Chapter 16 Arrival At Aiden’s House
Chapter — Aria’s POV:
Arrival at Aiden’s House
The car came to a slow stop in front of the large gates. I pressed my hand to my chest, my heart pounding so fast I thought it would escape. I had been walking into new situations before, but nothing like this. Nothing like Aiden’s house.
It was massive. Tall pillars reached toward the sky, the walls painted a pristine white, and dark wooden doors that seemed to hold centuries of power and secrets. I had never been anywhere so… grand. My small home, my family’s house, even the rooms I had grown up in—none of it felt like this. This was not a place for a simple girl like me.
“Aria…” Aiden’s voice called softly behind me. He sounded calm, collected, completely in control. I turned, and he was stepping out of the car with that same cool confidence that always made me shiver. Even his casual movement carried authority.
I swallowed, trying to steady my voice. “I… I didn’t know your house would be this big.”
He tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable, yet something in his dark eyes made my stomach twist. “You’re going to live here. This will be your home too.”
“Mine?” I whispered, almost afraid to say it out loud.
“Yes. Yours. And soon… mine,” he said, his voice low and steady, almost teasing, almost serious. I felt a jolt in my chest. Soon his Luna? The words floated in my mind, surreal and terrifying all at once.
The gates opened with a loud creak, and we walked up the long stone path. I tried to take everything in—the perfectly manicured gardens, the fountains, the statues. Every step made my heart beat faster. Everything here was… overwhelming. Beautiful, but intimidating.
As we reached the large double doors, Aiden stopped. His hand lifted slightly, commanding. “Maids! Servants!”
A line of people appeared almost instantly, as if summoned by magic. They bowed slightly, murmuring greetings. But then Aiden’s voice rose, sharp and clear, carrying through the air.
“She will be addressed as Madam Aria. She is the Lady of this house. Soon, she will be my Luna. Treat her with respect, as you would me.”
I froze. My hands clenched in my lap, my stomach twisting. Did he really just say that? Me? The Lady of his house? The Luna of an Alpha? My throat went dry. I had expected him to be cold, harsh, maybe even distant—but not this. Not commanding respect on my behalf.
The servants nodded, murmuring quick apologies and bows. I felt my cheeks flush red, a mix of fear and… pride? I couldn’t tell. Pride felt strange in my chest when it came with so much tension.
“Take her to her room,” Aiden instructed.
I glanced at him, heart thundering. “My… room?” I whispered.
“Yes,” he said simply, his dark eyes locking with mine. “Make it comfortable. Everything here is yours while you are here.”
I nodded, trying to keep my voice steady. Comfortable. That word should have felt warm, but my mind raced. This house, this life… it was so far from anything I had known. And Aiden—he was so… cool, so distant. Yet even in his distance, I felt protected.
As the servants guided me inside, I couldn’t help but glance around. The halls were vast, polished floors reflecting the chandeliers above. Paintings lined the walls—portraits of people I didn’t recognize, yet they seemed to watch me as I passed. Each room we passed made my heart pound harder. I had never been surrounded by so much… power.
Finally, we reached a large door at the end of the hall. One of the maids gestured for me to enter. I pushed the door slowly.
The room took my breath away. It was spacious, with a large canopy bed draped in soft white linens. A window stretched from floor to ceiling, letting in the golden light of the setting sun. A sitting area with plush chairs and a small table sat near the window. Everything smelled faintly of lavender and cedar.
I stepped inside slowly, hands brushing against the smooth furniture. “It’s… beautiful,” I whispered.
Aiden’s voice came from behind me. “Do you like it?”
I nodded, unable to stop the small smile from forming on my lips. “Yes… very much. It’s… peaceful.”
He walked closer, his steps silent but firm. I could feel the air shift as he approached. “You won’t be alone here,” he said softly, almost like a promise.
I turned to look at him, heart hammering. “Are we… are we going to sleep in the same room?” I asked, my voice small, unsure.
Aiden tilted his head, that cool, unreadable expression on his face. “No. We will start when we are comfortable with each other.”
I blinked. Comfortable. That word again. It made my chest warm, made the tension in my shoulders ease slightly. Even though he was cold, even though I still feared him in some ways, I liked that he considered my feelings.
I walked over to the bed, sitting down carefully. The room felt huge around me, but somehow… safe. My heart still raced, but the fear in my chest was mixed now with a strange sense of excitement.
Aiden leaned against the door frame, watching me. “Do you like it?” he asked again, softer this time.
“Yes,” I said, voice firm now. “I like it. Thank you.”
He nodded, a faint smirk appearing on his lips. “Good. You’ll need strength here. Not just for me… but for yourself.”
I didn’t know what he meant, but his words lingered in my mind. For myself. I realized I had never thought about that before—not really. Always thinking about pleasing others, surviving, avoiding trouble. But here… maybe I could start thinking about what I wanted.
Aiden straightened, walking toward the door. “I’ll leave you to settle in. Dinner will be ready in an hour. Don’t get lost,” he said casually, but there was a faint hint of amusement in his voice.
I watched him go, heart pounding. Everything was happening so fast, my life spinning in a way I could barely follow. And yet… even though I was scared, even though the weight of everything—Mina, my family, my pregnancy—pressed on me… I felt a spark of something I hadn’t felt in a long time.
Hope.
I sat on the edge of the bed, looking around the room, breathing in the lavender scent, tracing my fingers over the soft linens. This was my new life now, my new home. And Aiden… he was a part of it.
I didn’t know what the future held. I didn’t know if Mina would try to interfere, or if my family would ever fully accept this choice. But for the first time in a long time, I felt… safe.
And maybe, just maybe… ready to face what came next.