Aderyn Pov

The shrill beep of my phone pierced the early morning silence, pulling me from the depths of sleep. Groggily, I fumbled for the device, squinting at the screen as yet another message from an unknown number lit up.

"Next round will be held next month. Be there. It's a really big one."

With a sigh, I deleted the message without a second thought. Leaning back against the headboard, I exhaled slowly. My life had become a series of cryptic messages like these, each one a thread in the tangled web that seemed to tighten around me with every passing day.

For a brief moment, bitterness welled up, but I forced it back down. There was no point in dwelling on the unfairness of it all. Despite the chaos that had taken over my life, there were still things worth holding on to. My gaze drifted to the small, framed photo on my nightstand—my family. My mom, dad, and Nancy, all smiling back at me, frozen in time.

"I miss you, Mom, Dad, and Nancy," I whispered, pressing a kiss to the glass before setting it back down. The familiar ache in my chest was a reminder of what I had lost, but also of what I was determined to protect.

The routine of getting ready for the day was comforting, a small slice of normalcy in an otherwise unpredictable existence. I lingered in the shower, letting the hot water wash away the remnants of sleep. Wrapped in a towel, I wiped the fog from the mirror, catching a glimpse of my reflection.

"Hmm, I could use a haircut," I mused, tugging at a damp strand of hair. The thought flitted away as quickly as it came, replaced by the usual rush to get dressed. Black ripped jeans and a cowl-neck top were my go-to, a combination that felt like armor against whatever the day might throw at me. A quick swipe of lip gloss, and I was ready.

Slipping into my shoes, I grabbed my phone and card, mentally preparing for the day ahead. Bell and I had planned a trip out—something she insisted would be a welcome distraction. I wasn't so sure. The idea of spending the day shopping didn't exactly thrill me, but there were a few things I needed, and I hoped the place she was taking me would have them.

"Adie!" Bell's voice pulled me from my thoughts as she appeared at the end of the hallway.

"Morning," I greeted, giving her a once-over. She was dressed in a floral dress that hit mid-thigh, paired with boots and a shrug. Her hair was pulled back as usual, but there was a lightness in her step that I hadn't seen in a while.

"You look nice," I said, acknowledging the effort she'd put in.

"You too," she replied with a smile.

"Let's get going then," I said, turning toward the door. But Bell's voice stopped me.

"Wait, we need to check in with the Alpha first."

"What? Why?" I asked, puzzled.

"He needs to know where we're going. It's for safety," she explained, though her tone suggested there was more to it than that.

"Fine," I muttered, rolling my eyes as I followed her through the corridors.

As we approached Dylan's room, I couldn't help but wonder why we were going there instead of his office. Bell's explanation that he'd worked late and was still resting made sense, but it didn't make me any more enthusiastic about the detour.

Bell knocked on his door while I hung back, more interested in my phone than in whatever conversation was about to unfold. I scrolled through old messages, deleting them without much thought, when the door creaked open.

"What is it?" Dylan's voice was rough with sleep, a sound that somehow sent a shiver down my spine. I ignored it, keeping my eyes on my phone.

Bell stammered out a response, something about our plans for the day, but it was the sudden silence that made me look up.

Dylan stood in the doorway, shirtless, his chest bare save for the low-hanging basketball shorts that clung to his hips. For a moment, I understood why Bell had been struck speechless. The man looked like he'd just stepped off the cover of a fitness magazine, all hard muscles and tanned skin.

"Idiot," I muttered under my breath, though I wasn't sure if the insult was meant for him or myself for noticing.

His eyes found mine, and for a split second, I thought I saw something flash across his face—surprise, maybe? But then it was gone, replaced by a slow smirk that sent my irritation skyrocketing. He didn't even try to hide the way his gaze traveled over me, lingering in a way that made my skin crawl.

"Eyes up here, Mister," I snapped, crossing my arms over my chest. His gaze shifted to meet mine, the amusement in his eyes unmistakable.

"Pervert," I thought, though my traitorous mind added, "A sexy pervert," before I quickly shut down that line of thinking.

"We're going out," I said flatly, hoping to cut the encounter short.

"Where?" he asked, as if the concept of leaving the house was foreign to him.

I was about to give a snarky response when Bell jumped in, explaining our destination. I didn't care to listen, more focused on getting out of there as quickly as possible. But Dylan seemed intent on drawing out the moment.

"Okay, but be back before evening," he finally said, his eyes never leaving mine. There was something in his gaze that made my heart skip a beat, a silent reminder of the strange connection we seemed to share.

I nodded curtly, eager to leave, but just as we turned to go, Dylan's voice stopped us again.

"Wait!"

I sighed, barely restraining my frustration as I turned back. He disappeared into his room for a moment, returning with something in his hand.

"Take this," he said, holding out a card.

"I don't need your money," I snapped, glaring at him. "I have my own."

"Just take it," Bell urged, but I was ready to argue when Dylan stepped forward and grabbed my hand. The contact sent a jolt of electricity through me, making me flinch. I yanked my hand back, staring at the spot where his touch lingered like a brand.

"What was that?" I whispered, half to myself, half to the universe at large. When I looked up, he was already watching me, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Just take it. Whether you use it or not is up to you," he said softly, his words carrying a weight I couldn't quite decipher. Against my better judgment, I slipped the card into my back pocket, still feeling the ghost of his touch on my skin.

"Let's go," I said to Bell, my voice steadier than I felt.

As we walked away, I threw one last glance over my shoulder, only to catch Dylan doing something that made my blood boil.

Spank!

I froze, whipping around to face him. Did he just—? My mind raced to catch up with my body's instinctive reaction.

"What did you just do?" I demanded, my voice dangerously low.

"What did I do?" he asked, his tone dripping with feigned innocence.

"Don't act smart with me," I warned, but he merely shrugged and mumbled, "Whatever," before closing the door in my face.

"Open this door, you moron! You pig, you pervert!" I shouted, pounding on the door with my fists.

"What happened?" Bell rushed back, looking alarmed.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. "Nothing," I muttered, though the promise of retribution simmered just beneath the surface.

As we left the house, I silently vowed to make him pay for that little stunt. What kind of Alpha behaves like that? The question gnawed at me as we made our way through the woods, the trees closing in like silent witnesses to my mounting frustration.

We walked in silence until the woods gave way to a small town, its quaint charm a stark contrast to the dark thoughts swirling in my mind.

"A town?" I asked, surprised by the sudden change in scenery.

"Yes, it's part of our territory," Bell explained.

"Also belongs to your Alpha?" I asked, and she nodded.

The town bustled with activity—children playing, vendors selling their wares, and people going about their day as if the world outside didn't exist. For a moment, it felt like I had stepped into a different reality, one untouched by the complications of my life.

"Where are we headed?" I asked, more out of curiosity than anything else.

"The mall," Bell replied, smiling as if she had just revealed a secret.

"A mall?" I repeated, incredulous.

"Yes, and it's not far," she assured me.

When we arrived, I had to admit I was impressed. The mall wasn't massive, but it was clean, well-organized, and had everything we needed. We headed to the clothing section first, where Bell immediately gravitated toward dresses and skirts while I made a beeline for the jeans and tops.

"Why don't you ever wear a dress?" Bell asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and exasperation.

"Everyone has their own style, Bell," I replied, picking out a few pairs of jeans and some simple tops. After trying on the clothes, I handed them to the salesgirl and told her I'd be back after picking up something else. Bell gave me a questioning look but didn't press.

I found the store I needed, only to be greeted by a salesman who seemed more interested in flirting than helping. I quickly shut him down, picking out the gloves and sandbags I needed and arranging for them to be delivered.

When I returned to Bell, she was already at the counter, her arms full of dresses. We paid for our things, and just as we were about to leave, two bulky guys approached us.

"Hey Bell," they greeted her before turning to me. "Luna."

I shot Bell a questioning look. "What's going on?"

"Alpha sent them to carry our bags," she explained, smiling.

"What?" I asked, crossing my arms. 

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