Aria’s POV
By nine, I was back at the dorm. The place reeked of sweat, bleach, and exhaustion. I barely had ti to settle Lana in her crib before the others surrounded like bees around spilled honey.
"I heard they docked your pay, Aria. Is it true?"
"Did you really find a gold necklace?"
"Don’t listen to them! Aria’s not that kind of person!"
Their voices buzzed all around.
Then kara appeared, her tired eyes finding mine imdiately. She didn’t even drop her bag before she pulled aside. "Aria, did you piss soone off?"
Her voice was low but urgent. kara had always looked out for even when it got her punished for it.
Because of , she’d been reassigned to the dump section, the filthiest, most dangerous area in the district. And it showed. She looked like she’d crawled out of hell — gri streaking her face, her hands raw and trembling from cold.
The scent of decay clung to her like smoke. I didn’t hesitate. I grabbed a basin, poured water, worked up soap, and began wiping her down gently.
I fought back the sting in my nose and the rush of tears in my eyes as I worked.
"It doesn’t matter, really," kara said softly, trying to sound cheerful. "Don’t worry about ." But her voice cracked, and I saw the tears glint in her lashes before she blinked them away.
She glanced toward Lana, fast asleep, then caught my wrist and tugged down beside her. "Look at you — crying again," she said with a faint smile. "You’re a mother. You can’t afford to fall apart. That little one still needs you."
Her words hit right in the chest. I wiped my face with my sleeve, trying to pull myself together. "No, I just... I just feel so sorry, kara. I dragged you into this."
"Don’t be ridiculous. Lana’s adorable. I like her. I want to do sothing for her — not just for you."
Then she leaned in close, voice dropping to a whisper. "Aria, let ask you — did you piss soone off recently?"
I blinked, confused. "What? Why would you say that?"
"On the way back, I passed Anita," kara said. "She was in her car, on the phone. I heard your na. She was talking to soone called Mr. Stone — said they were planning to get rid of you."
My stomach dropped, and my wolf let out a low growl deep inside . "Are you sure she didn’t say Kevin?"
kara shook her head. "No. Mr. Stone. I’m sure."
Mr. Stone? I didn’t know anyone by that na. But the na felt wrong in my bones, like sothing my instincts recognized even if my mind didn’t.
"I don’t get it," kara muttered. "You’re just a single mom with a baby. Who would have it out for soone like you? But Anita—she runs this whole district. And the way she talked to that man..." kara’s brow furrowed. "She was respectful. Scared, even. That ans he’s powerful. I don’t think your job is safe anymore."
My heart thudded, heavy and fast. My wolf bristled within .
"You need to start thinking ahead," kara continued, her voice firm but kind. "You don’t belong here, Aria. You’re not ant to spend your life sweeping streets with a baby on your back."
I stared at her, the words sinking deep.
"Oh, and one more thing," kara added, already pulling off her vest. "Anita’s one-legged nephew is working the block next to yours this afternoon. Stay out of his way. That one’s trouble."
With that, she collapsed onto her bunk, falling asleep almost instantly.
Lana slept soundly beside , her tiny breaths puffing against the thin blanket. Her little face was so peaceful, round and flushed, like a ripe apple.
I reached out and traced a finger along her cheek. She was my reason for holding everything together.
My eyes burned again, and I blinked hard, refusing to let the tears fall this ti. I’d promised myself I wouldn’t cry anymore. Tears didn’t change anything — they just made my wolf restless, pacing inside , growling at my weakness.
Since getting out of prison, I’d done everything right. I’d kept my head down, worked hard, never picked a fight. Never even spoke unless I had to. But soone, soone powerful had their sights on .
Mr. Stone.
The na left a bitter taste in my mouth. Whoever he was, he had power— enough to make Anita Clark bend like a reed in the wind, enough to pull the strings that decided who ate and who starved.
A face flickered in my mind. My stomach twisted, a warning pulse from my wolf. I pushed the image away.
No. It couldn’t be him.
If it were really him... Lana and I wouldn’t still be breathing.
I ran a hand through my tangled hair and exhaled slowly, trying to push down the tension crawling under my skin. My wolf hated uncertainty. She liked clear enemies. But right now, the danger was in the shadows— hidden, watching and waiting.
Who could it be?
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