Chapter 16 16
Aaron's Pov
She didn't know how to dance but she made up for it with elegance.
Odette made sure to spin gently as she followed Ralph's lead, each twirl made her gown shimmer in the moonlight and for a second, she looked unreal.
A smile graced my lips. “That's my wife.”
I didn't watch anyone else. I didn't care about them either. The only reason I was here was because she wanted to come and I'd worship her on my knees if she told me to.
I didn't notice anyone up until the moment Adam stepped directly into my line of sight. I bet it was the only way he could get my attention seeing I was so enthralled with my wife's dancing.
“Brother,” he said in a mock now. “I see you are… well.”
“You sound disappointed.” I hissed.
“Ahhhh,” he chuckled. “Don't bring that foul mood in here. It's the Mating Ceremony. Every young wolf is out here searching for their fated mates.”
I shot him a glare. “And what makes you think I care about that?”
“Don't be rude, brother. The Goddess is watching.” Jake said before I could see him.
I raised a brow as he and Dante appeared behind Adam, my father's favourite sons, the same boys who once grabbed my face and shoved it into a burning pit while our father watched.
I smirked. “Nice of you to show your face. I see you still have it intact.”
I forgot to mention that he, Jake, was among the Alpha's I caught during the Moon Hunt and specifically one of the Alpha's I scratched in the face.
“I see your wounds have healed.” I shot back. It was petty of me but it was nice to bite back once in a while.
Jake looked away, embarrassed but his brother took over from him.
Dante scoffed, crossing his arm over his chest. “Look at you acting all high and mighty like the Rogue King you are. No matter how much silver and crown you wear, you will always be a monster.”
Typical. I was used to that insult.
“He's still the same bastard his mother rejected.” Adam laughed.
“Dante!” I warned. “Don't mention my mother!”
“Or else what?”
He stepped closer and shoved my shoulder like from when we were still boys fighting in the dirt. Except now, I was much stronger. If I react now, I might kill him.
“Walk away, all of you.” It wasn't a threat. It was a warning.
The others understood. They knew I meant what I said. They'd seen my powers and what I could do and they saw it when they pretended to be my Alphas and tried to sabotage the Moon Hunt game so they stepped back but Adam… the bastard didn't walk away.
“You know, she's pretty.” He smiled, while glancing at Odette. “I can't wait to break the curse you put on her and make her mine.”
That was it.
My fist connected with Adam's jaw so hard the sound echoed across the hall. He flew back, crashing I to a table, sending glass shattering across the polished marble floor. It didn't take long till the real fight exploded.
Jake lunged first and Dante followed but I moved on instinct. I didn't feel my knuckles crack. I didn't feel the crowd gathering. Shit, I didn't even hear the music stop. I only heard the blood roaring in my veins.
I struck back, still binding my control but not furious enough to release it.
My vision screamed red as I sidestepped and punched. That was until I realized my brothers had called their guards. Typical losers. They came after me but I broke them like puppets.
When I finally heard the whispers, my body went cold.
Everyone had gathered around us. Everyone was watching.
“Oh my Goddess, look at what he did to them.”
“He's a monster.”
“He should've died at birth and do the whole world a favour.”
A roar of gasps filled the hall. People pushed closer and others screamed.
My brothers laid on the floor, groaning dramatically, faces smeared with blood they could've easily faked. I was careful when I punched them, careful enough not to cause bloodshed but they… they cut me with knives even in a fist fight.
“He's a demon.” A woman cried.
“Don't look at him!”
That was when I understood.
They wanted me to lose control and they wanted everyone to see it.
Father stormed into the scene, his eyes flaring with red. “That is enough!”
His voice echoed through the crowd, sending silence through the roof. And while he didn't look at them, he looked at me.
“Aaron!” He began loudly. “You have shamed this pack.”
I felt the humiliation burn through my skin. People stared at me like I was a beast on display.
“Look at his scar.”
“He should be locked away!”
“Demon!”
Alpha Ralph, proud leader of the BlueMoon Pack, stepped in, looking thunderous.
“How dare you come into my pack and dishonour it?! Have you no LOYALTY?!” He snarled.
“Infact,” he continued. “I hereby banish you from my territory. Monsters like you have no place here.”
I didn't react. I couldn't. I just sat there on the ground, my chest heaving and my brothers grinning.
I knew no matter what I did, no one would believe me or even come to my aide. Perhaps, I was wrong. Not everyone would completely abandon me.
“Aaron!”
Odette!
She ran through the crowd, her silver gown saying, her hair twirling. She didn't hesitate for a second. She dropped to her knees beside me, uncaring of the blood beneath us.
“Aaron, what happened?” Her hands touched my face and my shoulders. “Please, talk to me. How did this happen?”
I couldn't speak. My gaze fixed on Adam instead, on the smirk he tried to hide.
Leila pushed forward, fake concern etched in her face. “Odette, darling, don't stay there. You'll get blood on your dress.”
Odette didn't even look at her. “Stop staring at him and help.”
Leila scoffed. “if anyone needs help, it's Adam and his brothers. Just look at what Aaron did to —”
Odette lifted her head sharply. “Really?”
She looked at them. “They're bleeding but there are no bruises.”
The hall went dead silent.
Then she looked at me. “But my husband is bleeding. They are marks on his hands to prove it.”
Then she looked at the guards standing behind my brothers. “They brought seven guards to fight Aaron and yet you all call Aaron the monster. I'm disappointed in all of you.”
No one said anything.
She knelt again and gently reached for my arm. “Aaron, can you walk?”
I swallowed hard and nodded.
Before I could protest, she draped her arm over her shoulder. I expected her to tremble but she didn't. She struggled a little but she held me like she could bear my weight and we made it outside.
I heard the rush of running steps. Caesar and three Blackwood guards appeared. Caesar's face twisted in fury when he saw me.
“Who did this? Tell me. I'll pull their throats out.” He snarled.
“No!” Odette stepped in front of him. “Not now. Help him first.”
Caesar hesitated, still boiling with rage. “Your Majesty…”
“Just go,” she said softly. “Please.”
He swallowed, bowed and obeyed.
Odette guided me into the carriage. My head spun and my body ached from the cuts but I knew everything would be fine. My body would heal and the pain would be gone but not Odette. She'll be here with me.
But she surprised me by turning to leave.
I grabbed her wrist weakly. “Where are you going?”
She looked back at me, determination burning in her eyes. “I need answers.”
“No,” I rasped. “Odette, it's dangerous.”
“I'll be fine,” she whispered. “I'll come back to you.”
“ODETTE!”
But the carriage jolted as she signaled the driver and before I could stop her, she pulled her hand from mine and stepped down.
The door closed and I watched her walk towards the BlueMoon Pack hall