CHAPTER 149

**WINTER**

The bass from the speakers vibrates through the floor as I step inside, the scent of alcohol and sweat thick in the air. Laughter, shouting, and the occasional pop of a bottle opening mix together in a chaotic mess of sound.

I don't even make it two steps before I feel eyes on me.

"Damn, she looks just as good with clothes on," someone mutters to his friend.

"Shame Royal didn’t post more nudes," another snickers. "Could’ve gotten the full view."

Claire whirls around, fury flashing in her eyes. “How about I give you a close-up of my fist and let the whole world see what your busted face looks like, you fucking creeps?”

Winter quickly grabs her arm, tugging her back. “Claire, let it go. They’re not worth it.”

Claire mutters under her breath, seething. “Fucking idiots.” She looks ready to spin back around and start throwing punches, but before she can, a girl at the entrance calls her name, stopping her in her tracks.

I don’t wait. I push forward, weaving into the crowd. I just need to blend in—to pretend that tonight is normal. That everythingis normal.

But then I see him.

Zion.

He's standing near the couch, Cindy practically draped over him like a second skin. Her fingers are on his chest, her lips dangerously close to his ear as she whispers something. He smirks, saying something back, and she laughs, pressing even closer.

Probably celebrating my humiliation.

A lump rises in my throat, thick and suffocating. I should have expected this. Should have known that while I spent the day falling apart, Zion Royal was out here having the time of his life.

Before I can force myself to move, his eyes suddenly snap to mine.

It's like a punch to the gut-his gaze sharp, intense, hungry.

Claire appears behind me, following my line of sight.

"Unbelievable," she mutters. "After everything he's done today, and he's got time to party? Does evil ever take a fucking day off?"

Then she scrunches up her face. “Ew.” Her gaze flicks to Cindy’s hand—lingering way too long—and despite myself, my eyes follow for a brief second before I tear them away.

Zion's lips move, and then-

"Snowflake!" His voice cuts through the noise, sharp and desperate.

I freeze. My body reacts before my mind does, and I take a small step back, heart hammering.

My breath catches. No.

Claire doesn't hesitate. She grabs my hand, flipping him off without so much as a glance.

"Forget him," she says firmly. "We're here to enjoy ourselves."

Then she drags me away, and I let her-because if I stay, if I so much as give him one second of my time, I know I'll break all over again.

Claire and I push through the mass of bodies, the heavy bass pounding through my skull. Laughter, the clinking of bottles, and the occasional shout blend together in a chaotic mess, but I barely register any of it.

I just need to get out. Away from the suffocating heat of the party. Away from him.

As we near the back door, Claire tightens her grip on my wrist, guiding me through the swarm of drunk, swaying bodies. Just as we break free from the worst of the crowd, I bump into someone-a girl with fiery red hair and soft green eyes.

"Oh! Sorry," she blurts out, stepping back quickly, her brows pulling together in concern. Then she hesitates, tucking a strand of fiery red hair behind her ear, her gaze flickering over me with quiet uncertainty.

Her long red hair catches the dim light, cascading over her shoulders in waves that shimmer like autumn leaves. There’s a delicate elegance to her features—porcelain skin, high cheekbones, and wide, emerald-green eyes.

"I wasn't looking where I was going. Are you... okay?"

I nod "it's okay..".

Claire steps up beside me. "Hey, Ariel."

Ariel glances at her, offering a small nod, but doesn't respond right away. Instead, she shifts on her feet, her cheeks tinged pink as she sneaks a quick look over her shoulder, like she's expecting someone to be there.

Claire's eyes narrow. "What's wrong?"

Ariel jolts slightly, shaking her head a little too fast.

"N-nothing. Um..." She hesitates, her throat bobbing as she finally meets my gaze, her blue eyes soft yet unsure.

Claire eyes Ariel, her brows drawing together.

"You sure you're okay?"

Ariel hesitates, then quickly nods.

"Yeah," she says, offering a small, forced smile. Almost like she wants to change the subject, she asks,

"You're heading out?"

Claire watches her for a beat longer before nodding. "Yeah. You wanna come?"

Ariel doesn't hesitate, following as we slip out the back door. The cool night air is a welcome relief from the suffocating heat inside. Away from the flashing lights and the suffocating noise, I finally allow myself to breathe.

We settle onto an empty bench near the edge of the backyard, the party a dull roar behind us. I cross my arms over my chest, my nerves still frayed. Ariel sits across from us, studying me for a moment before speaking.

Claire gestures between us. "Winter, this is Ariel. Ariel, Winter."

Ariel offers a shy smile. "I know who you are. We're in the same Business class."

Surprise flickers through me. I search my memory, trying to place her, but guilt creeps in when I realize I've never really noticed her before. She's been there this whole time, and yet, I never saw her.

I offer a small smile in return. "I'm sorry... I didn't realize."

Ariel shakes her head quickly. "It's okay. I kinda keep to myself. I moved here a few months ago," she says, her voice soft.

"Just before you."

I nod absently, not trusting myself to speak yet.

She hesitates, then lowers her voice. "I saw the pictures."

My stomach clenches.

Ariel shakes her head, her expression clouding with genuine sadness.

"I'm so sorry you had to go through that. It's disgusting what they did to you... I know what it's like to be bullied."

Something tightens in my chest at her words. She means it. There's no pity in her voice, just understanding.

I study her for a moment, taking in the soft kindness in her eyes, the way she nervously tucks her hair behind her ear. She's beautiful-not in a loud, obvious way, but in a quiet, gentle way that makes you want to protect her.

"You don't deserve that," I say softly. "No one does."

Claire scoffs, leaning back on her hands.

""Yeah, well, Zion and his Royal crew are a bunch of entitled, arrogant assholes... except maybe Harry. He at least pretends to have a soul."

I swallow hard, my throat burning. I already know that.

Ariel's voice is soft, soothing in a way I didn't know I needed.

"For what it's worth, Winter, you're handling this way better than most people would. I mean, you're here, standing tall, not letting them see you break." She gives me a small, encouraging smile.

"That takes strength."

She hesitates, glancing down for a second before admitting quietly,

"I wish I had that strength."

I open my mouth to respond, but then-

"Snowflake."

The voice cuts through the night like a blade, freezing me in place. My entire body locks up, every muscle tensing like I've been struck.

No.

I scramble to my feet, my breath stalling in my throat as I turn.

He's standing there, framed by the glow of the house lights, his dark eyes locked onto mine.

Zion.

My stomach twists violently, a mix of anger, pain, and something far more dangerous knotting in my chest. My hands clench into fists at my sides, the words scraping my throat like glass.

"Go away, Zion. Leave me alone."

His jaw tightens, the muscle ticking as he takes a slow, deliberate step closer.

"Snowflake," he murmurs, his voice low and rough, like he's barely holding himself together.

I flinch at the name, my breath catching. How dare he?

After everything-after the pictures, the humiliation, the way he broke me-how dare he call me that like nothing has changed?

Zion swallows hard, his eyes flickering with something desperate, something raw.

"Please," he says, and I can hear it-his regret, his frustration, his need.

"We need to talk."

I shake my head, taking a step back as my pulse pounds in my ears.

"No, we don’t," I say, my voice sharper than I feel. "You've said enough, Zion. And I don’t want to hear another word."

My chest tightens, but I lift my chin, refusing to let him see how much he's broken me.

His expression darkens with something unreadable, something almost painful.

"Snowflake..."

Claire is in front of me in an instant, her stance brimming with fury.

"Get the fuck out of here, Royal. She doesn’t want you anywhere near her." Claire’s voice is a whip-crack of fury, sharp enough to wound.

But Zion? He doesn’t even flinch. Doesn’t spare her a damn glance.

His gaze is fixed on me.

"Snowflake," he says again, quieter this time, like he's trying not to scare me off.

"We need to talk."

Claire plants her feet like a damn bodyguard, crossing her arms with a glare sharp enough to cut.

"No way in hell, Royal. She doesn't want to talk to you. Take your toxic ass somewhere else."

Beside me, Ariel hesitates for only a second before stepping closer, her fingers curling gently around mine. She doesn't say anything, but the quiet support in her touch is enough-like she's trying to steady me, to remind me I'm not alone.

Zion doesn't so much as blink, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that makes it hard to breathe.

Ro strolls up, hands in his pockets, smirking like the devil himself.

"Didn't you hear? Z wants to talk to his Snowflake. So, we're going to let them talk."

Claire scoffs, tilting her head. "Oh look, it’s asshole number two. What’s the matter, Ro? Not enough people to torment inside?"

Ro chuckles, completely unfazed. "Nah, just didn’t want Zion having all the fun." His gaze flicks to Winter before settling back on Claire, amusement glinting in his eyes.

"But if you’re offering to keep me entertained, I’m all ears, sweetheart."

Claire’s expression turns ice-cold as she crosses her arms. "First of all, don’t fucking call me ‘sweetheart.’ I’d rather gargle glass than hear that shit from you." She gives him a slow, pointed once-over before smirking.

"But hey, if you put in some real effort, maybe—just maybe—you’ll reach the evolutionary level of a cockroach one day. Though, let’s be honest....."

Before she can get the last word out, Ro moves-fast and deliberate.

"RO-WHAT THE FUCK?!" Claire shrieks as he throws her over his shoulder like she weighs nothing.

She thrashes violently, pounding her fists against his back with enough force to bruise.

"Put me down, you asshole! I swear to God, I will skin you alive!" She kicks her legs, nearly nailing him in the ribs, but Ro just tightens his grip, unfazed.

"Keep squirming, Trouble," he drawls, completely unbothered.

"You're only making this more fun for me."

"FUN?! I HOPE YOU CHOKE ON YOUR OWN EGO, YOU NEANDERTHAL!" Claire screeches, twisting in his hold.

"LET! ME! GO!"

Harry just stands there, staring at Ariel like he's forgotten how to function.

Ro rolls his eyes. "Seriously? Now is not the time to glitch out. Move your girl."

"Huh?"

"Move. Your. Girl!"

Harry's lips curl into a slow, smug grin.

"My girl... I like the sound of that," he says, stepping toward Ariel.

Ariel barely has time to react before Harry scoops her up effortlessly—bridal style.

She gasps, eyes going wide. "H-Harry! Put me down!"

"Nope," he replies, completely unbothered.

Her face turns bright red as she squirms in his arms, her hands gripping his shoulders.

"This is—this is so embarrassing! P-people are staring!"

Harry just grins. "Let 'em stare."

"Z, Winter's all yours," Ro calls over his shoulder, unfazed by Claire’s furious string of curses. He doesn’t even break stride as he and Harry walk off like they do this every damn day.

Clark, still standing there, looks around, hands on his hips.

"Wait—what the fuck!" Clark throws up his hands, looking genuinely offended. "Am I the only one not abducting someone tonight? This is bullshit!"

He crosses his arms, sulking. "Not fair. I want a girl to carry away too. What is this, a kidnapping party, and no one sent me the invite?"

Zion, who has zero patience left, barely spares him a glance. "Fuck off, Clark."

Clark groans. "Unbelievable. You guys are so selfish." He mutters something about "shitty friends"

"Clark, get the fuck out of here. Now." Zion's voice is low, seething, his eyes never once leaving mine.

Clark huffs dramatically. "Fine. Guess I'll just go inside and throw the first willing woman over my shoulder. Wish me luck, Z."

Zion, now finally alone with me, exhales slowly, like he's trying to steady himself. Then he steps forward.

"Snowflake."

My heart stutters. I take a step to move past him, to put as much space between us as possible, but before I can, his hand closes gently-but firmly-around mine.

"Wait," he says again, his voice rough, almost pleading.