CHAPTER 23

Adrian's POV – The Morning of the Camp Trip

The morning air was crisp, the kind that hinted at the arrival of autumn. Students bustled around the school parking lot, dragging suitcases, slinging backpacks over their shoulders, and chattering excitedly about the week-long camp trip.

For most, this was just another school event. A chance to escape classes, mess around, and make memories.

For me?

It was a potential disaster waiting to happen.

I stood near the bus, looking at the crowd. My mind was still tangled in last night's prophecy, and my mood wasn't exactly sunshine and rainbows.

Find your mate within the week or be forced to marry an omega of my father's choice.

The words echoed in my head, irritating me to no end. My father had never been the type to rush these things, so why was he suddenly so impatient?

And then there was him.

jake.

Or should I say Fiona?

I knew something was off about Jake. The resemblance to her—the sharp eyes, the way they carried themselves—it was too much to ignore.

But if Jake was Fiona, then why go through all this trouble to disguise herself? What were they hiding?

And more importantly… why did my wolf stir whenever they were near?

I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling slowly. The camp trip couldn't have come at a worse time. With my father breathing down my neck, my wolf restless, and the added mystery that Jake presented, it felt like I was standing on the edge of something big and uncertain.

"Hey, future Alpha, you planning to just stand there all day?"

I turned to see James smirking at me, suitcase in hand. Josh and Luke weren't far behind him, stuffing their bags into the storage compartment of the bus, laughing about something stupid.

"Shut up," I muttered, but my lips twitched slightly despite myself.

"Damn, what's got you all broody? Oh, wait, let me guess," James teased. "Daddy issues? Or is it mate issues?"

I shot him a glare. "Say that again, and I'll make sure you regret it."

James laughed, raising his hands in surrender. "Relax, man. Just saying, you look like you're about to kill someone."

I didn't respond, because at that moment, they arrived.

Jake.

Dragging a suitcase behind them, hood pulled up over their head like they were trying to disappear.

But they weren't fooling me.

They were avoiding me.

Interesting.

I pushed off the bus and strode toward them, stopping right in their path.

Jake skidded to a halt, their grip tightening around the suitcase handle. "What?"

I smirked. "You're riding with me."

Their eyes narrowed. "What? No. I'm taking the bus."

I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice. "Didn't we agree that friends should stick together?"

Jake's jaw clenched. "That was before I realized how annoying you are."

I chuckled. "Too bad. I already saved you a seat."

Before he could protest, I grabbed their suitcase and tossed it into my car.

Jake let out an exasperated groan. "You're unbelievable."

"Yeah, yeah." I opened the passenger door for them, waiting.

Jake hesitated, eyes darting toward the buses like he was debating making a run for it.

I arched a brow. "Get in."

For a second, I thought he might actually refuse. But then, with a muttered curse under his breath, he climbed in.

I shut the door behind him, walking around to the driver's side wit

h a victorious smirk.

This camp was already shaping up to be very interesting.