CHAPTER ONE - A STRANGER ARRIVES AT MIDNIGHT

Aria Cross stepped onto the grounds of Silver Moon Academy, her single duffel bag slung over her shoulder. The weight of her past as her father's unwilling assassin pressed down on her, heavier than any physical burden. She kept her head down during orientation, expertly deflecting questions about her previous school. "Where'd you transfer from?" a cheerful redhead asked. Aria shrugged. "Nowhere special. Just a small pack up north." The girl's smile faltered at Aria's clipped tone, and she moved on to chat with others. As Aria made her way through the crowded hallway, a group of girls caught her eye. They exuded an aura of popularity and privilege, their designer clothes and perfectly styled hair setting them apart. The leader, a statuesque blonde, zeroed in on Aria with predatory focus. "Well, well. What do we have here?" she drawled, stepping into Aria's path. Aria tensed, her wolf bristling beneath her skin. "Excuse me," she muttered, trying to sidestep the group. The blonde blocked her way. "I'm Vanessa Mitchell. And you are?" "Not interested in introductions," Aria replied coolly. Vanessa's eyes narrowed. "You're new here, so let me explain how things work. I decide who's worth knowing." One of Vanessa's friends, a petite brunette, giggled. "Yeah, and trust us, you want to be on our good side." Aria met Vanessa's gaze, unflinching. "I'm not here to make friends or enemies. I just want to get through the year." Vanessa's lips curled into a smirk. "Oh, honey. With that attitude, you'll have plenty of enemies." "Is that a threat?" Aria asked, her voice low and dangerous. The hallway suddenly felt charged with tension. Other students slowed, sensing the confrontation. Vanessa laughed, but it didn't reach her eyes. "A warning. You might think you're tough, but you have no idea what you're walking into." Aria leaned in close, her voice barely above a whisper. "Trust me, I've faced worse than a pack of spoiled princesses." Gasps rippled through Vanessa's group. The blonde's face flushed with anger. "You'll regret that," Vanessa hissed. Aria simply shrugged and pushed past them. As she walked away, she heard Vanessa's furious whispers to her friends. "Find out everything about her. I want to know where she came from and why she's here." Aria's lips twitched in a humorless smile. Good luck with that, she thought. She found her locker and began organizing her meager belongings. Suddenly, a familiar scent wafted through the air, making her wolf stir unexpectedly. Aria froze, her hand halfway to placing a book on the shelf. She turned slowly, her eyes widening as she caught sight of him. Lucas Kane strode down the hallway, flanked by his friends. He exuded confidence and power, his very presence commanding attention. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world stood still. Aria felt a jolt of recognition, of something primal and undeniable. Lucas stopped mid-step, his golden eyes locked on hers. His friends continued walking for a moment before realizing he'd halted. "Lucas?" one of them asked, confused. Aria broke the connection first, slamming her locker shut and hurrying in the opposite direction. Her heart raced, and she cursed under her breath. This can't be happening, she thought frantically. In class, Aria deliberately chose a seat in the back corner, as far from Lucas as possible. But she could feel his intense gaze burning into her. The teacher, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes, began the lesson. "Welcome to Advanced Pack Dynamics. I'm Mrs. Holloway. Let's start with introductions." Aria tensed as students began sharing their names and a bit about themselves. When it was Lucas's turn, his deep voice sent an involuntary shiver down her spine. "I'm Lucas Kane," he said simply, his eyes never leaving Aria. Mrs. Holloway smiled. "Ah yes, our resident Alpha heir. Anything else you'd like to share, Lucas?" He shook his head, still staring at Aria. "Not at the moment." The tension in the room was palpable. Other students glanced between Lucas and Aria, clearly sensing something was off. When it was Aria's turn, she kept her introduction brief. "Aria Cross. New transfer." Mrs. Holloway nodded encouragingly. "Welcome, Aria. Where did you transfer from?" Aria's face remained impassive. "A small pack in the north. Nothing noteworthy." The teacher seemed to sense Aria's reluctance and moved on. As the lesson progressed, Aria felt Lucas's gaze like a physical touch. Halfway through class, a folded note landed on her desk. Aria tensed, eyeing it warily before slowly unfolding it. Meet me after school. We need to talk. - L Aria crumpled the note immediately, her jaw clenching. She risked a glance at Lucas, shaking her head almost imperceptibly. His brow furrowed, and he opened his mouth as if to speak. But Mrs. Holloway called on him at that moment. "Lucas, can you explain the difference between an Alpha's command and a regular order?" Lucas tore his gaze from Aria, clearing his throat. "An Alpha's command taps into the pack bond, compelling obedience on a primal level. A regular order can be refused." Mrs. Holloway beamed. "Excellent. And Aria, since you're new, can you tell us the potential dangers of an Alpha abusing their command ability?" Aria's voice was steady, but there was a hard edge to it. "An Alpha who abuses their power destroys the trust within a pack. It can lead to rebellion, broken bonds, and in extreme cases, the complete dissolution of the pack structure." The room fell silent at the intensity in her words. Lucas's eyes widened slightly, a mix of surprise and something else – respect, perhaps – flickering across his face. Mrs. Holloway nodded slowly. "That's... very insightful, Aria. Have you had personal experience with such situations?" Aria's expression closed off. "I've seen the consequences. That's all." The bell rang, signaling the end of class. Aria gathered her things quickly, intent on escaping before Lucas could corner her. As she hurried down the hallway, she overheard a group of girls gossiping excitedly. "Did you see the way Lucas was staring at the new girl?" one whispered. Another scoffed. "Please, like he'd be interested in her. Lucas Kane is untouchable. He's turned down every girl who's ever shown interest." "I heard his parents are already arranging a mating with another powerful Alpha family," a third added. Aria's stomach churned at their words. She pushed through the crowded halls, desperate for fresh air. As she approached the main exit, she spotted Lucas waiting by the gate. His eyes locked onto her immediately, and he straightened, clearly intending to intercept her. Aria's heart raced. She couldn't face him, not now. Not with so much at stake. She pivoted sharply, heading for a side exit instead. Her wolf whined in protest, urging her to go to him. Aria gritted her teeth, forcing the instinct down. She burst through the side door, gulping in the crisp air. Relief flooded her as she realized she'd avoided confrontation. But as she turned towards the parking lot, her breath caught in her throat. Lucas stood there, his golden eyes blazing with determination. He'd anticipated her escape route. "Aria," he said, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down her spine. "We need to talk."