Aria’s POV
I was moving so fast that I barely saw her before it was too late.
The moment I turned the corner, my shoulder slammed into something or rather, someone hard. My arms fumbled to hold onto the pile of fresh linens I was carrying, but they slipped from my grasp, tumbling to the ground in a messy heap.
My stomach dropped when I looked up to see who I had just run into.
A slow, irritated sigh met my ears. “Are you blind, or just stupid?”
I swallowed hard and lifted my head, locking eyes with Danielle.
Her perfectly manicured fingers brushed invisible dust off her dress as she glared down at me. “Seriously, Aria? Can’t you go one day without embarrassing yourself?”
I clenched my jaw, bending down to pick up the beddings. “I’m sorry,” I muttered.
She stepped on one of the sheets with her heel, pinning it to the ground. “Where do you think you’re going with those?”
I hesitated before answering. “To Alpha Kian’s room.”
Danielle let out a short, cruel laugh. “Oh, no. No. You’re not stepping foot in his room.”
I frowned. “But it’s my job—”
“Not anymore,” she cut me off sharply. “You are to stay away from him. Do you understand me?”
I pressed my lips together, biting back the urge to argue. Apparently, Danielle was Kian’s woman and future Luna and with what had happened between us yesterday, if she wanted to make my life harder, she could.
So, I nodded. “Understood.”
Danielle smirked, satisfied, before flipping her hair over her shoulder and strutting away, leaving me standing there, seething.
Fine. If she didn’t want me going to Kian’s room, I wouldn’t. But that didn’t mean I wouldn’t get someone else to do it. Someone else had to.
***
The morning air was filled with the buzz of preparation for Kian’s ascension to the Alpha throne. The entire pack was still busy setting up for the big celebration that was happening in three days. Wolves bustled around, carrying decorations, tables, and ingredients for the food preparation.
I wove through the crowd, searching for Lila. I needed her help. But she was nowhere to be found.
I checked the main hall, the kitchens, and the storage room. Nothing.
Where the hell is she?
Just as I turned a corner, I slammed into something again.
This time, it wasn’t Danielle. It was a wall. A warm, solid, dark, breathing wall. My heart pounded as I took a step back, looking up to see the sharp features, piercing dark eyes and a smirk that screamed trouble.
Lucian.
I knew who he was now. Lila had explained that he had been gone for years, studying abroad. I didn’t see him at the funeral of their father a few weeks ago. That’s why I hadn’t recognized him.
Instinctively, I tried to step around him, but he blocked my path. I shifted directions, but once again, he moved to cut me off.
I exhaled sharply, lifting my chin. “Excuse me.”
Lucian grinned. “In a hurry, little one?”
“I’m not little,” I muttered.
His smirk widened. “Compared to me? Yes you are.”
I bristled. “Please move.”
He tilted his head, as if considering it. “Hmm… no.”
I glared at him. “Why do you keep bugging me?”
He smirked. “Because I like watching you squirm.”
I clenched my fists, determined not to give him the satisfaction of a reaction. Just then, I spotted a familiar figure finally making her way toward me.
“Lila!” I called out.
She jogged over, her eyes flicking between me and Lucian curiously. “What’s going on?”
I wasted no time. “Danielle won’t let me go to Kian’s room. I need you to take these beddings for me.”
Lila nodded, no questions asked. “We can switch tasks, then.”
Relief flooded through me. “Thanks.”
I was just about to ask what task she wanted me to do when I saw her gaze shift to Lucian.
He was still standing there, watching me with a strange kind of interest.
Lila turned back to me, lowering her voice. “Actually… since we’re switching tasks…”
I raised a brow. “Yeah?”
She leaned in closer, whispering four words into my ear.
“My job is to escort Lucian around town.”