The Alpha at the school gates
The final bell rang, echoing through the halls as students flooded out of the building. Laughter, lockers slamming, and chatter filled the warm summer air.
Aria Bennett stepped out of the school doors beside her best friend Lena Ashwood, adjusting the strap of her bag on her shoulder.
“Freedom,” Lena sighed dramatically, stretching her arms above her head. “Three whole months of no teachers telling me what to do.”
Aria laughed softly. “Pretty sure your dad still counts.”
Lena rolled her eyes. “Please. Dad only goes full Alpha mode on the pack.”
Aria opened her mouth to respond—then stopped.
Parked along the curb was a dark truck she recognized instantly.
Her stomach flipped.
Leaning against the driver’s door, arms folded across his broad chest, stood Rowan Ashwood.
Lena’s father.
The Alpha of the Moonridge Pack.
And somehow… he looked even more intimidating than she remembered.
He wore a black T-shirt that clung to his muscular frame, the fabric stretching across his shoulders. Dark jeans hung low on his hips, and the afternoon sunlight caught in his short dark hair. His beard was trimmed but rough, giving him a permanently dangerous look.
Aria swallowed.
When did he start looking like that?
Her gaze drifted lower before she could stop herself. Strong arms. Large hands. The confident way he stood like the world belonged to him.
Heat crept up her neck.
Oh my god, Aria. That’s your best friend’s dad.
But her eyes refused to cooperate.
Rowan pushed himself off the truck the moment he noticed them approaching. His sharp gaze landed on Lena first, softening slightly.
Then it shifted to Aria.
And froze.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Something strange passed between them—like the air had thickened.
Aria felt her pulse jump.
Rowan had always been intimidating growing up. The kind of man who could silence a room with one look.
But now…
Now there was something different in his expression.
Something heavier.
His eyes moved slowly over her, taking in the way her jeans hugged her hips, the loose tank top brushing her waist, the way her hair fell over her shoulders.
Aria’s breath caught.
Is he… looking at me like that?
Her mind raced.
No. Impossible.
Rowan cleared his throat, the sound low and rough.
“Lena,” he said.
“Dad!” Lena jogged ahead and threw her arms around him. Rowan caught her easily, hugging her back.
Aria hung a few steps behind, suddenly hyper aware of herself.
Rowan pulled away from his daughter and looked back at Aria again.
This time, the look lingered.
Longer than it should.
Aria forced a small smile. “Hi, Mr. Ashwood.”
Rowan’s jaw tightened slightly.
“Aria.”
The way he said her name sent a strange shiver down her spine.
God, his voice had gotten deeper too.
Why am I noticing his voice?
She shifted awkwardly under his gaze, suddenly very aware of how tall he was compared to her.
Rowan had always been big, but standing this close now…
He felt massive.
Powerful.
Dangerous.
Her mind betrayed her again as she imagined those strong arms wrapped around her—
Stop.
Her cheeks warmed.
Rowan opened the passenger door for Lena. “Get in.”
Lena tossed her bag in and climbed inside without a second thought.
That left Aria standing alone with him.
Up close.
Way too close.
The faint scent of cedar and smoke clung to him, and it made something strange stir low in her stomach.
Rowan’s wolf was restless beneath his skin. He could feel it pacing, alert, focused.
On her.
His eyes moved over her again before he could stop them.
She wasn’t the awkward teenager who used to trail after Lena anymore.
Aria Bennett had grown up.
And his wolf had noticed.
Rowan stepped back quickly, opening the back door of the truck for her.
“Get in,” he said gruffly.
Aria climbed inside, her heart beating faster than it should.
As Rowan walked around the truck to the driver’s seat, she watched him through the window.
The way he moved.
The strength in his shoulders.
The quiet authority in every step.
Her stomach flipped again.
This summer is going to be dangerous, she thought.
And she had no idea just how right she was.
