Her phone vibrated just as she turned around, causing her to freeze in place.
It was West calling.
Her heart jumped.
She answered immediately.
"West!" she said quickly. "Where are you?! I’ve been waiting for ages!"
His voice came through the phone slightly breathless.
"I know," he said.
She frowned.
"...You know?"
She glanced at his apartment door.
"...I’m literally at your place."
There was a brief pause before a response came.
"I’m at yours."
She blinked.
"...What?"
"I’m at your place," West repeated.
Her brain stalled.
"...My place?"
"I thought we were meeting at yours."
West exhaled.
"Something happened."
His voice sounded serious now.
"Come here," he said. "I’ll explain everything."
Her heart began racing.
Something happened?
What did that mean?
Was he hurt?
Was he in trouble?
"...Are you okay?" she asked quickly.
"I’m fine."
She hesitated.
"...You promise?"
"...I promise."
She nodded instinctively.
"...Okay."
She ended the call slowly.
Her disappointment had completely vanished, replaced by curiosity, concern...
And something else.
Excitement.
She turned and started rushing quickly toward her home.
...
...
Aria hurried down the familiar street as her heart beat faster with every step.
Her mind was racing... West had sounded serious.
She wore a tight cream-colored crop top that hugged her body perfectly, leaving a small strip of her smooth midriff exposed. The fabric stretched snugly over her chest, outlining every curve with dangerous precision. Her breathing alone made the material rise and fall hypnotically.
Her lower half was clad in dark high-waisted denim shorts... short enough to show off the full length of her long, smooth legs. The hem hugged the underside of her cheeks tightly, emphasizing the natural curve of her hips and thighs.
She had paired it with white sneakers and ankle socks, giving her appearance an effortlessly youthful but devastatingly attractive look.
Her long pink hair flowed freely behind her, slightly tousled from her hurried walk. Her lips carried a faint glossy shine, and her skin glowed naturally under the afternoon sun.
She looked dangerously hot.
The kind of hot that made people turn twice without realizing it.
And right now—
Her eyes were locked ahead.
She saw West standing outside her apartment.
Relief flooded her chest instantly.
But then—
Her steps slowed and her eyes widened slightly because he wasn’t alone.
Standing beside him... was a massive figure that was at least ten feet tall.
Her skin was green and her figure was unreal.
She wore an elegant cloth outfit that wrapped perfectly around her body, hugging her narrow waist and wide hips. Her thighs were thick and powerful, her chest full and heavy, her posture regal and composed.
She was beautiful.
Terrifyingly beautiful...
The kind of beauty that didn’t ask for attention.
It commanded it.
Aria froze.
"...What...?"
West turned toward her.
"Hey," he said casually.
She pointed.
"...What is that?"
West blinked.
"...That’s rude."
Gor’thala glanced at Aria calmly.
West sighed.
"She’s my summon."
Aria blinked as her brain processed it slowly.
"...Your summon..."
She just recalled that he did mention something about that.
Of course she knew about summons...
She had seen awakeners on TV.
But...
This was different.
This wasn’t some creature.
This was...
A woman.
A massive, beautiful, powerful woman.
Her chest tightened slightly.
A strange feeling stirred inside her...
A feeling of jealousy.
She hadn’t seen West properly in nearly two weeks.
And yet—
This woman was with him, standing beside him... following him.
She didn’t like that.
She crossed her arms slightly.
"...She stays with you all the time?"
West shrugged.
"Pretty much."
Aria’s lips pressed together faintly.
Gor’thala spoke calmly.
"I exist to serve my master."
Aria blinked again.
Master...
She didn’t like that word either.
West scratched his head awkwardly.
"Uh... anyway..."
He turned to Gor’thala.
"Go walk around the city or something."
Gor’thala tilted her head slightly.
"...Walk?"
"Yeah," he said. "Explore. Learn. Do whatever. Just don’t come back for like... two hours."
She nodded.
"As you command."
Without another word she turned and walked away.
People on the street immediately began staring.
Some stopped walking entirely.
Others whispered.
Some even turned their phones to record.
But Gor’thala didn’t care.
She simply walked.
And disappeared into the city.
Aria watched her leave.
Then slowly turned back to West.
"...She’s beautiful."
West shrugged casually.
"Yeah."
That didn’t help.
Aria rolled her eyes.
"...Come inside."
He followed her, stepping into the familiar home brought back memories instantly.
The memories of Aria taking his meat down her throat in the middle of the night...
Aria turned to face him.
Her eyes scanned him carefully and she frowned.
"...What happened to your uniform?"
His clothes were torn, ruffled and dirty.
It looked like he had been dragged through a warzone.
West exhaled.
"...Long story."
She crossed her arms.
"I have time."
He leaned against the wall.
"...Four awakened attacked me today."
Her eyes widened instantly.
"...What?!"
He nodded calmly.
"And then three gangs showed up."
Her heart skipped.
"...What?!"
He continued.
"They all wanted me to join them."
Her chest tightened as she stared at him.
"...That’s why you came here?"
He nodded.
"I didn’t want them following me home."
Her eyes softened instantly as concern filled her expression.
She stepped closer.
Her hands moved to his arms, checking him and scanning him.
"...Are you hurt?"
Her fingers ran along his shoulders, his chest and his sides.
Her brows furrowed.
"...There’s nothing..."
She looked up at him.
"...You’re not injured at all..."
She didn’t know that West had used the Chalice.
He smiled slightly.
"I’m fine. You should have seen the other guys..."
She exhaled deeply in relief and without thinking, she stepped forward...
And hugged him tightly.
Her body pressed fully against his.
"I was worried," she whispered softly.
West froze for a moment.
Then slowly, his arms wrapped around her waist.
Her body felt warm and soft.
He had missed this.
His hands tightened slightly and they stayed like that for several seconds without speaking or moving.
Then—
His fingers moved... slowly... sliding lower and tracing the curve of her waist.
Before she knew it, West fingers trailed lower and then, he cupped her ass firmly... letting his fingers sink deeply into those round curvy cheeks.