IRIA

"What do you mean?" I blinked at Clara, trying to process her words. Grey was grumpy, sure. Rude, yes. But a bad person? That didn’t seem right... did it?

Clara glanced around, making sure no one was listening. Then she leaned close, her voice dropping into a whisper.

"I told you there are rumors about him. My father told me this himself, so I know it’s true. Grey has always hated Brian because he wanted to be alpha. A few years ago, he even tried to kill him. Brian was lucky someone saved him before it was too late. Can you imagine?" She shook her head as if the memory belonged to her.

My lips parted, but no words came out.

She continued quickly. "My father once considered marrying me into the Blood Moon pack because it’s prosperous. But Brian’s father already chose someone else as Luna. When Grey nearly killed Brian, my father changed his mind completely. He didn’t want me tied to someone like that. Honestly, I’m glad I ended up mated to Lucas instead."

Clara’s tone was casual, but every word dug into me like a blade.

Grey… tried to kill his brother?

The thought made my stomach turn. Brothers might fight, but murder? That wasn’t something you just explained away.

And then the thought struck me harder: I was mated to him.

If I ever pushed him too far, would he…? No. I shook my head quickly, refusing to finish the thought. Still, my hands trembled under the table.

Coming here had already felt like a risky decision. Now I was starting to wonder if it had been a terrible one.

Back home hadn’t been easy either, but at least I hadn’t been tangled up in this kind of madness.

"Look, Iria," Clara said, snapping me out of my spiraling thoughts. "I know you and Grey had some kind of run-in earlier. People saw you arguing with him. I don’t know what’s going on, but listen to me. Stay away from him. He isn’t good for you, and he will hurt you."

I nodded slowly. She wasn’t wrong. I came here to avoid trouble. The last thing I needed was to get caught in more of it.

Clara clapped her hands together, her mood shifting in an instant. "Anyway, enough about Grey. There’s a party tonight, the biggest of the year. You’re coming with me."

I groaned and let my head drop onto the table. "I don’t want to go."

"Why not?" she pouted.

Because I didn’t have time. My days were packed with work, and the rest went to studying. If my grades slipped, I’d lose my scholarship. One mistake could destroy everything I’d worked for. I couldn’t afford to relax.

"Come on," Clara pressed. "You’re the new girl. Everyone’s dying to meet you. You can’t just hide away. You need to show your face."

"I thought you said people already saw me with Grey earlier? If they’re already talking about me, then why bother going to some party? Doesn’t that make sense?" My cheek was still pressed against the table as I muttered.

Clara tugged at my arm like a child. "That’s exactly why you need to go. Right now, people think you’re involved with Grey, and that’s bad for your reputation. You have to show them you’re not. This party is your chance."

"Clara, stop." My voice was tired. "I don’t want to do this. I have to work, you know that."

She folded her arms. "Are you planning to spend your whole life working? I get that it’s hard for you, I really do. But you have to balance things out. One night won’t ruin your grades. And besides " her eyes gleamed mischievously " Brian is going to be there."

My head snapped up before I could stop myself.

Brian.

Why did just hearing his name make something inside me stir?

Clara’s grin widened. "I knew it. You want to see him. Don’t even try to deny it. Look, school just started. You’re allowed to relax a little. What’s the worst that could happen?"

The worst? My life has felt like one long list of worsts lately. But Clara wasn’t going to stop. I could already see the determination written across her face.

I sighed, defeated. "Fine. I’ll go. Just this once."

She squealed and threw her arms around me. "Yes! You won’t regret it, I promise."

I managed a weak smile as her excitement buzzed around me. But deep down, I couldn’t shake the unease.

What if I did regret it?