Chapter 21 21

Chapter 21 21
Aaron's Pov 

I held Odette in my arms, feeling the steady rise and fall of her chest against mine. 

Her red hair fell across my hand like silk as I stroked it gently. She was asleep but even while asleep, she owned every part of me, body and soul. I knew that much when I heard her scream earlier.

My entire body had gone still, my heart had broken from the sound, and I couldn't get over the fear that if anything happened to her that I would lose my reason to live. So I promised then and there that no one would ever hurt her again.

I remembered how she had risked herself to defend me even when everyone else couldn't. She had told me she would come back for me and I became terrified. I was scared she would leave and never return. No man, no matter how powerful, could handle those words. They could drive a man to war or even to the point of madness but none of those things happened to me. Because Odette came back. 

She came back to me even after seeing my brothers hurt me, ever after she had watched me bleed. 

I brushed her hair back again and swore that if anyone dared lay a hand on her be it her hair, her skin or her life, that they would feel my wrath. My body ached from battlescars but nothing compared to the ache of knowing she could be taken from me.

A quiet knock on the door interrupted my thoughts and I looked up.

Clarisse entered quietly with a tray in her hand. Her eyes trailed to Odette sleeping soundly in my arms and she smiled. “Odette needs her medicine.” 

It was just medicine but I couldn't let her go, not even for a second. Not now, not ever. 

Clarisse's cheeks lighted as she kept the tray aside on a table. “You're fond of her, aren't you?” 

I looked down at Odette's sleeping form and admitted the truth I didn't bother hiding. “Yes.”

I was beyond “fond”. I was utterly consumed. Every fiber of me was tethered to her becoming alive when she is near and dead when she is not. 

Clarisse sauntered to one of the armchairs and sat down. Then slowly, she looked at me. “Does… does Odette know what you are?”

I shook my head. “I assume..  after yesterday… she must have an idea.” 

I wouldn't forget it and neither would everyone in the BlueMoon Pack. I had told Clarisse everything that happened — how Odette got hurt and how I had unleashed my monster to keep her safe.

She nodded, as though she understood what I had said. 

I leaned down, brushing my lips against her hand. “I fear she'll leave me when she finds out… what I truly am.” 

A soft laugh echoed around the room and I realized it was coming from Clarisse. 

I arched a confused brow. “What's so funny?”

“You,” she pointed at me. “Do you really think Odette would leave you?”

I scoffed. “How sure are you?”

“I know from what I've seen and heard.” She said simply, looking at Odette sleeping peacefully on my chest. 

“Odette defended you when everyone couldn't. She even went as far as tried to confront your brothers alone. She told you she would return and she did…” Clarisse smiled through tears. “You found her.”

My grip suddenly tightened around her.

Clarisse smiled. “Odette is kind. She always protects others. She would never abandon you.” 

I kissed Odette's hair again, feeling the steady beat of her heart and a shiver ran down my spine when I remembered what happened last night. How I became a monster again. Odette didn't deserve me. She shouldn't let me hold her and guard her but she did. She trusted me. She told me she loved me.

Suddenly, she stirred softly then winced. I quickly brushed my hand down her back and murmured words to make her go back to sleep.  

I lifted her carefully, holding her as if the world would crumble the second I let her go. 

“I think it's time she takes the medicine, Aaron.” Clarisse reached for the tray.

“I'll hold her.” I said. 

“But —”

“I'm not letting her go.” 

Clarisse let out a defeated sigh before she finally moved to administer the medicine.

Once Odette took her medicine, I laid her gently on the bed and kissed her cheek.

Then, I moved to the mirror.

The reflection staring back at me was a stranger yet it was mine. 

I traced the lines that marred my face, the way my skin stretched across the left side of my face and how the skin looked dead white. I cupped that part of my cheek and winced at the memory. About the day father whipped me for looking at him. The day other children whispered and pointed at me like I was a plague.

Growing up, being called a “monster”, “plague” and “devil lycan” made me embrace my inner fury. I threw myself into war and quenched my rage by drowning in the blood of my enemies. I built my pack by my own hands and ruled as the “Monster of the Blackwood Castle” but even after that, the scar still remained, a permanent reminder of who I was and would be.

“You're not a monster.” I heard a soft voice echo in my head.

I whirled around. “Nina?”

Memories of the past slammed into me as I looked out the garden.

It was just like 5 years ago when she dropped her knitting pin and rushed to my side. 

She had cupped my face and told me. “You're not a monster. Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise. You're my husband and my mate. Nothing else.”

“I am your husband and your mate.” I repeated after her.

She smiled as she stroked my cheek. “That's better. You're not a monster, Aaron.”

I blinked back to reality. Nina had cared for me and made me feel like I wasn't a beast, the same way Odette had. 

“Odette...” I whispered as I looked down at my hand, the same hand she had held even in her sleep. 

“Aaron?”

I turned and there she was.

Her wounds were fading and the bruises were much lighter but this woman still made my chest ache in ways I couldn't explain. 

She tried to rise but I gently shook my head. I moved to sit beside her and her hand found mine. I brought it to my lips and kissed the pulse at her wrist. 

“You're awake.” I smiled into her hand.

She smiled and it was enough to lift the weight off my chest.

I pressed my forehead against hers, breathing her in and memorizing the curve of her lips. 

“Do you know what you… do to me?” I asked, cupping her cheek. My thumbs brushed her cheekbones and she placed her hand over mine.

“I don't,” she whispered. “But I hope it's a good thing.”

I pressed a kiss to her forehead, then her cheek and her lips. “It's a beautiful thing.” 

I waited for her to mention something about last night but she took my hand and looked down at it.

“Are you okay? Your brothers hurt you.” Then she lifted her eyes to hold mine.

I froze. She was hurt and yet, she was asking about me. 

I pulled Odette into my arms and kissed her hair. “I am, now. I'm fine, darling.”