CHAPTER 48: The Festival

CHAPTER 48: The Festival
ARIA 
There’s a softness in the air as we step out of the car, the kind that comes after a fresh snowfall. It covers the ground in a thin layer of white, but not thick enough that I can see the earth below.
The only sound I hear is chatter, children playing, couples, and laughter. 
This isn’t the chaos I expected. It’s calm and simple, while on the whole way here, I thought it would be otherwise. 
Though the air is thick with the scent of wolves, especially unmated male wolves, and every inhale I take, something inside me rattles. 
And I’m certain that my heat is showing as several men turn in my direction. 
I tug my coat tighter around my body, but it doesn’t help. My wolf, my skin, everything inside me knows what it wants. 
“You okay?” Ally asks beside me as she gets the tickets to the ride. 
“I’m fine,” I say, looking down at her hand as she finally gets them. “Just a little cold.” 
She raises one of her brows and laughs at that. “You’re burning, Aria. Stop lying.” 
“Fine,” I conceded, the acceptance tasting bitter in my mouth. “It’s…intense. More than I expected.” 
Ally sighs, handing me one of the tickets. “I figure as much. That’s why I bought the big guns.” She gestures toward a group of women near the entrance to the ice skating rink, all of them that are giving her and me glances, and some even waving. “Distraction, remember?” 
I nod, my stomach churning a little less now. “Right. Distraction. This is good.” 
It has to be.
We make our way over, and they greet us warmly, introducing themselves and giving me hugs like we are old friends. It should ease the tension and fear inside me, and the anxiety of what will happen if I do go near a male.
It doesn’t.
Instead, it feels like every cell in my body is attuned to the fact that this is a distraction and not the real thing.
After skating for a good thirty minutes, Ally and I part ways from her friends. I focus on her voice as she points out different stalls, comments on the fireworks that have begun, and the way her gaze lingers on a couple walking hand in hand, and not on the single, very attractive male who stares at me.
“Oh, God,” she groans before pulling out her buzzing phone. “This’ll be only a minute.” 
She picks up the call and brings up her phone to her ear. 
“Yes?” 
“We’ve just come to the festival…” she continues and then I realise that she’s probably talking to Darius. “Yes, but don’t be so dramatic. It’s fine... And you kiss his ass too much. I’m not going to apologise. Bye, Darius. Go away and leave us alone.” She keeps going for a few minutes until she rolls her eyes and drops the call. 
“That sounded concerning.” 
“Concerning is Darius’ middle name,” Ally says, trying to wave off my worry, but the set of her jaw betrays her. “He’s just being overprotective.” 
“What did he say?” I press, stepping in front of a stall selling spiced nuts. 
“He just…I told him where we were, and he doesn’t think it’s a good idea for you to be here. Says it’s too risky.” 
“Well, he isn’t wrong.” 
“Neither right,” She wraps her arms around me, and we walk away from the stall. “Let’s go get on a ride. Aren’t you feeling any better?” 
I shrug, “Maybe a little.” 
“See?” 
“I’m too aware of the males around me. But I am taking my mind off…” 
“Lucian?” 
“Yes.” 
That somewhat calms my wolf down. When I’m not thinking of him, it feels easier. 
“In no time, you’ll be out of your heat and on your merry way to make whatever choice you want to without your wolf messing around with you. Trust me.” She gives me a tight smile, and I return it. 
Her hand goes off my shoulder just as we get on the line to the ride. 
After spinning on the Ferris wheel twice, we get off it and head toward the stalls with food. 
Suddenly, the crowd surges around us and waves of bodies push forward. Someone bumps into me, hard, sending a jolt of pain through my side. 
“Watch it!” I snap, turning to glare at the offender. 
He’s tall, with matted black hair and eyes that gleam with something like recognition.
“Well, well,” he says, his grin sharpening as he sniffs the air. His pupils dilate and nostrils flare. “What do we have here? A lost lamb in heat?” 
My wolf curls within me. I quickly take a step back, realizing what I have gotten myself into. 
“Leave her alone,” Ally says, stepping in front of me, her eyes narrowed. 
The man laughs, a harsh, grating sound. “Or what? You gonna make me?” 
“Fuck off and find another hole to stick your dick in.” 
The man lunges, grabbing Ally by the arm, and yanking her towards me. She growls at him in pain. 
“Maybe I’ll just take you both,” He says, “Two little she-wolves to warm my bed for the night.” 
Rage fills me, and the wolf inside me snarls. I lunge at the man with claws bared, slamming my fist against his jaw and knocking him to the ground. 
I had been training with Hounds for nearly three years, and this is nothing compared to what I’ve fought. 
Until he roars in fury and tackles me to the ground and pins me beneath him. 
“Fiesty,” He takes another inhale of my scent. “I like that.” 
“Get off me.” 
“Please,” He chuckles. “Even your wolf knows. She can smell me, can’t she?” 
Something shifts inside me. My muscles weaken, and my body follows. It feels like every inch of me is slowly surrendering to the male above me, a complete stranger. 
And I hate it. I hate the way my body betrays me, the way my wolf seems to crave his touch even as my mind screams in protest. This isn’t me. This can’t be me