the walls were closing in on her. Panic coiled in her chest like a tightening noose

ce of focus onto the questions. But no matter how hard she tried, fear clung to her

had the nerve to

nk learning i

thetic thi

of her being screamed for her to lash out, to demand justice-but she swallowed it down, forcing her shoulders to remain steady. She couldn't let them see

er body went rigid. Her breath snagged, a sharp hitch in her throat. The world around her shrank, her pulse a wild drumbeat in her ears. Just ahead,

t sent shivers through the crowd. Even without raising his voice, dominance radiated from him, coiling in the space between them like an unspoken command.

tried, her lungs refused to take in the air she so desperately needed. The world aroun

her. Panic coiled in her stomach, tightening like a noose. If anyone-especially him-e

e the way her heart pounded against her ribs. She didn't see the way

. The bullying, the exam, the Alpha's gaze-it was all too much. Her secret was a ticking time

g? Why was his gaze so off? S

horizontal, her eyelids are fluttering closed, k

e air. But as the door revealed who it was, a wave of relief wash

classroom without a trace! I have been looking fo

t school! How long were you detained?" her eyes

complaining from other students regarding Jerry. I guess I'm in luck today.

ruly happy for her, yet deep inside, a quiet ache settled in. She s

f. The way her smile faltered at the edges, the way her fingers f

itted togeth

ightly toward her, she softened

er smile, but it didn't reach her

wrapping her fingers around hers, of

murmured, her gaze searching hers, "but I can tell someth

ened slightly under the dim lights. And in that quiet mome

nging to the tip of her tongue, but they refused to come out. Her han

iting-patient but expectant

ould change. Her heart pounded against her ribs, and she swallowed hard

shaky breath, eyes darting downward. "I

ing across her face. "Aria!" she called s

f speaking the words aloud would shatter the fr

Renera helped her cover her mouth, the offe

issed, her voice barely above a

omeone there?She heard footsteps, Had they already heard too much? The air in the roo

er to ask question after question. Her voice, la

irs right? You were recently called to serve the Alpha! Do you