~Aria
Macie clung to me the entire drive there, and after awhile, it got extremely uncomfortable.
However, I wasn't about to call her annoying or tell her to get off me. Perhaps this strange meeting just for the cameras had secured me a friendship while I am apart of this competition. Someone on my side, to help me deal with the other girls that will be there, who I am not looking forward to meeting, let alone living with.
Macie didn't seem stressed about our lack of information, about what was going to happen next. She just nonchalantly sat back in her seat, brushing back the fur on my coat, while I threw rapid fire questions at Eliane.
There is no way I am about to walk into this like a blind man.
"So we will be staying with Malik then?" I question. I knew that his estate would be where our home would be for however long we were chosen to stay, but I couldn't fathom how living next to Malik would
~AriaSeeing all those people staring at me flushed me with a wave of utter embarrassment, in the form of pink tinted cheeks.Girls of all different Pack ethnicities were sitting on chairs in the main foyer, and they all turned to stare at Macie and I, as we were ushered in. For a few moments, no one said a word, the people at the front, who I recognised-purely from their television appearances-as the Alpha family.Malik's parents were the first I saw. The regal former Luna of the Love Pack, Cecily, stood upon a slightly raised platform, along with her mate, the former Alpha of Love, Alexander. Extremely important people were staring at me, and I suddenly don't know what to do with my hands and arms.But where is their son? The Alpha cannot be seen anywhere.Alexander, the former Alpha looked grim at our sudden appearance, whereas Cecily looked delighted by the fact that we had f
~AriaHe leant casually back against one of the reading tables, watching me.Clearly, he is amused; his expression tells me that much. His lips, which admittedly, my eyes lingered on, before exploring the rest of him, were slanted in a soft smile, as he observed me like I'm his prey, cornered against the bookshelf. The book in my hand is the main piece of incriminating evidence, that suggests that I had been sneaking around here.In the Alpha's library. Could I have dug a bigger hole for myself?"I'm so sorry," I insisted like I was trying to get him to understand the sincerity in my voice. Being punished for this can't happen...What if I get kicked out? What would Grey do to my family? "This wasn't meant to happen."Alpha Malik continued to stare at me, not saying a single word. His eyes are as hard as steel, the colour so intense
~AriaI woke up cursing myself. No, cursing the Goddess I don't really believe in.Grey never told me Malik had that close of a relationship with that necklace. I had happily assumed it would be kept in a safe, which in my opinion, would be easy to crack, then Alpha Malik himself. After last night, and my meander to the library, I'm in an even more vulnerable position.As I'm more than positive he's going to be more careful of my antics.Just as I was leaving the shower, Elaine decided to rush in undetected. Walking out of the bathroom, towel trying my hair, the sight of my assistant browsing through my wardrobe made me yelp."Elaine," I snap. "You can't just walk into my room like this! What if I was naked?"She sighs, turning around, holding a gentle fuchsia dress in her hand. I wore it to Alexa's birthday earlier this year, so it brings back memories of he
Aria"That's them!" Zariah squeals in my ear.We stare out the window in Zariah's room, which faced the front of the house, showing the courtyard where the rest of the contestants were arriving. This is probably going against the rules, but it's not like I haven't done so already, and Zariah is too curious to care.My fingers are ice cold, as the press into the window sill, while I fight for the best look at the girls. Most of them step out of the same sleek black cars we had yesterday, however, none of them looked as if they had dressed as lavishly as we had been instructed. Many wore loose pants and sweatshirts, with their hair messy from the travel. Most of them travelled days to cross the land."Sizing up your competition, Zariah?" Brynn said slyly from where she lay on Zariah's bed. We aren't even allowed to be in each others room and were even instructed to stay where Malik would be able to fin
~AriaWithout moving a single inch, I watch as Malik pulls a chair out from under the reading table, before he slumps down on it, although, he manages to make it look graceful, regardless. With closer observation, I can see the beginnings of dark circles under his eyes.He's tired? Maybe it's from all the traversing after me in the depths of night he enjoys."Punishment," I echo his last statement, trying to make the word sound a little more real in my ears. I should have suspected a repercussion for all this sneaking around; especially after Brynn's incident with him earlier today. She got away with a strict warning, while I managed to obtain a new nickname and the title - still unknown to everyone-of the first competitor to meet the Alpha.The soft curves of Malik's mouth tilts up. "This could entail whatever you would like it to."We stare at each other, blue on a slightly les
~AriaA snow drenched wind began at the same moment a rush of fear fell over me.Someone is on the other side of that door, who might just dictate whether or not I'm going home or not. Malik seems to be suffering from the same alarmed affliction I am, but he smothers it in less than a second."Quick, can you hide?" he questions, pointing back down the balcony, to where the wall reached a sharp corner.Without thinking twice, I quickly shuffle through the snow building on the edge of the balcony, dodging other benches and decorations hung off the wall. Frost bit at my arms like teeth, forcing me to cross my arms over my chest in an attempt to keep myself from going completely numb. I can't even see properly, with the lack of light that was slowly being swallowed up by the thick darkness.Grabbing the corner of the brick wall with frigid fingers, as I swing around it, I quickly con
~AriaBrynn wasn't at breakfast the next morning. Zariah and I were left to sit at a table with a bunch of other girls we weren't familiar with. Apart of the group, were the two girls from the Loyalty Pack, who looked strikingly similar; Braelyn and Maren."That's too weird," a girl I recognised as Livia, from the Wisdom Pack growled at Maren, who was trying her best to ignore the girl while eating a pancake. "You guys can't go on double dates with Malik...That's wrong."Zariah rolled her eyes, chewing on the end of her banana. She knows that the other girl from her Pack likes to start arguments."Leave us alone," Braelyn snapped. I've come to know her as the one who likes to speak out more out of the two. If I had to guess, Maren has come from a very secluded, sheltered part of the loyalty Pack. Braelyn seems to be the devil on her shoulder at the best of times, and sometimes I'm left to question whether the two are actually strangers.Livia leant back on her seat. "I'm just telling
~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
~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