2
2
Aria's POV
I took a deep breath, squaring my shoulders as I met Macy's gaze head-on.
"Wow, Macy," I said, tilting my head. "I didn't know you were so invested in my life. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were the one crushing on Lucas."
Her smirk twitched. The girls around her exchanged glances, barely suppressing their amusement.
Macy wasn't used to being challenged. She ruled this campus like a queen, with everyone too intimidated to push back. But I was done playing along.
She leaned in slightly, her eyes narrowing. "Please," she scoffed. "Like I'd ever be threatened by you."
I gave her a slow, sweet smile. "Then why are you acting like you are?"
Her jaw clenched.
Behind her, Lucas let out a low chuckle. "Damn, Aria." Our eyes met briefly, and I clenched my jaw, trying to stop myself from blushing or grinning like an idiot just because he appraised me.
Macy stiffened at the sound of his voice, but before she could recover, I decided say my piece.
"You know, for someone who's supposed to be the most desirable girl on campus, you sure seem insecure over one conversation between me and Lucas." I took a step closer, lowering my voice. "Maybe you should ask yourself why."
Her eyes flashed with fury. I had her where I wanted.
The girls behind her didn't even try to hide their snickers this time. Macy whipped around to glare at them, but the damage was done. Her control over the situation had slipped, and she knew it.
Lucas ran a hand through his hair, amusement dancing in his blue eyes. "You good, Mace?"
I bit my lip subtly. Just a second ago, he was laughing at her, and now he suddenly cared about how she felt?
Macy let out a huff, forcing a tight smile. "Of course."
She flipped her hair over her shoulder, flashing Lucas a look that was meant to be sultry but came off more irritated than anything. "Let's go."
Oh.
I knew he was going to go with her, and all that bubble of hope that had been building in my stomach just deflated. I suddenly didn't feel victorious anymore.
To my surprise, Lucas didn't move right away. His gaze flickered toward me, his eyes glittering with an emotion I couldn't quite place.
Then, after a brief hesitation, he turned and walked away with Macy and her group trailing behind him.
The moment they disappeared around the corner, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
"Well," Layla said, appearing at my side, "that was hot."
I shot her a look. "Not helping."
She grinned. "No, seriously. The way you stood up to Macy like that? Chef's kiss. I'm proud of you."
I shook my head, but a small smile tugged at my lips.
Layla looped an arm through mine. "Come on. Let's go before she comes back and tries to strangle you with her hair extensions."
I laughed, the tension easing from my shoulders as we walked toward the student center.
The rest of the day passed in a blur-lectures, coffee runs, and half-hearted attempts at studying. The way Macy tried to humiliate me had already started fading, but I couldn't forget the way Lucas had hesitated before leaving. At this point, I was convinced I was just being paranoid about the whole thing.
By the time Layla and I reached our apartment later that evening, my head was still spinning.
Layla wasted no time. The second I unlocked the door, she flopped onto my bed dramatically, arms spread out like she had just collapsed from exhaustion.
"Alright," she declared, "time to get down to business. Birthday glow-up activated."
I groaned, tossing my bag onto the chair. "Layla, it's not that serious-"
She shot up so fast I nearly jumped. "Not that serious?! Aria, this is your eighteenth birthday. EIGHTEENTH. Do you even understand the special and unique of this moment?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Uh… that I can legally drink now?"
Layla gasped, clutching her chest like I had personally offended her. "That's one thing, yes, but more importantly, it's the perfect excuse to finally step out of your comfort zone."
I rolled my eyes. "I like my comfort zone, thanks."
She scoffed, waving a hand in dismissal. "You like your comfort zone because you've never actually left it. But that changes tonight." She sat up on her knees, pointing at me like she was delivering some divine prophecy. "This is the night you transform. This is the night you turn heads. This is the night you make your official debut as the stunning, irresistible goddess I know is hiding under all those oversized hoodies."
I crossed my arms. "I don't wear oversized hoodies all the time."
She gave me a pointed look. "You're literally wearing one right now."
I glanced down at my hoodie. "…Okay, but this one's cute."
Layla groaned, throwing her hands up. "Case in point! You're so used to blending in that you don't even realize you deserve to stand out."
I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Layla, I appreciate the enthusiasm, but I don't need some dramatic transformation. It's just a party."
Her eyes widened. "Just a party? Aria. This is your party. The last time you celebrated your birthday, we were still 13. And even then, it was just cupcakes in your room while we binge-watched barbie."
I hesitated. "That was a great night, though."
Layla groaned. "Yes, but this is different. You're eighteen. You're stepping into your grown-woman era, and that requires a LOOK."
I groaned, rubbing my temples. When she's determined, nothing enters her ears, "Layla, it's not that serious-"
"Not that serious?! Aria, this is your day. You're going to wake up tomorrow and literally feel your wolf for the first time. And, most importantly, you might find your mate."
Her words sent a shiver down my spine. That's statement was the only thing that make my heart on highway.
My wolf - my soulmate.
I had spent my whole life waiting for this moment. The moment when the Moon Goddess would reveal the one person I was destined for.
My soulmate.
Layla grabbed my shoulders. "So we are going shopping, and we are making sure you look like an absolute goddess at your party tonight."
I sighed, agreeing to her talk while clutching the egde of my sweeter. There's nothing wrong in trying if that boy looks at me this night. "Fine."
Layla grinned. "That's my girl."
I chewed my lip, trying to focus on what's on ground. "Okay, but why do we have to go shopping? I have plenty of dresses already."
Layla gave me a deadpan stare. "Oh, you mean the collection of 'safe' dresses that are all black, knee-length, and barely different from each other?"
I huffed. "They're classy."
"They're boring."
"They're timeless."
"They're predictable."
I groaned, dropping onto the bed beside her. "Fine! What do you have in mind?"
Layla grinned, eyes gleaming with victory. "Oh, honey, I thought you'd never ask." She pulled out her phone and started scrolling, turning the screen toward me. "This. This is the energy we're channeling tonight."
I glanced at the picture-a model in a deep red, silky dress that hugged every single curve. My stomach flipped. "Absolutely not."
"Absolutely YES."
I shook my head. "Layla, I can't pull that off."
She smacked my arm. "Excuse me? Who said that?"
"Me?"
"Wrong. Incorrect. Fake news." She grabbed my face dramatically. "Look at me. You are going to wear something like this, you are going to walk into that party like you own the place, and every single person in that room will be obsessed with you."
I sighed. "Layla-"
"Nope. No arguments. You agreed, remember? You said 'fine.' No take-backs."
I flopped back onto the bed. "Why am I friends with you again?"
She smirked. "Because I make your life fun."
I groaned but couldn't help the small smile creeping onto my lips. She wasn't wrong.
Layla clapped her hands. "Alright, get up. We're going shopping, and we are making sure you look like an absolute goddess tonight."
I exhaled slowly, knowing there was no escaping this. "Fine."
Layla grinned victoriously. "That's my girl."
***
A few hours later, I stood in front of my mirror, barely recognizing myself.
Layla had worked her magic, helping me pick out a dress that hugged my curves in all the right places. Deep red, silky, and completely unlike anything I'd ever worn before.
My dark curls cascaded down my shoulders in soft waves, and my makeup was subtle but stunning. My lips, painted a deep shade of red, looked fuller, and my eyes seemed brighter, sharper.
For the first time in my life, I felt… confident. Powerful.
Layla whistled behind me. "Damn, girl. If you don't turn heads tonight, I'll be shocked."
I laughed, but my heart was pounding.
How could it not? This was it. This was the night my life was going to change-whether for better or for worse. I didn't know which yet, but I certainly couldn't wait to find out.
***
The second I stepped into the venue, the energy in the room shifted. Conversations trailed off, and eyes turned toward me. I swallowed hard, suddenly hyperaware of every single gaze locked onto me.
Even guys who had never spared me a second glance were staring.
Layla elbowed me lightly. "Told you."
I smiled, ready to make some sarcastic remark-
And then I felt it.
A presence.
Rich. Addictive. Unlike anything I had ever felt before.
It wrapped around me, intoxicating and warm, making my pulse spike. My breath caught in my throat.
Mate.
The whisper wasn't just in my head. It came from deep within me, from my wolf.
My heart thundered as I frantically scanned the room, searching. But all I saw were faces- both familiar and unfamiliar-blurring together as the scent grew stronger, wrapping around me and pulling me toward someone.
And then I saw him, deep blue eyes that sent a shiver down my spine.
The room disappeared. The noise, the music, the people-all of it faded into nothing. It was just him and me and the space between us crackling like a live wire.
My lungs refused to work. My heart pounded so hard I thought it might burst. Every inch of my body screamed at me to move closer, to close the distance, to touch.
Oh God. Him.
