Aria’s POV
The apartnt felt different when I woke up that morning.
Quieter. Emptier.
Kael had left soti during the night. Like he’d never been there at all.
Except for the lingering scent of black cedar and winter frost. And the mory of his arms around Lina. And the terrible soup that had made us all laugh until we couldn’t breathe.
I pushed the thoughts away. Focused on getting ready for work.
My reflection in the bathroom mirror looked rough. Dark circles. Pale skin. The aftermath of too much alcohol and not enough sleep.
I did my best with makeup. Concealer. Foundation. Mascara. Red lipstick to add so life to my face.
Better. Not great. But better.
I chose my outfit carefully. A simple black dress. Professional. Conservative. Nothing that would draw attention.
Lina was still sleeping when I left. Cassius had agreed to watch her again. He’d shown up at my door this morning with a smile and a thermos of coffee.
"How are you feeling?" he’d asked.
"Like death."
"That good, huh?"
I’d managed a weak laugh. Thanked him for the millionth ti. Promised I’d make it up to him sohow.
"Just take care of yourself," he’d said. "That’s all I need."
Now I was walking toward Blood Crown Industries. The building lood ahead. Tall. Intimidating. Sa as always.
I squared my shoulders. Lifted my chin.
Professional Aria. That’s who I needed to be today.
I pushed through the revolving door.
And imdiately felt it.
Eyes.
Dozens of them. Turning toward . Locking onto my face.
The lobby went quiet. Conversations stopped mid-sentence. People froze in place.
Everyone was staring at .
My heart started pounding. My palms went sweaty.
What was happening?
I forced myself to keep walking. To act normal. To pretend I didn’t notice the way every single person tracked my movent.
But I noticed.
Of course I noticed.
The whispers started as I passed. Hushed. Urgent. Spreading like wildfire.
"Is that her?"
"I can’t believe..."
"Did you see what happened?"
My face burned. My hands clenched into fists at my sides.
Don’t react. Don’t give them the satisfaction.
Just keep walking.
I made it to the elevator. Pressed the button.
Two won were standing nearby. Young. Pretty. Dressed in expensive business casual.
They weren’t even trying to hide their stares.
"That’s her, right?" One whispered. Loud enough for to hear. "The one...?"
" Look at her..."
My stomach dropped.
What?
The elevator dinged. Doors opened.
I stepped inside. Hit the button for my floor. Repeatedly. Desperately.
The doors started closing.
"Do you think it’s true?" One of the won asked. "About the Luna thing?"
The doors closed.
I leaned against the wall. Pressed my palms against my face.
Breathed.
In. Out. In. Out.
What Luna thing?
What were they talking about?
The elevator climbed. My anxiety climbed with it.
By the ti the doors opened on my floor, I was shaking.
The executive level was worse.
Every desk I passed, heads turned. Conversations died. People stared.
So looked curious. So looked jealous. So looked downright hostile.
I kept my head down. Focused on my feet. On putting one foot in front of the other.
Don’t look at them. Don’t engage.
Just get to your desk.
I could feel their eyes boring into my back. Could hear the whispers starting up again as I passed.
My new workspace was at the far end. Right outside Kael’s office.
The glass wall gave a perfect view of his empty desk.
He wasn’t here yet. Thank God.
I collapsed into my chair. Set down my bag. Tried to steady my breathing.
Maybe I was being paranoid. Maybe people weren’t actually staring. Maybe it was all in my head.
"Aria."
I jumped.
Elara appeared beside my desk. Her brown eyes were huge. Her face was flushed with excitent.
"Hey." My voice ca out shaky. "You scared ."
"Sorry! Sorry." She pulled up a chair. Sat down way too close. "I just... I had to talk to you. Imdiately."
"About what?"
"About EVERYTHING!" She grabbed my hand. Squeezed. "Oh my God, Aria. Is it true? Is it REALLY true?"
My heart was pounding again. "Is what true?"
She stared at . "You’re serious? You don’t know?"
"Know WHAT?"
"About..." She glanced around. Lowered her voice. "About you and the Alpha. The Luna thing!"
My face went hot. "What?"
She squeezed my hand. "You don’t know? Aria, people are saying... people are talking..."
"Talking about what?"
"They’re saying you’re going to be the new Luna."
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