Chapter 43 043
LYKA
I stood there frozen, my lips parting slightly as Aiden’s confession echoed in my ears. For a moment, my mind went completely blank, as though someone had poured hot water over my thoughts and washed every coherent response away. The room suddenly felt unbearably warm, the air thick and suffocating, and I could feel sweat gathering at the nape of my neck.
I stared at him, my heart racing....not with excitement, but with panic.
What was I supposed to say?
My eyes darted around the room, desperately searching for a counterattack, a clever escape, anything that could save us both from the awkward, painful silence that now stretched between us. Aiden was watching me closely, his gaze steady and expectant, as though my next words would determine the fate of something fragile and precious.
But what did people usually say when someone confessed feelings they didn’t return?
What did you say when the person standing before you was someone you cared for deeply....but only as a friend?
“Why are you not saying anything?” Aiden finally asked, his voice low, tinged with uncertainty.
I looked at him, startled, then let out a small, awkward laugh. “What?” I asked, forcing a smile onto my face, though it felt strained and unnatural. “Should I be saying something?”
He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair, and that sound alone made my chest tighten. The sadness in his expression was unmistakable, and guilt washed over me like cold water. I hated that I was the reason for that look on his face.
“I’m sorry,” I said softly, the words slipping out before I could stop them.
Aiden blinked rapidly, as though fighting something threatening to spill from his eyes, and I knew then that silence was no longer an option. I couldn’t leave him hanging like this. That would be cruel.
But speaking meant breaking his heart.
“Why are you sorry?” he asked quickly, shaking his head. “I’m the stupid one here. I shouldn’t have attacked you with a confession like this, not now. You can just… forget it. Treat it like a stupid antic of mine. We can come back to it later.”
I shook my head firmly, stepping closer to him. “No,” I said, my voice steady despite the ache in my chest. “We’re not coming back to it. Because there’s nothing to come back to.”
His eyes widened at my words, disbelief flickering across his face.
“Aiden,” I continued gently, choosing my words carefully, “you’re my friend. More than that....you’re like the brother I never had.” My voice trembled slightly as memories rushed forward. “This past month has been a roller coaster for all of us. You stood by me when everything fell apart. You wiped my tears when I couldn’t stop crying. You were ready to lay down your life for me without hesitation.”
I swallowed hard.
“I couldn’t ask for a better brother, could I?”
Aiden lowered his gaze, shame and hurt shadowing his features. When he finally looked back at me, his eyes were filled with regret.
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “I didn’t think this through. I acted without considering the consequences. The Alpha entrusted your safety to me, and I failed at that. Instead of protecting you, I crossed a line by confessing my feelings.”
“No,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “Stop that. Don’t talk like that.”
I stepped closer, my tone firm. “You didn’t fail me. And you’re not responsible for something you didn’t do wrong. Feelings aren’t crimes, Aiden. You didn’t choose them.”
I sighed, my shoulders sagging as the weight of everything pressed down on me. “None of this is anyone’s fault. What happened between us… it just happened.”
After a long moment of silence, Aiden nodded slowly, accepting what he didn’t want to hear. Without another word, he turned and headed toward the door.
I watched him leave, his steps heavy, his back stiff with disappointment. My chest ached painfully. I knew my rejection had been harsh, but I also knew that kindness would have only given him false hope....and that would have hurt him even more in the long run.
“I’m sorry if I hurt you, Aiden,” I whispered to the empty room. “But this is for the best.”
With a tired sigh, I slumped down onto the floor, my back resting against the bed. My thoughts drifted unwillingly to the earlier pain I had felt....the sharp, suffocating ache in my chest when I saw my mate in a compromising position with another woman.
“That man really is shameless,” I muttered angrily, clenching my fists. “And....”
My words died abruptly when a knock echoed through the room.
I jolted upright, my heart leaping in surprise. “What?” I muttered. “Who’s there?”
I stood up quickly, wiping at my tear-stained face and trying to look presentable as I approached the door. But when I opened it, the hallway was empty.
“What kind of nonsense is this?” I murmured, irritation creeping in.
Then I looked down.
A letter lay neatly on the floor, positioned directly in front of my door.
My eyes twitched as I bent down to pick it up. I didn’t need to inspect it closely to know who it was from....the design was identical to the letter I had received before.
My jaw tightened as I unfolded it.
If you want to know the truth about your pack’s massacre, then come to the lakeside tonight.
My gaze turned icy as I read the words.
“So you’re finally done playing games,” I whispered.
“Come to the lakeside?” a voice suddenly spoke behind me.
I nearly jumped out of my skin, spinning around in alarm. When I saw who it was, I exhaled sharply in relief.
“Amanda,” I hissed. “Must you sneak around like that? It’s annoying.”
She scoffed casually. “You don’t have to hide it,” she said, holding up an envelope identical to mine. “I’ve got one too. Looks like someone’s asking us out.”
My eyes widened. “What? You too?”
I was about to continue when a maid walked past, and instinctively, I grabbed Amanda’s arm and dragged her into my room, slamming the door shut behind us.
“What do you mean he’s been sending letters to you as well?” I demanded.
Amanda shrugged and explained how she’d found one outside her door one night. She’d thought it was a prank....something meant to scare her.
“So this person isn’t targeting just us,” I murmured thoughtfully. “The letters might have been distributed to others in the pack as well.”
“That’s what I think,” Amanda agreed.
I fell silent, deep in thought. Whoever this was, they were deliberate....methodical. And bold. Very bold.
“We’re going tonight,” I said finally.
Amanda stared at me. “What? Are you serious?”
I nodded slowly. “If he sought us out, then we should honor his invitation. It would be rude not to.”
A dangerous glint flashed in my eyes as I stared down at the letter in my hand.
I couldn’t wait to see who was daring enough to summon me.
And whoever it was…
I hoped they were ready to face me.