ARIA’S POV
The man with silver eyes walked toward me like he had all the time in the world, like he knew exactly what he wanted, and the strange thing was that I could not look away because something about him pulled me in and held me there, like a force I did not understand and could not resist.
He stopped beside me at the bar and ordered himself a drink, with his eyes fixed on me.
When he spoke, his voice was deep and smooth, just the kind of voice you want to lean closer just to hear it better.
“You look like you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.”
I laughed bitterly.
“Is it that obvious?”
“Only to someone who is paying attention.” He said calmly as he tilted his head sideways, studying me.
“And I have been paying attention to you since the moment you walked in.”
My heart skipped in my chest, but I kept my face plain and asked, “Why?”
“Because you walked in here like you were running from something,” his said calmly, as his silver eyes pierced through mine.
“And I wanted to know what could possibly make a woman like you so broken.”
I should have been offended, but I was not.
He did not say it with pity, he said it like he genuinely wanted to know.
“Bad night,” I said.
He leaned closer, close enough that I could smell him, a distinct scent of pine and smoke and something wild underneath.
“Bad night or bad life?”
The question caught me off guard, so direct and honest.
I hesitated, but the whiskey had loosened my tongue and I was tired of pretending.
“Both.
Tonight is just the latest in a long line of bad nights.”
He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, is fingers brushing against my skin, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.
“Tell me about it,” he said softly.
“Tell me what happened.”
I should have said no, I should have walked away, but I could not.
“My boyfriend broke up with me tonight,” I said, my voice hollow.
“He sent me a text message.
He told me he had always compared me to my sister, that she was prettier and more outgoing.
He told me he was in love with her.”
Zane’s jaw tightened.
“He told you that?”
“He told me I was not enough,” I whispered, the words tasting like ash in my mouth.
“He told me I was always second best.”
“That is not true,” Zane said in a firm and certain manner.
“You do not know me.
You do not know anything about me.”
“I know that anyone who looks at you and sees second best is blind.”
I stared at him, searching for the lie, but his silver eyes were clear and steady.
“You do not have to lie to make me feel better.”
He reached across the bar and took my hand, his finger warm and strong.
“I am not lying, Aria.
I have never met anyone like you.”
My breath caught in my throat.
“I did not tell you my name.”
He smiled in a slow knowing manner.
“You did not have to.”
“Then how did you know?”
“I heard your friend say it when you walked in,” he said simply.
“She called out to you as you entered.”
I shook my heard, a small laugh escaping me.
“You were watching me even before I sat down?”
“I told you,” he said slowly, as his thumb traced circles on my palm.
“I have been paying attention to you since the moment you walked in.”
I felt my cheeks become warm.
“And what is your name, mysterious stranger?”
“Zane,” he said softly, and pinned his silver eyes in mine.
“And I already know who you are, Aria.”
“Well, Zane,” I said, trying to sound braver than I felt.
“You barely know me.”
“I know enough,” he said, dropping his voice lower.
“I know you are hurting.
I know you have been hurt by people who should have loved you, and I know you came here tonight looking for something, even if you do not know what it is.”
I gulped and sat up straight.
“And what if I do not know what I am looking for?”
“Then let me help you find it.”
The words hung heavily in the air between us, sharp like an electric current.
I could feel the heat radiating from his body, could feel the intensity in his gaze, and I wanted to lean closer, wanted to forget everything and lose myself in him.
“You are dangerous,” I whispered, but there was no fear in my voice.
“Only to people who underestimate me,” he smiled.
“And what about people who do not?” I asked before I could stop myself.
He smiled again, that slow knowing smile that made my stomach flip, and whispered, “I protect them.”
I felt myself leaving closer, drawn to him like a moth to a flame and asked shakily, “why are you doing this?
You do not know me.
I could be anyone.”
“I know,” he said, his voice dropping to a whisper.
“But I also know that I have never wanted anyone the way I want you right now.”
My heart was beating so hard that I was sure he could hear it.
“This is reckless.” I breathed.
“I do not care.”
“I do not even know your last name,” I said hurriedly.
But he smiled and leaned in closer, his lips brushing against my ear.
“You can call me whatever you want,” he whispered.
“Just as long as you say my name when I make you forget every man who ever made you cry.”
My cheeks burned instantly and I felt a warmth spread through my entire body.
“That is quite a promise.”
“It is not a promise,” he said, as he pulled back just enough to look into my eyes.
“It is a guarantee.”
I should have said no, I should have walked away, but I was tired of being careful, tired of being good, tired of always doing the right thing and getting nothing in return.
“Take me somewhere else,” I heard myself say.
“Anywhere.
Just get me out of here.”
He smiled again, that same slow knowing smile, and he stood up and stretched out his hand to me, and said, “Then come with me.”
I took his hand without hesitation, and he led me out of the bar and into the night.
The air was cold, but his hand was warm, and I felt like I was stepping off from a cliff, like I was finally doing something for myself, finally choosing something that made me feel alive.
He led me to a secluded cabin, the kind of place that was hidden away from the world, and when we stepped inside, I felt like I had entered another world entirely.
Then he turned to me and cupped my face in his hands, as his silver eyes searched mine.
“Are you sure?” he asked softly, but sounded serious.
“I have never been more sure of anything in my life.” I lifted my chin defiantly and looked at him.
Then he kissed me slowly, in a deep and consuming manner, and I felt something inside me finally come alive.
I forgot about Gavin and Mother and the pack, forgot about being the forgotten twin and the shadow of my sister.
There was only him and his touch and the way he made me feel like I was the center of his universe.
It was reckless and crazy and I did not care, because for the first time in my life, I was choosing something for myself.
And I had no idea that this night would change everything.