𝐌𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 | 18+

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟐

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AIDEN
IVESOK
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Having Ada sit in the back with me wasn't something I ever anticipated. Ana wasn't happy about it—I had to force her to sit with Ryke and Astor just so Ada could take her seat.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" she asked, pulling out her laptop, her voice tense.

"You blocked me," I said flatly, the frustration obvious.

For a moment, she went silent, glancing across the room. I followed her gaze and there he was—Ares. He wasn't subtle about it either, fully turned to face us, watching.

Ada looked down, avoiding her best friend's eyes. "Ares didn't like it," she muttered softly.

I couldn't hide my annoyance. "Does he own you?"

The fact that Ares had so much control over her irked me. I couldn't deny, though, that if Ada were mine—even as a friend—I'd probably do the same. Hell, if anything, Ares was soft on her. Growing up the way I did, I knew I was a possessive bastard. If Ada was mine, I'd break her—ruin her completely—and I'd hate myself for it. But that didn't stop me from selfishly wanting her anyway. The possessiveness I'd have over her soul would drain her out.

Ada wasn't like Loren or Ana. She wasn't just some passing fling. Ada was the kind of girl you came home to, the kind who brought calm amidst the chaos. Lizzie, on the other hand—Lizzie was the girl who riled you up, who stirred you into fights and led you to sex.

As much as I loved Lizzie, she could never give me what I really craved: that obsessive, all-consuming devotion. Lizzie offered passion, fights, heat—but Ada... Ada would offer something real. Something that would stay.

Finally, Ada spoke. "I don't know," she whispered. "Maybe—I don't know." she repeated..

That only made my anger flare. She didn't even realize how much control Ares had over her, how she was tiptoeing around him. "Did he ask you to be his girlfriend? Didn't he kiss Lizzie right after he kissed you?"

Ada nodded, almost defeated. "I'm not his girlfriend."

"Exactly," I replied sharply. "You're not his." I added. "He doesn't get to control you."

"Who can control me?" she asked.

Me. "Someone who makes it obvious they want you."

And from now on, I'm putting my claim on this girl.

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LIZZIE
ROSEWOOD
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Ares was infuriatingly distant, and it was starting to get under my skin. All I wanted was one night—just one night with him. But throughout our project, he kept a literal pillow between us while we worked. The message was clear: his mind was on someone else. And once again, I was the second choice. Not that it surprised me anymore. I was used to it.

"Hey, I was thinking we could go downstairs for a snack," I suggested, flashing a smile. "My parents aren't home."

Ares nodded awkwardly, running a hand through his hair—God, he was so effortlessly perfect.

I sat on the kitchen counter, scooping ice cream into my mouth while he stood there, eating an apple. Always the healthy one. "Keeping your body in shape?" I teased.

He nodded again. "I prefer to stay healthy."

"You've got the body, and the face," I said, glancing up at him from under my lashes as I swallowed another spoonful of ice cream.

"I know," he replied, casual as ever.

I hopped down from the counter, wiping my mouth with a tissue. Stepping in front of him, I looked up, letting the silence stretch between us. He raised an eyebrow, sensing where I was going. "Lizzie, no," he said firmly. "I'm not Aiden, and to be honest, I don't want to lead you on. I'm just not interested."

Wow. This was a first. Lizzie Rosewood, rejected by the god of our school. I wasn't even hurt—just... shocked.

"You don't like me?" I asked, crossing my arms, trying to keep my voice steady.

Ares shook his head. "You're pretty, Lizzie. You're a great girl. But I don't like you, and we're not really friends. I'm sorry."

She owns him. Ada fucking Love owns the guy I wanted. She's a pretty girl, calm and collected. Of course he'd pick her.

"Because you're too hung up on Ada, right?" I scoffed, masking my embarrassment. "First Rose, now Ada. You always fall for your friends, don't you?"

His lips tightened. "I'm not interested in Ada either," he said evenly. "I don't want anything to do with love or lust right now. Thanks for having me over."

And just like that, he walked past me, not even needing directions to the door.