridor toward the library, a minor collision occurred as someone ran into me. I stumbled and landed on the ground, prompting concerned voices from my friends. They rushed to my side, ensuring my well-being.
“Are you all right?”
“Oh, my gosh.”
“Aarya,” they all said at the same time.
But amidst their chorus of concern, the commotion died down as Steven’s protective instincts took over. And he twisted his body towards the guy who bumped into me. “Hey, do you have any eyes? Watch where—”
Recognizing his mounting anger, I intervened, lightly patting Steven’s shoulder and giving a small smile to the guy Steven was about to admonish. “Hey, Steven, it’s alright. I’m fine, just a bit of chocolate milk spilled. I’ll head to the restroom to clean up.”
With a sheepish smile, the guy offered an apology and retreated down the hall. My friends remained by my side, their attention unwavering.
“I’ll be back in a minute, guys,” I reassured them, excusing myself to deal with the mess. I de-escalated the situation as much as I could, but I knew they were angry and I adore them for taking care of me.
Meanwhile, in the hallway.....
A low growl rumbled in Steven’s throat. Lea’s whisper was filled with understanding. “Baby, calm down. Your wolf is showing.”
Taking Lea’s hand, Steven began walking, his aim to distance himself from the triggering situation. “Sorry, my wolf got a bit carried away.”
Lea’s response was a comforting caress. “It’s okay, sweetheart. You’re just protective. Same here, though. I feel as though Aarya’s family. My wolf, Mimi, is very protective of her since the moment we met.”
“Guys, I’m confused. My wolf is protective of Aarya. This has never happened before for anyone except Lea, but it’s on a different scale.” Steven said.
Lea let out a growl. Steven laughed and hugged her. “Calm down, baby. I feel protective of Aarya as if she is a sibling.”
“Sorry, Mimi became a little jealous. But you are right; I feel the same way. Like it’s our duty to protect her with everything,” Lea responded.
“It’s strange to me, too,” Nyx said. “My wolf, Anne, believes that she is our friend and a human and that is why we are so protective of her.”
When Aarya rejoined them, the group continued on their way, stepping towards the library as the echoes of their laughter resonated through the hallway.
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Xander The meeting had stretched on for what felt like an eternity. My patience was wearing thin, and from the sounds of it, my wolf Xyler felt the same. ‘This meeting either needs to end or get way more interesting,‘ Xyler’s voice echoed in my mind, mirroring my sentiments. I couldn’t help but agree wholeheartedly. ‘I know Chris has to shut up or I will punch him in the face,’ I replied to Xyler, my frustration evident. Xyler’s chuckle in response resonated with my own thoughts, and he asked for a good run after we got back home. He retreated back into my mind, leaving me alone in this torture. Lucky wolf. I re-centered my focus on Chris, whose voice seemed to drone on endlessly. Just shut up, man. How much more can a person talk? The discussion continued to drag on for what felt like another hour, testing my patience to its limits. Finally, I decided it was time to bring this to a end. “Let’s take a break and end this for today, Chris, and reconvene in a few weeks. It’s been qui
Aarya The anticipation and nervousness in the air were palpable as I stood in Lea’s room, facing a fashion dilemma that was just not my cup of tea. “There’s no way I’m wearing that. It’s freaking cold outside. If I wear that, I’m almost certain to die from hypothermia,” I protested, wrinkling my nose at the red short dress that Lea was enthusiastically holding up. Lea’s patience seemed to wear thin as she snapped, “Ahh... You’re a pain to deal with. I’ve shown you around 20 outfits, and you don’t seem to like any of them. Get your ass up and look for yourself.” With a sigh that seemed to carry my resignation, I mumbled, “Fine,” and turned my attention to the vast expanse of Lea’s wardrobe. The sheer volume of clothes before me was enough to make my own modest closet feel like a mere cubby. I sifted through a few outfits, feeling increasingly like a fish out of water in this world of fashion. Amidst the array of colors and styles, a black dress caught my attention. Its elegance and
Xander“Please tell me you’re joking, right?” My voice carried a mix of disbelief and frustration as I turned to Nyx, hoping that her words were some sort of twisted prank.“What? Look, Xander, none of us have an idea about this!” Nyx’s tone was a blend of exasperation and attempted reason as she gestured vaguely toward the hallway where the entire scene had unfolded.My agitation was palpable, my protective instincts roaring to life at the thought of my newly discovered mate venturing out to a bar. “I don’t want MY MATE to leave me as soon as I discover her, especially at a bar where men might ogle at her. No way, no how, not a chance in hell,” I asserted, my Alpha tone carrying a finality that brooked no argument. Xyler, my wolf, flashed in my eyes and growled his agreement at the mere thought of other men casting their eyes on my mate.Nyx, in her usual mischievous demeanor, offered an alternative solution with a knowing smirk. “So come to the club with us! This is a fantastic way t
AaryaThe night was filled with animated conversations and laughter as Xander and I shared stories and anecdotes. After a few initial moments of awkwardness, it was remarkable how quickly a sense of comfort had developed between us, making it feel like we had known each other far longer than just a few hours.“Oh, come on, it can’t be true!” Xander snorted at one of my stories, his eyes dancing with amusement.We laughed so hard that our outbursts drew the attention of those around us. “Oh, it’s true. Atul had silver teeth for almost a week after that. That Holi was one of my best.” I gave him a smug grin.Xander raised an eyebrow, a mixture of curiosity and disbelief on his face. “How many days were you grounded for after that?”My smirk matched his curiosity. “Ah, I just gave my parents my cute puppy dog eyes, and viola, no punishment.”His grin was infectious. “You’re an evil genius,” he chuckled, taking a sip of his bourbon.“I know,” I responded with mock arrogance, flipping my ha
XanderUgh! I need to regain focus. The work demands my attention, but it’s proven to be more challenging than I anticipated. It’s been two agonizing days since I last laid eyes on Aarya, my mate. Just mentioning her name is enough to send shivers coursing down my spine. Xyler, my wolf, shares in this restlessness. He’s been uncharacteristically quiet ever since we returned from dropping Aarya off at her dorm. He’s yearning for his mate, and I can feel him pining deep within me. In my head, he whines softly and retreats into hiding. I feel you, buddy. I groan in frustration.The peacefulness of the moment is shattered by the entrance of Alex and Sean.“Hello there, Xandy. How are you doing?” Grinning, Alex inquired.I rub my temples, muttering curses under my breath. “What do you want, Alex? Now is not the time for your antics.”“Oh, come on, I just wanted to chat with my buddy,” he teases.I turn to face Sean. “What is it, Sean? I don’t have the patience or energy for Alex’s shenaniga
Aarya “Wow! It’s exquisite!” I marveled at the stunning neck tattoo that adorned my best friend Lea’s skin. My fingers traced the lines of the intricate design as I asked her, “I want one too, but I’m such a wimp thinking about the pain. Did it hurt?” Nestled at the base of her neck, where the curve of her neck met her shoulder, was a beautifully detailed wolf outline tattoo. Centered below the tattoo were Steven’s initials, forming a meaningful and artistic representation of their connection. It looked truly amazing. A cheeky smile spread across her face." At first, it was a touch painful, but after some time I was cool with it. In fact, I was more than cool." “Hmm, that’s good to know,” I chuckled, wiggling my eyebrows. “So, spill the beans. Why have you been grinning like a Cheshire cat since last night?” Lea’s cheeks flushed as she attempted to hide her face, her smile peeking through. “Um...” I grinned “Gurl! Come on! Tell me! What is happening to you? I have never seen you
XanderA heavy punching bag crashed to the floor, its impact resonating through the room. I moved to the next bag, my fists pounding into it with unbridled force. The gym on this floor of the pack house was typically a space for all pack members, but they had wisely abandoned it the moment they sensed their Alpha’s agitation through the pack’s line. It is obvious that no one should mess with a pissed-off Alpha while training.The only sound filling the room was the forceful exhale escaping my lungs, so powerful that they disrupted the regular rhythm of my breathing. The sound amplified, reverberating off the walls in sync with the rhythmic thuds of my fists striking the bag.THUD. THUD. THUD.Steven stood before me, wearing a knowing smile. “Good afternoon, Alpha.”“What’s so lovely about this afternoon?” I muttered, my irritation evident as I punched the bag again.He chuckled, the sound light in the tension-laden air. “Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today.”“Steven,” I
AaryaAfter my presentation, I reclined in my seat, taking a deep, calming breath. I turned towards Lea, and inquired, “How did it go? Did I manage to pull it off?”Lea’s eyes lit up, and she responded with uncontainable enthusiasm, “Pull it off? Girl, you totally rocked that presentation! Finally, we’re through with our last submission for the semester. Free at last.” She exhaled with a dramatic flourish.Relief washed over me and I responded, “Thanks, Lea. And now, onto the interview.”“Its tomorrow, right?” she asked, stuffing her face with french fries. This girl can eat. And the sad part is she doesn’t even get fat after eating so much! So unfair.“Tomorrow. I’m feeling both nervous and excited. Is that even possible? Honestly, I’m still amazed that I made it to the second round,” I admitted.Receiving that email from CMH Industries, notifying me of my selection for the internship opportunity, was an ecstatic moment. The email was like a ticket to a new world of possibilities, and