Chapter 85 *

Chapter 85 Chapter 85
Angelina’s POV
"You sure? It's not a problem—"
"I'm sure."
He nodded slowly. "Okay. Well... thanks again for everything. Seriously. You saved my life back there."
"You paid me to."
"Still." He shifted his weight. "If you ever need anything, just call me. Or my father. We owe you."
"Fine."
Daniel glanced behind me, then lowered his voice. "What about him?"
I didn't need to turn around to know he meant Caelan.
"What about him?"
"Is he... going to your house?"
"That's not my problem."
Daniel looked like he wanted to say more but decided against it. "Right. Okay. See you around, Aria."
He walked off toward the parking lot.
I pulled out my phone and opened the Uber app. A car was seven minutes away.
"I'll drive you."
Caelan's voice came from right behind me. Too close.
I didn't turn around. "I don't need a ride from you."
"Your Uber will take forty-five minutes to get to Roseville from here. I can get you there in thirty."
"I'd rather take the Uber."
"Aria—"
"Stop following me around," I said. Still not looking at him. "I'm not your mate. I'm not your girlfriend. I'm not anything to you. So just leave me alone."
Silence.
Then I heard footsteps. Walking away.
I waited until I couldn't hear them anymore before I turned around.
Caelan was gone.
Good.
My Uber arrived twelve minutes later. A black Mercedes S-Class pulled up. The driver, dressed in a crisp suit, got out and opened the back door for me without a word.
I leaned my head against the window. The traffic was terrible as always. What should have been a forty-five minute drive turned into an hour and ten minutes.
By the time we reached home, the sun was setting. Orange and pink streaks across the sky.
The driver pulled up in front of the Sterling house. "Have a good evening."
"Thanks."
I got out and walked up to the front door. Pulled out my keys. Unlocked it.
The house was quiet. Empty.
Mom and Dad were still at work. Ethan too. Leo was probably out somewhere with his racing friends.
I dropped my bag by the door and walked into the living room.
And froze.
Caelan was sitting on the couch.
He looked up when I entered. "Welcome back."
I stared at him. "How did you get here before me?"
"I drove fast."
"That's not— you know what? I don't care." I turned toward the stairs. "Stay away from me."
"We need to talk."
"No, we don't."
"Ange—"
"My name is Aria here," I said sharply. "Not Angelina. Don't call me that in this house."
He stood up. "Fine. Aria. We still need to talk."
"There's nothing to talk about."
I started walking up the stairs. He didn't follow. I went straight to my room and closed the door. Locked it.
Then I sat on my bed and let out a long breath.
Three days in Casper had been exhausting. But not because of Creek Pack or the meetings or the business deals.
It was because of him.
Caelan Thorne. Alpha of Evergreen Pack. The one person who knew my secret.
The one person who claimed I was his mate.
I lay back on my bed and stared at the ceiling.
This was supposed to be my second chance at life. A normal life. No Pack politics. No wars. No responsibilities.
Just school and family and regular teenage problems.
But somehow, I'd ended up taking over a criminal organization, killing an Alpha, and getting stalked by another Alpha who wouldn't take no for an answer.
My phone buzzed. I pulled it out.
Group chat notification. Silas had sent a message.
Silas: Yo guys, we can't let break end like this! Let's do something epic!
Logan: Like what?
Silas: CAMPING! Hiking and camping! Before we have to go back to boring ass school!
Mia: Wait, camping? Like, sleeping outside? With bugs?
Silas: Come on Mia, don't be such a princess lol
Mia: I'm NOT a princess! ...but seriously, are there bathrooms?
Logan: Nah man, I'm scared of bugs. Count me out. Besides, my parents are away on a business trip, so I'm throwing a party at our lake house instead!
Silas: BRUH. You're scared of bugs but Mia isn't?? 😂
Mia: HA! See, I'm not the princess here! Logan is! 👑
Silas: Dude a lake house party sounds fire tho ngl
Mia: Ooh wait, can we do both?
Random guy from PE class: Count me in!
Another person: This is gonna be lit!
Someone else: Should we bring alcohol? jk jk... unless?
Silas: Master, you HAVE to come! We're going to Thunder Peak State Park, it's got trails and a camping area. It'll be fire!
I stared at the messages. Camping. With a bunch of high school kids.
It sounded terrible.
But it also sounded... normal. Like something a regular fifteen-year-old would do.
I typed back: Fine. When?
Silas: YOOOOO MASTER SAID YES!
Silas: Tomorrow! We leave early morning, camp overnight, come back the next day!
Mia: I guess I'm going too... someone has to make sure you idiots don't die in the woods.
The next morning, I came downstairs with a small backpack. Camping gear, change of clothes, basic supplies.
Mom was in the kitchen making breakfast. The smell of eggs and toast filled the house.
"Morning, sweetheart," she said, then noticed my bag. "Going somewhere?"
"Camping with some friends. Just overnight."
Mom's eyes went wide. "Camping? Like, in the wilderness? With tents?"
"Yes, Mom."
"But—" She set down her spatula and walked over to me. "Honey, are you sure about this? The woods can be dangerous. There are wild animals and—"
"Mom, I'll be fine."
"Do you have bug spray? Sunscreen? A first aid kit?" She was already pulling out her phone. "Let me check the weather forecast. What if it rains? Do you have rain gear? And what about food? Are you bringing enough food? You need protein, not just snacks—"
"Mom."
"And a flashlight! You need a good flashlight, not just your phone. Phone batteries die. And what if you get lost? Do you have a map? A compass? Does anyone in your group know CPR?"
"Mom," I said again, more firmly. "I'm going to be fine. It's just one night. We'll be back tomorrow afternoon."
She looked at me with worried eyes. "I know, I know. I just... I worry about you, honey. You're my baby girl."
I walked over and hugged her. She hugged me back tight.
"I'll text you when we get there," I said. "And before we go to sleep. And when we wake up. And when we're heading back. Okay?"
"Promise?"
"Promise."
She finally let go, though she still looked worried. "Okay. But if anything feels wrong, if anything seems dangerous, you call me immediately and I'll come get you. I don't care what time it is."
"I will."
"And stay with your friends. Don't wander off alone. And check for ticks when you get back. Lyme disease is serious—"
"Mom," I said gently. "I've got everything. I'll be careful."
She sighed. "I know you will. You're always so responsible. I just can't help worrying."
Dad walked into the kitchen, already dressed for work. He saw my backpack.
"Camping trip?"
"Yeah."
He nodded once. "Be safe."
That was it. That was all he said. But I could see the concern in his eyes too.
"I will."
I grabbed a piece of toast from the counter and headed for the door.
"Text me!" Mom called after me.
"I will!"
I stepped outside and closed the door behind me. The morning air was cool. I started walking down the street toward the meeting point.
My phone buzzed. Group chat notification.
Silas: Master where are you??? We're all waiting!
Mia: Aria hurry up! Silas is driving us crazy!
I didn't bother replying. I was five minutes away.
When I turned the corner onto Maple Street, I saw them. The shopping center parking lot was half full even this early. And right in the middle of it was a cluster of people and cars.
Way more people than I'd expected.