Chapters

Aria Silvan of the Fallen Line.

Zayne Blackthorn.

Alpha Rylan Blackthorn!

Cassian Blackthorn wasn’t finished yet.

You're acting like I'm the monster under your bed.

You’re fun, Aria. Even my brothers seem intrigued.

We eat strays like you alive.

Everything can be taken, little one.

Four Alphas to one omega?

He's the 'ghost,' remember?

Resistance is futile, little stray. And frankly, quite tiresome.

I would rather die than be your prisoner!

A dangerous favor.

They say you're… claimed.

You really think you can run, omega?

My fight felt useless, my hope a fragile, shattered thing.

I’ve been surviving long before I knew your names.

I should’ve marked her that day.

Her lips weren’t Aria’s.

Then I’ll bury you in my arms.

Are you his flavor of the day? Enjoy the leftovers.

Approaching them was a risk.

You want to cause a ruckus at the Gala?

The moment I saw her… I stopped breathing.

Though I didn’t think you’d stoop to using another male as a shield.

We agreed, no physical force. Not yet.

And oh, I was going to enjoy breaking her pride.

A stray omega, flaunting herself like that. She needs to be taught a lesson.

It ripped through me, an unexpected, agonizing wound.

Kissing his girlfriend in front of me.

You’re merely… an accessory.

Will you let him dictate your every move?

Now you burn for us.

Try me, Blackthorn. I won’t let you hurt her.

You don’t get to own me just because your egos are bruised.

I’m starting to think I’m addicted to your chaos, little omega.

He’s not as… patient as I am when he’s provoked.

You’re really running wild tonight, little stray.

You’re confused. But next time…

This is your destiny, whether you scream and fight, or kneel and accept.

You’ve been marked by fate, girl.

Then why bring me here?

All that excitement, that little light show you put on… it must have drained you.

One way or another, you will submit to our will.

He just walked closer.

Did you think you’d have peace tonight?

In my bed?

Sleep well with the family ghost beside you?

They’re magically reinforced. I can barely feel my own wolf.

You’re seriously picking on kids now, Rylan?

Wouldn’t want to break such a delicate little thing before the Alphas even have a chance to play.

Why do you all hate me so much?

Spicy today, aren’t we?

Thought I’d find you sulking again, little stray.

Didn’t know strays were allowed dinner privileges.

Wait—you slept next to her last night, Killian?

I’m sleeping here tonight!

Did you touch her, Killian? Did you mark her with your scent, with your tongue, like a fucking claim?

I don’t give a damn what looks good on me!

“Zayne—stop. You’re being—”

I kissed him back.

Yesss, Queen Sierra! Show the stray her place!

Don’t you dare say my name!

Do you need help concentrating? Or are you too busy crying over weak slaps to focus on your lessons?

See you at dinner, stray. Try to compose yourself before then.

Why did you leave me alone in this… this hell?

What the hell are you doing here?

Sleep, little firefly. Just sleep. I’ll stay here tonight. No one will bother you.

He turned me to face him, a swift, fluid motion that left me breathless.

You’re not going to say anything?

This constant pull and push? This… obsession? I don’t. I hate it.

I grabbed Sierra’s wrist, my fingers closing around it with a sudden, bruising force.

That little stray. She’s poisoned you, hasn’t she? You’re pathetic, Zayne.

Or are you finally realizing what kind of monsters your precious fates have shackled you to? That there’s no escape from us?

You really love collecting trauma, don’t you, Stray?

I’ll break every bone in your delicate body. Slowly. Systematically. One for every syllable you just uttered. Do you understand, little bitch?

"Are you okay?” he asked softly.

Obsessed means I know exactly what I’m doing, and I’m going to do it anyway.

And I’ll rip them apart until there’s no one left standing but me. And then I’ll take you for myself. Every last piece.

Say one more defiant word to me, and I’ll shut it myself. Permanently.

The way your heart pounds when I get close.

Your defiance has consequences. And sometimes, those consequences are… lessons. And sometimes, those lessons are kisses. Painful ones.

And fuck if that didn’t make her utterly, terrifyingly irresistible.

Because next time... I wouldn't stop at a kiss.

Use the shower. I’ll handle whoever that is.

Someone who thinks he can take you away from me.

"And now?” I asked, my voice hoarse, barely a whisper. The question was loaded, heavy with unspoken fear and an unwanted curiosity.

“Finish that sentence, little omega...."

“This… this public display. This… claim. You’re making it worse for me.”

“If I’m so ‘wrong,’ then just… leave me alone.”

You didn’t come here to survive, Aria. You came to wake up. To stir the sleeping beast within.

Stop hiding. Stop being a victim.

"The Stray Queen Prophecy.”

"I burn the world down for you, Aria. I’ll watch it all turn to ash at your feet.”

And I would be the one to guide her, to stand beside her, when she claimed her rightful place.

“I can’t watch him touch you, Aria. I can’t watch any of them. I’ll lose my goddamn mind. You’re mine. Only mine.”

“Because I don’t have the luxury of not liking you, Aria,” he said, his voice a low, rough confession, laced with a bitter resentment.

“What the hell does that mean, Cassian? Are you finally losing your mind?”

I’m such a curse, then why not protect yourself?

"Tell me you didn’t feel the same raw pull I feel for you. Tell me you don't feel this too.”

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Stop hiding. Stop being a victim.

Aria’s POV

The silence in my room felt heavier than the oppressive gloom of night, louder even than the storm that still raged, contained and volatile, inside me. I had scrubbed my hands raw in the dorm’s communal washroom, rubbing them until the skin burned and chafed, a futile attempt to wash off...