Chapter 18 Mates?
Aria
Consciousness returned to me suddenly and I jerked out of my sleep.
My gaze searched around me quickly only to discover I'm alone.
Where is Lucian?
I remember Lucian telling me to give him ten minutes. Then, I closed my eyes and…
I don't believe I slept off with him holding me like that. And it's morning already.
Where did he go this morning, anyway?
I stretched out again, somehow still feeling sleepy. My eyes refused to open widely.
So, I closed them and lay back on the bed.
“Good morning miss,” an overly excited voice greeted suddenly.
I groaned. “Good morning.”
“Are you still sleeping? That's weird. It's almost ten in the morning.”
What! Ten!
I sat bolt upright and darted at the wall clock. It was even a few minutes after ten.
How did I sleep for so long? And still feeling drowsy.
Could it still be the aftermath of the drug?
“You should have your breakfast now for strength,” Chloe advised as she proceeded to pull aside the curtains.
Sunlight poured in, almost blinding me. I threw an arm over my eyes with a groan.
"Did you have to do that?”
“I'm sorry miss. Do you want me to close them back?”
Groaning, I got up to wash my face.
When I returned, Chloe was pulling the curtain together.
“Oh, you don't need to do that. That's ok.”
Chloe looked at me, smiled, then complied.
“Have you seen the Alpha this morning?”
“No, but Miss Ana said he left at midnight. I don't think he has returned.”
I dont even know who Miss Ana is but I nodded once it nonetheless.
That means he didn't sleep beside me. He must have left the packhouse after he stood up beside me.
Good grief. That actually makes me feel better. Though, I'm still skeptical as to why I would be in that position with the Alpha.
I had no right to even look directly at the Alpha, not to talk of sleeping on the same bed with him. It's so weird.
Why does it feel like there's more to what I know? It looks like the Alpha isn't keeping me here to be his maid. I just can't figure anything out yet. And honestly, maybe I won’t wait to.
“Miss?” Chloe called suddenly, jerking me out of my thoughts.
I looked up. “Yes?”
“What would you like for breakfast?”
“Anything, Chloe. I'm not in the mood to be choosy.”
She smiled and stepped out.
My head felt heavy all of a sudden. So I walked back inside the bathroom. I filled the bath cubicle with water and slipped inside it.
Scenes from last night slipped into my head. I remembered his touch on my body or the words he said to me.
I shouldn't ignore the feelings, either. All I said was a lie. He does affect me so much. I mean, he's the Alpha, and well, he's so good-looking.
But no, there's something more. It felt like I couldn't help but be drawn to him.
Do werewolves have that kind of power? I would like to know though.
The creak of the door made me open my eyes. Chloe must be back already. My stomach rumbled in response. I'm so hungry.
So, I hurried up, grabbed a towel, but suddenly, the image of Lucian in a towel entered my mind.
He looked so hot with his broad shoulders and abs. He's like a demigod, like people claimed him to be.
Not again, Aria! Don't think like that!
Shaking my head, I stepped into the room. However, it was someone else on my bookshelf. She was tall and slender, with long blonde hair. Her back was to me so I couldn't see her face but he was wearing a leather clothes that clung to her body like a second clothes, thereby showing her curves.
She picked the books one after the other, checked the titles, and dropped them on the floor close to her.
“Sorry? Who are you?”
She stopped and turned to look at me, a dark frown on her face. “I should be the one asking that question. What's a mere human doing here?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Selene, Lucian’s sister.”
Almost instantly, I saw the resemblance. And must I say this, she looked very beautiful.
“And you are not welcome here,” she said quickly, just as I opened my mouth to introduce myself.
I guess she knows me already, and judging by her attitude, it seems like Lucian wasn't the only one who hated humans.
“Nice meeting you,” I smiled nonetheless. “Because I don't want to be here either.”
She paused as if she wasn't expecting my response. Well, what was I supposed to say? I was literally forced to be here.
“Just sit tight, Aria because I will be watching you at every corner.”
“Good, like your brother. You all are family of watchers, aren't you?”
She huffed, getting offended by my harmless remarks.
“We shall see about that,” she said finally before she stepped out.
I released a sigh. What have I gotten myself into? Why do they all hate me? Even though I didn't come here of my own accord?
And I would like more than anything to leave here.
If Lucian would just give me the chance to work and repay him, I would.
The door opened again, but this time it was Chloe.
“Miss, is everything alright? I just saw the Alpha's sister.”
I released a sigh and moved to the closet. I grabbed a short gown because I wasn't even in the mood for going through the clothes.
There were a lot of them in the closet. I wonder what Lucian was thinking when he was getting them.
“She said I'm not welcome here. I don't know why she would say that, though.”
Chloe dropped the tray of whatever she brought on the bedside stand and looked at me.
“Why would she say you aren't welcome here. A mate is welcome in her mate's home, always.”
I froze instantly. A mate? I might not be familiar with the werewolf since I was chased out at a very young age but I know some of their terms.
I looked at her.
“Who? What are you talking about?”
Her expression changed slightly. “You don't know?”
I blinked once, totally lost. “Know about what?”
She fidgeted. “I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything. Please miss, don't tell the Alpha about it,” she beseeched softly, her expression softened.
I regarded her for a moment, with confusion. “What are you saying? Who are the mates?”
She shook her head slightly, her eyes pleading. And then, the whole thing hit me raw.
“Wait! Do you mean I am Lucian’s mate?”
She hesitated briefly, then slowly nodded.