The pain hit Aria like lightning.
It started in her chest and spread through her entire body in a sudden, burning wave. Her breath caught in her throat as her vision blurred, the classroom around her spinning slightly.
She gripped the edge of her desk.
"What's happening…?" she whispered under her breath.
Across the room, the dark-haired boy was still standing. His golden eyes were locked on her with an intensity that made the air feel heavy.
The entire class had fallen silent.
Aria could feel every single person staring at her.
Then something strange happened.
A low sound echoed inside her mind.
At first she thought someone had growled in the classroom.
But no one else reacted.
The sound came again.
A deep rumble.
Inside her head.
Aria's heart pounded harder.
What… is that?
The growl faded, replaced by a strange sensation in her chest—like something alive was shifting deep inside her ribs.
For a brief moment, she thought she heard a voice.
Mine…
Aria blinked hard, trying to clear her vision.
No.
That wasn't possible.
Her hands trembled as she forced herself to breathe slowly.
Around the room, the students looked uneasy. Some were whispering quietly. Others were staring at the boy who had spoken earlier.
The one who had called her…
Mate.
The word echoed in Aria's head.
She didn't even know what it meant.
But the way he said it had sent a shiver down her spine.
The teacher cleared her throat nervously.
"Kael… sit down," she said carefully.
So that was his name.
Kael.
But Kael didn't move.
His golden eyes were still fixed on Aria, studying her like he was trying to solve a mystery.
Or confirm something impossible.
Aria swallowed hard.
Why is he looking at me like that?
Finally, after several long seconds, Kael slowly sat back down.
But he didn't look away.
The teacher quickly turned back to the board, pretending nothing strange had happened.
"Alright… let's continue the lesson."
But no one was paying attention anymore.
Aria could still feel that strange warmth in her chest.
And that voice…
She was sure she had heard something.
Or maybe she was just imagining things.
She tried focusing on the book in front of her, but the words refused to make sense.
Her mind kept drifting back to the moment their eyes met.
There had been something in his gaze.
Something powerful.
Something that had awakened something deep inside her.
Beside her, Maya leaned closer.
"Are you okay?" she whispered.
Aria nodded slowly.
"I think so."
Maya glanced toward Kael.
"You know who that is, right?"
Aria shook her head.
"No."
Maya looked surprised.
"That's Kael Draven."
Aria waited for more explanation.
But Maya just stared at her like she had said something obvious.
"And…?"
Maya lowered her voice even further.
"His family basically runs this town."
Aria frowned.
"Runs it how?"
Maya hesitated.
"People here respect them," she said carefully. "A lot."
That didn't explain the tension Aria had felt when he walked in.
Or the way everyone had moved out of his path.
Or why he had looked at her like that.
Something about him was… different.
Dangerous.
And for some strange reason—
Familiar.
Aria shifted in her seat, trying not to look in his direction again.
But curiosity got the better of her.
She glanced across the room.
Kael was still watching her.
Their eyes met again for just a second.
A sudden jolt of heat rushed through her chest.
Aria quickly looked away.
What is wrong with me?
The rest of the class passed painfully slowly.
Every time Aria accidentally looked toward the front of the room, Kael's gaze was already on her.
Studying.
Waiting.
It made her nervous.
And oddly aware of him.
When the bell finally rang, the classroom exploded with movement.
Students grabbed their bags and rushed toward the door.
Aria stood up, hoping to slip out unnoticed.
But the moment she stepped into the hallway—
Someone grabbed her wrist.
Her heart jumped.
She turned quickly.
Kael stood in front of her.
Up close, he looked even more intimidating.
He was taller than she expected—easily over six feet—and his golden eyes seemed to glow slightly in the hallway light.
His grip wasn't painful.
But it was firm.
Like he had no intention of letting her leave.
Aria pulled her arm slightly.
"Can you let go?"
For a moment, Kael didn't move.
He was staring at her again.
Not in a normal way.
In a way that felt… intense.
Like he was trying to sense something beyond what his eyes could see.
Finally, he released her wrist.
But he didn't step back.
"What are you?" he asked quietly.
Aria blinked.
"What?"
His expression darkened slightly.
"You heard me."
His voice was low, almost a growl.
Aria crossed her arms defensively.
"I'm a person," she said. "What kind of question is that?"
Kael leaned slightly closer.
Close enough that she could feel the warmth of his body.
"You don't smell human," he murmured.
Aria stared at him.
"Okay… that's officially the weirdest thing anyone's ever said to me."
For a moment, Kael's expression softened slightly.
But then it hardened again.
"You just moved here," he said.
"Yeah."
"From where?"
"Why do you care?"
Their eyes locked again.
That strange energy filled the air between them.
Kael inhaled slowly, like he was trying to confirm something.
His wolf was restless beneath his skin.
The scent surrounding her was driving him insane.
It was powerful.
Ancient.
And completely unfamiliar.
She smelled like a wolf.
But also like something far more dangerous.
Something he had only read about in old pack legends.
Impossible.
Unless…
No.
It couldn't be.
Aria stepped back slightly.
"You're being really creepy right now."
Kael ignored the comment.
"What happened when you looked at me?" he asked.
Aria hesitated.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Yes, you do."
His voice was calm, but firm.
Aria opened her mouth to argue.
But the truth slipped out instead.
"My chest started hurting."
Kael's eyes flashed.
"And?"
She hesitated again.
"I heard something."
"What?"
Aria swallowed.
"A… growl."
Kael went completely still.
Behind him, two of his friends who had been standing nearby exchanged worried looks.
One of them stepped forward.
"Alpha—"
Kael lifted his hand slightly.
The boy immediately stopped talking.
Aria frowned.
Alpha?
What kind of nickname was that?
Kael looked back at her.
"What else did you hear?"
Aria shook her head.
"That was it."
That wasn't entirely true.
But she wasn't ready to tell him about the voice.
Because that would make her sound completely crazy.
Kael studied her face carefully.
His wolf was restless.
Confused.
But certain about one thing.
She was their mate.
Yet something about her felt… incomplete.
Like a wolf that hadn't awakened yet.
Which was impossible.
Unless she had been hidden.
Or sealed.
The thought made a cold realization creep into his mind.
If Aria really was what he feared she might be…
Then her arrival in Blackridge would not stay secret for long.
Other packs would sense it.
Rogues would smell it.
And the moment they realized what she truly was—
They would come for her.
Kael stepped back suddenly.
Aria blinked.
"What?"
His expression had changed.
Now he looked… concerned.
Which was somehow more unsettling than his earlier intensity.
"You need to leave," he said quietly.
Aria frowned.
"I just got here."
"No," Kael said firmly. "You need to leave Blackridge."
Aria stared at him like he had lost his mind.
"You're definitely crazy."
She turned and started walking down the hallway.
But as she passed him, something strange happened.
That burning feeling returned in her chest.
Stronger this time.
And inside her mind—
The voice returned.
Clearer.
Stronger.
And definitely not her own.
He's lying.
Aria froze mid-step.
Her heart pounded in her ears.
Because this time…
The voice didn't sound like a growl.
It sounded like a wolf.
And it had just spoken.