CHAPTER 156: A DATE

Andria’s POV

The next morning came faster than I expected. I barely slept; my mind kept spinning around last night, Aven’s lips, Kaelric’s words, and his eyes watching me from behind before he disappeared, Liara’s betrayal, all crashing together like waves that refused to calm.

I stirred and turned in my bed, who knew that even after all these years of experiencing betrayals and losing friends, this one would still hurt like this.

I managed to get prepared. Today was day two of the fundraiser events, the talent hunt show, so I had to be at the hall on time.

By the time I dragged myself into the hall, students in the decorating team were already busy decorating for the talent show.

Bright banners hung from the ceiling, the scent of paint still sharp in the air. I blinked against the harsh lights, forcing a smile when Macy waved from the stage.

"Ari! Over here!" she called, nearly tripping over a pile of wires.

"You’re going to electrocute yourself one day," I warned, striding toward her.

She grinned. "I’ll die a star, thank you very much."

Macy was so full of herself and full of energy that it was one of the many things I loved about her.

"All this energy for the talent show?" I teased, glancing at the glitter scattered across her sleeves.

Before she could answer, Allison walked in. For once, she didn’t look like she was dragging grief behind her like a cloak.

Her face glowed, soft, radiant and alive. Even her steps carried a rhythm, almost as though she were dancing to a tune only she could hear.

Macy noticed it too, as we gave ourselves knowing looks. "Well, well," she said, folding her arms dramatically. "Would you look at that? Someone finally found her inner sunshine."

Allison blinked, confused. "What are you talking about?"

"Don’t play innocent with us," Macy said, wiggling her eyebrows. "You’re glowing. Don’t tell me Khalil hasn’t given you beauty sleep instead of nightmares, like Jackson did."

Allison’s cheeks flushed. "Oh, come on."

"Don’t ’oh come on’ me," I joined in, smirking. "I’ve seen people look happy, but you? You look like a moon goddess who just got her light back."

That earned me a hearty laugh from Allison, and the sound was so pure it made something warm stir in my chest.

For the first time in a while, she looked happy and free; she wasn’t antagonizing anyone, and she wasn’t fighting for a mate who wouldn’t recognize her.

"Fine," Allison said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Maybe I am happy. Maybe I finally found someone who doesn’t see me as a burden."

Macy gasped dramatically. "That’s it! She admitted it!"

I rolled my eyes. "Stop bullying her, Macy."

"You know I can’t bully Allison; Allison is the real bully, Jackson humbled her, but Khalil softened her, " she said, grinning. "By the way, I’m just celebrating her, I mean, see how excited I am for her."

I couldn’t help but laugh. "Whatever you say."

We got back to work, organizing the seating arrangement, testing the microphones, and checking the stage lights.

The hall slowly filled with murmurs, laughter, and the sweet hum of anticipation. By noon, tickets were already selling faster than expected. Apparently, even the stoic wolves of Ashwood loved a good talent show.

The first act was a dance performance, sleek, synchronized, full of energy. The crowd roared.

Then came a few singers, a guitarist, and even a pair of wolves who performed a comedic skit that literally had everyone howling.

I found myself laughing uncontrollably; the performances swayed my emotions in ways I never expected.

For the first time in a long while, everything felt almost normal.

Then my phone buzzed, and I frowned because I didn’t like being distracted from the show. I pulled my phone out to find out it was Aven.

My heartbeat picked up before my brain could even process why.

"Excuse me," I said to Macy, slipping past her. "I need to take this."

Macy arched a brow. "I can guess who, probably Aven, right? He or the other two wouldn’t ever let you rest."

I looked at her and then at Allison, who was chuckling at me and back at her.

"Shut up," I muttered, heading for the exit before she could say more.

Outside, the air was crisp. The noise of the hall dulled into a low hum. Aven was leaning against the railing just a few steps away, his brunette hair borrowing the radiance of the sun.

He looked gorgeous, I hated to admit. Since last night, he hasn’t left my mind, and right now he appears even more attractive than he has ever been.

He turned when he saw me—that slow, devastating smile of his spread across his face.

"You came," he said softly, "I thought you wouldn’t ever get off that backstage, Miss president," he said, giving me that fake bow.

"You told me to," I replied, folding my arms. "I figured it was important."

He chuckled, the sound rich and smooth, reverberating from his chest. "It is. I wanted to thank you again... for saving my sister."

I waved a hand dismissively. "I already told you, anyone would have done the same."

"Anyone wouldn’t, especially not for Allison or even for me, except they expect something in return. But..." he countered. "You did."

I looked away, trying to hide the warmth that crept up my neck. "You’re impossible, you know that?"

"I’ve been told," he said with a smirk.

We started walking slowly, like we had nowhere in particular to go. The campus was quiet, the autumn leaves crunching softly beneath our shoes.

He spoke again, his tone more serious now. "I’ve been thinking about last night. About what happened between us," he was scratching his hair lightly, and I couldn’t help but get tense.

My stomach tightened, and I quirked an eyebrow at him. "Us?"

"Don’t act like you didn’t feel it," he said, turning his head to look at me. "Ari, you felt it as much as I did. Ardyn felt your wolf stretch out."

He was right, I had felt every pull, every rush of excitement, and I wanted it again. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t feel what I felt the previous night.

I let out a shaky laugh. "You’re getting ahead of yourself, Aven."

"Am I?" His voice was low, dangerous in the way it made my pulse skip. "Because from where I stood, you kissed me back."

"I was... caught off guard," I defended.

He smiled. "You’re not very good at lying, Ari."

"Maybe you are just too good at assuming," I shot back.

He chuckled again, clearly enjoying this verbal spar. "We aren’t fighting today, not after last night, so that I will forget about it.

You know, the holiday is approaching," he said, as if the shift in subject might soften the tension between us. "I was wondering if... maybe we could spend some time together. Go somewhere quieter. Away from all this chaos."

I stopped walking. "You mean a date?"

His grin widened. "A few, if you’re brave enough."