Aria
I can’t believe this shit. Lucas is actually mad at me…for something I have zero control over. Like, what the hell does he expect me to do? Just drop everything…my friends, my family…and follow him blindly? The fact that he even suggested it blows my fucking mind.
The worst part? I can’t stop thinking about him. All throughout class, I’m zoning out, barely hearing a word the professor says. My notes? A mess. My brain? Even worse. And underneath all my frustration, there’s this fucking guilt…because yeah, I am keeping secrets. But it’s not like I didn’t try to tell him. He just wouldn’t listen. Too busy being angry. Too busy shutting me out.
By the time my last class ends, I practically bolt out of there. Finally, freedom. Maybe now I can clear my damn head.
Lily is waiting for me outside, arms crossed, and looking bored as hell.
“Finally done?” she asks, like I just took a damn exam instead of sitting through a boring-ass lecture.
I let out a deep sigh and nod. “Yeah. What about Mia?”
“She left earlier with Damon and Theo,” Lily says.
“And Lucas?” I ask, trying to sound casual, but not really fooling anyone.
She shakes her head. “Nope. He didn’t come back.”
I frown. “Maybe he’s at the apartment.”
“Why don’t you just mind-link him?”
I hesitate, knowing damn well he’ll probably ignore me. “I don’t think he wants to hear from me right now.”
Lily shrugs. “No harm in trying, though.”
She’s right. But still, the thought of him shutting me out again just pisses me off even more. “I wanted to tell him about what Mark said, but he didn’t even give me the chance. He was too fucking angry.”
Lily gives me a knowing look. “See? You should’ve told him sooner. This whole thing was inevitable.”
“I know. But I’ll be fine,” I say, trying to convince myself just as much as her. “What about Chris?” I ask, changing the subject.
Lily’s face softens instantly. “He’s good. I miss him so much, Aria. I wish he was here with me.”
I nudge her playfully. “Relax, alright? Break is coming up soon, and then you’ll get that much-needed time together.”
“Ugh, yes. I need it,” she groans dramatically. “So, where are you heading now? Or are you gonna take a ten-hour road trip to Shadow Pang?”
I let out a deep sigh, dragging my feet as we walked. “Yeah, no. I’m just heading to the apartment to chill. Besides, I don’t even think Lucas wants to stay there anymore.”
Lily looks thoughtful for a moment. “I wonder where he is.”
“I don’t know,” I admit, feeling that weird mix of worry and frustration again. “I know he’s not in danger. I’d feel it if he was. But I do know he’s upset. I’ll try reaching out when I get to the apartment.”
We step outside, and Lily stops next to her car. Then she gives me a weird look. “Oh, shit. You still don’t have your truck, do you?”
“Fuck,” I groan. “I totally forgot. Mark was the one handling it.”
Lily gestures toward her car. “Then hop in. I’ll drive you.”
I shake my head. “Nah. You live on campus. I don’t wanna make you go out of your way. And besides, my place isn’t that far.”
She rolls her eyes. “It doesn’t matter…”
“I’ll be fine, Lil,” I cut her off. “You already waited for me after class. That’s enough.”
She sighs but lets it go. Then, out of nowhere, she pulls me into a hug. And damn, I needed that more than I realized.
“Take it easy, okay?” she murmurs.
I squeeze her tighter for a second before pulling back. “Thanks, Lil.”
She smirks. “You’re welcome. And don’t forget…be careful. Don’t trust everything Mark says.”
I laugh. “Got it.” But deep down, her words linger. Because as much as I want to believe I have everything under control… I know I don’t. Not even close.
Lily gets into her car, waves one last time, and drives off. I stand there for a second, watching her go before sighing.
Time to go home. Hopefully, Lucas is actually there and not off somewhere sulking like a dramatic asshole. I need to tell him everything Mark said. Lily and Mia are right…I can’t keep this from him forever. It’s kinda unfair, even if part of me thinks he doesn’t deserve to know shit after acting like a dick.
I start walking off campus, blending into the crowd of students heading home, but something feels… off. My wolf stirs restlessly, pacing in my head like she’s sniffed out something suspicious. It’s subtle at first, like that feeling you get when someone’s staring at you, but the longer I walk, the stronger it gets.
I glance over my shoulder. Nothing. Just students minding their own business.
Maybe I’m just being paranoid.
I shake it off and keep walking, but the unease doesn’t leave. If anything, it gets worse when I finally hop into a cab. My gut is practically screaming now, and my wolf? She’s losing her damn mind.
‘Something’s up,’ she mutters.
I peek at the rearview mirror. A few cars are behind us, sure, but that’s normal. They’re probably just random people going home, right?
Still… just in case.
I tell the driver to drop me off a little before my apartment building. He gives me a weird look but takes the money and doesn’t ask questions. The moment I step out, I scan my surroundings.
Nothing.
No shady figures lurking in the shadows. No mysterious black vans creeping up behind me. Just the usual evening crowd going about their business.
‘You’re acting like a paranoid freak,’ I scold my wolf, rolling my eyes. ‘No one’s following us, so stop jumping around in my head. You’re giving me a damn migraine.’
‘I can’t help it, you dumbass. Something’s wrong. I know it.’
‘Then what is it?’ I snap. ‘Tell me, because I don’t see shit.’
She goes quiet for a moment before huffing. ‘Fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.’
At least she stops with the constant pacing in my head. Thank goddess. I was about two seconds away from banging my skull against a wall just to shut her up.
Shaking off the unease, I head to my apartment, pushing all the weird feelings to the back of my mind. The moment I reach the door, I unlock it and step inside.
First thing I do? Rush to the bedroom, hoping to see Lucas there. But nope.
“Lucas?” I call, stepping toward the bathroom. Empty.
I check the closet. Nothing.
I groan and flop onto the bed, pressing my hands to my face. Where the hell did he go? Guess I’ll have to suck it up and mind-link him. As much as I don’t want to be the first to reach out, I also don’t want to keep dealing with this mess alone.
Just as I’m about to reach out, there’s a knock. Or at least, I think I hear a knock.
I sit up, frowning, and head toward the living room. Another knock…this time, louder.
Weird. Lucas wouldn’t knock. He has a key. And even if he did forget it, I’d still know it was him the second I caught his scent. But this? This isn’t Lucas.
“Who’s there?” I call out.
Silence.
My pulse kicks up a notch. I step closer to the door. “I said, who’s there?”
Still nothing.
I grit my teeth. This is some bullshit. I hate when people pull creepy silent shit. If someone’s knocking on my door, they’d better have the balls to answer when I ask who the fuck they are.
Sick of waiting, I grab the handle and yank the door open…only to instantly regret it.
I stumble back, heart slamming against my ribs.
“What the fuck…who the hell are you?”