Lucas The second I step into my suite, I feel like the walls are closing in. My hand scrapes down my face, and frustration claws at my chest. Goddamn it, that look in Aria’s eyes is gonna haunt me. Forever. “Alpha Lucas, are you alright?” Serena’s voice slithers behind me, her hand landing on my
Aria “Mia, I’m fine,” I lie, forcing the fakest smile I can manage while she wipes my face with her palm like I’m a goddamn toddler. “Let’s get you out of here. It’s fucking cold,” she says, looping her arm through mine like she’s rescuing me from certain death. I wipe my own face with my palm an
Aria Ethan plops onto his bed, arms crossed, watching me with that smug-ass grin. I glance around, taking in the room. The last time I was here, I was a mess…heartbroken and thinking the world was about to collapse. And then, that night... I met him. Lucas. Somehow, even Ethan’s suit is reminding
I’m walking fast, like I’ve got fire in my veins, when I smack right into Vanessa down the hallway. Perfect. Just what I need right now. "Watch where you're going!" she yells, clutching her head like I just ran over her with a car. I don’t even slow down. Don’t have time for her drama. She's proba
Aria I’m so fucking pissed. That bald asshole is still sitting there, staring at me like a damn fool. My blood is boiling as I snatch my nightgown from the chair and pull it on, practically vibrating with anger. Then, as if he hasn’t already overstayed his welcome, the idiot has the nerve to get u
Aria The ship’s deck is lit up like a damn Christmas wonderland, bright lights and colorful decorations everywhere. The full moon’s doing its thing, casting this warm glow over the place. It’s supposed to feel magical or whatever, but all I feel is annoyance. The crowd is buzzing, people all hyped
Lucas So here I am again…drunk as shit. But this time, it’s not just the whiskey doing cartwheels in my gut, it’s her. Freaking Aria. I smile like an idiot, feeling those damn butterflies again. Not the good kind. These are rabid, drunk butterflies that feel like they’ve been downing tequila shot
Mia This is so fucking stupid. I mean, I've been strutting around with this dumb glowing necklace all night, and guess what? Absolutely nothing has happened. Nada. Zilch. It’s like some big stupid joke. I'm just walking around like I'm in a Disney movie, hoping Prince Charming is gonna show up or
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