Chapter 103 103

Chapter 103 103
~ARLINA~

"I'm planning something for you this weekend."

Zayne announced, accosting me between classes on Thursday. We'd barely spoken in days, so hearing his voice made my chest tighten.

"Planning what?" I asked, curious despite myself.

"A surprise. To make up for everything. For being distant, and for fighting." He touched my arm. "I want to fix this, Arlina. Fix us."

Through the bond, I felt something. Not quite the warmth I was used to, but enough to give me hope.

"What kind of surprise?"

"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise anymore, would it?" He smiled, that smile I'd missed so much. "Just trust me. Saturday night, seven PM. I'll text you the address."

"Okay."

"And dress up. Make it special."

After he walked away, I stood there feeling lighter than I had in days.

He was planning something. To fix us, and bridge this distance that had opened between us.

Maybe everything would be okay after all.



Saturday came and I spent hours getting ready.

The dress I chose was midnight blue, the one Zayne had always loved. I curled my hair, did my makeup carefully, even wore the necklace he'd given me for my birthday.

Mom found me in front of the mirror.

"You look beautiful, baby. Where are you going?"

"Zayne planned a surprise. He wants to fix things between us."

Her expression flickered with something I couldn't read. "Did he say what kind of surprise?"

"No. Just to dress up and meet him at this address." I showed her my phone.

"That's—that's the old community center. Near campus."

"Maybe he rented it out? For something private?"

"Maybe." But she still looked concerned. "Call me if you need anything, okay?"

"I will."

The drive took twenty minutes. The community center was lit up, music drifting from inside.

My stomach fluttered with anticipation as I walked to the entrance.

This was it. Zayne was going to apologize properly, explain everything, make things right between us.

Maybe he'd even planned something romantic. The claiming ceremony wasn't for another two weeks, but maybe he wanted to do something special before then.

I pushed open the door.

The room was full of people. Students from campus, some I recognized from classes. Decorations everywhere, a DJ in the corner, tables laden with food.

And there, in the center of it all, was Zayne. My face fell, he was standing next to Nessa.

He was laughing at something she said, his hand on her arm. She looked stunning in a red dress, her blonde hair perfect.

They looked like they belonged together. My stomach dropped.

This wasn't a surprise for me. This was…what was this?

"Arlina!" Selene appeared at my side "What are you doing here?"

"Zayne invited me. Said he planned a surprise—"

"He invited you? To this?" She looked horrified. "Oh no. No no no—"

"What is this party for?"

She couldn't meet my eyes. "I thought you knew. I thought—god, I'm so sorry."

"Selene. What is this party for?"

Before she could answer, someone tapped a microphone.

Zayne, standing on a small stage at the front of the room.

"Can I have everyone's attention?" he called out.

The room quieted and everyone turned to face him.

Including me, standing frozen near the entrance in my midnight blue dress.

Our eyes met across the room. For a second, something flashed in his expression. Confusion somehow, or recognition. Then it was gone.

"Thank you all for coming tonight," he continued. "I wanted to gather everyone here for something important."

My heart was pounding.

"These past few weeks have been amazing," Zayne said. "Getting to know someone who challenges me intellectually, who makes me laugh, who I can be myself around without complications."

No. No no no.

"Nessa, can you come up here?"

She sashayed up the stage, a perfect smile plastered on her face.

They stood together under the lights and he took her hands.

"I know we haven't known each other long," Zayne said. "But sometimes you just know when something is right."

The room was completely silent. I could hear my own heartbeat.

"So I wanted to do this properly, in front of everyone." He looked at Nessa. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

The words hit more than a physical blow.

Time seemed to stop. The mate bond, already weak and felt like it was tearing.

This wasn't happening. This couldn't be happening.

Mate bonds didn't work like this. You couldn't just decide to date someone else. The bond wouldn't allow it.

But Zayne was standing there, holding Nessa's hands, asking her to be his girlfriend.

And she was smiling.