Aria
All throughout classes today, I couldn’t concentrate. My mind keeps replaying what Mia and Lily said. Apparently, they and Damon and Theo-had been just as shocked as I was when they found out Lucas was attending this university. But I know the real reason why.
It’s because of me.
I told him I wanted to study psychology here. And now he’s here.
I don’t know what the fuck to do with this information. Do I just pack up and leave? But no…fuck that. Aunt Esther and Doctor Rish put in too much effort to get me into this school. I can’t just throw that away.
I still can’t fucking believe this is happening.
Since classes ended, I’ve just been wandering around campus, completely disoriented. It’s already dark, and I know I should head home, but I don’t want Aunt Esther to see me like this. She’ll feel guilty and probably insist on transferring me to another school, and I can’t let her do that.
But what the fuck am I supposed to do?
Lucas is here.
And the worst part? I actually want to see him.
I’m losing my fucking mind.
Maybe a drink will help. Yeah, I need a drink to calm the hell down. I’d prefer to drink at home, but Aunt Esther freaks out every time she catches me with alcohol, like I’m still some little kid. So, I head off campus to a bar that’s just a stone’s throw away.
Music blasts from the speakers before I even step inside. The moment I enter, my eyes flicker around. College students everywhere, drinking, dancing-it looks like a damn party.
Wait… is this a party?
“Aria!”
My head snaps to the side, and I spot Theo waving at me.
What the fuck.
He’s sitting in the corner with Mia, Lily, and Damon. Does this mean I just walked into Theo’s birthday party? Shit. I debate turning right the hell around, but that would be rude as fuck.
Sighing, I force a smile and walk over. “Hey, guys.”
Theo grins. “Wow, you guys didn’t tell me she agreed to come.” He looks accusingly at Mia and Lily.
“Actually, I didn’t.” I laugh awkwardly, rubbing the back of my neck. “I just wanted to grab a drink and, uh… ended up here.”
“That’s great! You should join us,” Damon says hopefully.
I shake my head. “I need to go. Someone’s waiting for me,” I lie, already stepping back.
“It was nice seeing you, Aria,” Theo says, raising his glass.
“See you tomorrow!” Mia and Lily wave.
I bolt the fuck out of there. Drinks be damned.
But, damn, Theo and Damon look good. Just like Mia and Lily. I’m really happy for them.
The moment I step outside, the cool night breeze hits me. It’s refreshing, calming. I inhale deeply, closing my eyes for a second. But then-
A scent.
Familiar. Oud, woodsy… alluring.
Fuck.
My eyes snap open, and I whip my head around. And there he is.
Lucas.
He’s standing a few feet away, just… looking at me. And next to him is a girl. It’s dark, but I can tell she’s tall, slim, with long dark hair.
But I can’t focus on her. Because Lucas…
His hair is shorter. His jawline is sharper, covered in a bit of scruff. And his eyes…fuck, his eyes-cold, empty. There’s no warmth, no softness. He’s just staring at me, expression unreadable.
I can’t look away.
All those emotions I’ve been burying for months? They crash into me all at once. My wolf is going batshit crazy in my head.
And then-
He moves.
My heart pounds. He’s coming toward me.
Should I bolt? Look away? Say something? What the fuck do I do!
But then-
He walks right past me.
Like I don’t exist.
Like I’m nothing.
Like I never mattered to him.
And fuck!
It feels like a knife straight to the heart.
I whip around, watching him disappear into the bar with the girl. He doesn’t even glance back. The girl hesitates for a second, looking confused, but she doesn’t say anything. She just follows him inside.
Who is she?
I take a deep breath, rubbing my face. It’s wet.
Shit.
I didn’t even realize I was crying.
All these months of imagining what it’d be like to see Lucas again, and this is how it fucking goes?
Just great.
…
The next day, when I drag my ass to campus, I just know my eyes are puffy and red as hell from all the crying.
Last night, when I got home, Aunt Esther took one look at me and went full-on interrogation mode. At first, I couldn’t even bring myself to say anything, but she’s stubborn as fuck, so eventually, I cracked. As expected, her first suggestion?
“Maybe we should transfer you to another school.”
Yeah, no. That would be way too much stress. Besides, I’m not running away like some tragic romance heroine. I just need to figure out how to deal with this shit.
So, first class of the day? General math for all first-years. Thrilling.
The moment I step inside, Mia and Lily wave me over, looking way too bright-eyed for this ungodly hour. I swear, some people just thrive in the morning, and I will never understand them.
“Aria… are you okay?” Mia asks as I drop into the seat next to her, her face scrunched up with concern.
I force a smile. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
She doesn’t buy it for a second. Her eyes narrow. “But your eyes-”
Before she can finish, the professor starts the lecture, and thank fuck for timing.
Look, I actually did try to cover up the damage with makeup, but there’s only so much concealer can do when you’ve been ugly-crying all night like a rejected reality TV contestant.
I try to focus, I really do, but my mind keeps spiraling back to last night.
To him.
To Lucas.
Why the fuck did he act like that?
Does he hate me now?
I sigh, rubbing my temples, then…like an idiot-I let my eyes wander around the lecture hall. And that’s when I make the worst mistake of my life.
I see him in the front row.
And right next to him? Her.
That girl from last night.
She’s leaning toward him, talking, all touchy-feely…and he’s just sitting there, unreadable, distant as fuck. He’s not really giving her anything, but still… seeing them together?
It makes my stomach twist.
And I fucking hate it.
Is she his second-chance mate?