Alpha Xavier Human Soulmate

s—or maybe it was the strange tingle racing down my

a statue, my eyes scanning the neo-got

strand of auburn hair behind my ear, shifting impat

people in like moths to a golden flame. Her blonde hair, piercing green eyes, and beguiling smile tur

only to return at dawn looking utterly spent.The most unsettl

ret boyfriend? Was th

y duty to make sure she was okay, no matter how

. She wore fitted black jeans paired with a shimmering copper top that set off her lightly tanned skin and lustrous hair. Not an uncommon look for a night out, but

followed. But I doggedly trailed her from the shelter of trees

path. She didn’t even pause when a branch snapped loudly under my foot at one point. Her focus was razor sharp,

k area I’d never explored before. Pristine landscaping gave way to wilder growt

was somewhere I shouldn’t be. But it was too late—Ashley disappeared a

en I rounded the last bend s

scape, pale and stately as it rose up in elegant

saw no signs of inhabitants. The entire place had an eerie, hau

ll with modern brick buildings and scenic quads. It was like someone had

creamed to turn back, to stop this reckless pursuit. But then I spotted Ashley ahead, striding purposefully t

e dark forest, I scurried from the concealing brush onto the expanse of

med to resemble a howling wolf, its leafy fangs forever

obscured view of Ashley speaking with th

ded, stepping aside to allow her entry. As she disappeared inside, the carved

dead of night? And why did she seem so wired,

ve, return to the safety and sanity of campus before I

become the closest thing to family I had. If she was in

tterly terrifying, choice—I had to get

f the topiary, crossing the expanse of lawn an

rs, raising a shaky hand to grasp the wrought iron knocker crafted to resemble a roaring lion’s

to think the place was abandoned when one

he darkness. I held my breath, startled to see an impecca

ar. I guessed he wasn’t much older than I, but he regarded me with a piercing intellig

was smooth and courteous, to

s still jangled with adrenaline. “Yes, I’m here for the..

wasn’t aware additional guests were arr

miliar safety of the night, away from the unanswered questions that

ally, meeting his gaze

eyes, there and gone before I could interpre

dly. “Well, Serena Cross, welcome.” He p

uldn’t shake the feeling that this lavish house with its guarded gates and secretive inhabitants hid somethi

down a corridor paneled with dark carved wood. My heels sank

er dripping with light at the center. Faint music reached m

grand curved staircase sweeping down

demanding answers that likely wouldn't come. The steady thrum

of night? Did it have something to do with Ashley’s bizarre behavior

th a polite nod. I hovered uncertainty in the threshold for a long moment

hey drank and danced with careless abandon in the center of the gleaming par

ld she be surprised to see me? Upset? My stomach flutter

hen the scre