[Ayla’s POV]I don't move as Aera heads to the amusement park ticket booth to buy passes for us. What in the world was this dude trying, and why was I going along with it?You need a distraction after being bum-rushed by Barren, a small voice in the back of my head says.That was right. It was enough to see him in the real world, but to find out he was an alpha heir and the brother of that bitch Corinna was a bit too much for me to take.I had planned on just going home, but I guess it wouldn't be so bad to spend some time here, especially since I knew an angry uncle would be ready for me when I got back.If I was going to get yelled at, I could at least prolong the inevitable, right?"You coming or just standing there?" Aera calls once he's finished with the drooling woman at the ticket counter."Coming," I respond, shooting her a triumphant look.Skipping forward, I wrap my arms around Aera's and beam while she glares daggers at me."You having fun taunting her?" Aera asks once we w

[Ayla’s POV]I don’t wait for Aera to say anything about what I’ve told him before I dial Uncle Silas’ number and place my phone against my ear."Ayla," he hisses after the first ring. "Where the hell are you?""Fun Zone, the amusement park by the sea," I respond. "What the hell was that about Evie?""I’ll be there soon," is all he says before hanging up and ignoring my question entirely.Shoving my phone back in my pocket, I turn and take in Aera’s furrowed brows and look of concern."What?" I ask."You said your cousin’s best friend was murdered," he begins, seeming confused. "She’s a member of Crimson Tides, correct?""That’s right," I respond. "Why?"Was he going to use this incident as another reason to try to take down Crimson Tides?"Was there any details on the murder?" he continues."No," I sigh. "It just said that she was found dead in her bed," I explain. "Uncle Silas still has to do a thorough investigation into the whole thing.""Interesting how it happened while he was a

[Ayla’s POV]"You can sit wherever," I announce, eyeing Aera. "I’m going to shower."I don’t wait for him to respond before I’m heading toward the bathroom and disappearing inside so that I can finally be alone with my raging thoughts.Sighing, I begin to yank my clothes off and then step into the shower. After turning on the water, I sit in the tub and pull my knees against my chest while the steaming hot water crashes down on me.Now that I’m alone, I let all the guilt and fear that I was feeling crash into me. I knew there was no way that Uncle Silas would be able to calm the pack once word got out about what happened to Evie, and if what her parents were saying was thought to be true, all eyes would come to rest on me.This was only the beginning of an even bigger ordeal that would possibly end up landing me in the capitol sooner than expected so that the elders could watch me closely. And if even more murders happened, wouldn't that ignite a witch hunt that would have everyone ou

[Ayla's POV]I continue to stare in the direction that Aera left, stunned by his proclamation. He was coming to the capitol with me… What the hell was this man actually thinking? Was this another one of his schemes, or was he really being sincere?There was no way to tell, and I needed to keep my guard up. "Ayla," Uncle Silas calls, snapping me out of my daze. "There's something I want to ask you.""What is it?""What's really going on between you and Aera?""I don't know," I admit.It was the simplest of answers, and it was the truth. A few weeks prior, I could have easily said that there wasn't anything between us. But now, I honestly didn't know."Do you like him?" He continues, treading dangerous waters.As I prepare to say no, I find myself faltering. Did I like him? I mean, he was drop-dead sexy and great in bed. Physically, he was the perfect specimen, and those features... Goddess, he was gorgeous. However, no relationship could be formed on the basis of physical attraction a

[Aera's POV]The next day, I wake up early and head out. Since I couldn't go to the capitol with Ayla, I at least wanted to see her off. That wouldn't be too much, right?However, when I arrive, the front of Crimson Tides Estate is surrounded by people screaming the same thing."Stop harboring a monster.""What the hell?" I hiss, jumping out of my car and rushing forward. "What the hell is going on?" I continue, grabbing the person closest to me.For a moment, the man examines me as if trying to figure out exactly who I am before his gaze turns hard."Alpha Silas' niece is a murderer!" He growls. "She's killed two of our own!""Two?" I repeat in confusion. "I thought there was only one. When did the other happen?""Last night!" He roars. "A very promising young man who she almost killed in the past! Now she has succeeded in what she couldn't do then!"Eyes widening, I look toward the large building ahead to find murderer written in big red letters spreading across the front of it.Wha