TEN

TEN
LEO

"You're a hard girl to keep track of," I said, stepping up with a half-smile, hoping to make a solid impression. "Nice to finally meet you, Selene. I'm Leo. These guys here are Max, Jade, Milo, and Ethan."

Each of the guys nodded or lifted their hand in greeting as I gestured to them.

Selene tilted her head slightly, eyes narrowing with recognition. "Wait a second. Are you Delta Nolan's Leo? The one with the takedown record Aria just shattered?"

She smiled, and just like that, I was done for. Totally wrecked. She could have dared me to kiss Ethan right there, and I might have actually considered it if she kept smiling like that.

"Guilty as charged," I replied, trying to sound chill, even as my heart stuttered. "You two had some serious moves this morning. Aria, I didn’t know you had that kind of fight in you. Where have you been hiding all that skill?"

Aria looked up slowly, blinking. She wasn’t quite scared, but her focus definitely wasn’t here. She seemed distant, a little overwhelmed. Selene nudged her subtly in the ribs, pulling her attention back to us.

"I’m sorry, what?" Aria asked, eyes wide as she looked at me. Her confusion was clear, and when her cheeks tinted that soft pink, it hit me like a punch.

That blush?

Yeah, I wanted to see it again. Often. She had no idea how dangerous that was.

"We were just complimenting your moves in training today," Max chimed in smoothly, picking up where I left off. "Hopefully we’ll get another shot to work with you two during advanced sessions. You might have to give us a few tips. Leo over here needs to win back his title."

Jade laughed loudly and clapped me on the back. "Yeah, someone’s ego still hasn’t recovered. Might need to start him off with the pups."

Aria gave a small smile and nodded, still quiet. I didn’t get it—she’d known us her whole life, yet she acted like we were strangers. Or maybe worse, like she wanted to vanish.

Then, that high-pitched, forced giggle echoed right beside us.

I glanced over and, surprise surprise, Raven was still standing there. Honestly, I had completely forgotten she was part of this group. And now, unfortunately, she was inserting herself back into the conversation.

She reached out, placing her hand on Max’s chest like she owned him. "You're so funny, babe. But come on, Leo is one of the best warriors in the pack.

I bet he could pull that move off with one hand tied behind his back. His dad probably just let Aria and Selene win out of kindness."

Why was she like this? No one had invited her into this conversation. How she never noticed the constant signals to back off was a mystery.

Max took a noticeable step away from her. She always found an excuse to touch him. It wasn’t cute—just weird. And he clearly wasn’t into it.

"Nope," Max said with a smirk. "Pretty sure Leo’s washed up. We might have to send him back to the pups to relearn the basics."

Jade cracked up, laughing loud enough for nearby students to glance our way. Milo jumped in, and even Selene started giggling. But the real surprise?

Aria let out this quiet, adorable laugh. It wasn’t loud, just a soft, genuine sound—and it cracked something in Ethan, of all people.

I saw it. The faintest, briefest smile pulled at his lips. That giggle had just punched through years of stone.

Selene patted my arm, and I swear I stopped breathing. "As fun as it is to roast your boy Leo here," she said, eyes twinkling with amusement, "Aria promised me food. We were just heading to grab a bite. So, if you'll excuse us, gentlemen..."

She looped her arm through Aria's and practically dragged her along, cutting a path straight through our little group. None of us argued. We instinctively moved aside, parting like the red sea to let them through.

Me?

I was too busy watching Selene walk away, mentally spiraling, letting my thoughts wander to places that were definitely not appropriate for public.

A smack landed on my shoulder.

"Glad you made the most of that opportunity," Jade said, smirking.

"Huh?" I mumbled, still somewhere in daydream territory. My eyes hadn't left Selene.

Ethan leaned in and stage-whispered, "She’s walking away, and you didn’t even invite them. You gonna let that slip?"

I snapped out of it. "Wait, what? Oh sht!"

My feet moved before my brain could catch up. I started jogging after them while my so-called friends laughed behind me.

I slowed to a brisk walk once I caught up—trying to play it cool, like I hadn’t just sprinted across half the quad.

"Hey!" I called out, breath catching in my throat. "Almost forgot—are you two coming to the bonfire tonight?"

Selene turned, amused eyebrow raised, Aria halting beside her.

"Is that your official invitation, or were you going to fumble halfway through it again?" Selene teased, arms crossing.

I smiled sheepishly. "Official invite. I mean it. Come hang out. Bring your appetite—and maybe your dance moves, too."

Aria gave the softest smile, shy but sweet. The blush hadn’t left her cheeks.

"We’ll think about it," Selene replied, turning with a smirk, leading Aria away again.

And me? I just stood there for a moment, trying to calm the thunder in my chest.

"You’re welcome for the assist, lover boy!" Max shouted from across the yard.

I glanced back and grinned. "Laugh now. Wait until you see me dancing with Selene tonight."

"Ooooh, bold," Jade said, clearly entertained. "She doesn’t seem like the type to fall for weak lines. You better bring your A-game."

I nodded slowly, the challenge settling in.

Good. Because I wasn’t planning to bring anything less.