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Luna 

I’ve questioned my reality and dreams, I’ve woken up and wondered if they’ve really happened, but this felt painstakingly real. This felt frighteningly real. It was inevitable that she would betray me. 

I should have known that from the guilt plaguing her face when she first told me her plan. It wasn’t simple by any means, but I didn’t question her. I knew we would be able to execute it with her father's help. 

I wish I'd never let myself get drawn in her chaos. I wish I'd never let my compassion take over and help Mia in her cruel plan. I had chosen to ignore all the cues which screamed at me look beyond the picture my best friend had been painting. All along, she had been using me as her guinea pig to sacrifice in getting her ends met. 

Tears start to pour from my eyes. Visions of my face morph into someone unrecognisable, and my head jerks from the lash of Mia’s palm slapping my face. 

“Luna.” 

“Leave me alone,’ I sobbed, pulling my numb body onto my stomach and hiding my tears drenched face on the pillow. 

“Luna.” Soft hands pulled at my body and I fight them away, not wanting to face anyone. “Please, Luna. Don't scare me.” I thrashed my body aimlessly everywhere. 

“Luna!” 

I’m suddenly pinned to the mattress, my flailing hands held firmly by my sides. 

“Snap out of it.” 

My head started to shake and my eyes clenched tighter. My arms are released and my head held still, then the touch of soft lips met my own. They moved in a rhythmic motion  It lasted only for a second. 

“Open your eyes, Luna.” 

My eyes flew open and I scrambled to sit up-shocked, disorientated and sweating. I could feel my heart palpitating abnormally, I didn't see anything with my messy wild hair falling all over my face. “Aunt Lucille?”

My hair was pushed from my eyes and my aunt's face slowly came into my line of sight, and to my absolute surprise, I found Ares kneeling beside my bed, concern etched all over his impossibly beautiful face.

“I'm here, Luna.” Aunt Lucille caressed my face. “You were screaming in your sleep. I heard it all the way in the kitchen.” 

Her worried face came into my line of vision and as awareness finally hit me, I launched myself in her arms. “It's alright, beautiful. It wasn’t real.” 

It was just a dream. Nothing else. I can feel the ache in my chest and the panic engulfed me. 

I rested my head in her neck, unwilling to let her go. I've had plenty of nightmares since my discharge two weeks ago, and each one of them made me question whether it actually happened. This time it felt..strange.

Aunt Lucille had embraced me tightly against her and it took some effort on his part, but he eventually prised my clawed fingers from my aunt's back and detached me from her body.

I don’t look at him. My eyes dropped down to my lap. I'm momentarily confused as to why he's even here in my house in the first place. Two weeks since I've been out of the hospital, not once did he come to visit me and three days since I started school again, didn't see him at all and when I saw him, I saw a little bit too much of him. 

Surrounded by girls. Practicing soccer and basketball on the field, shirtless and looking mouthwatering-ly delicious. I swear girls salivate at the sight of him. 

He has been ignoring me. Funny thing about boys, they can't stand being ignored in return. Ares circled my neck completely with his palms and tilted my head until our gazes locked, mine brimming with tears, his with a touch of something akin to tender possessiveness. 

“How long has this been going on?” 

“Why do you care?” I retorted and unsuccessfully managed to snap by gaze back at my aunt. “What’s he doing here, Aunt Lucille? Why did you let him in?” 

“He dropped by to check on you,” Aunt Lucille said, calmly.

“And to get you out of your bed,” Ares added to the sentence. 

“Please, I need space.” My words were directed to Ares more than Aunt Lucille. “I don't want to be around anyone and anywhere.” Not just yet. 

I fall back on my pillow, pulling my duvet up further and snuggling down. I close my eyes hoping to escape Ares’s temperamental presence in my bedroom. Oh, God. He's in my bedroom! 

“Luna.” She sounded like she may already be suffering a meltdown. “I'm worried for you. You're not yourself since… my sweetheart, please don't make your old aunt cry.” 

“You're thirty-six,” I said. I wasn't going to let Ares have his way with me. He was already using Aunt Lucille to bait me into his twisted game. 

“My age doesn't matter here. The only thing I want is to see you transform into your old self again,” her voice choked. “It's troubling me to see you miserable over everything. You cannot continue to live like a shadow of a person. I won't be able to watch you pin over something which wasn't your fault. 

I know she's right. I wasn't purposely behaving the way that I was. I wasn't trying to pin my misery onto her. I chance a reluctant glance at her, seeing welled up tears in her eyes. 

“I'm not pinning onto anything. I just need time to heal on my own.”  My response is feeble and my eyes, diverted from hers, are a sign of my guilt. 

I wasn't entirely sure as to why I was feeling down, still. Yes, Mia’s death did leave an imprinted scar on my brain and yet there was something else that kept me up, made me restless.  

It almost felt like there was something… missing. But what? 

I stared at my aunt, cringing at the sight of hope smeared all over her face. I hated being a bother to her. She had already given up a lot for me, scarified her youth and a chance at finding love to raise me. She was a mother to me, and I wanted nothing more than to cheer her up. 

I sighed and pushed myself to a sitting position. “I will try, Aunt Lucille. I will try to lift up my spirits and snap out of the daze. It will be a gradual transition, but I'll do my best.” Just for you. 

Her face broke into a smile and I fear I'll make her  day if I let Ares ‘get me out of the bed’ as he put it. 

“But nothing tonight,” I uttered, quickly. “I've got school early in the morning.” 

“As I do.” It was Ares who replied. 

I reluctantly glanced at him and on cue our eyes met. His intense smoldering eyes burned into mine and I suddenly remembered the slow warmth on my lips from minutes ago. 

Did he actually kiss me with my aunt in the same room? Or was it my imagination?

A deep blush ignited my face as I thought of the possibility of it being true. I could ask him, but not with Aunt Lucille with me. I don't want her to dig in this matter. 

Of course, Ares introduced himself as my boyfriend to her, yet I didn’t know whether he really was my boyfriend. I was clueless when it came to our relationship.

“Can I speak to your niece alone for a moment, Lucille?” He asked, politely. He always behaved like a gentleman in front of Aunt Lucille. I would say he could act like a gentleman, whenever it suited him. 

Never a gentleman to me though. 

My body instantly reacted at the thought of being completely alone with Ares in my bedroom. It sent nervous jolts to my body. I knew what happened the last time we were left alone together. I don't know whether I want it to be repeated. 

I hated talking with a pissed, scary Ares still I won't back down without a fight. 

“Why can’t you say it in front of my aunt?” I gritted. I was met with an arctic stare in return. 

“You don’t need my permission to talk with your boyfriend alone, Luna. I'm not as old fashioned as you may think of me.” Aunt Lucille waved her hand in the air as a dismissing sign. 

She thought I wanted her to stay with me out of respect. For crying out loud! 

I wanted to protest, but that would only encourage my aunt. “Fine,” I mumbled sullenly. 

“Only I don't need any carnal act happening under my roof,” she warned before she left and my face flushed furthermore. 

“It won't,” Ares promised. 

I pushed myself off the bed to stand in front of him, ready to take whatever he threw at me. 

“Why are you here?” I asked in a threatening tone. 

He cocked his head to the side, lips curling dangerously. “I can show up whenever I want.” HIs words were laced with threats of his own. “Did you forget my sister is your neighbour?” 

How could I ever forget? I met Charlotte twice after my accident. Each one of our interactions lacked playfulness it usually had, there wasn't any fault at her end. 

“You cannot come and go as you please.” He had some nerves to show up at my house after ignoring my existence for the past two weeks. 

“I can and I will.” I clenched my jaw. “Besides, I came to pick up mail at Charlotte’s place.” The irony of him doing something so mundane slowed my heartbeat a bit. “She'll be in Milan for the rest of the week,” he continued.”Shopping for her engagement party which is next month, didn't she tell you about it?” He taunted. 

She hadn’t and I knew exactly why. 

“I believe you and your little friend have something to do with it.” 

 “I'm starting to enjoy our little banter, Luna,” he chuckled, blackly. “You keep me entertained.” 

“Get out of my house.” 

He was treating me like I was his personal toy, for his own amusement and I didn’t like it one bit. It was weird how in a matter of days could change someone beyond imagination. He was acting like a monster to me and saint in front of my aunt. 

He advanced on me until I was forced back against the wall next to my windowsill.

“You always had a feisty little mouth on you.” 

His body was so close to be draped with mine. He did nothing to respect my personal space. I pushed my palm against his chest to put some distance between us as he positioned both his hand on the wall against me, caging me in his smoldering proximity.

I didn't know whether I should be turned on by his alpha-male act, or cower down in submission. 

I looked anywhere but his eyes. His expensive black pullover did an impressive job at showcasing his lean, hard body, and wondered how he would look without it. 

I blushed, mortified at the direction of my thoughts. I remembered the time when I first fell in the pool with him, he was shirtless and the time when we went to Cuba together… Oh, God. 

The things we did in Cuba, when he first tasted me...

I couldn't deny the reaction my body was having trapped under his magnitude. It was difficult for me to meet his eyes when my mind was imagining scenarios where I wanted him to be wrapped around my thighs. 

A delicious chill ran down my back as my core tightened with unrecognized sensation. 

We hadn’t been this close to each other in a long time, not since I returned home. 

He seemed to notice what kind of a reaction his proximity endowed upon my body. Suddenly, his calm breathing turned low and rough. His eyes roamed around my face, my skimpy shorts and tshirt.

The smoldering gaze, hunger surfaced in his amazon green eyes etched on my face. I didn't know how to act at that moment. 

Ares inched close to me and I backed further away from until there was nowhere for me to hide. His lips touch my naked shoulder. My breath hitched when he gave the skin a little bite. 

“I could just take you right here, right now, but you'll hate yourself for loving every second of it.” His nose touched mine and at cue, my lips parted slightly. 

“If I dip my fingers inside of your pity excuse of shorts, will I find you wet? Dripping all over my fingers like a good girl you are.” I gasped and did my best to appear unaffected. 

Refocusing and straightening his expression, he inhaled deeply. “I want nothing more than to corrupt every inch of you, and I will,” he challenged. "Your arousal is apparent on your face. Even if you wanted to hide it, you wouldn't be able to."

“You say all these words as if you know what I can become because of you.” My lips hoovered right above him and I didn’t miss the opportunity to gaze back into his eyes, fiercely. “What if I end up corrupting you?” 

“Do I smell a challenge, Miss West?” 

“Uh-huh!” 

“Good.” Pushing off the wall. “I never back down from a challenge.” 

“I won't lose.” 

“We'll see.” He started to walk away and stopped mid-stride, turning his head toward me. “Be ready at nine. Tomorrow night.” 

“Why?” 

“Wear something cool.” He chose to ignore my question. “If I don't find you ready tomorrow...-” 

“Then?” 

“I won't hesitate to drag you out of your house by your hair.” 

“Is that a threat, Mr. Torrance?” 

“Yes.”  

                                    **** 

Ares had captured each and every thoughts of mine to the point where I couldn’t even escape him in my dreams. Last night, after he left my house, I stayed up late and pondered on his invite. 

I had no idea where he was planning to take me, but knowing Ares it would be one of those things which the elders told us to stay away from. Hell. Ares was the kid which my aunt warned me about. 

Aunt Lucille hadn't realized it yet. 

Somehow I saw through his act. I have this gut feeling building up inside me to find out what Ares really was and why was he so interested in me. 

The dreadful fact that Ares was Chase’ friend--best friend--aroused the suspicion in my mind. Could it be possible that Ares was just playing with me? Was he setting me up to settle scores for his best friend? 

No. It can't be. 

But I couldn’t ignore the fact that Chase absolutely despised me to the extent of possibly doing some permanent damage. What have I done to Chase for him to behave so spiteful with me? The reason cannot be Mia.

I didn't pressure Mia to end things with him. I wasn't even aware they were together until it was too late. Maybe he blames me for the way everything went down with Mia and him. 

That would be so childish of him. 

I erased any thoughts of Chase and Mia from my head and mulled over my date tonight with Ares. 

He wanted me to wear something cool, I don't know what he meant by it, but I assumed he wanted me to dress like the girls he always hung out with. Bold and sexy.

A foxy idea popped in my head. It would be perfect to play with Ares. He wanted cool so he'll get to see me in my coolest outfit. 

I headed for my locker without looking where I was going, because I’d walked this path a million times. Excitement buzzed through me. 

I reached my locker, dialing in the combination. It was still a bit before the first class started, and I could go hide in the library to kill time. I searched for the power bank to charge my laptop. I still had to make some changes in my literature essay. It was due today and I didn’t like submitting my assignments late. I guess I would really have to make use of my time in the library. 

The hallway was filled with some students loitering against the locker. They weren't even trying to tone down the volume of their voices. I glanced at them and immediately realized they were all senior because I'd seen them around Ares a couple of times. 

I rolled my eyes at the girls who did nothing to hide the fact that they had pushed their skirt up to make it look shorter than it already was, their tight blouses made their bosom more appealing.

Have some self respect,girls. 

They laughed and joked mindlessly about something. Just the sight of these shallow rich kids made it impossible for me to stand them. They were all the same. 

Superiority complex oozed from their pores. I chanced another glance at them and  froze taking in the scene before my eyes.

“Axel.” One of the girls called out his name and I stilled in my spot. I hadn't seen him since I started school again. We shared two classes and he didn't attend either of them “I called you several times last night. Why didn't you answer any of my calls?” 

The girl; I recognized was the head cheerleader, Lisa Oliver, a senior. I watched her lean into Axel Trent. Her mouth moving over his like she was melting into him. She whispered against his lips, and his teeth flashed through his little grin before he slid his hands around her waist and leaned back against the lockers. 

My heart skipped a small beat, and I felt the power bank and absently slid it into my bag without taking my eyes off them.

I don’t understand him. He's too self destructive even for his own good. I vividly remembered Ares mentioning Charlotte’s engagement and I wondered whether his behaviour had to do something with the news. 

My cheeks reddened as I continued watching them. To say that I was obsessively infatuated with that guy for all my life and now I felt nothing. Three months ago, my feelings would've been in a ditch seeing him all over random girls. 

I momentarily wondered why wasn't he back together with Jenna. Although I hated her, Axel really played with her feelings. 

Just then, Axel opened his eyes. He looked over at me, meeting my gaze head on as if he knew I was here the whole time. 

My brain was telling me to look away, to not stare in the eyes of the devil, but I found myself unmoving and thoughts befuddled. 

Shit. He didn’t stop kissing her, though, holding my eyes as they moved together. Then…he winked at me, and I could see his smile through the kiss. I shook my eyes and looked away.

One thing I could never do was sympathize with Axel. 

I turned back to my locker, embarrassed, and slammed the door. Then I disappeared to the library. 

                                  *** 

“Now, are you hiding from me, sweetheart.” I looked up in surprise to see Ares standing in front of my table, wearing a friendly smile on his face. “Library, seriously?” He shook his head at the cliché. “I pegged you more for a bleachers kind of girl.” 

I didn’t understand how easy it was for him to find me. I've been here for five minutes. 

“What are you doing here, Ares?” I looked him straight in the eye. “I am meeting you tonight even though I'm forced to do it.” 

I turned back to my MacBook and was prepared to ignore Ares but it seemed he had other plans when he lifted me from my seat and sat me on his lap. I struggled against him, but he wrapped his arms around me and buried his face in my hair.

 “Fuck, I missed you,” he murmured, shocking me as my attention dwelled on his words. He missed me.

“Why?” I asked in an almost whisper.

“I don’t know,” he answered, but I felt he was realizing for the first time as to why he missed me. “You’re interesting.” 

Interesting. So, I held his interest currently and what would happen if his interest in me washed away suddenly? All he wanted from me was my body. I was annoyed with myself for how quickly I could forget. 

“I know you'll cry like a girl when I end up corrupting you.” I narrowed my eyes at Ares in a pitiful attempt to intimidate him. The corner of his mouth lifted in a half grin.

“I want to see you try.” 

“Shut up.” I shot out of his lap, intending to stand in front of him, but I felt Ares’ hand clamp around my wrist, stopping me.

“How are you going to successfully corrupt me when all you do is run away from me.” I searched for a comeback but none came to my mind. 

He pulled me back in his lap. His fingers found his way to my jaw and held it tightly in their firm grip. “I can’t forget your sweet, heavenly taste.” His voice dropped down and became more huskier. “Since the first time you let me taste you, I damn near crave to feel your folds in my mouth again.” 

I gasped and turned mortified. “Don’t--” 

“You want my mouth on you again. You want to feel that heights of ecstasy again, don't you, Luna?” He teased me. “You want my hands on you, you love how my lips respond to your kisses. You. Want. Me. Inside. Of. You.” 

I tried my best to not appear fazed or even remotely affected by his words. “You don’t know what I want.” 

“But your moans say differently,” he said, matter-of-factly. 

If he hadn't sounded so cocky about it then I might have agreed with him. Not out loud though. 

Despite my wish to stay away from Ares, I seemed to always give into him and that pissed me off. 

“You’re reading a lot into this. You're confusing my bodily desires for something else.” I didn’t know if I was trying to convince him or me. He looked at me as if I was dense before his eyes softened and he held my gaze. 

“Oh, and you think you'll have the same reaction with someone else?” He goaded me, and I knew it.

“Yes, Ares. You're not the only one who knows how to work their mouth and fingers. There are others who can evoke the same reaction in me,” I lied. 

I honestly didn't think there was anyone like him. Anyone to arouse so many emotions and reactions out of me. He was an exception. 

“Don’t lie to me. Don’t ever do that.” His green eyes hardened into steel. “I will fucking put any asshole in an early grave if he ever touches what's mine.” 

“I'm not your property,” I reminded him. “And get over yourself, pretty boy.” 

His expression softened and his lips turned into a half-grin, showing his dimple which I've grown to appreciate. 

“Ouch.” His hand shot to my neck to hold me lightly. “I'm just a pretty face to you, now?” His thumb swept my lips and I unconsciously licked my lips, tasting his skin. His eyes were now also dark with lust. He was hot and cold at that moment. I shivered wanting to run away and yet get closer. 

Before I could speak, we were interrupted by someone's presence. 

“You two.” Mrs. Deke, the head librarian spotted us. “Get off each other, now.” 

I  quickly scrambled away from Ares. A little embarrassed to get caught by her. 

Ares didn’t appear one bit frazzled by her presence and instead held a nonchalant expression. 

“I'll see you tonight.” He stood in front of me, his height towering over me. “Be ready.” 

I nodded and then he strolled out of the library. 

                                  ***