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 and stand up. My legs…traitorous bastards, dragged me back to the deck after my disaster of a conversation with Lucas. I have no idea why I keep ending up in places that remind me of him.
“It’s just a few more days, and we’ll be off this damn ship,” Lily chimes in, trying to sound hopeful. Nice try, but her words just make my stomach sink further.
Off this ship means back to my miserable life. Back to being trapped in a pack that sees me as nothing more than a screw-up. I’m seriously thinking about cutting ties with the Full Moon Pack and going rogue, but there’s no way I’m telling Mia and Lily that. They’d try to talk me out of it, and I don’t have the energy for their speeches.
Mia links her arm with mine, dragging me along while Lily lugs my bag. I have no idea where they’re taking me, but honestly? I don’t care. Wherever it is can’t be worse than this mess.
We reach one of the staff quarters and run into this lanky dude who looks like he hasn’t slept in years. Mia steps up, all business. “Excuse me. We’re looking for a suite for our friend. Can you help us? Don’t worry, we’ll pay.”
The guy looks us up and down like we’re a joke. “Sorry, all the suites are taken. The only ones left are for executives.”
“We can pay,” Lily pipes up, her voice way too confident for what happens next.
He snorts. “Yeah? You got fifty grand lying around?”
Mia and Lily gasp in unison, like the guy just slapped them.
“That’s what I thought,” he says, turning to leave. “And even if you did, you’re no executives.”
Mia isn’t done yet. “Wait! So what’s supposed to happen to our friend? She doesn’t have anywhere to stay. And don’t even get me started on your stupid two-person-per-room rule!”
The guy shrugs, completely unfazed. “I don’t know. Maybe go beg someone else instead of whining to me.”
I’m about to tell them to forget this jerk when he stops, smirking. “She could stay in the crew cabin. But I don’t think she’ll like it.”
“I’ll take it,” I blurt out before anyone can argue.
Ten minutes later, we’re standing in a hallway that smells like sweat, cheap booze, and bad decisions. Drunken guys stumble around, one of them cackling like a damn hyena as he passes us.
“I don’t know about this, Aria,” Lily starts, but the lanky dude shrugs her off. “I warned you,” he says, clearly enjoying this way too much.
“It’s fine. Just show me the room,” I say, trying not to breathe through my nose.
He leads us to a door and twists the knob. “It’s busted, so be careful,” he says, pushing it open to reveal…well, a shoebox with a bed. And probably a bathroom, judging by the tiny door in the corner.
“It’s so…” Mia starts, her face twisted in disgust.
“Perfect,” I cut her off, turning to the dude. “Thanks.”
“Call me Rick,” he says, clearly pleased with himself. “Glad you like it.” And with that, he’s gone.
“Aria, this is fucking ugly,” Mia says, eyeing the room like it might bite.
“It’s fine. It’s better than being anywhere near Lucas,” I mutter, flopping onto the bed.
Lily looks skeptical. “Are you sure you’ll be okay here by yourself? It looks…tacky.”
“I’ll be fine,” I sigh, waving them off. “Could you guys leave? I just want to be alone.”
Mia hugs me tightly before heading out. Lily drops my bag on the bed, gives me a quick hug, and follows.
“Call us if you need anything,” Mia says, closing the door behind them.
Finally alone, I lie on the bed and stare at the ceiling. I feel drained, like someone sucked all the life out of me and left me hollow. But the worst part? I’m still dreading what’s coming. The moment Lucas rejects me, I’m going to shatter, and I don’t know if I’ll survive it.
I close my eyes, trying to sleep, but it’s useless. My mind won’t shut up. There’s something I need to know, and if I don’t handle it now, it’s going to eat me alive.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I get up, walk out of the room, and head down the hall. Five minutes later, I’m standing in front of a door.
Taking a deep breath, I knock.
No answer.
I knock again, and this time, the door opens to reveal Ethan’s smug face. He leans against the doorframe, looking me over like I’m a stray dog. “Aria… what are you doing here? Come to beg?”
“Can I come in?” I ask, my voice cold enough to match the pit in my stomach.
He steps aside, still smirking, and I walk in, bracing myself for whatever comes next.