Chapter 62

Aria

I did not know where I was.

All I could see was darkness and darkness; Nothing other than that.

Only one question that rose in my mind was—Was I alive or dead?

However, my questions went answered and unanswered at the same time when I felt someone's presence beside me. It could be just a hallucination or it could simply mean nothing.

But then I felt someone's touch that sent bolts of electricity to my whole body. Because of the chaos of thoughts, at first, I could not recognize the feeling but then once I felt the scintillas spreading throughout my body, I figured out that these were the sparks of the mate bond.

The weight on the eyelids that kept me unable to open my eyes slowly vanished, and I fought the weakness to open them. It took me a few seconds before I finally managed to open them.

Glaring sun rays hit my eyes, forcing me to rapidly close them once again. A small groan left my mouth automatically and I shifted a bit to avoid the light, lifting my aching arm to cover my eyes. My entire body was hurting as hell, every muscle was trapped underneath excruciating pain and discomfort.

It was nearly impossible for me to move.

"Aria..." suddenly his voice came floating in my ears and an unknown relief flooded every cell of my body.

Despite all the disarray and mess, I propelled myself to look to the side and my eyes met with Hunter just right then.

Okay, So I was not dead.

A flicker passed through Hunter's orbs, a sigh of relief left his mouth and he pressed his forehead against where he was holding my hand with both of his ones, "Thank god, you have finally gained conscious."

I could sense how much distress he had gone through, I had gotten a glimpse of the redness in his eyes and tear stains that indicated that he had been crying, also the gloominess and exhaustion that roofed over his features.

It was hard for me to believe that I was alive after I experienced also a relief to know that Knight named storm was no longer in our life. The problems were finally over.

Despite the pain and ache, I shifted to sit up.

"Baby, don't move. You have just recovered," Hunter rushed out trying to get up to stop me but I held his hand halting his action in the midway.

"Don't worry, I am fine," I flashed him a small smile and rested my back against the headboard. As my eyes took a look around I came to know that I was actually in Hunter's room in his mansion.

Apparently, my assurance was not enough for Hunter so he grabbed a pillow a set it behind my back to make sure the hard surface of the headboard does not touch my back.

I couldn't be more grateful to god that I have made it alive and I was able to see Hunter once again. It was a second birth for me as if I have got the chance to build a world once again.

"Come here," I gestured for Hunter to come closer and he listened by shifting closer to me, I could tell he was hesitant and careful.

The reason for hesitancy was not unknown. He definitely did now know that I knew why he intentionally got close to Ashley.

I shifted a bit closer, ignoring that zap of pain that shot through my stomach because of the wound that now resided beneath the thick layers of bandage.

I slowly lifted my hands to cup Hunter's face and leaned in pressing my lips against his one.

I missed this touch....I did not know for how long I was out of consciousness but that uncertain period felt like years.

He seemed surprised by my move and it left him frozen on the spot but once I began kissing him, he gave in and molded his lips around mine, kissing me back and keeping it slow and sensual; He lightly grabbed my jaw and he dove his tongue inside my mouth causing the sparks to turn into flames of desire.

"I am sorry.." he breathed out as we parted our lips, "Ashley meant nothing to me...I only did it for.." I cut him off by pressing my lips against his one once again.

I did not draw the kiss long, "I know, I know everything." I nodded, flashing him a smile of affirmation, "You don't need to say sorry for anything."

"But I should have told you, that he managed to take the advantage of the flaws of our relationship and I almost lost you. I could never forgive myself if something happened to you, I'd have died." He shook his head, guilt heaving his voice. The restlessness was overpowering him once again.

"Shh.." I pulled him close, in my embrace, "It's over. We are safe and I am here with you. We won this battle and none can separate us, none." I whispered, softly burying my fingers in Hunter's hair locks whilst he moved to breathe in my scent burying his head in my neck.

Having him close made me forget about all the pain. He was heaven for me, my love, and my life.

"I love you." He said making the warmth spread all over.

"I love you, too," I kissed his head.

A few moments passed by just like that before I broke the silence, "Where are others? Is everyone safe?"

Hunter nodded at my question, "They are safe and sound. Everything is sorted, fortunately, the rouges couldn't cause much damage."

"How many days I was unconscious?"

"Three days," He sighed, "Your condition was very critical. The doctors told us that...you might not make it and," His expression changed as if those moments were alike dire nightmares that terrified him, "Leave it. Let's not talk about that."

"It's fine, leave it," I brushed my thumbs over his stubble, "Can I meet everyone right now?"

"Yes but you are not allowed to walk," He spoke pulling himself away to sit up, "I'll call everyone to the room."

"Okay."

He pulled out his phone and called Brian, and within minutes I saw all my close ones rushing inside the room.

Mom and dad's tear-stained faces were the first ones to come into my view.

"Oh, my sweetie..." Mom almost ran towards me and hugged me.

Her rushed movement caused a bit of discomfort to sprout because of my injuries but I did not let it become evident on my face,

"I thought...we lost you." She sobbed, "You don't know what went through us when we saw you in that state. I just can't..." She broke down.

I hugged her back, ignoring the ache within my muscles, "Mom, I am fine. Please don't cry." I cooed.

"We were so scared...your body was not responding to the treatments," She cried, "We almost lost you."

"Mom, look at me," I made her look up, "See, I am fine. Whatever has happened is now gone for good, let's not remember those events again. It's a fresh start, and we all should welcome it with joy, not tears," I wiped the tears that trailed down her cheeks.

"Besides, you don't look that pretty while crying," I chuckled and this time a small laugh tore from her throat.

"Okay," She nodded before she pulled away.

"How are you feeling, princess?" Dad asked and sat beside me.

"I am fine, dad. In fact, I feel a lot better after seeing y'all," I smiled and hugged him.

"We are so glad that you are fine, dear," Brian walked toward me, followed by Olivia.

"You don't know how thankful I am that you all are safe," I took Olivia's and Brian's hands in mine, "All our problems have finally come to an end."

"Yes, and finally you and Hunter can start a new life together." Olivia smiled ear to ear.

Unknowingly a blush crept up my cheeks, "yeah."

"Luna.." suddenly a small from rang among the group and my eyes moved to look in the direction where the voice came from and I spotted Violet standing there clutching one of my dolls to her chest.

She looked as if she wanted to come to me but looked hesitant because of so many people who were around me including her mom and dad. I could read the look on her face, she wanted to be near me.

"Come here, angel," I gestured for her to come closer and she immediately sprinted towards me.

I helped her get up on the bed and put her on my lap, "How is my little angel?"

She shifted on her own and wrapped her little arms around me, burying her head into my chest, "I missed you, Luna. I thought the monster have taken you away forever just like he did with my favorite doll."

"Your alpha and I have taught that monster a lesson and he'll never come back to our lives ever again," I cupped her face in my hands and brushed away the stray strands of hair from her forehead, "Now can I see the smile of your pretty face?"

She shook her head, a pout formed on her lips, "You are hurt because of him."

"I was hurt but now I am completely okay and to be honest, I think your smile might make this ache go away," I said, "Are you willing to do that for me?"

She appeared to be in deep thought and skeptical about what I'd said, but I did not give her a chance to make up her mind, I tickled her sides and instantly earned a few giggles from her.

"You are silly," She giggled.

"Yes, I am," I leaned and nuzzled her nose to which she let out another cute laugh of hers.

"She has missed you a lot; Crying for the past few days since she saw you injured," Hunter said, and smiling he caressed Violet's cheeks, "It's good that she is smiling again."

"Okay, I think we should let Aria rest right now," Daniel spoke, "She has just recovered and I think she needs more rest."

"Yeah, you are right," Olivia let out, "We should go now."

"Take care of yourself." Samantha smiled at me and I flashed her a smile back.

"Also tell your mate to take rest too, he has been beside you for the last three days. I doubt he has slept even for a second," Dad told me with a small chuckle before he and mom walked out along with others.

"Come here, your luna and Alpha need some time together," Samatha took Violet from my lap.

"Like your and dad's special dates? But you end up getting hurt every time with those marks here," She blurted out and pointed at her mother's collar and neck causing the pink to taint both Daniel and Samantha's cheeks.

A chuckle tore from my mouth and Hunter hid his laugh behind his fist.

"I really need to do something about this mouth of yours," Samantha spoke shaking her head.

"What did I say wrong?"

"You did not say anything wrong, now come with me," Daniel picked her up from Samantha's arm and bolted out of the room to hide his embarrassment.

"Well....I, I'll go," Samantha followed her husband soon.

Once they both were out of the room, Hunter and I both burst out laughing.

"Kids really open their parent's secrets," He laughed.

"Yes they do, but right now my dad has revealed yours," I said, "Come here, you need rest."

"Aria..trust me I am okay," As I'd thought, he tried to convince me.

"I don't want to hear anything," I tugged at his hand to make him sit on the bed, "You'll stay here and you'll sleep."

"But it's morning."

God...This guy!

"Shut up and come here," this time I pulled him towards me so that I could make his head rest on my lap, "You will sleep and that's final."

"It'll be uncomfortable for you, babe. Your injuries haven't healed completely" He attempted to get up but I did not let him.

"Shh..." I pressed my finger on his lips, a smile spreading over my lips, "I am okay, Hunter and now it's you who should take care of yourself and none of your arguments are going to work. So you should listen to me without wasting our time."

A sigh of defeat left his mouth and it was then I knew that he was not going to assert this mini-debate anymore.

"Okay," He exhaled and I felt his body finally relax.

He closed his eyes letting out a breath of relief as I tangled my fingers into his hair locks and with soft motions, I massaged his scalp.

I leaned closer and placed a light kiss on his forehead.

"From now it'll be a new start to our life, Hunter." A kiss on his eye.

"There will be no burdens from the past," A kiss on his other eye.

"It'll be a beautiful beginning," I kissed the bridge of his nose.

"A beginning that we'd celebrate till the end," I smiled against his lips, "I love you."

"I love you too." With that, he closed the rest of the mere distance between our lips and pulled me in a deep passionate kiss. A kiss that told me without even saying it loud that this start was going to be with the best friend I had once known and the lover I found in him as my mate; It was the start of a new life that I'd start with the Hunter I loved, my love....not my tormentor.