Aria Christmas is just two days away, and the hall already smells like the season itself—peppermint, pine, and that cloyingly sweet sugar-cookie air freshener someone thought was a brilliant idea to pump through the vents. The air is crisp, carrying a slight chill, but the soft glow of Christmas li
Mia “All right, so where do we start?” I ask, holding up the paper. My voice is already dripping with annoyance because, honestly, this guy just existing near me is fucking exhausting. “We can start by getting to know each other,” Damon says, flashing that stupid, cocky grin that probably works on
“I wasn’t paying attention,” he says, scratching the back of his neck like he’s embarrassed. “Yeah, because you were too busy trying to get under my fucking skirt,” I snap. “Let’s just go find it.” “Where?” “The hall, obviously. It’s probably raining candy canes in there.” “Wait, wait.” He holds
Lucas I stride down the hallway with Lily keeping pace beside me. Honestly, I have no idea what we’re supposed to be looking for..Goddess knows, but I don’t care. My mind’s somewhere else. Or rather, on someone else. Aria. And that bastard, Ethan. I can’t stand the thought of him being anywher
Aria “What the fuck is going on here?” I spin around so fast I nearly trip over my own feet. Lucas is standing there, arms crossed, gray eyes burning a hole straight through Ethan’s head. For the first time since this fucking scavenger hunt started, Ethan’s grip on my arm loosens. “It’s nothing.
“Why can’t you just be mine?” he growls, his voice low and rough. “You used to be all over me, and now you’re with Lucas. You even dyed your hair blonde for him.” “Yes, I did. Because I don’t want anything to do with you,” I bite out, shoving at his chest. “You’re mine, Aria.” “Fuck you,” I spit.
Aria I take a shaky step back as Vanessa stalks toward me, her sharp heels clicking against the floor like a damn countdown to my doom. Her smile isn’t even a smile…it’s a fucking sneer, and her perfectly manicured nails, tap against her folded arms. “What do I want?” she repeats, mocking my earl
Lucas My heart is pounding so hard it feels like it’s trying to break out of my chest as I rush into the medical center with Aria in my arms. She’s limp, ice-cold, and way too pale, but her heartbeat is still there—thank the Moon Goddess. Where the fuck is Ethan? If that bastard locked her in tha
Mia “You’re finally here,” Lily says the second Theo and Damon step into Joy Park. She’s all grins like we didn’t just spend hours waiting. “And are you sure you weren’t followed?” “We were, actually.” Theo wipes his forehead like a dramatic diva. “But we lost ’em. Shit was wild.” “You both look
…. I step out of the shower, a towel snug around my waist, water dripping from my hair. Great. Lucas has already showered, thrown on one of Sarita's mate’s clothes, and is probably waiting for me to figure out my next move. And here I am, with zero clothes of my own. Ugh. I glance at the closet are
Aria Before I know it, Lucas is on top of me, his lips crashing against mine, leaving me breathless. My hands instinctively slide up his back, nails grazing his skin as I pull him closer. His weight presses me into the mattress, and all I can think is how much I fucking missed this. “Lucas…” I ma
Aria The taxi ride is long as hell…like, long enough for me to question my entire life. But exhaustion wins, and we both end up passing out. I wake up drooling on his shoulder just as we pull up to this apartment building that looks like a bougie-ass getaway spot. It’s all glitzy and modern, with
Aria I pull up at Joy Park, practically sprinting out of the car like I’m running for a meet-and-greet with Beyoncé. The place is crawling with people, kids screaming, couples taking selfies, some dude trying to juggle flaming torches. Classic Saturday chaos. I’m on a mission, though. Mia and Lily
She shakes her head. “I can’t. Alpha Marcus will kill me!” “Maria, please,” Theo pleads, turning up the charm to 11. He grabs her hands, and I swear she melts on the spot. “We just wanna see him. Nothing else.” “Fine,” she sighs, her cheeks still red. “But you owe me.” “Anything you want,” Theo w
“Yeah, but—” “No buts. Get in. Wait for his car to go inside, then floor it. Head to Joy’s Park. Mia and Lily are waiting for you.” “What about you?” I ask, my voice shaky as hell. She slams the car door, her eyes fierce. “I’ll distract them. Now go.” I duck my head as her dad’s car pulls up. My
Aria I’m in the room, mentally spiraling, when Vanessa busts in like she’s in an action movie. She slams the door shut and glances around like she’s expecting an ambush. Then she full-on shudders. “Fuck me,” she groans, waving her hand in front of her face like she just walked into a swamp. “This
“Thanks, Dad,” I mutter, already heading for the stairs. I climb up, my stomach knotting tighter with every step. I don’t even know if they’re keeping Aria in the mansion. What if she’s in the dungeon? But no, Ethan’s gross obsession with her makes it more likely she’s stashed away in one of these