ARDEN
+5 Free Coins
I sat on my bed, knees tucked to my chest, mulling over the conversation Cade and I had in the garden. He had offered to sleep with me again, but this time, it didn’t sound offensive. Instead, it felt as though he had thrown an anchor into the stormy waters of my mind.
With a groan, I sank backward, pressing a pillow to my face with a muffled whine. “Why am I even thinking about this?”
Tessa, just emerging from the shower–the scent of her honey body wash wafting through the room–leaned against the door
frame.
“You alright?” she asked, her tired smile doing litle to mask her curiosity.
I slid the pillow away from my face and turned to her. I simply sighed and sat up. “I’m just thinking”
Tessa gently closed the door behind her. “About Cade? I saw him walk you to our third class this morning. You also smelled like him during class.”
My face flushed at the memory of how he had silently guided me to class after our conversation. “What? No! I mean-“I caught her playful smirk. “Okay, maybe. Just a little.”
She settled cross–legged on the bed, tilting her head. “Why does it bother you?”
I shrugged. “He offered protection again.”
“And”
“And this time, it didn’t feel so bad. He explained himself. I know, in a way, he would still be using me. But, I feel like it’s for a good reason! Am I making sense?” I picked at the edge of my blanket, lost in thought.
Tessa nodded, giving me more time to think.
“I mean.” I added quickly, “I’m not saying I’m agreeing. I just… ugh, I don’t know.”
“Sounds like you’re considering it.”
1 groaned again, throwing my head back. “Why am I like this!”
Tessa chuckled softly to herself. “Because you have feelings?”
We sat in silence for a moment, my thoughts racing until I finally turned my head toward her. “Why did you choose the
North
Her expression faltered slightly. Then, she exhaled, long and slow. “The South isn’t really my place. At least, not anymore.”
ited, sensing she was choosing her words carefully.
“I’m not well–liked there,” she finally admitted. “Because of something I’m not ready to discuss.”
gave her a small nod, respecting her desire to keep that part to herself. We all had our secrets.
“I didn’t want torloose the West because of Jason,” she continued after a pause. “I’m aware of his past with you. And frankly.
Torted with agreement. “Yeah That he is”
vooried
And Cade she hesitated, looking thoughtful “He’s exactly what I said the first time. He’s the safest option.”
I froword, Busedulous. “Cadet Sayer
Tess shrugged her expression earnest Relatively, yes. He muls his own business. He keeps his faction disciplined. He doesn’t get inobed in drama And Owen trusts him”
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1:13 AM C
Chapter 48 After Party
“And Owen’s from the East, but he still chose him,” I added, intrigued.
+5 Free Coins
She nodded in agreement. “If someone like Owen–who rarely trusts anyone–felt secure enough to switch factions and follow Cade, then Cade must be doing something right.”
1 leaned back on my palms, letting that realization permeate my thoughts.
“He also has the highest points” I muttered, my brow furrowing. “Probably because he’s slept with a bunch of people already.”
Tessa raised an eyebrow, her expression turning serious. “I don’t think so.”
“Hah?” I turned to her, surprised.
She met my gaze with a knowing look. “I don’t think Cade sleeps around. At least… not in the Aftersound.”
That made me sit up straighter. “What do you mean by that?”
“I’ve frequently gone on the Aftersound, and the videos get deleted right after the livestream since it’s only for proof. I often see the other Alphas there, with Jaxon being the most active. However, I never see Cade.”
“Not even on a weekend night or during a party?” I asked, curiosity piqued.
I wanted to ask why Tessa was monitoring the Aftersound in the first place, but my mind was stuck on her initial insinuation
-that Cade might not be sleeping around.
“But he has so many points. Is it really possible to accumulate all of those just from the school?”
er think so. Tessa muttered, now drying her hair with a towel. “But I can’t be a hundred percent sure.
“Just take my word with a grain of salt,” she added lightly, and we both fell into a thoughtful silence.
Thank goodness the After Party for the Ivory Solstice wasn’t mandatory.
I didn’t have to go.
Wrong.
It was mandatory for me.
And here I was, wielding a trash bag, attempting to dodge red cups, clouds cigarette smoke, and the occasional drunken confession
The grand Elite mansion–how redundant.
It wasn’t even officially named that, but students referred to it as such because it resembled a mall. Apparently, it was owned by none other than Mr. Winters hunself, who “graciously” lent it out to the student body every year after the monumental Ivory Solstice.
Gracious, my
“Ugh” I smuttered as someone dry–hraved beside the potted fig tree.
Wathena serood thught, I quickly offered him a barf bag. He grabbed it with desperation before staggering away.
1 palack mask over my nose and mouth–not only for sanitary reasons, but also because I wanted to remain unrecognized. The fewer interactions, the better. The faster I got this done, the sooner I could leave.
Tema had promised to return after grabbing drinks with Owen. She insisted that I shouldn’t be alone for too long. But with the dates on this party was heading. I doubted she’d make it back any time soon
I glanced around and, of course, seated Rowan He was surrounded by his usual entourage of girls, clustering around him Lär petals on a rose, all of them laughing at something he had said. One girl leaned in too close, whispering in his car while her tingers traced down his chest.
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1:14 AM c
Chapter 48 After Party
+5 Free Coins
A few feet away, Elias lounged on a plush leather couch, drink in hand, enveloped by students eager to impress him. His signature half–smirk never left his face, and he observed the entire spectacle with the bored amusement of someone watching a mundane television show.
I slipped through the tall glass doors onto the balcony. The night air was cold against my skin, and I shivered slightly. Leaning against the railing. I finally took a deep breath for what felt like the first time tonight.
But before I could fully savor the tranquility, voices emerged from the shadows.
Njerked back and ducked behind a decorative plant. Great Why couldn’t I have just five minutes of peace?
To make matters worse, it was Sienna and Jaxon who had appeared, closing the balcony doors behind them.
“You’re really doing this?” Sienna’s voice echoed through the night.
“You’re not going to take me back?”
Jaxon sighed, running his fingers through his hair. “You chose the North.”
That’s because you broke up with me!” she snapped, her voice rising with agitation.
“We were never together, Sienna. You know that”
Silence hung in the air for a brief moment
“Oh, I see. It’s because of Arden again, isn’t it?” she spat, her tone dripping with venom
I internally groaned. Was it too much to ask for one day without Sienna dragging my name into something I wanted no part
“Do you still love her, is that it?” Sienna pushed, relentless in her probing.
Jaxon remained silent.
I shrugged, fully expecting him to remain tight–lipped. In fact, all my expectations of him had long since gone down the drain, so this wasn’t a surprise.
“Whatever,” Sienna huffed, frustration radiating off her.
“Just go with Cade,” Jaxon continued, his tone surprisingly calm. “That’s what you want, right?”
With that. Jaxon turned and walked away, dismissing her whines and proteskas if they were nothing more than background noue. I waited a few extra seconds to ensure they were both truly gone. Finally, when I felt safe enough, I stood up, brushing the dust from my pants and stepping out of the shadows.
“Good grief.” I muttered under my breath. “Why do I have to be everyone’s scapegoat?”
With that. I pushed open the balcony doors and was about to leave to tend to my other duties. However, before I could take
nother step forward, a sharp pain shot through my scalp.
Somor yanked my hair from behind.
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