CHAPTER 32
ALEXIA P.O.V
"Oh my goodness, you're okay! I was so worried!" Clara wailed, rushing toward me.
"You got us all really scared. What happened?"
I hesitated.
I wanted to tell them everything. Every strange, terrifying thing happening to me. But the doctor's warning echoed in my head. Stay quiet.
Guilt twisted in my chest. We had a pact—no secrets. And now I had broken it.
"I... um..." I swallowed. "I had a breakdown. Yeah… that's it. I just suddenly felt overwhelmed by the party, and my illness didn't help matters."
The lie tasted bitter.
"I'm sorry!" Clara cried, immediately blaming herself. "Maybe I shouldn't have insisted on that stupid party. Now look what I've done to my best friend!"
"No, Clara," I said quickly. "It has nothing to do with you. The party was awesome."
'still I shouldn't have insisted '
I forced a small smile. "Honestly, it's good you did. I wouldn't have realized how amazing you are at organizing parties."
"Wait—how did you know I thought of that?" Clara froze.
I blinked. "You… said it?"
"No, I didn't. I only thought of it."
Naomi shook her head. "She didn't say anything."
My heart skipped.
What the hell…?
Did I just—
No. Impossible.
I let out a nervous laugh. "I probably just guessed."
"So…" I quickly redirected, turning to Naomi. "I saw you hitting it off with Allen yesterday."
Naomi flushed instantly. "He asked me out."
"Aww!" Clara clapped. "I'm so happy for you! You're finally coming out of your shell!"
"Yeah, congrats," I added, relieved at the distraction.
"What about you?" Clara's eyes sparkled mischievously as she turned to me. "I saw you with an eye candy yesterday."
"What are you talking about? It was nothing."
"That didn't look like nothing," Naomi teased. "Your faces were very close."
"I was drunk," I dismissed. "You know I wouldn't do that."
"Maybe you should," Clara said. "Giving love a chance isn't such a bad idea—even Naomi is doing it."
"Nah." My tone sharpened slightly. "Let's drop it."
Clara studied me for a moment, then sighed. "Okay… I actually have somewhere to be."
Naomi scoffed. "Wait—did Clara just say she has something to do?"
"Shocking, right?" Clara grinned. "But I do. Catch you guys later."
She hugged me tightly. "Take care, Alexia."
"I will."
"I'm heading out too," Naomi said. "Call me if you need anything."
I nodded.
The moment they left, I shot up from the bed.
Strangely… I felt better.
The noise was still there—but dull, manageable.
After a quick shower, I decided to take Snowy out. Maybe the fresh air would help me understand whatever was happening to me.
But just as I reached the stairs—
I heard footsteps outside.
Before the doorbell even rang.
I froze.
"...Everything is getting weird," I muttered. "And I don't like it one bit."
I opened the door.
"Dylan?"
"Hi, Alexia."
"How did you find this place?" I raised a brow.
"Ouch. I was expecting a hug or something."
"Sorry to disappoint. Answer the question."
He grinned. "I have my ways."
"Okay, detective. Excuse me."
I walked past him, Snowy trotting beside me.
"Hey, wait up! Where are you going?"
"Nowhere. Just walking."
Everything felt… sharper. Clearer. My senses were heightened in a way I couldn't explain.
"Cute cat," Dylan said. "What's her name?"
"It's a fox. Her name is Snowy."
"Nice."
"So, what brings you here?"
"You ran away from me yesterday," he said. "I came to check on you."
"Sorry about that."
He shrugged. "No hard feelings."
We ended up at a park.
"Don't you get tired?" Dylan called from a bench after hours of walking.
"No… not really."
Normally I would've been exhausted. But now?
Nothing.
Still, I sat—for Snowy's sake.
"So… still not telling me anything about you?"
"Nope."
"You're not like other girls."
"Sorry I'm not your typical runway model."
He shook his head. "You're better. More real."
"Sure," I rolled my eyes. "How many girls have you said that to?"
"None."
"Right."
"I'm serious."
"Okay, whatever you say."
"Come on," he stood. "Let's go."
"Where?"
"The mall."
"Why?"
"Because I want to."
"Gifts don't work on me."
"Good. That's not the plan."
"Fine."
But instead of shopping, he led me to the arcade.
"Seriously? An arcade?"
"You're never too old to have fun."
I smirked. "Game on."
By the time we finished, it was already dark.
"I should head home," I said.
"Promise we'll do this again?"
"Sure."
"I'll drop you off."
"Okay… wait—where's Snowy?"
My heart skipped.
I scanned the area—nothing.
Then I focused.
And I heard it.
A faint, distressed meow.
Far away.
"I think she wandered off," Dylan said lightly.
"I doubt that."
I ran toward the sound.
And there she was.
Cornered.
"Ugh! What is this disgusting creature?" a voice shrieked.
Julia.
Snowy ran into my arms, trembling.
"What kind of human treats an animal like that?" I soothed her.
"Ugh. Of course it's you," Julia sneered.
"Oh, so you're the animal."
"Excuse me?!"
"Only animals attack without reason."
Her face flushed red.
"I'm going to make you regret this."
"I'm looking forward to it."
"What's going on here?"
My breath hitched.
Asher.
And just like that—Julia latched onto him.
"She bullied me," she whined.
I scoffed. "Of course. Run to your prince."
I turned to leave.
"Alexia!"
I stopped—but didn't turn.
"What now? Another lecture?"
"Stop being so stubborn."
"If anything, you're the stubborn one."
"Alexia—"
"You don't own me, Asher." My voice cut cold. "And tell your girlfriend to keep her hands off my snowy next time."
I didn't wait for a reply.
"Let's go, Dylan."
Thirty minutes later, we pulled up at my house.
"Thanks for the ride."
"Hey… don't let them get to you," he said softly.
"I won't."
"Not even a hug?"
"You wish."
He laughed. "Goodnight, Alexia."
"Goodnight."
The moment I stepped inside—
A knife flew at me.
I caught it mid-air.
Snowy bolted.
"Nice reflexes," a voice said.
"Wyatt?! What the hell is wrong with you?!"
"I wanted to test you. Looks like you're adapting."
"Adapting to what?"
"Tomorrow. Training starts."
"Training for what?"
"Your other side."
He tossed me a pack of dark red liquid.
"What is this?"
"Blood."
I recoiled. "That's disgusting."
"It's synthetic. Drink it—or suffer."
"I'm not drinking that."
"Suit yourself."
He turned to leave.
"5 AM," he added.
That night—
Pain.
Blinding. Crushing.
My head felt like it was splitting apart.
I couldn't breathe.
My chest tightened as I wheezed desperately.
I crawled out of bed.
Shaking.
Desperate.
My eyes landed on the pack.
"No…" I whispered.
But my body betrayed me.
My fangs slid out.
I ripped it open—
And drank.
Every drop.
Silence followed.
Relief.
Horrifying relief.
Tears streamed down my face as I collapsed.
"What… am I becoming…?"
That night—
I cried myself to sleep.