Aria's POV
I was walking back and forth, thinking of ways to get my stuff from Nicholas. Our interaction yesterday was a nightmare. He was a devil in disguise. A sex maniac and an ill-mannered creature. I couldn't wait to get out of this place.
Unfortunately, thoughts and ideas fled my mind when I needed them the most.
I sat in my bed in annoyance and tugged the cord linked to my wrist. I couldn't think of any other way to escape except to approach Matthew for help. I helped him. Maybe he could help me as well.
Isn't give and take a thing? After all, if it weren't for him, things wouldn't have ended up this way.
My feet glided to the door, and my hand twisted the knobs. The clicking sound echoed, and my eyes widened in surprise after realizing they hadn't locked it.
I took a cautious step outside. The first thing I noticed was the empty corridor coated in white. The ambiance was eerie, mainly because no one was around, not even those ladies in white uniforms.
"Where are you going?"
I froze for a moment, and instead of continuing to walk, I halted. Being caught on my first step was not something I had intended. But if I flee, either Nicholas or Matthew will have me chased. With a dejected soul, I gently turned and took a slow glance behind me. When I saw it was Matthew, I breathed a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness!
"I need to fetch my things from your brother," I responded.
Matthew seemed to be in better shape than he had been the day before. His wolf, like Kaia's, must have aided him in healing quickly. It's not a big deal, though. Shifters are expected to recover faster than ordinary beings. And it would be odd if we took so long to recuperate.
"Why?" he asked, closing our distance.
Matthew truly comes off as stupid to me. It's my stuff, so I'm entitled to it. There's a reason common sense exists so someone like him can use it.
"Because it's mine?"
I don't mean to come out cynical, but his inquiry is plain stupid. Apart from me, who else has a right to my stuff? Of course, nobody — mine is mine."Nikko may return it to you, but..." he paused, "...you have to give him something in return."
True to Matthew's word, his goddamn brother will only give my stuff back in exchange for my freedom. He holds a rule no one can bend: a freaking manipulative psychotic bloke.
If this dog were just some ordinary werewolf, I would have been able to get away, but he's the Alpha, someone I can't easily fool.
"Fine, do whatever you want with my things," I surrender. "I'm still leaving!"
I'd rather lose my expensive clothes than stay in this shithole with Nicholas Sainthood. His surname does not fit him at all. He's not a saint but a devil.
Of all the male wolves in the domain, why did my mate happen to be him? I wanted to beg the moon goddess to change our fate, but that's not possible. It was so unlucky of me to meet him.
"Aria!"
My feet continued to pace without stopping or acknowledging Nicholas's words. He called my name twice more, and after the third time, two men blocked my route, causing me to stop for a moment.
"You are not permitted to leave without the Alpha's approval," the beardy man stated. His stance resembles that of a Viking, with bulging muscles and a scarred face.
"I'm not his to own. Why can't I leave?"
Unfortunately, the devil has already convinced himself that I am his possession, despite the fact that I am not. He's my mate, yes. But that isn't enough for him to throw out my decision. I am entitled to mine, just as he is to his.
"You're the Alpha's mate," one man said without humor.
Fuck that!
I'm on the verge of throwing a hissy fit in sheer frustration. But the men just stood in front of me like robots, saying nothing until Nicholas arrived.
"Can you please fucking leave me alone?" I muttered.
Instead of granting my wish, Nicholas grabbed my wrist and dragged me back into his office. He shut and locked the door before shoving me down onto the sofa.
"Keep me company," he commanded.
My fury was steadily filling up my system, and I felt like I was about to burst. Saving Matthew was really a mistake because look where it led me. He didn't even try to persuade his brother.
My ideas flow like a torrent of cynicism. And in the midst of it all, Kaia appeared, bearing some uninspiring comments that irked me even more.
'Just enjoy his presence,' she proposed. 'Then try to flirt with him.'
Her remarks make me want to throw up. Nicholas' presence is more of a torture than a pleasure. I don't care about the butterflies, goosebumps, and fleshly yearning he could give when he's the polar opposite of the men I've set as ideals.
'Shut up, Kaia, this is all your fault,' I grumbled.
It finally dawned on me that compassion benefits those who receive it but is disadvantageous to those who give it.
'But we wouldn't have met our mate if it hadn't been for me,' she replied.
Who cares about mate anyway? I survived two decades and made it through every heating season without a man. I'm confident I can manage to live alone in the coming days.
The sun had already set in the west, and Nicholas still hadn't permitted me to go. He's as firm as a rock in his decision. And that merciless eye with an unsympathetic heart will not give me salvation.
"You are mine to own, Aria. Why do you want to leave?"
Allowing someone to take control of me is the last thing I would do with my life. Commitment entails responsibility, and I don't want anyone to direct my path.
If I can defy Alpha Luke, I can defy anybody, whether they're Alpha or not. Nobody owns me but myself. And that pathetic idea of a mate taking possession of its partner is a crock of shit. It's bullshit.
"I want to live a peaceful life," I explained.
Being a shifter does not provide me peace. Almost every month, we are subjected to an unexpected onslaught by rogues. Perhaps things would be different if I lived in the human realm.
"Does that imply that you reject the mating bond?"
Nicholas moved in closer, touching my cheeks down to my jawline, making my heart skip a beat. His caress removed all the words from my mouth, leaving me speechless and filled with a whirlwind of emotions. I was convinced of my decision before, but a little brush from him made me wonder and question everything.
Will I be okay if I reject him?
My consciousness was spinning in the illusion of love and desire, and I found it challenging to get through such a phase without succumbing. The connection we shared drew me in, and every stroke of his hand made my body quake.
"Rejecting our bond is a little harsh. Don't you think, Aria?" he said hoarsely.
His minty breath soothed right to my nose because of our distance. And, no matter how hard I tried, ecstatic sensations began to bubble inside of me.
"Huh, Aria?"
Words merely hung on the roof of my mouth, refusing to be said. Nicholas's gentle prods had me on my knees. And I'm not sure what more he can do with my life if I allow him. He has my weakness in his hands, and the deeper it becomes, the more dangerous it will be.
"You can manage," I said.
I stepped back to distract myself from the sensual feeling he was giving me. However, Nicholas grips my chin and forces me to look him in the eyes. His expression was icy and angry, as though he didn't like my previous reaction.
"You can't reject me, Aria."
His tone came out like a warning. As though he's telling me that if I'm not obeying, worse things will happen. Nicholas probably doesn't want me to reject the relationship since it will hurt his ego: men and their pride. But I'm not someone he can easily threaten.
"The decision is mine to make, Nicholas. If you refuse to accept my rejection. Maybe you should reject me?"
His brow furrows as his gaze becomes more intense. The way he looks at me makes me feel like I'm being burnt alive. His rage filled the air, leaving me no place to go, but I won't go down without a fight.
Nicholas must have considered his decision now that he has seen how obstinate I am. Maybe he'll change his mind and dump me instead. Alphas like subservient she-wolves, easy to manipulate and dominate, but I am not like that.
"It's our decision to make, Aria. We're mated by fate, and it's not something you can easily turn down," he said frustratedly. "Rule breakers are really a pain in the ass."
I was taken aback. His last remark rendered me stunned. Nicholas gave me an unashamed glare as if what he was saying was genuinely meant for me to hear.
"What laws am I violating?"
He shrugged his shoulder. "What do you think?"
The kettle pot is already boiling at the top of my head, ready to be poured. I take a deep breath and stretch out my patience because this man is putting it to the test. Nicholas never ceases to infuriate me. I guess he is a master in this field.
"It's my freedom to do whatever I want, Nicholas, and it's not against the law," I argued.
A mischievous smile appeared on his cheeks, and by the looks of it, it was sending me a danger alarm.
"You really believe it's freedom, huh?" he mocks my tone, closing the space between us. And before I could respond, his cold lips brushed against mine. It was only a peck, but it sent hundreds of butterflies in my stomach.
"I wanted to kiss you, and it's my right to do whatever I want," he chuckled. "I'm not breaking the law, right?"
Huh?
Aria's POV "Nicholas Sainthood." I swiftly pushed Nicholas away after hearing a woman's voice. Someone is calling him. And then, out of nowhere, Kaia appeared, her face contorted with curiosity. "You should go before someone sees us here," I suggest. However, he merely glared at me, and instead of following my words, he snaked his arms around my waist, drawing me closer to him. Our situation was so uncomfortable that I almost couldn't breathe. "What are you doing?" I said, my jaws clenched. "Holding what's mine, isn't it obvious?" "I've already told you a million times that I'm not yours," I insisted. He is my mate. But I am not his possession and will never be as long as he hasn't claimed me. "Whatever you believe, Aria." We were in the midst of an argument when the door swung open, and a woman in a red dress entered. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw us, and she lingered in the doorway for a while, apparently absorbing the situation. And, strangely, her hazel orbs fl
Aria's POV"I've been looking for you, and you're just here with my..."Nicholas paused and glanced at Matthew with a bloody expression. He seemed angry, yet despite how deadly he appeared, I couldn't help but admire his gorgeous golden eyes, shining fiercely like a sun in this poorly lit woodland."What are you two doing here at this hour?" he said interrogatively.I didn't respond.Matthew stared at me, his eyes seeking help, but I just shrugged my shoulder. He was the one who brought me here, so he may as well tell Nicholas the reason. "I just brought Aria here to relax," Matthew reasoned. "I swear I didn't do anything to her."It's funny how he sounded so cautious in choosing words before threading them into a sentence. As if Nicholas would hurt him if he did anything horrible to me. Though, I doubt that will happen. "Don't forget what we spoke about, Matt. I'm keeping an eye on you," Nicholas warned before snatching me away.Unlike Matthew, this bloke has always been rough on m
Aria's POV The guilt was lingering at the back of my mind, making me regret the words I had said to Matthew earlier. I knew he was merely concerned, but he saw I had a cut and kept asking whether I was okay. That's plain stupid. Even so, I should not have told him that.I sighed and returned my clothes to my luggage while preparing my cash and phone. My resolve to escape is already set, and whether or not I succeed, I will pursue it. Staying here with Natasha is like being in hell with the devil. I'd rather flee with no assurance than be victimized by that witch. The very thought of Nicholas defending her causes my blood to boil. And those judging gaze earlier, as if I had done something genuinely heinous to Natasha, are driving me to flare in a fury. 'Are you certain about this?' Kaia inquired, appearing. Her gaze was skeptical and judging. She must have a trust issue with me now, given our prior attempts, which frequently resulted in our return. 'Yes,' I replied. Her eyes flitte
Aria's POVI have never expected this thing to happen. My only aim was to get away from Nicholas. But now I'm in prison, with shackles on my wrists. If only I had known in advance that Calixta was a member of the rebel force, I wouldn't have come here. It's utterly my fault for throwing myself naively into the enemy's den. "Now you know what it's like to be a prisoner," Kairo noted cynically. I rolled my eyes and locked my gaze on him. "You're ungrateful; I let you out of that cell just for you to do the exact opposite to me?" I sneered. He was the rogue I freed a few weeks ago—the reason for my banishment and why I suffered so much. I violated my pack's rule to save him, only for him to throw me behind bars after he got the chance. "Uh-huh, don't ever question my gratitude," he smirked. "It's your naiveté that saves me." I wanted to slash his throat open. But the silver chains on my wrist had restrained me from doing it. Releasing this motherfucker was indeed a wrong decision.
Aria's POVEvery touch of the lash on my skin is like a fire, burning my body to ashes. Blood splashed on all four sides of the cell as Kairo whipped me while tears and sweat streamed down my cheeks. This was pure hell, but I tried not to howl in pain."Harder!" Kairo's whipping got more intense as it battered my flesh. He wasn't holding back; he was fulfilling Milan's orders, and every stroke was awful. And while I was being beaten, Milan was laughing in the background, finding my suffering entertaining."That's enough for now, Kairo," Milan ordered.After they unhooked my wrist from the chain, my body immediately dropped to the ground. My mind was formidable, but my physical strength was dwindling. I've lost so much blood that it will take days for the wound to heal and for my strength to replenish."All right, let's go."The screeching of the metal door marks their departure. And no matter how hard I tried to get up, I couldn't. I laid myself in a pool of blood, my strength waning
The golden sunlight engulfed the small village on the northern side of Rojo La Luna like a raging fire. In the midst of the solitude, the pack's leader of leaders arrived with his compeer. Each head bows in reverence, including their dreaded pack leader, Milan."What was my instruction, Milan?"Milan remained silent. He is well aware of what will happen if he responds. The chief has granted him the authority to administer the northern homestead, an extending pack of Rojo La Luna, with strict instructions not to go beyond the agreement. And he disobeyed the plan by hurting that woman. "Where's the woman?"Everyone began to shake with fear and anxiety, causing them to remain silent. The head asks again, this time with greater power, giving no one a chance to resist and merely answer."In the cell, my liege," Milan said quietly.The lord went straight to the cell while the rest of his cronies remained outside. The cell was filthy, dark, and suffocating. And it was where Aria had been se
Aria's POVI've been contemplating matters on the terrace for half an hour while looking over the place. The beauty on the horizon, engulfed by the orange color of the sun, fascinates me. And it somehow lightens the burden on my chest."Are you coming with my brother?"For a brief period, I cast a glimpse toward Matthew, who had just arrived. He sat next to me and glanced at the view I was admiring. When I didn't respond to his inquiry, he glanced at me again, waiting for an answer."I'm not sure, Matthew."Growing up, I never went to a werewolf anniversary party because my parents only had Mysha with them, and I grew to despise the concept over time. Now, I particularly don't want to go with Nicholas for fear of running into Mysha and Luke."Why not?" he asked again.I shrugged my shoulder. "I hate crowded places." It wasn't really the reason. But I don't want to tell them the truth yet. While they're still a stranger to me, I have to keep half of my identity to myself. It's the safe
Aria's POV Paxon Royal is indeed a luxurious place. Over two decades, this is the first time I have attended such a grand feast. The hall was embellished with a forest-like motif, including gigantic wolf sculptures at the entrance. The ambiance was exquisite, but because every face was unfamiliar, I felt neurotic. I clung on to Nicholas, not minding our current relationship status. He carefully ushered me to a particular table with two empty seats available, enough for the two of us. The chatter and background music, together with the sound of heels clicking on the floor, destroy any sense of tranquility. "Are you okay here?" I agreed by nodding. We had scarcely gotten into our chairs when someone approached us. The man was unfamiliar, but based on his aura, he had to be an Alpha too. Nicholas, who had just seated, rose again. He shook hands with the man and glanced at me for a second as if he was asking for permission to leave. My gut wanted him to stay, but it would be embarrass