~AriaBefore the cars were scheduled to pick us up, Malik took us to a quaint cafe known for their legendary hot drinks. The girls, who aren't used to the cold are immediately grateful for the warmth that envelops us, as we first walk in.The place is almost empty, which I can tell Malik is relieved about. I'm sure he doesn't want to be noticed while we are here.Instead, the only people are an old couple sipping from fine china, while chewing on small tea drenched biscuits. They hardly even looked up when we walked in; too engaged in the local newspaper. The group of us found a table in the corner of the cafe, to not disturb the two, while we talked.Who knows what about, since so far I have deduced that I don't have much in common with these girls.As soon as we sat down, a girl with a friendly smile written all over her face came to serve us. I ordered an English Breakfast tea, while everyone else settled for other, stronger drinks like coffee. Honestly, the bitter taste of it matc
~Aria"I just don't get it, you know?" I say, pulling the edge of the potato chip packet back, so I could find a good one.Malik sat opposite me, flicking through a random book he had picked up. He had shown up in the library tonight like he had promised. I was also granted some decent food, along with his presence, after I had to wait ten minutes for him to get away unnoticed. The past few nights, he hadn't had any problems, but after the conversation of Patience was brought up, and the fact that her going home had him swarmed with more security, I began to understand.Now him and I are discussing the unorthodox moment that we both witnessed today. Me first hand. I had even had to convince security it had actually happened, after some sort of wild excuse she had come up with. Luckily, Malik heard the truth in my words and eliminated her without a second thought."Me neither," he murmured, still looking down at the book. "I'm just hoping no other girls are doing this behind my back. T
~Aria Malik sent home two more girls, a few days after Zariah and I came up with our plan. Both of us are wary of telling Brynn, with the way she radicalise's everything. If Zariah and I can pull this off without her, then so be it. It might be better with the smallest possible group of people. Brynn likes to brag as well, and if we find anything in his room, she might open her mouth to some of the other girls. Also, one less person to see me steal from him. "Can you believe it," Brynn mutters in my ear, as we walk down the long stretch of the main hallway. "Making Malik chose who he would rather take out, in front of everyone?"It's is the latest gossip mulling around. No one can believe the fact that Malik's mother wants to him to cause controversy within us to spice up the ratings on TV, which have plummeted since Patience went home., under Malik's hand. Whoever will be selected, will most likely be the centre of every girl here's radar...to target."I know, it's stupid," I whi
~AriaMalik caught my arms as I stumbled backward. The weight of the world cinched tight around me, swallowing every sense of understanding about the situation. Why would he take me here. "What's wrong?" I hear Malik question, although I hardly understand through the assault of thoughts hitting me right now. The urge to turn and run as far away from the house I spent my entire life in, is immense, but Malik's presence behind stops me. "Aria...You can tell me? What's wrong?"My parents were in there. The exact parents who completely betrayed my trust. They used my lack of independence as an excuse; as a way to cut me out of their privileged lives. I may be doing this to save their lives, but I never want to see their faces again. If I did, I might do something I'll regret..."We need to go," I mumble, feeling sober suddenly. Who knows how long it will take until one of them sees us out here. I brush past Malik, wishing my head wasn't spinning so much. My only thought is that I need
~Aria The following days after Malik and I's date were a whirlwind. He took others on dates, including Brynn. While he did so, Zariah and I plotted how and when we are going to sneak into Malik's quarters. Over those few days, I learnt Zariah is one of the smartest people I know, yet at the the same time, the stupidest. Her Wisdom Pack counterpart has been sent home after she picked one too many fights with the other girls. Zariah didn't like her anyway. I just wish that Macie would be sent home too, since she has completely turned into a different person since she began hanging around with Phoenix and Mareli. They all leave me to wonder what will happen when it gets to the last few girls. No doubt they will turn on each other like wild animals. "I know Phoenix's family is beyond rich, but apparently so is Macie's," I'm told at breakfast. I stop eating my apple, watching Zariah carefully. "Her father is a plantation owner."Macie hadn't mentioned it, but not many girls mentioned
~Aria Again, Zariah had to pick Malik's lock. As I watched her do it, I wonder for a brief second if I should warn Malik to invest in a better lock system even a Wisdom Pack member wouldn't be able to crack.The movement of her swinging the door open mirrored the wave of fear that assaulted my heart."You search the left side, I'll search the right," Zariah said fleetingly before she wandered straight into the room without a hitch in her step. Swallowing, I took a few moments to get myself together, before I followed her inside.The first thing that struck me, was how his room heavily smelt like him. I should have expected the rich yet subtle spicy scent of Malik. It sunk another bout of guilt onto my shoulders, making me inwardly curse myself as I close the door behind me. Yet all my worry evaporated suddenly, as I took in the Alpha of Love's room.He hadn't bothered to make his bed - his white sheets rumpled around his mattress. Wouldn't someone make it for him, or does he not let
~AriaMalik was working on that damn couch for what must have been over an hour. I finger the shower grate mindlessly, as I wait for Malik to go to bed. The dried soap on my skin itches beyond belief, and is slightly peeling, but on the bright side, I smell nice. Well, I smell like Malik, which wouldn't go down well with the other girls.While I waited, I wondered what happened to Zariah. She must have made a run for it, when she saw Malik coming down the hallway. She's too smart to stick around, unlike me.Suddenly, the sound of Malik's phone ringing makes me jump, nearly making me drop the grate I had been holding in my hand. "Rylan. Hey," I hear Malik say.Rylan, I know that name. The Alpha of Purity...It does make sense that the Alpha of Love would be in contact with the Alpha of Purity, since they share a lot of the same Pack values. But did this esteemed Alpha of Purity know of what Malik used to get up to with all those women who came out to news reporters? I really hope that
~Aria I'm out of bed in the second. The sound of the scream was one of pain, of panic. And right beside my room, through the wall. Heart racing, I back up, wondering what to do. My mind can't seem to fathom fully what is going on; being delirious on sleep, the darkness curling around my mind. What do I do? Am I the hero that will save the day from something I'm under about? I can't just sit here and not do anything...I run out the room, stumbling into the hallway with my hands in front of me. Wherever the light switch is, I doubt I'm going to find it. Instead, I run my fingers along the wall, getting closer to the sound assaulting my ears. The moment my hand lands on the door handle, I exhale in relief. When I open the door, I can hear rustling coming from what is probably the bed. A struggle, and the shrill scream of pain. Luckily, the light switch is the same as in my room, so I flick it on, and let my eyes adjust to the light. Right in front of me, are two girls. Rose and th
~AriaI stare at Malik from where I sit on the window ledge, admiring him. This is my second experience sharing a room with him, and I believe I have gathered enough evidence to say he isn't a morning person. He sleeps now, while I wait, wondering how to act around him after last night. We might have only kissed, however, it's more than I have ever committed to with any male, ever. Which I'm sure he would find great pleasure in hearing about. The rising sunlight streams in from behind me. It's a mellow colour this morning, drenching the room in a milky yellow, that I assume is normal for this side of the equator. Malik looks beautiful laying there, as he typically does. The only thing that plagues this stunning image any artist would be jealous of, is his scars. I wish I could kiss them away...what am I thinking? As attracted as I am to Malik, he still makes me nervous. At times I'm comfortable, but at other points, he makes me feel inexperienced in life compared to him. I clear
~AriaI was dazed and confused when I next woke up. My body aches from my neck, down my back and to my legs, that are cramped up under the dashboard. The seatbelt has left a heat rash on my neck and I feel as though one half of my face is on fire from sleeping against the window. "Good morning," Malik says from beside me, making me jump. Even though I knew he was driving, his voice still took me by surprise.Maybe it's because I haven't fully accepted the fact that we are running away from our lives in the Love Pack. Outside, the sun is brighter than anything I've seen since the Passion Pack, however, there is no beach with glistening water here. Instead, it's a straight road leading straight toward the horizon, desert stretched around, leading into hills, concealing what was beyond. "Where are we?" I ask, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes."We just passed over the equator. We are on the warmer side, heading toward a better climate," Malik tells me. At his words, I feel myself brigh
~AriaI was dazed and confused when I next woke up. My body aches from my neck, down my back and to my legs, that are cramped up under the dashboard. The seatbelt has left a heat rash on my neck and I feel as though one half of my face is on fire from sleeping against the window. "Good morning," Malik says from beside me, making me jump. Even though I knew he was driving, his voice still took me by surprise.Maybe it's because I haven't fully accepted the fact that we are running away from our lives in the Love Pack. Outside, the sun is brighter than anything I've seen since the Passion Pack, however, there is no beach with glistening water here. Instead, it's a straight road leading straight toward the horizon, desert stretched around, leading into hills, concealing what was beyond. "Where are we?" I ask, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes."We just passed over the equator. We are on the warmer side, heading toward a better climate," Malik tells me. At his words, I feel myself brigh
~Aria Something isn't right. My eyes are glancing at the clock every three seconds. It's just past midnight. Every part of my body is alert, despite the hour. Something doesn't feel right, and I'm wondering if it's the fact that it's raining outside. Frost laden rain isn't uncommon. Pure, straight rain with an accent of thunder in the background is uncommon. I'm protected enough, in my opinion, under my blanket. Malik removed my wanted level a few hours after I left. He had no idea I had even considered going back to find him for his help. Fate makes me nervous, and he's shown there's no point in trying to escape him. After tonight, I plan to somehow get in contact with Malik about his father, which will mean getting the paternity paper back off of Fate. If he decides to show up. Alexa is trying to get ahold of me, but I can't lure her over here. It's not fair if Fate uses her against me. She's probably freaking out after Alexander alerted the entire Pack that I was wanted dead
~AriaMy first movement when I woke was a slap to the forehead. It took a few moments of wary blinking and regret for the possible red mark to my forehead before I became aware of where I was. The floor is stiff underneath me, my back aching from what is most probably concrete. As my eyes crack open, they find a set of bars caging me in.Glancing the other way, I see a bed pressed into the corner. My teeth grit together as I move my stiff body toward it. "Could have at least dumped me there."However, my mind was on something else. My mate. Malik. Maybe there is a shard of metal in here I can shank him with. How long had he known? If he has known this entire time, then he can't blame me when I find his neck too tempting not to strangle. I just can't see why he decided to tell me then, instead of telling me before I stole his necklace to hand over to some random rogue.Now I'm being held in some kind of cell like a fugitive. Well, I suppose that's exactly what I am, after all.I was
~AriaMalik was out of the car in less than a second.My heart almost broke as I looked at him. His face was ashen, his eyes clouded with dark shadows beneath. Those electric blue eyes that constantly danced with life were dull and bland, as if someone has sucked the life right out of them. He looked sick, almost, yet still as stunningly handsome as he had a few weeks ago.He was dressed nicely, in a dark suit with the sleeves that came down past the edge of his gloves. Even his hair is styled precisely, however, the weather doesn't seem to care, dousing the dark strands with the powder."Aria, what are you doing here?" he questions, shoes crunching deep into the snow as he advances on me. Suddenly, I couldn't really remember. I made the mistake of looking over his shoulder and into the car. Macie sat in the backseat, looking out after Malik at me. We met gazes, her grey eyes cloudy like the sky above. She looks troubled. I can imagine why. She is competing against two other girls f
~Aria Three weeks later.A knock on the front door startles me.Quickly, I unknot the apron from around my neck, tossing it onto the bench. I've gotten back into cooking to distract myself from not being able to find a proper job. My parents stopped supporting me after I came back from the competition, and my lack of experience in any field hasn't helped me at all.The double chocolate chip cookies in the oven are my only solice.I'm expecting Alexa this afternoon, so it surprises me that she came early. She never does. When I open the door, however, I realise it's not Alexa, my best friend, at the door.It's Brynn.She leans against the doorway, dark hair slung back into a ponytail, which is a new look for her. What isn't new, is her dark clothes, the same as what she wore during the competition. Her designated Love pack clothes, I assume."What are you doing here?" I question in surprise. "I mean, hey!""You never told me you were rich," she muses, brushing past me and into the ho
~AriaThe first thing I become aware of is the groan coming out of my mouth.Then the pain. A whole lot of pain.I'm on my stomach, I know that much. The plush feeling of the softest possible bed cradled me, as I slowly blink my eyes open. I remember being attacked by Nikita, her claws running viciously down my back. That's why it feels as though a fire is blazing steadily on my skin.Sunlight streams through the window right in front of my eyes, making me want to yell at whoever may be in the near vicinity to close the curtains. Wait. My room doesn't have a window with a balcony outside. My room isn't even nearly this big either.With another loud groan, I push myself by my arms, my fingers slipping on the silk sheets under me. Biting back through the pain, I use what little strength I can muster to fully extend my arms. I need to get out of this room to find out how I go in here in the first place. However, I don't make it far, before I feel cool leather hit my arms and the soothin
~Aria"Hey...Ah, Aria!"My entire plan comes to a pause. As I turn my head slightly to the left, I catch sight of Zariah in her night clothes, a glass of water in her hands. She looked confused to see me out this late, especially in my clothes.I hadn't planned to say goodbye to her. The thought as I watch her makes me feel painfully guilty, but I shove the feeling down."What are you doing?" she asks, eye dark eyebrows furrowing.I clench the necklace in my fist. I'm so close to getting out of here, I can't ruin this now. Who knows what Fate is capable of when it comes to this, or even what it's importance is to him. Clearly he has been using the rogues to get it, and my curiosity is digging at me to find out. That can't happen if I get caught. "I'm leaving, Zariah."Her frown cuts deeper. She makes slow steps toward me, and I think about matching them back. Close...So close."You can't," she protests, although she keeps her voice hushed. "We haven't figured out what's going on behi