Chapter 32 Chapter 32
Angelina's POV
That encounter with Graham in the woods still played vividly in my mind.
I wasn't sure if he'd recognized me yet.
Right now, I stood frozen in the doorway, taking in the scene before me—Graham sitting across from my dad on our living room couch, dressed in a simple black hoodie and jeans. He had that casual athletic build, broad shoulders filling out his hoodie, the kind of presence that made him impossible to ignore.
I knew exactly what I was looking at.
A guy like Graham—dressed like any other college guy—still carried that commanding presence. That quiet intensity you couldn't shake.
I frowned slightly.
I just hoped what Mrs. Bishop said was true—that he was only staying here temporarily.
Dad's voice boomed through the room:
"Well, you're welcome to stay as long as you need! We've got plenty of room!"
Whatever Graham had told him earlier must have been pretty convincing for Dad to be this comfortable with a stranger moving in.
The moment Dad finished speaking, Graham turned his head toward me.
He just stared at me for a moment.
His expression remained unreadable, that same cool, guarded look that made it impossible to know what he was thinking.
I held his gaze, refusing to look away first.
I had no idea if Graham recognized me or not.
But since he wasn't saying anything, I figured I'd play it safe and act like we were complete strangers.
"I'm heading upstairs," I announced to my parents.
"Hey, Aria! Wait up!" Leo called out, chasing me up the stairs.
Before I could reach my room, he caught up with me.
He glanced around nervously, like he was about to share classified information. Once he confirmed no one had followed us upstairs, he leaned in and lowered his voice:
"So, uh... Big Marc's been hitting me up non-stop since the Badlands race. He keeps asking for your contact info."
He paused, gauging my reaction.
"He wants to know if you'd be interested in racing more. Like, officially."
I knew Big Marc wasn't just the race director for that one event at Redstone Pack. The guy had serious connections throughout the entire North American werewolf racing circuit. Leo had been racing through Marc's network for years—Marc would connect him with wealthy pack sponsors, set up races, handle all the logistics.
After I beat Tyler "Apex" Cross at the Badlands Circuit—word had spread like wildfire through every pack in the region. Everyone wanted to know who the mystery girl was that had humiliated Tyler Cross.
Luckily, I'd managed to avoid the cameras and media during check-in and after the race. Only Big Marc and his crew knew my real identity.
And now, as someone deeply embedded in the racing scene, Marc obviously wanted Leo to bring me in. A racer who could beat Tyler? That was a golden opportunity he wasn't about to let slip away.
I blinked, waiting for him to continue.
Leo rubbed the back of his neck, then his excitement broke through:
"Here's the thing, sis. Marc said if you're down... he'll help us build our own racing team. Like, a legit team."
I understood immediately. Having his own racing team had been Leo's dream since forever. He'd been racing for other people, representing Meadow Pack, taking whatever gigs Marc could line up—but never having something that was truly his.
Now that chance was right in front of him. Of course he wanted it desperately.
But he'd never push me into something I didn't want.
When I didn't respond right away, Leo's face fell. He quickly backtracked:
"Look, no pressure at all, okay? I'm just throwing it out there. I haven't told Marc yes or anything."
He pulled out his phone, already looking defeated.
"Actually, you know what? If you're not into it, I'll call him right now and tell him no. It's totally fine. Let me just—"
"Leo."
I cut him off before he could dial.
"If this is what you want, then let's do it."
Leo's hand froze mid-air. His phone nearly slipped from his grip.
"Wait, what did you just say?"
I looked at him directly, watching his eyes start to well up with emotion, and spoke clearly:
"I'll race with you. Let's build our own team."
Even though in my previous life as "Phantom," I'd already reached the pinnacle of international racing—left world champions eating my dust—starting from scratch with Leo would be completely different.
This time, I wouldn't be alone, we'd build something together.
Leo’s face completely changed. The defeated look was gone, replaced by pure shock.
"Wait—what? You’re serious?"
"I said I’d race with you," I said. "Let's build the team."
"YES! YES! HOLY SHIT!"
Leo shouted, his voice way too loud for the narrow hallway. Before I could react, he grabbed me in a huge, bone-crushing hug, lifting me right off the floor.
"This is insane! You're the best sister ever! We’re finally going to do it!"
I grunted. "Leo, put me down. You're crushing my ribs."
"I don't care! This is amazing!" he yelled, spinning us both in a small circle.
"I'm serious, let go—"
I stopped talking.
My voice just died.
Graham was on the stairs. He was halfway up, one hand on the railing, just watching us.
Leo finally put me down, still grinning like an idiot. He hadn't noticed him yet.
"We gotta call Big Marc right now! We need a name for the team! And we need to find sponsors, maybe—"
"Leo, shut up for a second," I said quietly.
His smile faded. "What? Why?"
He turned his head and finally saw Caelan standing there, silent.
"Oh. Uh, hey. Graham, right?" Leo said, suddenly awkward.
Caelan didn't answer.
His eyes were Cold.
I knew that look. I’d seen it countless times in my old life.
It was the look someone gives you right before they decide you're a threat that needs to be removed.
The air in the hallway felt heavy.
I felt that warning chill crawl up my spine.
"We were just... uh... talking," Leo said. He finally dropped his arm from my shoulder, looking confused.
I didn't know what Caelan was really doing in my house, but I didn't want him this close to my family. Especially not when he was looking at Leo like that.
"I'm tired," I said, cutting through the silence.
I grabbed Leo's sleeve. "We can talk about the team tomorrow."
"But, Aria—"
"Tomorrow, Leo."
I didn't wait for him to argue. I turned and walked straight to my bedroom door, pulling him with me.