Love is Hell; Mate is Heaven
Nessa froze, nodding too fast, like a wind-up doll.
“Uh, sure,” I managed. “If you don’t mind street food.”
His smile was quick, sharp. “Excellent.”
I swallowed. The future Alpha of the Midnight Guardians wanted noodles in a paper cup. With us. With me.
People streamed away from the field in waves, headed for the square or ducking into shops. The festival smells—sweet batter, grilled meat, fried dough—mixed in the air. My bag tugged at my shoulder, heavy with pins, gloves, and Tina’s untouched lunchbox. I kept the trophy tucked awkwardly in my arm, pretending it didn’t feel like a spotlight.