Daniel’s POV.
The morning air was sharp and cool as I leaned against the gate outside the university, watching the crowd of students flowing in and out of the building.
Their chatter and laughter filled the space, vibrant and alive, the kind of energy that came with new beginnings. Somewhere in that sea of faces was Aria, likely clutching her books tightly and scanning the unfamiliar halls with nervous determination.
I could picture it so easily-the slight furrow in her brow, the way she chewed on her bottom lip when she was unsure. She’d been so excited last night, practically glowing as she talked about her first day.
Her enthusiasm was infectious, and for a moment, I had let myself get caught up in it too. But beneath the surface, something else simmered-a feeling I hated to name.
Jealousy.
It was ridiculous, I knew that. Aria deserved this fresh start. She deserved to meet new people, to make friends, to carve out a space for herself in this new chapter of her life. And yet, the thought of her laughing with strangers, sharing pieces of herself with someone else, made my stomach twist. The idea of anyone else getting close to her, earning her trust, made my chest tighten painfully.
It wasn’t logical, but none of this was. She didn’t know it yet, but she was mine. And I wasn’t about to let anyone take her away from me.
I waited until lunchtime before heading inside. By now, she would have gotten through her morning classes, maybe even started making connections with the people around her. I told myself I was just checking on her, making sure she was settling in. That was all. But as I entered the bustling dining hall, the truth hit me like a punch to the gut.
I spotted her almost immediately. She was sitting near the window, her face bright with a soft smile as she spoke to a small group. There were three of them-two guys and a girl. The girl seemed harmless enough, laughing at something Aria had said. But the guys? They were entirely too comfortable, leaning in just a bit too close, their smiles too eager. One of them, a tall blonde with an athletic build, gestured animatedly as he spoke, clearly trying to hold her attention. The other, dark-haired with a cocky grin, kept his eyes locked on her like she was the only thing in the room.
A low growl rumbled in my chest before I could stop it. My jaw tightened, and my fists clenched at my sides. I didn’t stop to think. I just moved.
“Aria,” I said, my voice steady but carrying enough weight to cut through their conversation. Her head snapped up, her eyes widening slightly when she saw me.
“Daniel?” she asked, her voice laced with surprise. “What are you doing here?”
I ignored her question, my gaze flicking to the two guys who had been vying for her attention. Their smiles faltered as they took in my presence, uncertainty flickering in their eyes.
“I thought I’d check in and see how your first day was going,” I said casually, resting a hand on the back of her chair. “Mind if I join you?”
Before she could respond, I pulled out the chair next to her and sat down, my posture relaxed but my presence commanding.
“Oh, uh, sure,” she said, her voice hesitant.
The blonde guy, clearly trying to salvage the moment, cleared his throat and extended a hand toward me. “Hi, I’m Jake. I was just telling Aria about the campus clubs. There’s a lot to get involved in here.”
I shook his hand briefly, my grip firm enough to make him flinch. “That’s nice of you, Jake,” I said coolly, my tone polite but sharp. “But I think Aria’s got enough on her plate without being pressured into joining anything just yet.”
Jake blinked, clearly caught off guard by the edge in my voice. The dark-haired guy shifted uncomfortably, his confidence visibly shaken.
“Oh, it wasn’t pressure,” Jake said quickly, glancing at Aria for reassurance. “Just a suggestion.”
“Of course,” I said, my smile tight. “I’m sure she appreciates it.”
Aria shot me a look, her brows furrowing as she picked up on the tension. “Daniel, really, it’s fine. They were just being friendly.”
“Friendly,” I repeated, my eyes narrowing slightly as I glanced at the dark-haired guy, who was now staring down at his tray. “Sure. Friendly.”
The silence that followed was heavy, and after a moment, the two guys exchanged a look.
“Well, we should probably get going,” Jake said, standing up and grabbing his tray. “It was nice meeting you, Aria.”
“Yeah, see you around,” the dark-haired guy mumbled as he followed Jake to another table.
Aria let out a sigh, her exasperation clear as she turned to me. “What was that about?”
I shrugged, leaning back in my chair. “I didn’t like the way they were looking at you.”
“They were just talking to me,” she said, her tone defensive. “You didn’t need to scare them off like that.”
“They weren’t just talking,” I said firmly. “They were flirting.”
“Even if they were, so what?” she asked, crossing her arms. “I can handle myself, Daniel. I don’t need you to swoop in and protect me.”
Her words stung, but I kept my expression neutral. “I’m not saying you can’t handle yourself,” I said, my tone softening slightly. “I just don’t want anyone to take advantage of you.”
Her expression faltered, and for a brief moment, I saw the vulnerability she tried so hard to hide.
“No one’s taking advantage of me,” she said quietly.
“Good,” I said, leaning toward her slightly. “Because I won’t let them.”
Our eyes locked, the air between us thick with something unspoken. She broke the tension first, letting out a resigned sigh as she shook her head.
“That’s crazy,” she muttered, though there was no real frustration in her voice.
I grinned, reaching for the apple on her tray and taking a bite. “And you’re stubborn,” I teased.
She rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at her lips.
The rest of lunch passed peacefully. We talked about her classes, her professors, and the projects she was excited to start. I kept the conversation light, steering away from anything that might remind her of her past. But the possessive feeling in my chest never faded.
Aria didn’t belong to Zander anymore.
And soon, she would realize she didn’t belong to anyone else, either.
She was mine.
Even if she didn’t know it yet.