#####Chapter 4

“That’s fair. I wouldn’t trust me either if I were you.”

“No, no. It's not you. I just can't let anyone know about this right now.”

Mia stepped down from the porch and walked toward her, boots crunching softly over the snow. “That’s not it.”

Raven didn’t back away. His shoulders trembled faintly under her coat. “I just… I thought we were starting to understand each other. I thought maybe we could’ve been friends.”

Mia inhaled sharply, and for a moment, all the walls she had built wavered. “I’ve been alone for so long, Raven. I’m used to silence. I don’t know how to… trust it when someone stays.”

The wind stirred between them.

“I would’ve stayed,” Raven said. “Even if you told me to leave.”

Something broke in Mia’s chest.

She looked down, then lifted her eyes slowly. “You seem to have had everything… so..”

“Noo,” Raven screamed out. “You don't seem to understand the connection I've had while watching you.”

Mia’s voice cracked. “Why does this feel like goodbye?”

Raven gave her a half-smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Because it probably is.”

“No,” Mia said quickly. “I’m coming back. I swear it. I just have to know what’s out there. I have to know if I have anything left.”

“I get it.” Raven reached forward and took Mia’s hand calloused against calloused. “Just… don’t disappear. Promise?”

Mia smiled softly. “I promise.”

Mia was on her way back when she met with Kira. “We need to go talk .” She said

“Why?”

“Let's go get Jay”

They kept hitting on Jayson's window and he stepped out. He quickly hugged Mia.

“Well, this is all very emotional, but are we just not going to talk about how Jayson’s been acting weird all morning?” Kira said in a sharp voice.

Jayson groaned. “Really?”

Kira smirked. “You’ve been quiet. Fidgety. And don’t think I didn’t notice you polishing your boots four times.”

“I was distracted,” Jason muttered.

“Oh? Or is it because you’re the one with a secret?”

Jayson sighed and turned to face Mia and the others. “Alright. Fine. You want the truth?” He looked at Mia, something vulnerable in his gaze. “I’m joining the Alpha Trials.”

Kira blinked. “Wait, what?”

Mia stepped back a little, stunned. Of course she was acting. She had seen Jayson on the day of the selection. “You didn’t say anything.”

“I was going to,” he said quickly. “But everything happened so fast. And I… I didn’t want to put more pressure on you.”

Kira folded her arms. “So, you’re entering the bloodiest tournament in Snow Pack history for what? ”

Jayson looked straight at Mia. “I have to. For my family and the one I love.”

The air vanished from Mia’s lungs.

“ I want to fight for a world where we’re not hunted for being different. I want to fight for you.”

Mia’s voice faltered. “Jay…”

He reached for her hand and pulled her toward him. “I should’ve said this a long time ago. I love you, Mia. Even when you were hidden behind fire and fury. Even now, when you're drowning in silence.”

For the first time in forever, Mia didn’t step back.

“Jay.. ,” she said and turned to Kira whose eyes had filled up in tears. Tears no one could recognize.

Kira smiled slightly, “I need to go.”

“Kira…”

“Let her go.” Jayson held Mia as she tried to follow Kira.

“You know I Love you too.” the words came out raw and fierce.

He leaned in, brushing her cheek with his fingers before pressing his lips to hers soft and mesmerizing, then strong and certain.

Mia clutched him like she was trying to hold onto a future she’d never believed she could have.

When they finally pulled apart, Jason whispered, “Stay with me. Just tonight.”

She didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

That night, long after the others had gone to bed, Mia slipped into Jayson’s room. .

They looked at each other with stares that screamt thirst for each other.

Mia wasn't the romantic type so she just lay there quietly still being shy from the kiss, but Jayson pulled her closer.

Jayson’s fingers traced the slope of Mia’s waist as she lay beneath him, her skin flushed with heat. The sheets were tangled around their legs, forgotten, as his mouth pressed into the hollow of her neck, slowly dragging open-mouthed kisses across her collarbone.

She moaned softly, arching into him, her fingers threading into his dark hair. “Jay…”

That one word—his name—barely whispered, undid him.

He captured her lips again, this time deeper, hungrier. Their mouths moved in sync, wet and hot, tongues sliding and tasting, teeth grazing lips in the kind of kiss that felt like it could last forever and still not be enough. His hand cupped her jaw, thumb brushing the side of her face as he tilted her head and devoured her moans.

Mia wrapped her legs around his hips, pulling him closer, feeling the hard press of him against her thigh. There was no distance now, only heat, breath, and aching want.

Jayson broke the kiss to trail his mouth down her throat, letting his tongue dance over her pulse. He kissed lower, down the valley between her breasts, then suckled one nipple between his lips, making her gasp and dig her nails into his back. Her body writhed under him, each touch stoking the fire burning at her core.

“Jayson… please…” she breathed, desperation in her tone.

He growled low against her skin, shifting to settle between her thighs. He looked up at her, eyes dark with desire. “Tell me what you want.”

“You,” she whispered. “All of you.”

That was all it took.

He slid down, kissed the inside of her thighs slowly, reverently, until she was trembling beneath him. Then he gripped her hips, dragged her closer, and in one smooth motion, he entered her. Slow, deep, until he was buried to the hilt.

Mia’s back arched as a cry escaped her lips. Jayson groaned, his forehead pressing to hers as he began to move long, rhythmic thrusts that made her breath hitch with every stroke.

Their bodies moved as one, sweat glistening between them, hands grasping, mouths meeting in broken kisses. The room was filled with the sound of skin on skin, breathless gasps, and the low rasp of Jayson’s voice murmuring her name like a prayer.

She wrapped her arms around him tightly, legs locking around his waist, urging him deeper, faster.

“Yes… right there don’t stop,” she moaned, her voice cracking with pleasure.

Jayson’s grip tightened on her hips, his pace quickening, strokes deeper, rougher. “You feel so good,” he rasped into her ear. “So tight around me fuck, Mia…”

Her body began to tremble, her release building fast, hot, unstoppable. She clung to him, panting, her nails digging into his shoulders as the wave crested

And then she shattered.

Her orgasm ripped through her, making her cry out, her body clenching around him in desperate spasms. He tried to cover her mouth so she wouldn't scream anymore as he had family members next door.. Jayson cursed under his breath, losing control, pounding into her with a hunger he could no longer tame.

With one final thrust, he groaned her name and spilled inside her, every muscle taut, body pressed against hers in utter surrender.

They lay tangled, breathless, limbs wrapped together, chests heaving as the afterglow settled between them like soft golden light.

Mia smiled faintly, tracing lazy circles on his damp skin. “Think we passed the chemistry test?”

Jayson chuckled, brushing his lips to her temple. “We might’ve just rewritten the whole syllabus.”

“I'll really miss you.” Mia said softly.

“I will too. But now I know I have you.

You’re leaving today, aren’t you?”

“Yes I am. You too right?.”

“Yes she responded.” And they let the night swallow them.

By the time Jayson got up.. She was gone.

“You can't be serious. MIA!” Jessie called out.

“I know you didn't sleep in but can you be swift?”

Jessie’s voice broke through the early hush of morning as Mia laid on her bed

Mia didn’t look up. “Yes.”

Jessie stepped inside, arms crossed, one brow lifted. “You were supposed to meet me an hour ago.”

“I lost track of time.”

“Hmm.” Jessie tilted her head. “I see.”

Mia finally turned to her. “Mother…”

Jessie walked to the hearth, tossed another log into the ash, and poked the embers until flames flickered up again.

Jessie was already at the table with a travel sack laid out and supplies neatly arranged.

“Let’s pack quickly. You’ll need to leave before the sun fully rises..”

Mia moved to her side and began folding the clothes Jessie handed her.

“Two sets of trialwear,” Jessie said. “One for combat, one for travel. Rations for three days. A small blade, hidden inside the lining of your boot. And this ”

She held up a flat silver ring.

Mia raised a brow. “What is it?”

“You’ll need something to prove your status ,” Jessie said.”

Mia’s hands trembled as she took the ring, slipping it onto her middle finger. “Thank you.”

Jessie watched her carefully. “This road is going to test you, Mia. Not just the Trials. The secrets. The weight of who you are. The war between Clinton and Mia is just beginning.”

Mia looked down. “I’m scared, mother.”

“Good.” Jessie touched her cheek. “Fear means you still have something to lose. Just don’t let it become the reason you run.”