CHAPTER 34: I'm Staying

CHAPTER 34: I'm Staying

Aria

"I understand that the hunters went after you, and Darius took care of the situation," Lucian comments, looking down at me.

I nod, confirming what he just said.

"Is that why you wanted to talk?"

"Yes, and no," I tell him before taking a deep breath. "More about how you had told Darius to take me when I wanted to be here. I didn't need to be sent away like some fragile thing. I would've stayed here, I would've fought if needed." The last part feels heavy in my heart.

"Aria." My name rolls from his mouth, sounding softer, much more tender. It causes a flutter in the pit of my belly.

He steps forward, and my eyes drift up his chest, over the silver of his pendant, and then to the hard, firm lines of his face.

"I was concerned that you were not safe, not even among my wolves. It wasn't you I didn't trust," His lips pull up at the corners. "If you stayed, then your safety would've been risked."

"But one of the wolves and the hunters found us there, too. There was hardly any difference."

"Still better than leaving you here."

I frown at his words. "I don't feel good knowing that so many wolves have lost their lives while I was away somewhere."

"You don't have to bear that weight. I choose to send you away—"

"Exactly," My voice cuts. "You choose to."

He pauses for a moment before letting out a breath of exasperation and walking toward me. His eyes grow serious and I feel the way my spine stiffens in his presence.

"Are you sure we're talking about sending you or something else?"

My eyes narrow, blinking. "I can take care of myself. I don't need someone or anyone to do that for me. And especially if that puts other lives in danger."

"What other lives?" His jaw clenches as his head dips slightly toward me, as though he's trying to catch a glimpse of the thoughts churning inside of me. He moves even closer to me, only inches from touching. His hand raises, and his fingertips brush under my chin, angling it up to his. "I would not have risked sending you away unless I thought it was necessary."

"But it wasn't."

There's a moment of silence between us as we look at each other. If I want to stay here, and not leave with Mara, I really need to be careful about what I tell him next.

I take a step back and continue, "I don't want you to protect me, or take care of me. I've done fine on my own so far and—"

"You were running away." Lucian finishes, cutting off my words with his.

"But now I'm here, and I really don't need any help. Besides," I swallow hard and straighten myself. "I'm no longer your concern."

The words I speak cause something inside of me to shift and crumble. The longer Lucian looks at me, the harder my heart pounds, and my wolf seems to be screaming inside, telling me to do the exact opposite.

"Alright." Lucian says quietly and that simple word, it causes something inside me, maybe a part of me, to break even further.

I take another step back and then turn around before leaving the room. I don't need to be here any longer than I should be. I need to get back.

It takes a long walk to get back to the house. When I get there, Jamie is here with Mara. Just right outside and when they see me, they turn around.

"Aria," Jamie wraps his arms around me and gives me a quick, warm hug. "You've grown stronger. That's nice."

He takes a moment to observe me and then a smile tugs at the ends of his lips.

Mara approaches next. "I was just filling him in."

"On everything?"

"Oh, there's something missing?"

Mara laughs before looking at him, "Of course. There's a lot missing," She looks back at me and then raises a brow, "So? Did you decide?"

I nod, "I don't want to leave. Not right now." I tell her.

There are no words of judgment or argument, but instead, there are two small smiles.

"You sure about it?" Mara questions me.

"Yes."

"Well," Her hand comes around my arm. "If you ever want to come back, you know we're always going to welcome you with open arms." I pull her in my arms as well and we embrace for a short while before I let her go.

"I'll miss you."

"I know, but I will come visit, if it's okay." I add quickly.

"It is. Of course," she nods. "And if you need anything from us, any kind of assistance or help, let us know."

"Thanks, for everything," I say, meaning it in every possible way. Without the Hounds, without her, I don't think my wolf and I could've survived.

I was so lost, so beyond lost and when Mara found me, she and the rest of them, helped me in a way that no one would ever be able to.

"Oh, we still have a night ahead. We're not going anywhere until tomorrow." Mara comments, looking back at the house and the sun that's bright and high in the sky.

It is mid-day. The day will still last long.

"Why don't you both come inside? I'll make some tea?" I look at Jamie as well, inviting him to the house.

"Oh, well, why not?"

"And meet Henry. He's always so excited about Hounds." I chuckle and lead my friends inside the place.

After the exhausting night we all had, I think we all can afford a nice, calming cup of tea. Jamie comes along and we sit in the lounge while Mara fills him in on what happened here, and Jamie fills us in about all things he have seen here in the past few months he has been working around.

Along with what happened just twelve hours ago.

My father, the hunters, the wolves, and the bloodshed. And how my father had to withdraw.

I certainly don't believe it's the end, but for now, I can relish the little peace and the relief.