Alpha Xavier Human Soulmate
s-or maybe it was the strange tingle racing down my
a statue, my eyes scanning the neo-got
strand of auburn hair behind my ear, shifting impat
people in like moths to a golden flame. Her blonde hair, piercing green eyes, and beguiling smile tur
only to return at dawn looking utterly spent.The most unsettl
ret boyfriend? Was th
y duty to make sure she was okay, no matter how
. She wore fitted black jeans paired with a shimmering copper top that set off her lightly tanned skin and lustrous hair. Not an uncommon look for a night out, but
followed. But I doggedly trailed her from the shelter of trees
path. She didn't even pause when a branch snapped loudly under my foot at one point. Her focus was razor sharp,
k area I'd never explored before. Pristine landscaping gave way to wilder growt
was somewhere I shouldn't be. But it was too late-Ashley disappeared a
en I rounded the last bend s
scape, pale and stately as it rose up in elegant
saw no signs of inhabitants. The entire place had an eerie, hau
ll with modern brick buildings and scenic quads. It was like someone had
creamed to turn back, to stop this reckless pursuit. But then I spotted Ashley ahead, striding purposefully t
e dark forest, I scurried from the concealing brush onto the expanse of
med to resemble a howling wolf, its leafy fangs forever
obscured view of Ashley speaking with th
ded, stepping aside to allow her entry. As she disappeared inside, the carved
dead of night? And why did she seem so wired,
ve, return to the safety and sanity of campus before I
become the closest thing to family I had. If she was in
tterly terrifying, choice-I had to get
f the topiary, crossing the expanse of lawn an
rs, raising a shaky hand to grasp the wrought iron knocker crafted to resemble a roaring lion's
to think the place was abandoned when one
he darkness. I held my breath, startled to see an impecca
ar. I guessed he wasn't much older than I, but he regarded me with a piercing intellig
was smooth and courteous, to
s still jangled with adrenaline. "Yes, I'm here for the..
wasn't aware additional guests were arr
miliar safety of the night, away from the unanswered questions that
ally, meeting his gaze
eyes, there and gone before I could interpre
dly. "Well, Serena Cross, welcome." He p
uldn't shake the feeling that this lavish house with its guarded gates and secretive inhabitants hid somethi
down a corridor paneled with dark carved wood. My heels sank
er dripping with light at the center. Faint music reached m
grand curved staircase sweeping down
demanding answers that likely wouldn't come. The steady thrum
of night? Did it have something to do with Ashley's bizarre behavior
th a polite nod. I hovered uncertainty in the threshold for a long moment
hey drank and danced with careless abandon in the center of the gleaming par
ld she be surprised to see me? Upset? My stomach flutter
hen the scre