Chapter 181 181

Chapter 181 181
Arielle's POV

I finished off in the bathroom, dried my hair, and dressed in a simple sweater and jeans. The warmth of the morning sun seeped through the windows as I made my way downstairs. I caught Aeson setting the table, his movements focused and precise. I looked around but didn't see Mandy.

"She's not around," he said before I could ask. "Mandy left earlier with Neil for their usual weekend date."

I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips. "Hm.”

He said quickly. “Maybe we should do that later."

I looked up, unable to hold back a chuckle. "What?”

He turned to face me, lifting his brows. “Yeah. You think I'm old for dates?"

I laughed, shaking my head. "No. But..." I paused, sniffing the air. "I think something is burning."

"Oh, shit." He rushed into the kitchen, and I followed, but his voice rose, stopping me before I could enter. "Don't come in!"

I stopped at the doorway, peeking inside. "Aeson, let me help."

"No!" He waved me away, his voice a mix of panic and determination. "Just go enjoy the morning sun for a few minutes. When you return, breakfast will be ready."

"Aeson—"

"Please, love. Trust me."

I gave up, chuckling as I stepped back. I knew why he didn't want me in there—he was making a mess, and he didn't want me to see it. I walked outside, the cool breeze brushing against my skin.

Minutes passed as I wandered around the house, the silence of the morning peaceful. I reached the courtyard and saw a car pull up. The door opened, and my eyes widened.

Sheila stepped out.

I ran to her, throwing my arms around her. "I knew you were going to come unexpectedly one time, Sheila!" I pulled away, my smile faltering as I noticed her gloomy expression. "What is it? Why do you—"

The front seat door opened, and my jaw dropped.

My mother stepped out.

Her gaze was hard, filled with disbelief—her eyes scanning the packhouse, the courtyard, the very ground I stood on. She looked at me like I was a stranger, like I had betrayed her in the worst possible way.

I looked at Sheila, whose expression had turned apologetic, her eyes pleading for understanding.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "She forced me to bring you here. She already had her suspicions."

"Wha—" Before I could complete the sentence, my mother grabbed my arm, her grip bruising, and pulled me to face her. Her hand connected with my cheek, the slap echoing through the courtyard, sharp and unforgiving.

I touched my face, my eyes wide, and met her fuming gaze. "Mother..."

"Is this the college dorm?" she demanded, her voice rising with each word. "Answer me, Arielle!"

I couldn't say a word. My throat was tight, my voice trapped somewhere in my chest. The silence seemed to piss her off even more.

"You had the guts to lie to me and step into the very pack I forbade you from?" she spat, her eyes blazing. "How dare you?"

"Mother—"

"Didn't you tell me you were at the college dorm?" She stepped closer, her finger jabbing at my chest. "You've been living here all this while. You went against me!"

"No, I—"

"Quiet!" She raised her hand to slap me again.

"Stop it."

Aeson's voice cut through the air like a blade. He was standing before me in a flash, shielding me from my mother. "I won't let you hit her, Serena.”

My mother's gaze snapped to him. "How dare you? What right do you have to—" She paused, her eyes moving between us. Her gaze dropped to his grip on my hand, and I saw the realization dawn on her face.

"Are you... no. You and my daughter are in a relationship?"

Aeson nodded, his voice steady. "Yes, Serena. And I love her."

My mother's face twisted with fury. She raised her hand and slapped him, the sound sharp in the quiet morning. "How dare you, you imbecile? You couldn't get your revenge on Hades and me, so you had my daughter caught up in it? How dare you?!"

"Stop it, Mother!" I stepped up next to him, my voice trembling but firm. "It's not what you think. We're fated mates, and I want to be with him. He didn't coax me."

She stumbled back, her hand pressing to her chest like I had shattered something she'd been clinging to. She looked between us, her gaze searching, and I braced myself for another slap. But it didn't come.

Instead, her voice filled with disappointment. "How could you be entangled with him? He's evil. He is the reason why your father was in a coma for ten years!" She pointed at him, her finger trembling. "He caused the attack on our pack that got your father terribly injured!"

Aeson's face went pale, his eyes widening in shock. "What? Serena, that's not true—"

"Don't you dare lie to me!" she shouted, her voice cracking. "I know what you did. I've always known.”