AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I shiver, the weight of her words settling over me like a dark cloud. “I won’t forget.”
Stepping out of the store, I take a deep breath, the cool night air filling my lungs. The vials feel heavy in my pocket—a constant reminder of the price I just paid. For now, at least, I have what I need.
A shiver runs down my spine as I slump on the bus bench, realization hitting me like a punch. I never gave her my name.
How did she know?
10
ARIA
The weight of the blankets is the only thing keeping me grounded today. Outside, it’s all pretty fall colors. Inside? It’s a Category 5 shitstorm in my head. It’s my day off, the one day of the week all girls look forward to, when they can rot in peace. I’ve collected all the blankets and pillows in my little humble abode.
I only woke up half an hour ago, and I’ve done nothing but lie here, staring out my window as my emotions rise and fall. I’m doing the perfect impression of a sloth. Fall always brings a melancholic touch to my thoughts. It’s boring, in my opinion. Pretty, yes, but there isn’t a whole lot to look forward to. The leaves fall, and sure, they are beautiful, with all the crazy colors they have, but it’s a prelude to winter and that season can go fuck itself.
I personally prefer spring. It’s bright and beautiful, and there is just so much to look forward to—the scent of blooming flowers and the promise of new beginnings. It’s everything fall lacks.
I’m feeling very emotional today. Maybe it’s everything that happened over the last couple of days, or maybe it’s my memories randomly haunting me. Noah’s ghost lingers in the corners of my mind, taunting me with his cruelty.
That’s what I get for shoving them far down into my asshole and pretending they don’t exist. That’s on me, but it isn’t like I had a lot of time to process my life during the last six months.
I don’t want to either.
I want to pretend I’m sleeping and when I wake up, the world will be exactly as I need it to be—magical, full of love and light and all things good and precious, like baby giggles and stolen moments of love.
Fuck love.
I burrow into my blankets, swallowing my pain. Under here, I can smell my sweet scent of orange Creamsicle. It’s a comforting aroma that cocoons me, allowing me to bloom and perfume and do all the things. Hell, I can even masturbate in peace—something I keep trying to do and failing.
How does one fail at masturbating?
Just like that, a forbidden memory crashes over me, dragging me under its dark waves. Tears prickle behind my eyelids as the scene unfolds…
I don’t want you.
The words roll over and over in my head as I stare at Noah. His beautiful face is full of cruelty, which he hides from the world but not from me. He sneers as he pulls off his shirt, making my heart thunder as his alpha aura explodes out of him, trapping me in its snare.
Gasping for breath, I stare at him, my heart thundering in my chest as he stalks toward me with predatory glee.
“You can’t masturbate, can you, kitten?” he purrs as he stalks closer.
That’s what I get when my preheat spikes midday.
He’s right—I couldn’t get off. All I heard in my head were the toxic whispers that play on repeat in my mind, reminding me that I’m worthless without him, and that I’m nothing without his knot or his alpha aura.
Without him.
I grind my teeth, refusing to answer him, and he stalks closer to pinch my chin and tilt my head up. “Such a beautiful little whore. Want me to take care of you?”
A whimper slips out, and he slides his other hand into my hair, wrapping his fist in the fine strands.
“Get on your knees like the whore you are and beg, Aria,” he whispers against my cheek, scent marking me before he pushes me to my knees.
Gasping for breath, I fling off the thick comforter and roll away from my own scent. My stomach clenches as I crawl to the trash bin and dry heave.
Thick, fat tears drip down my face as I wait out the heaves. When they finally subside, I push the trash can away and lie on my floor. The carpet is easily fifty years old and full of grit and grime, but I just can’t find it in me to care.
Let me lie here until the pain that Noah’s memory brings fades.
