The Apex's hidden mate のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 31 - チャプター 40

Aria’s POV I stirred my drink slowly, watching the way the light from the cafeteria ceiling bounced off the rim of the cup. My mind hadn’t been on class all morning. Not even for a second. I thought for sure they would say something. That one of them—Kaid most likely—would pin me with that cold glare and demand why I was acting like I didn’t know. Or that Ryker would make one of his infuriatingly smug comments about the dream. Or Caspian, laughing like it was some sort of thrilling joke. Or even Thane… saying something quiet and gentle that would make me feel seen in the most inconvenient way. But none of that happened. They’d acted like nothing had changed. Like the dream didn’t exist. Like I hadn’t practically melted into Thane’s arms the night before in the elevator, sobbing like a child. Then I got dressed, packed my bag, and left for school like nothing happened. I wasn’t sure if I was relieved… or disappointed. Eliza's voice broke through my fog. “You’ve been quiet all mor

Aria’s POV The door swung open with a slight creak, and I braced myself for the worst. But what I saw… stopped me cold. There was no blood. No intruder. No broken furniture. Just Quin. Quin—sitting cross-legged on a plush cream couch, covering half her body with a blanket, looking healthier than I’d ever seen her, her hair tied back in a neat braid, her face calm and… smiling. The loud gunshots and screaming? Blasting from a massive flat-screen TV mounted on the wall. I blinked, trying to register the sight. “What the—?” Quin turned her head toward me, eyes lighting up with recognition. “Welcome,” she said, voice soft but steady. My jaw dropped. “You… you can talk?” She gave a little nod, grinning. “Yeah. My voice came back this morning.” I let out a long breath, relief and disbelief mixing into something strange and warm in my chest. “That’s amazing,” I said, a real smile tugging at my lips. Then my eyes widened. “Wait. Eliza.” I spun on my heel and bolted back down the s

Aria’s POV The moment his lips touched mine, my brain just stopped. Everything blurred into a rush of heat and pounding heartbeats. My first kiss… and it was with him. Kaid. My mate. My lips were soft, warm, trembling slightly against his. He groaned into my mouth, tongue delving deep to taste me. His hands roamed over my body with a possessive intensity, mapping every curve and dip. I arched into his touch, wanting more, always wanting more. It wasn't rushed. It wasn't wild. It was hungry. He nipped at my lower lip, then soothed the sting with a swipe of his tongue. I gasped, giving him the opening he needed to plunder my mouth fully. He dominated me completely, angling my head just right to deepen the kiss. My breath hitched as his lips moved against mine, like he knew exactly what he was doing and wasn’t in any kind of rush. I had no idea how to kiss, not really, but I followed his lead. I let him guide me, my body reacting before my mind could catch up. It felt like he w

Aria’s POV My stepsisters. Draped in designer outfits, faces painted like porcelain, and standing like they owned the place. Their mouths hung open, wide-eyed with disbelief. And a flicker of something meaner simmered just beneath their perfect expressions. “Y-you’re… here?” Celeste stammered, her gaze sweeping up and down like she couldn’t believe I was standing in front of her. Bianca’s laugh rang out through the restaurant lobby, drawing a few eyes from nearby patrons. “Did you come here to beg for a cleaning job?” she sneered, folding her arms with a satisfied smirk. “Because that’s the only way someone like you steps foot in a place like this.” Celeste’s eyes zeroed in on the packed food bags I was holding. “And look at her,” she added with a grin. “Packing leftovers. Must be her first time tasting something that doesn’t come in a discount box.” Eliza tensed beside me, opening her mouth to speak, but I touched her arm gently and stepped forward with a cool smile. “You’re

Aria’s POV I couldn't take my bike today. Not that I didn’t want to. Goddess knows I preferred the feel of the wind against my face and the illusion of freedom it gave me. But today was different. Quin had to return to the academy, and apparently, that meant I was riding in a car—with her in the backseat and Caspian at the wheel. Caspian, who had insisted to be the one to take us. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. One hand rested on the steering wheel like it belonged there, casual and confident, while the other tapped gently against the gear shift in time with whatever upbeat rhythm was playing from the speakers. He looked infuriatingly perfect, as always. I looked away before I could stare too long. "Comfortable?" he asked, not looking at me, but I caught the smirk in his voice. I narrowed my eyes at him. “You still haven’t told me why you insisted on being the one to drop us off.” He tilted his head slightly, that maddeningly charming smirk lingering on his lips.