Aria’s POV.
The mall was bustling with life, the hum of chatter and the soft melody of music blending together as I walked through the wide corridors. It felt strange being out like this-free, in a way-even with the ever-present shadow of Zander’s guard trailing close behind me. Still, I pushed the thought aside, letting myself enjoy the moment.
The eyes.
I couldn’t ignore them.
Everywhere I went, people stared-some with admiration, others with curiosity. I could feel their gazes following me, drawn to the polished air of luxury that seemed to cling to me like a second skin. I wasn’t naive. I knew I looked out of place here, dressed in a simple yet expensive white blouse and tailored jeans, my hair falling in soft waves over my shoulders. Zander’s world had come with its own expectations, and whether I liked it or not, I had become someone who couldn’t blend in.
But I wasn’t here to blend in. I was here to shop.
I moved through one store after another, picking out casual clothes that suited my new life as a college student. Comfortable jeans, oversized sweaters, sneakers-things I hadn’t worn in ages but felt like little pieces of my old self coming back. The guard followed at a respectable distance, his eyes sweeping over the crowd as I browsed.
Just as I stepped out of a boutique, holding a few bags, my stomach dropped.
“Asher?”
He was there, leaning casually against a railing a short distance away, his dark eyes fixed on me. A smirk played on his lips, and for a moment, I wondered if I was imagining it. But then he pushed off the railing and started walking toward me.
“Fancy seeing you here,” he said smoothly, his voice dripping with that same arrogant charm he’d used at breakfast.
I stiffened, clutching my bags tighter. “What are you doing here?”
He shrugged, sliding his hands into the pockets of his expensive leather jacket. “Shopping, of course. Same as you.”
I narrowed my eyes, suspicion prickling at the back of my neck. “You don’t strike me as the type to wander around a mall.”
His smirk widened. “And you don’t strike me as the type to run errands without an entourage, but here we are.” His gaze flicked to the guard standing a few feet away, then back to me. “Relax, Luna. I’m not here to cause trouble.”
“Then what do you want?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.
Asher tilted his head, as if considering his answer. Then, without a word, he turned and walked into the Gucci store beside us. I stood there for a moment, unsure whether to follow or walk away, but curiosity got the better of me.
I stepped into the store, keeping my distance as I watched him browse the shelves. He moved with an effortless confidence, his fingers grazing over the displays until he stopped in front of a sleek pair of black Gucci sneakers with gold accents.
“These,” he said, holding them up for the sales associate. “I’ll take them.”
My brows furrowed as I watched him, confusion mixing with unease. Why was he showing me this?
Within moments, Asher paid for the shoes and turned back to me, the box in hand. He walked over, holding it out with a grin that made my skin crawl.
“A gift,” he said simply.
I blinked, staring at the box as if it might bite me. “For what?”
“For you,” he said, his tone light. “Consider it a welcome-to-the-family present. Or a congratulations on surviving your first week as Zander’s Luna.”
I hesitated, my instincts screaming at me not to take it. But the guard was watching, and the last thing I needed was to make a scene. Reluctantly, I reached out and took the box, my fingers brushing against his for the briefest moment.
“Thank you,” I said stiffly, already regretting it.
Asher’s smirk deepened, and he leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Don’t let Zander see you wearing them. He might get… jealous.”
My stomach twisted at his words, but I didn’t respond. Instead, I turned on my heel and walked out of the store, clutching the box tightly.
—
By the time I returned to the estate, I was exhausted. The shopping bags felt heavier than they were, and the Gucci box seemed to burn in my hands like a brand. I didn’t want to think about Asher or his intentions, so I did the only thing I could think of to rid myself of the uncomfortable reminder.
I found Zander in his study, seated behind his desk as usual. He looked up when I entered, his piercing eyes narrowing slightly as he took me in.
“What is it now, Aria?” he asked, his tone clipped.
I set the Gucci box down on his desk, ignoring his irritation. “A gift,” I said simply. “For you.”
His brows furrowed, and he opened the box, his expression shifting from confusion to something darker as he took in the sleek black and gold sneakers. His gaze snapped back to me, sharp and accusing.
“This isn’t for me,” he said flatly.
I blinked, confused. “What do you mean? Of course it is. Why else would-”
“Aria,” he interrupted, his voice dangerously low. “These aren’t for me. They’re for *you.*”
The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. My mouth opened, but no words came out as I tried to process what he was saying.
“Who gave you this?” he demanded, his tone laced with anger.
I swallowed hard, suddenly regretting everything about this day. “Asher,” I admitted quietly. “I ran into him at the mall. He said it was a gift.”
Zander’s jaw tightened, his hands gripping the edges of the box as if he was moments away from crushing it. The air in the room seemed to thicken, his anger radiating off of him in waves.
“He gave this to you,” he said, his voice dangerously calm, “and you thought it was for me?”
I nodded, unsure what else to say.
His eyes darkened, jealousy and fury swirling together as he stood, towering over me. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” he growled. “Taking a gift from him-letting him think he has any right to approach you like that?”
“I didn’t want to make a scene,” I said defensively, my own frustration bubbling to the surface. “What was I supposed to do, Zander? Throw it at him?”
“Yes!” he snapped, slamming the box down on the desk. “That’s exactly what you should have done. You’re *my* Luna, Aria. Not his. And I’ll be damned if I let him think he can waltz into your life and buy your attention with a pair of shoes.”
I took a step back, startled by the intensity of his anger. “I didn’t ask for this,” I said quietly.
He ran a hand through his hair, pacing the room like a caged animal. “From now on,” he said, his voice tight, “you stay away from him. Do you hear me? If I catch him near you again, I won’t just throw him out-I’ll destroy him.”
I nodded, unsure whether to feel relieved or unsettled by his reaction. As I left the study, the weight of the day pressed down on me harder than ever.
Zander’s jealousy was a fire I hadn’t expected to ignite. And Asher… he was playing a dangerous game-one that I feared would only end in disaster.