The biting chill of rain mirrored the ice in Elena Deloris's heart as she stood on the rooftop, screaming defiance at the world.

“Assholes! If I was asked to make my last wish, I won’t hesitate to wish you death!” she shrieked, the words tearing from her throat. She didn't care that one wrong move could send her plummeting to her end. This, this feeling of having struck back, was better than any lottery.

Her phone pinged, pulling her from the edge. It was Ava, her best friend, urging her to leave, to take the flight to Switzerland. She was running, fleeing the city, fleeing the revelation that the arrogant Quad Alphas were her mates. Ryan French, her tormentor, was one of them, and she had just ruined his life.

Now, she was back. Six months later, the city felt like a cage, the air thick with impending doom. She stared at her car keys, dressed for school, the pink car in the driveway a glaring beacon of her return. Her cousin, Ella, chattered about joining her at Ivy Prose, oblivious to the storm brewing. Then, the text from Ava: "Elena, have you been to social media lately?" A cold dread washed over her as she opened the link. Ryan French's words, bold and chilling, stared back: "Elena Deloris, anywhere I find you, I will break you. That's a promise, hold it dearly."