Chapter 2 – Rumors and Bonds
Aria curled up on the couch, her knees tucked tight against her chest. Her phone glowed in her hand, each notification twisting her stomach tighter. She refreshed her social media, but it was always the same. Rumors. Endless rumors about her.
"Did you hear? Aria's the Lycan Alpha's mate."
"No way. The actual Lycan Alpha? That's impossible."
"She's so lucky… or maybe doomed."
The words stung like needles. People she barely knew tagged her in posts. Some sent private messages, demanding to know if it was true. Aria scrolled through the flood of comments, her eyes blurring as the words ran together. She locked her phone with a shaky breath and dropped it onto the couch. She wanted to scream, to demand why this was happening, but her voice stayed trapped inside. All she could do was sit there, numb, as questions spun in her head.
Why me? Why him, of all people?
Her phone buzzed again, this time with a call. Mona's name lit up the screen. Aria stared at it for a moment, her thumb hovering, before she answered.
"Hello?" Her voice came out soft, barely a whisper.
"Aria?" Mona's voice was heavy with worry. "Are you okay? I saw the posts. Everyone's talking about you."
Aria bit her lip, silent for a long moment. Finally, she murmured, "I… I don't know what to do."
Mona paused, like she was searching for the right words. "Listen, you don't have to accept him. You can reject the mate bond. It's your choice."
"Reject him?" Aria's voice cracked, panic creeping in. "Mona, he's the Lycan Alpha. What if I say no and he gets angry? He could… I don't know… hurt me. Or worse."
"He won't hurt you," Mona said, trying to sound sure, but her voice wavered. "Look, don't stress yet. We'll figure it out tomorrow, okay? Just take a deep breath and try to relax."
Aria closed her eyes, her chest tight. "Okay," she whispered. "Tomorrow."
"Good. Get some sleep. Call me if you need me, alright?"
"Yeah. Thanks, Mona."
The call ended, and Aria let her phone slip onto the cushion beside her. She leaned her head back, staring at the ceiling, wishing she could erase the last day. Every time she blinked, she saw *him*—the Lycan Alpha. His sharp jawline, his dark eyes that seemed to pin her in place, like she was the only thing that mattered. Her stomach twisted, caught between fear and something else she couldn't name. Why him? Why had the Moon Goddess chosen someone so powerful, so dangerous?
"Why couldn't it be someone normal?" she muttered. "Just a regular guy. Not… him."
Frustrated, she stood and shuffled to her bed. Her thoughts felt like a tangled mess, impossible to unravel. What kind of person was she to be tied to someone like the Lycan Alpha? Could she even handle someone so intense? She climbed onto her bed, grabbing her pillow and hugging it tight, like it could shield her from the chaos. Slowly, her breathing calmed, and her heavy eyelids closed. Maybe sleep would clear her head, even just for a little while.
The next morning, Aria tiptoed downstairs. The smell of coffee and toast filled the kitchen. Her mom stood at the counter, stirring a mug.
"Morning, sweetheart," her mom said, glancing back with a warm smile. "You look tired. Did you sleep okay?"
Aria forced a quick nod and a small smile. "I'm fine."
But she wasn't fine, and she knew her mom could tell. Her mom's eyes lingered, soft with concern. Aria thought about telling her everything—about the Alpha, the mate bond, the rumors—but the words stuck in her throat. What could her mom say to fix this? Nothing felt like it would help.
Instead, she grabbed her bag and mumbled, "I'll see you later," before slipping out the door.
At school, everything felt wrong. People stared as Aria walked down the halls. Some whispered behind their hands, their words sharp and curious. Others stepped out of her way, like she carried some kind of dangerous aura. Her cheeks burned under their gazes.
In the classroom, every seat around her stayed empty. No one dared sit close, as if she might infect them with her drama. Only Mona slid into the chair beside her, offering a small, supportive smile.
"Don't let them bother you," Mona whispered. "They're just jealous."
Aria sighed, resting her forehead on the cool desk. "Why does it have to be like this? I don't even know if I want this bond."
Mona opened her mouth to reply, but the classroom door creaked open. The room fell silent, the air thick with tension.
Aria lifted her head, expecting the teacher. Her breath caught.
It was him.
Alpha Damon—the Lycan Alpha—stood in the doorway. His presence seemed to suck the air from the room. He was tall, with broad shoulders that filled the frame, his dark eyes sweeping the class until they locked on Aria. Her heart stopped, her body frozen.
Every student stared, their eyes wide. Damon walked toward her, his steps slow and deliberate, like a predator stalking through the forest. His gaze never left her, intense and unyielding.
Aria stood, her chair scraping loudly against the floor. She hadn't meant to move—it just happened. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice trembling.
He didn't answer. Instead, he closed the distance between them in a few strides. Before she could react, his strong arm wrapped around her waist. With one effortless motion, he lifted her off the ground, as if she weighed nothing.
"Hey!" Aria yelped, squirming in his grip. Her classmates gasped, their whispers buzzing like bees.
Damon ignored them, carrying her out of the classroom with steady, confident steps. Aria's heart pounded, her mind racing. She caught Mona's shocked face as the door swung shut behind them.
By the time they reached the parking lot, Aria's pulse was deafening. Damon set her down gently on the pavement, but she stumbled back, putting space between them.
"What are you doing here?" she demanded, her voice sharper now. "Why are you at my school?"
A slow smile curved his lips, calm but dangerous. "Can't I visit my mate?"
"I'm not your mate," Aria snapped, her hands shaking at her sides.
His smile didn't waver. "The bond doesn't lie, Aria. You felt it. I know you did."
She shook her head fast, refusing to admit it. But deep down, she couldn't deny the pull—the strange, electric tug in her chest when he looked at her.
Damon stepped toward his sleek red car and opened the passenger door. "Get in."
Aria crossed her arms, her jaw tight. "I have class."
"You don't need class today," he said, his voice smooth but firm, like a command wrapped in silk. "I've taken care of everything. Get in."
She glared at him, frustration boiling in her chest. "Where are we going?"
His lips curved into another smile, but he didn't answer. He just stood there, waiting, his dark eyes locked on hers, as if he knew she'd give in.
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