Page 171 of Untamed

My stomach tightens, not with anxiety exactly, but with the gravity of what today signifies. I place the phone face-down on the counter and force a sip of my latte. Bianca’s up early as well, making Enzo’s smoothie. “You’re up early.”

“Couldn’t sleep,” I reply.

“Oh?” she questions, resting on the kitchen island. “Why’s that?”

I sense her gaze on me as I take another long sip, avoiding looking up. I just offer her a one shoulder shrug. “I don’t know, I just couldn’t fall asleep so I read for a while.”

“Hmm,” She hums, tossing vegetables into the blender. “You’re dressed already. You going somewhere?” she inquires, trying to sound nonchalant but failing.

I keep my tone light. “Yeah. Thought I’d head into town. Pick up some things.”

She leans against the counter against, arms crossed, one eyebrow lifted. “Things?”

“Yeah, like…” I gesture vaguely. “Just girl stuff. Maybe swing by that little shop by the church. Sophia mentioned they get new stock in every week.”

Her eyes remain steady. “Sophia.”

“Mm-hm.” The silence lingers, intentionally stretching.

“You didn’t say you were meeting her.”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “I’m not. Just said she told me about the shop, that’s all.”

Her voice stays airy, but her eyes narrow. “And you’re going alone?”

I look up at her, my own brow lifting. “Is that a problem?”

She examines me, lips tight, then shrugs. “No. Just… you’ve been acting strange lately.”

I stiffen. “Strange how?”

Bianca shrugs again, too casually. “I don’t know. Distant. Secretive. Like you’re hiding something.”

I set down my fork with a sigh. “I’m not.”

She tilts her head, still scrutinising me like she’s waiting for a slip. “You sure?”

“Yes,” I reply, forcing a smile. “I’m just tired, B. I’m also getting really sick of sitting around this place with nothing to do.” I add, pushing the eggs around on the plate. “I might try again to find a job somewhere. Maybe the elusive dark prince of the manor would allow me to work at the library.”

Bianca snorts. “The library?” She eyes me over her coffee cup. “Pretty sure the elusive dark prince doesn’t do quiet buildings and story time.”

I smirk. “Maybe not, but I bet he owns the damn place anyway.”

She goes quiet at that, lowering her mug slowly and I regret the words almost instantly.

Her eyes narrow, sharp and steady. “Why do you talk about him like that?”

“Like what?”

“Like youknowhim.”

I freeze for half a second, then shrug. “Everyone knows Ares. He’s not exactly a mystery.”

“He is to most people,” she says slowly. “But not to you. At least, not lately.”

I push the plate away, appetite gone. “I think you’re reading too much into things.”

“Am I?” she says, tone turning cool. “Because I’ve been watching you. And you act different when he’s around.”

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