ELEVEN

ELEVEN
ARIA

“Bonfire?” Selene shoots me a sharp look, like I’ve just dropped a secret I wasn’t supposed to.

I lift my shoulders in a half-hearted shrug. “I don’t really go to parties. Kind of hard when you don’t have any friends. So, social events just… slip under my radar.”

I stare down at my shoes, already regretting that unfiltered burst of honesty. With a steadying breath, I glance back up at Selene. I wonder how long it'll take before she figures out I’m not worth the effort and ghosts—just like everyone else always does.

Leo lets out a light chuckle, but when I don’t join in, his smile falters. He glances between us, looking mildly puzzled, then clears his throat.

“We always have a bonfire the weekend after the first full week of classes,” he explains. “Which happens to be tonight. You two should definitely come. It’s out in the woods, behind the packhouse. Nothing wild—just tradition. What do you say? Come on. Say yes.” His big brown eyes turn toward Selene, hopeful and a little dramatic.

Wait a second… is he actually pouting?

“Of course! We can’t break tradition!” Selene beams, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm. “Is there some kind of dress code for this thing, or do we just show up however?”

She tilts her head and smiles up at him like it’s the easiest thing in the world. Huh. So this is what real-life flirting looks like. No wonder Raven never stood a chance—Selene does it like it’s second nature. I get why people are drawn to her.

Leo stumbles for a beat, clearly caught off guard, but then collects himself.

“It’s casual, come as you are. Just… dress warm. The clearing sits in a dip and the cold sort of settles there.”

“What time should we swing by?”

“We’re heading out to set up now, so show up whenever. The fire gets lit around nine, once it’s dark. But honestly, you can drop in anytime.” He grins at Selene again. The guy’s totally smitten. I’m not even sure he knows he’s flirting. She’s got him wrapped around her little finger.

“Well then, we’ll see you later, Leo.” She flashes him one last smile before climbing into her car. I slide into the passenger seat beside her. Once we’re inside with the doors shut, she turns to me.

“Okay, so I may have been trying to steer us away from the batch trio and the hot brigade, but now I’m starving. What’s the best burger spot around here?”

“The hot brigade? Really?” I raise a brow, half-laughing as she fires up the engine.

She just grins and rolls her eyes.

I chuckle and start rattling off directions. After grabbing food, we end up back at her place—which, surprisingly, is just down the block from mine.

“I had no idea your aunt and uncle were some of the top warriors,” she says as we step inside. “That definitely explains those combat skills. Honestly, I didn’t ask you much today… Sorry about that.” I sit down on the edge of her bed, fiddling with a loose thread on my sleeve.

“It’s fine. We’ve got time to learn about each other.”

She starts rummaging through her closet, but then pauses and looks over her shoulder at me. “What I do want to know is—what was that back there? ‘I don’t go to parties because I don’t have friends’? Yeah, no way I’m letting that one slide like I didn’t hear it.”

I wince. Yeah… that definitely came out more pathetic than I meant.

“Exactly what I said. I don’t have friends. I don’t go to parties. No one really chooses to spend time with me—they usually avoid me if they can help it. That’s just how it’s been for a long time.” I lift one shoulder in a helpless shrug. “You’re the first person I’ve had more than one non-school-related conversation with that wasn’t about assignments or training.”

I pause. It’s strange—thinking these things used to sting, like tiny knives to the chest. But now? Now I just feel... nothing. Like I’ve gone numb to the fact that my peers only interact with me when they have no other choice. That can’t be healthy.

“That’s... a lot,” Selene says carefully, her tone gentle but laced with curiosity. “And I’m guessing the silver-laced whip marks on your back are part of that Leoe story?”

My head snaps toward her, eyes wide. “Wait—how did you know they were silver-laced? That’s an oddly specific guess.” My voice comes out sharper than I intend. “I only told Delta Nolan by accident—through the mindlink—and no one else knows.”

She casually steps out of her closet, clutching a hoodie and giving me a look. “We’ll circle back to the friend thing, but I’ll answer your question first.”

She flops the hoodie onto her bed and crosses her arms. “I told you my parents are chemists, right? They work for the Alpha King. Most of their research deals with chemical weapons and, more importantly, antidotes for those weapons.”

A flicker of discomfort flashes through me. My mind immediately goes to the silver powder they used on me—the kind that burrows into your skin like fire. My jaw tightens at the memory.

She catches my reaction and lifts an eyebrow. “Don’t give me that look. They’re not evil. But their job is... dark. They’ve seen what wolves can do to each other in war. It’s their responsibility to study those threats—especially the ones that could hurt the Alpha King—and create counters for them. Sometimes, they’re sent in after battles to reverse damage.”

She shrugs. “That’s part of why I’m here, actually. They’ve been deployed on a confidential assignment. Not safe for me to stay alone this time. And since I don’t usually stick with pack members for long stretches while they’re away, staying with family made the most sense for appearances.”

She peers at me over her shoulder, trying to look stern. But her naturally cheerful expression just makes it... adorable.

“And, obviously,” she adds with mock-seriousness, “none of that leaves this room.”

A secret.