Kiara's POV:

Aiden's cold demeanour struck me like a lightning bolt, his steely gaze boring into mine. The atmosphere around us felt heavy, the tension thick and palpable. His face was hardened, his jaw taut as if he was grinding his teeth. Aiden, my childhood friend, the boy-next-door type, was mad and hurting.

My heart pounded in my chest as his gaze flitted down to my neck, resting on the mating marks proudly displayed there. His blue eyes darkened considerably, filled with a ...