Aria
I wake up, and the sun is literally stabbing me in the face like it has a personal vendetta. No curtain, no mercy…just straight-up blinding me. Groaning, I sit up, stretch out my arms, and let out this big, dramatic yawn.
I look around the room, and yeah, it’s a shoebox. But it’s my shoebox, you know? I’ve been living here since I turned sixteen, scraping by with a bunch of part-time jobs because, well, being an orphan doesn’t exactly come with a trust fund. The room’s got the basics: a bed, a desk shoved in the corner, and this sad little pile of my belongings that I like to call “organized chaos.”
Dragging myself out of bed, I head to my makeshift kitchen…which is really just a counter with a hot plate, and grab the kettle. Coffee is the only thing keeping me from becoming a walking zombie, so yeah, priorities. A few minutes later, I’m back on my bed, clutching my mug like it’s a lifeline and scrolling through my phone.
No messages. No missed calls. Nothing from Lucas. Seriously?
I’ve been trying to mind-link him since yesterday, and it’s like hitting a damn brick wall. My wolf, Gail, even tried reaching out to his wolf, but guess what? Same freaking story. Nada. It’s like someone cut the Wi-Fi between us, and I’m spiraling. Did he change his mind? Did his dad finally get to him? Goddess, what if he decided I wasn’t worth the trouble?
“No,” I mutter to myself, shaking my head. Lucas wouldn’t do that. I trust him. Something’s wrong…something big.
I slam back the rest of my coffee, feeling the caffeine do absolutely nothing to calm my nerves, and head to the bathroom. A quick shower later, I’m throwing on a hoodie, some thick pants, my winter boots, and a jacket that might as well be a sleeping bag. It’s freezing outside, and I am not about to lose a toe to frostbite.
I leave my apartment and head straight for the cafe, the one me and my friends practically live at whenever we’re in the pack. It’s our go-to spot for breakfast, gossip, and pretending our lives aren’t total disasters. I agreed to meet Lily and Mia here this morning, and I’m already running late.
“Over here, Aria!” I hear Mia’s voice cutting through the usual cafe noise.
I spot her waving at me like a lunatic, and right next to her is Lily, already halfway through a stack of pancakes like it’s her last meal on Earth.
I hustle over and drop into the seat across from them. “Hey, guys,” I say, trying to act casual, even though my stomach’s been twisted in knots all morning.
“Hey,” Lily says, wrapping one arm around herself and shivering. “It’s so fucking cold out here.”
“Right?” Mia groans, stabbing at her omelet. “Full Moon Pack is colder than the damn Arctic. Elsa could build her ice castle here and no one would blink.”
We all laugh, but the knot in my stomach isn’t budging. “By the way, Aria,” Mia says, leaning in. “Any luck getting in touch with Alpha Lucas?”
I shake my head slowly, biting my lip. “Nothing. I don’t know, guys… I just think something’s wrong.”
Lily nods, her brow furrowing. “You’re probably right. Do you want me to call Theo and check?”
“Why didn’t I think of that?” I ask, my voice almost desperate. “Yes, please. Call him.”
Lily pulls out her phone, her fingers flying over the screen. But after a few minutes, she shakes her head, her expression grim. “He’s not picking up.”
“What the fuck is going on?” I mutter, slumping back in my chair. Frustration’s clawing at me, and I’m starting to feel like one of those dramatic soap opera leads.
“Maybe they changed their minds,” Mia says, not-so-helpfully. “Maybe they realized they didn’t want to be friends with some omegas.”
“Mia, please don’t start,” Lily snaps, rolling her eyes. She leans closer, lowering her voice. “Why don’t you try?”
Mia immediately shakes her head, her eyes wide. “Oh, hell no. I know what you’re trying to do, and I’m not calling him.”
At first, I’m confused, but then it clicks. “Mia,” I say, narrowing my eyes. “Please. Just call Damon. I need to know if Lucas is okay. What if something happened to them?”
“Relax,” Mia says, waving me off. “If something happened, I’d know. My wolf would be freaking out over that fucking loser Damon.”
I sigh, rubbing my temples. This is hopeless.
“Alright, fine,” Mia grumbles, pulling her phone out of her pocket. “But I’m only doing this for you, Aria.” She starts dialing, muttering under her breath. “That bastard’s gonna think I’m calling because I want him or something. Ugh.”
“It’s ringing!” Lily says, leaning forward like she’s about to watch a thriller unfold.
And just like that, all three of us are holding our breath, waiting for an answer.
He finally picks up.
“Hello,” Damon’s gruff-ass voice comes through the line.
Mia doesn’t waste any time. “Damon, have you heard from Alpha Lucas since yesterday?”
There’s this dramatic pause before Damon fires back, “Is that what you called to say?” He sounds like he’d rather chew glass than have this conversation.
Mia rolls her eyes. “Just answer the fucking question already.”
“Really, Mia? Even after what I told you yesterday?”
“Listen, it’s really important, Aria’s-” Mia starts to say, but then click. Damon hangs up.
She stares at her phone like it just slapped her. “That fucking asshole hung up on me!”
I groan, tugging at my hair like I’m about to yank it all out. My mind’s a mess, and my wolf is pacing in my head like she’s gearing up for a fight. I know something’s wrong with Lucas. I’ve felt it ever since we got back yesterday. It’s like this gnawing pit in my stomach that won’t go away.
“Maybe you can mind-link him?” Lily suggests, sounding all hopeful.
Mia glares. “Oh, yeah, great idea, genius. Why didn’t we think of that before?”
I hold up a hand before they start bickering. “You know what? Just give me his number,” I say, holding out my palm. “I’ll call him myself.”
Mia sighs dramatically, pulling out her phone. But just as she’s about to hand it over, her hand freezes mid-air, and her eyes go wide like she’s just seen a ghost.
“What?” I ask, my heart already speeding up.
She doesn’t say anything, just jerks her chin toward the entrance. I follow her gaze and feel my stomach drop. A group of men, warriors, and not just any warriors…Alpha Steven’s warriors, are making a beeline for our table.
Mia mutters, “Aren’t those Alpha Steven’s guys?”
My heart’s racing so fast I’m pretty sure it’s about to launch itself out of my chest. “Fuck,” I whisper.
One of the men steps forward with a cold expression. “Aria Whitlock, you’ve been summoned by the Alpha. Come with us. Now.”
I stand up, my legs shaky, while Lily and Mia look like they’re about to pass out. Great. Just great. What the hell does Alpha Steven want with me? If they’d waited a damn minute, I’d have gone to see him myself-I’m not exactly in love with this pack anymore.
“What’s going on?” Mia blurts out, standing up like she’s ready to throw hands.
Before I can answer, the guy grabs my arm and yanks me out of my chair like I’m a rag doll. “Hey! Watch it!” I snap, but he doesn’t even flinch.
“Mia, call Damon,” I manage to say. “Ask him if Lucas is okay.”
Mia stares at me like I’ve lost my mind. “Aria, now’s not the time to worry about him! You’re in trouble!”
“Yeah, Aria, what the hell is going on?” Lily cries, looking like she’s two seconds away from bursting into tears.
I glance back at them as the warriors start dragging me away. “Just call Damon!” I yell, my voice echoing in the cafe.
And with that, I’m hauled out the door, my mind spinning with a million worst-case scenarios. Whatever’s waiting for me with Alpha Steven, it can’t be good.