ARIA'S
POV
Earlier today, rogues attacked our pack. The chaos reminded me of the last time they came for us-the night we lost my uncle. His laughter used to fill the air, his wisdom guiding our pack like a steady beacon. Now, the memory of his final stand, blood staining the earth as he defended us, is seared into my mind. I clutched my hands to my chest, feeling the familiar pang of fear that resurfaced each time the rogues struck.
As soon as I got home, I searched for Ryan, Mason, and the other warriors. My heart raced as I imagined the worst. "Mom, where is Ryan? How's everyone? Is anyone hurt?" I asked in a flurry of words, concern etched into every syllable.
Mom, as calm as ever, arched a brow. "And which question should I answer first?" she teased lightly before adding, "Ryan is in his room, and everyone is fine. I told you not to worry. Your brothers and the warriors took care of everything-they even captured some rogues and killed others."
Relief flooded through me, loosening the knot in my chest. "Okay, Mom," I said, already rushing to Ryan's room.
When I burst in, Ryan looked up, smirking as if he hadn't just come back from battle. "Hey, bro," I said, my voice trembling slightly. "Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"
He chuckled, waving off my concern. "What is it? I'm fine. We took care of them so easily. I even wanted to come find you, but… I figured you'd just freak out," he said with a grin.
"Find me? Who are you trying to fool?" I laughed, relief making me bolder. "The Ryan I know would rather face a hundred rogues than step foot in a classroom. Admit it-you were thrilled to have an excuse to skip school."
He shr'g'ed, his smirk growing wider. "You know me too well."
"How's Abi? Was she able to go for the interview today?" Ryan asked.
"Yes, she was able to go for the interview. Abiis such a comedian," I replied, then shared everything that happened.
"She kept saying, 'Ryan, I'm so sorry for wasting your effort.' It was hilarious!"
The truth is, even if she had missed the interview, she still would've gotten the job. The restaurant belongs to us. When she said she needed work, we told her to apply there because there was supposedly a vacancy-but there wasn't. We just thought it would be easier for her that way.
At the same time, I'm kind of worried about her safety. That restaurant is where all the pack businessmen and alphas gather to discuss business, usually over dinner or lunch. It's a large, prestigious place owned by the Crystal Pack-our pack. My brother, Alpha Mason, is the leader of the pack.
We're not the strongest, but we're among the strongest packs. The most powerful is the Celestial Fang Pack, led by King Maverick, the king of all werewolves-or should I say, the king of Lycans. He's the strongest of all the existing werewolves. He's not just a werewolf; he's a Lycan, and the most feared among all. I've only seen him once, and I honestly don't want to see him again.
Following them is the Twilight Ridge Pack, led by Alpha Alexander Rio. He's also feared, but not as much as King Maverick. Both pack are always at odds with one another.
--- ------- ------ ------ ------------
It's been a week since Abigail started working, and I haven't been seeing her as often as before. She still comes to lectures, but as soon as class ends, she rushes straight to work at the restaurant. It feels like she's barely around anymore. I've caught myself staring at the empty seat beside me in class too many times, wishing she were there.
She's stressing herself, I'm sure of it. I know Abigail; she pushes herself too hard when she wants to prove something. I need to talk to her, but what would I say? She'd probably just wave me off with a joke and her signature smile. Still, I've really missed her. Other girls in this place are just so annoying, and none of them compare to her.
She was in school today but as usual she rushed out as soon as classes was over. I decided to grab something from the canteen before going home.
I left for the canteen, which was not far from the lecture hall, on my way I saw so many people, mostly in group and its felt like I was the only one alone but I didn't mind. Not like I want to have much friends Ryan and Abigail are enough for me.
When I got the canteen, I ordered for milkshake, I took it and sat down sat down on an empty sit and drank it slowly while going through my phone.
==
"Well, well, well, look who we have here," a voice cut through my thoughts, startling me.
I turned around, already bristling, and locked eyes with the last person I wanted to see-Isabella. Of course, she wasn't alone. Elara and Aurora flanked her, the three of them looking like they'd just stepped out of a magazine spread, smugness dripping from every pore.
"Ugh," I muttered under my breath, trying to keep my cool. These girls were insufferable. I hated them with a passion, and the feeling was mutual. If it wouldn't start a war between our pack and theirs, I'd gladly rip the smirks off their faces. But I couldn't. Starting a pack war over petty insults wasn't worth it-no matter how satisfying it might be.
"Hello," I said dryly, giving them a half-hearted wave before turning my back on them, pretending they weren't worth my time.
"Aria, long time no see! Oh, wait-you're always at this university. Wow, amazing! That means we'll get to see each other every single day," Isabella chirped, her voice dripping with fake sweetness.
Elara and Aurora burst into mocking laughter, as if Isabella had just told the funniest joke in the world. I clenched my jaw but refused to let them see they were getting to me.
"And who said I want to see your ugly old face every day?" I shot back, spinning around to glare at her. "I'd rather visit the zoo daily to watch the monkeys than look at you."
Isabella's smile vanished, her face twisting with indignation. Her friends gasped dramatically, but I wasn't done yet.
"You know," I continued, my tone saccharine, "at least monkeys have an excuse for their behavior. What's yours?"
Elara hissed, stepping forward as if to defend Isabella, but Isabella raised a hand to stop her.
"I'm not ugly," Isabella snapped, her voice trembling with suppressed fury. "You're the old and ugly one, Aria! And trust me-I'll make sure you regret saying that."
"Oooh, I'm so scared," I said with a mock shiver, rolling my eyes. "What are you going to do? Give me a lecture on how to apply foundation properly? Go ahead-I'll wait."
Her face burned crimson, and without another word, she turned on her heel and stormed off, dragging her friends with her. Elara shot me a glare, and Aurora muttered something under her breath, but they followed obediently.
I couldn't help it-I burst out laughing the moment they were out of earshot. The look on Isabella's face was priceless. Sure, she was annoying, but moments like these almost made dealing with her worth it.
Still, a part of me couldn't shake the unease. Isabella and her friends weren't just random mean girls-they were part of a rival pack, and insults like this didn't just stay in the halls of the university. They had a way of escalating, especially when pride was involved.
Shrugging it off for now, I made a mental note to keep my guard up. If Isabella wanted to "deal with me," she'd have to try a lot harder than throwing a tantrum.
ABIGAIL'S
POV
Today marks a week since I started working at crystal restaurant. Honestly, it's been a mix of good and stressful, but I keep reminding myself it's worth it. Balancing work with school feels like walking a tightrope, but every paycheck makes the exhaustion a little easier to bear.
I haven't been sticking around after school lately. It's not that I skip classes—I wouldn't dare. The lectures are too important; they make up forty percent of my grades. Still, my absence after hours hasn't gone unnoticed. Aria, my best friend, calls me almost every evening, and I miss her more than I can say. She's been complaining about how little time we spend together, and honestly, I don't blame her. Before this job, we used to hang out after lectures, talking about everything and nothing, grabbing coffee, or just wandering campus. Now, the moment my last class ends, I'm sprinting to work like my life depends on it.
I haven't made any new friends since this routine started—it feels like I barely have time to breathe, let alone socialize. And Aria? She's always been a little introverted, but she trusted me to be her constant. Without me there, she's alone, and the thought makes my chest ache with guilt.
Then there's Ryan. I miss him too, even though he doesn't call much. He's always been more distant, harder to read. But every once in a while, he surprises me—a random text or a small gesture that reminds me he's still thinking of me. I wish I had more time for both of them, but between work and school, my life feels like a constant balancing act.
I wonder how long I can keep this up before something gives.
"Abi, it's your last alarm—wake up!" Nova's voice pulled me from my restless sleep.
I groaned, burying my face deeper into the pillow. "Five more minutes!"
"You said that ten minutes ago!" she replied, exasperated but amused. "You told me you have a lecture at nine, and it's 8:30 now."
My eyes flew open. "Oh my God, I forgot!"
I leapt out of bed, hugged her quickly, and dashed to the bathroom. As I splashed cold water on my face, I could still feel the weight of exhaustion pressing down on me. It felt like I'd only slept two hours. Between work and studying, my nights had started to blur into my mornings.
Fifteen minutes later, I was dressed and out the door. My go-to outfit of jeans and a blouse saved me time, and since I rarely wore makeup, I didn't waste a second there either. It wasn't that I didn't like makeup—I just didn't feel comfortable in it. People still complimented me, though, and I believed them when they said I was beautiful. My oval face, smooth dark brown complexion, and naturally thick lashes were enough for me.
By the time I arrived at class, the lecture hall was filling quickly. Aria and Ryan weren't there yet, which was strange. Sliding into a seat near the middle, I tried not to think too much about it.
"Hello," a voice said beside me.
I glanced over to see a guy smiling at me. "Hi," I replied, polite but curt.
"Are you a fresher? I haven't seen you before," he asked.
"Yeah," I said shortly, hoping to end the conversation. Thankfully, he nodded and turned to his phone.
But then curiosity got the better of me, I decided to see what he looked liked.
The moment I turned to look at home, I regretted my earlier indifference. He wasn't just good-looking—he was breathtaking. His sharp jawline, slightly tousled brown hair, and the way his eyes seemed to gleam under the fluorescent classroom lights left me momentarily dazed.
"Hello, are you with me?" he said, a hint of amusement in his voice as he waved a hand in front of my face.
I blinked, mortified that he'd caught me staring. "oh! Sorry. What did you say again?"
"I asked what your major is," he repeated, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Engineering," I replied quickly, focusing on my notebook to avoid looking at him again.
His eyebrows lifted slightly, impressed. "same here. I'm in my sophomore year."
"Really?" I asked, trying to sound casual. "that's cool."
He leaned back in his chair, his posture effortlessly confident. "yeah, it's intense, but you get used to it. Do you like it so far?"
I hesitated for a second, before admitting, "it's… challenging."
He chuckled softly, his laugh warm and reassuring. "yeah, that sounds right. But hey, if you ever need tips or help, I'm around, first year can be brutal."
"Thanks," I muttered, suddenly feeling self-conscious. This isn't anything, I reminded myself. I'm just here to get through the day, not to get caught up in some guy.
We chatted for a few minutes, mostly about school and how overwhelming first year courses could be. I didn't mind the distraction, but it wasn't anything more.
When the lecturer announced the group activity, I secretly hoped I wouldn't end up with him—it would be too easy to get distracted my him. But fate had other plans. "look like we are partners," he said with a smile.
I nodded, forcing myself to concentrate on the task at hand rather than his perfectly structured sentences and effortless charm.
As we briefly discussed the project and the plans to meet, I tried to keep my attention on the work. But even then, I couldn't shake the feeling of his presence. He seemed effortless—so at ease. It was almost… too easy to get distracted.
"By the way, I didn't get your name," he said as we packed up.
"Abigail," I replied, offering a quick smile before quickly turning my attention to the papers in front of me.
"Nice to meet you, Abigail. I'm Ethan. I will see you around."
"Yeah, see you," I muttered as he walked away, that unmistakable smile still lingering in my thoughts. Nothing more than a passing distraction, I reminded myself. I have other things to focus on.
I caught up with Aria and Ryan, they where 30 minutes later.
"Aria, I was looking for you this morning. What happened?" I asked, concern written all over my face.
"I overslept. Nothing serious," she said with a shrug, her tone unusually flat.
"Okay, if you're sure."
"And I'm invisible, right?" Ryan chimed in, finally looking up from his phone.
"It's normal for you to be late," I teased, rolling my eyes. "Honestly, you were early by your standards."
He laughed, and we all headed to the canteen for lunch. Over sandwiches and coffee, I told them about Ethan, not skipping the part where I practically drooled over him. They both laughed, though I noticed something was off with Aria. She was quieter than usual, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.
I didn't push her, though. If she said she was fine, I'd take her at her word for now.
We had one more class before the day finally ended. I didn't see Ethan again, which I was kind of happy with.
I barely had the energy to drag myself inside once I got home. The day had drained me—lectures, work, barely a break to breathe. I tossed my bag aside, kicked off my shoes, and headed straight for the shower, letting the warm water wash over me. It felt like the only thing that could make me feel anything resembling human again.
But even as the water poured over me, my mind kept wandering. Ethan.
It was strange. I barely knew him. We'd exchanged a few words, and I'd caught myself admiring him more than I'd like to admit. But it was nothing. Nothing real. Just a fleeting distraction in an otherwise chaotic routine.
You're not looking for this, I told myself. Ethan was easy to talk to, kind, and definitely attractive—but that was all. There were other things to worry about.
Yet, despite the rational part of me trying to dismiss him, my mind couldn't seem to let go of the image of him leaning in slightly as we spoke, the soft lilt of his voice when he smiled, the warmth in his eyes.
A knock on my door broke through the haze of my thoughts.
"Abi? You okay in there?" Nova's voice called through the door, snapping me back to reality.
"Yeah, just tired. I'll be out in a second," I called back.
As I lay back on my bed, though, the thought of Ethan wasn't the only thing nagging at me. My phone buzzed—a message from Aria.
I smiled for a moment. Aria. I hadn't really checked in with her today.
It had been a week since I'd started this job, and I'd barely seen her. Our usual hangouts after school had been replaced by rushed mornings and late-night study sessions. Aria was my best friend, but lately, it felt like I was losing touch with her.
I glanced at the text.
"I'm fine. Don't worry about me. But hey, don't forget about me, okay?"
I stared at her message, realizing how selfish I'd been. Here I was, lost in thoughts of Ethan—a guy I barely knew—while my best friend was left feeling like she was being neglected.
Stop it, Abi.
I dropped my phone on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. I needed to focus. I needed to be there for Aria, no matter how much work or distractions filled my mind. Ethan wasn't important. Not yet.
With a deep sigh, I closed my eyes. The lingering thoughts of Ethan slipped away—replaced with a growing sense of guilt. Tomorrow, I'd be better for Aria. I'd show up for her like I always had.
And as for Ethan…
I have to stop, he's not the one.