Aria’s POV
"Get in. I’ll drive you home."
His voice hit me like whiskey—smooth, dark, dangerous. My heart stuttered. Artemis practically did backflips in my head.
Kael leaned against his car like he owned the entire street. Moonlight carved shadows across his face. Those black-gold eyes burned into mine.
Every cell in my body screamed to say yes. To climb into that expensive car. To let his pheromones wrap around me like a blanket.
But something stopped me.
A voice in the back of my mind whispered: *Test him. Make him chase you.*
Where had that come from? Since when did I play games?
Since now, apparently.
"No thanks." I gripped my bag strap tighter. "I’ll take the bus."
The words came out steadier than I expected. Almost casual.
Kael’s eyebrow rose. Just a fraction. Like I’d said something mildly interesting instead of completely insane.
"You sure about that?"
"Positive."
A beat of silence.
Then his lips curved. That infuriating smirk that made my knees weak and my blood boil at the same time.
"Alright, Shadow Moon." He pushed off the car. Walked around to the driver’s side. "See you around."
The engine roared to life.
And then he was gone.
I stood there. Frozen. Watching his taillights disappear around the corner.
That’s it? He just... left?
No insisting? No Alpha command? No "I won’t take no for an answer"?
What kind of pursuit was that?
*You told him no,* Artemis pointed out. *What did you expect?*
I expected him to try harder! To prove he actually wanted me!
*You’re an idiot.*
Yeah. Yeah, I was.
I groaned. Buried my face in my hands.
What was wrong with me? I had a gorgeous Alpha heir offering me a ride home—an Alpha who’d literally called me his mate in front of hundreds of wolves—and I’d said NO?
Because I wanted to play hard to get?
Stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
The bus arrived ten minutes later. I climbed on with the other late-night stragglers. Found a seat in the back. Pressed my forehead against the cold window.
My wolf whimpered the entire way home.
---
The next evening, I walked into Moonlit Velvet with my guard up.
Something felt different tonight. Electric. The air practically hummed with tension.
I changed into my uniform. Tied my apron. Took a deep breath.
Just another shift. Just another night.
Then I stepped onto the floor.
And saw him.
Kael sat in the VIP section. His usual spot. But tonight he wasn’t alone.
Damon Stone Claw lounged beside him—that big, rough-looking Beta with the easy grin. His stone claw tattoo was visible even from across the room.
They were laughing about something. Kael’s head thrown back slightly.
My stomach did a weird flip.
I’d never seen him laugh before. Not like that. It transformed his face completely. Made him look younger. Almost... approachable.
*Beautiful,* Artemis sighed.
I told her to shut up.
Then I noticed the other occupied booth.
Rebecca Silver Fang.
My blood ran cold.
She wasn’t alone either. Some unfamiliar wolf had his arm draped around her shoulders. He was handsome in that generic, forgettable way. Brown hair. Brown eyes. Expensive suit.
Rebecca pressed against him. Laughing too loud. Touching him too much.
But her eyes kept drifting to Kael’s table.
Oh no.
I tried to avoid her section. Really tried. But my manager had other ideas.
"Aria! Table six needs their check!"
Table six. Rebecca’s table.
I grabbed the check. Walked over on legs that felt like jelly.
"Here’s your—"
"Oh, it’s you."
Rebecca’s voice cut through me like a knife. She didn’t even look up. Just examined her perfect manicure like I was beneath her attention.
Which I was.
"The check," I finished weakly. Set it on the table.
"I heard something interesting." She finally lifted her eyes. Those green irises glittered with malice. "Word is my ex-boyfriend has taken an interest in you."
The wolf beside her shifted uncomfortably. Rebecca ignored him.
My throat went dry. "I don’t know what you’re—"
"Don’t play dumb." She leaned forward. Her rose-and-poison pheromones hit me like a wall. "I know about your little arrangement. The dates. The mating ceremony. All of it."
My face burned. I could feel other customers watching. Listening.
"It’s not—"
"Here’s the thing." Rebecca’s smile widened. Predatory. "I don’t care. Not even a little bit. Kael and I have an understanding. We always come back to each other." She gestured at me with one manicured finger. "You? You’re just entertainment. A distraction."
Each word landed like a slap.
"So enjoy my leftovers while you can, Shadow Moon trash." She picked up her drink. Sipped it delicately. "Now get out of my face. You’re ruining my appetite."
I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe.
Her companion laughed nervously. Rebecca waved her hand at me like I was a fly.
"Shoo."
My legs finally unlocked. I turned. Walked away.
Straight to the back room.
The door swung shut behind me. I pressed my back against the cold wall. Squeezed my eyes shut.
*Breathe,* Artemis urged. *Just breathe.*
My hands shook. My face burned. Tears prickled behind my eyelids.
Leftovers. That’s what she’d called me. Like Kael was some half-eaten meal she’d tossed aside.
Shadow Moon trash.
How many times had I heard that? A hundred? A thousand? It never stopped hurting.
But underneath the humiliation, something else stirred.
A tiny spark of... hope?
Rebecca knew about the dates. She knew Kael had pursued me. And she’d felt threatened enough to confront me about it.
That meant something. Didn’t it?
*She said she doesn’t care,* I reminded myself.
But people who truly didn’t care wouldn’t bother saying anything at all.
I pressed my palms against my hot cheeks. Took a shaky breath.
Okay. Okay. I could do this.
I had a job to do. Tables to serve. Money to earn.
Rebecca’s words didn’t matter. Couldn’t matter.
I pushed off the wall. Smoothed my apron. Walked back out.
---
The rest of my shift passed in a blur.
I avoided Rebecca’s table. Avoided looking at the VIP section. Focused entirely on the mechanical motions of work.
Smile. Serve. Clear. Repeat.
But I could feel Kael’s eyes on me. Every time I turned my back, that burning sensation crawled across my skin.
*He’s watching,* Artemis whispered.
I know.
My heart hammered as I approached. Kael and Damon were deep in conversation. Something about business dealings. Territory negotiations.
I set down fresh drinks. Tried to be invisible.
"Thanks, sweetheart." Damon winked at me. Friendly. Easy.
Kael said nothing.
I turned to leave.
A hand caught mine.
Warm. Large. Electric.
Something pressed into my palm. Paper.
I looked up.
Kael’s black-gold eyes met mine. The noise of the club faded. The crowd disappeared. There was only him. Only us. Only this invisible thread pulling taut between our hearts.
His thumb brushed across my knuckles. Just once. Barely a touch.
Then he released me.
"Don’t drop that," he murmured. Low enough that only I could hear.
I walked away on autopilot. Through the crowd. Past the bar. To the back door where the night air could clear my head.
My hand shook as I unfolded the paper.
Five words. Written in bold, slashing script:
*Second date. Tomorrow. 7 PM.*
My heart exploded.