Chapter 14 ARIA
ARIA'S POV
“Is that it?” Nina nearly screamed, her voice echoing through the cramped little space behind Nyx’s market stall. “You’re kidding me, right?”
“Yes, that’s it,” I said, exasperated. “I don’t know what else you want to hear.”
“How about some action?” she countered, wide-eyed, flailing her hands for emphasis. “You’re mated to one hunk of a man…an Alpha, Aria, and you’re telling me you guys just held hands and talked?”
“Well, yeah,” I said defensively. “I mean, he gave me a kiss before he left. I told you that already.”
“A forehead kiss isn’t a kiss, for the love of the Goddess, Aria!” she groaned dramatically, throwing her hands in the air. “That man must have the self-restraint of a monk.”
“I’m confused,” I said, frowning. “What more should we have done? We only just met.”
We were sprawled across the soft rug inside Nyx’s stall while her mother, Aunt Selene, manned the counter outside, calling out prices to customers. The whole place smelled faintly of herbs, sugar, and freshly baked bread. It should’ve been calming. It wasn’t.
“Aria, darling, let me hold your hand while I say this,” Nyx said, taking my hands in hers with exaggerated gentleness. “In our world, and according to our standards you two are moving at a snail’s pace. And I won’t even blame you, because those pills are suppressing every instinct you have, but…” She leaned in. “I’d say it’s expected that you two would have done a little more by now.”
“A little more?” Nina snorted. “I don’t know what she means by a little more, but when I finally find my mate, I’m locking him up for a week and not letting him out till he fucks me unconscious.”
“Nina!” I yelped, right alongside Nyx.
“What?” Nina shrugged, eyes gleaming with mischief. “Just telling you the truth. And you better believe I’m serious.”
I didn’t doubt her for a second. Nina wore her Omega status like a crown, bold, unashamed, sensual in a way that made me blush just standing next to her. She had a way of talking about things that made everyone else sound prudish.
Still, I couldn’t help but smile. That was Nina.
I knew what they meant. In werewolf culture, things usually moved fast once you found your mate. There was no point pretending, no time wasted on “what-ifs.” But me? I didn’t know if I was ready for that. Maybe it was the pills. Maybe it was the years I’d spent under Alaric’s shadow. Whatever the reason, I was grateful for the pace Lucian and I were taking. It was gentle. Steady. Safe.
I must’ve gone quiet for too long, because Nyx’s hand landed softly on my shoulder.
“Hey,” she said. “Ignore her. You’re allowed to move at whatever pace you want. As long as it feels right for you, that’s what matters.”
“Oh no, no, no,” Nina said quickly, scooting forward. “I didn’t mean it like that, Aria. I swear I didn’t. I’d never want you to do something you’re not ready for.”
I sighed and gave them both a small smile. “You guys… it’s okay, really. I know you mean well. No hard feelings.”
“You sure?” Nyx asked, studying me.
“Hundred percent,” I said, squeezing her hand.
“Well, great, I wou…” Nina began, but Aunt Selene’s voice cut through the air like a whip.
“Girls! Don’t make me come in there and drag you out by your hair! Enough chitchat… out, out, out! Customers are waiting!”
We scrambled to our feet, tripping over ourselves in laughter as we rushed outside to help.
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The sun had already set by the time I finally made it home. I stood by the front door for a long moment, fingers resting on the knob, but I didn’t move. The house was dark and still. Too quiet.
Tonight wasn’t a night I wanted to be alone.
“How about we go for a run?” Nyra suggested softly from the back of my mind.
“I’m not really feeling it,” I murmured. “Let’s stroll instead.”
“The lake?” she asked, her tone instantly brightening.
“Sure. Why not?”
“Yooowoooo!” she howled, giddy.
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help laughing. “And you say you’re not a fish.”
“I AM not!” she huffed in mock outrage, her joy practically humming through me.
“Whatever you say, ma’am,” I teased as I started down the narrow forest path.
The air was cool, touched with that faint damp scent that came after sunset. Crickets sang somewhere in the distance, and the leaves whispered above me, their shadows painting soft shapes on the trail. The deeper I went, the quieter everything became just the hush of the wind, my heartbeat, and the occasional rustle of some small creature darting away.
The forest had always felt like home to me. Safe. Familiar. The earthy scent of pine and moss. The way the moonlight dappled through the trees, turning everything silver. It grounded me in a way few things could.
Eventually, the trees thinned, and the lake came into view, calm and glistening under the moonlight like a sheet of liquid glass.
I slowed. There was a pile of clothes near the shore.
Someone was here.
I opened my mouth to call out, but then it hit me a scent that slid over me like silk and wildfire all at once.
Lucian.
My breath caught.
As if the moon itself had summoned him, he emerged from the lake, head first, water sliding down his face, his hair slicked back. The ripples broke around him as he straightened, droplets tracing every hard line of muscle, every sharp edge of him.
“This is so very cliché,” I muttered under my breath.
“And so very hot,” Nyra added, practically drooling.
“So very hot,” I agreed, helplessly.
He noticed me then. Or maybe he caught my scent first his head snapped up, eyes scanning until they locked onto mine. And then that smile small, easy, but enough to make my stomach twist.
Oh Goddess, I was in trouble.
He waded toward the shore, water gliding off him in shimmering streams. The black shorts clung to him, leaving little to the imagination. Every step he took felt deliberate, predatory and when he stopped right in front of me, he was close enough that I could see the faint droplets still clinging to his lashes.
“I wondered when I’d see you here again,” he said, voice low, laced with that lazy amusement that always made my heart trip.
“Were you waiting for me?” I asked, trying and failing to keep my voice steady.
“Yes and no,” he said, his smirk deepening. “I come here to cool off sometimes.” A pause. “Well… I used to.”
“Before you left?” I asked softly.
“Yeah.” His voice was quieter now. “It was sort of a go-to spot for me and Adrian.”
That sad smile tugged at his mouth small but sharp enough to hurt.
I didn’t realize what I was doing until my hand was already on his chest. Just a light touch. A silent I’m sorry.
But the spark that shot through me the moment I touched him, heat and static and want nearly made me snatch my hand back.
His eyes darkened. “Uh-uh. Too late,” he murmured, catching my wrist and holding it against his chest. His heart was pounding fast, steady under my palm. “You like what you feel?” His grin turned wicked. “Or should I say, who you feel?”
My face went up in flames. I yanked my hand back, glaring at him. “Don’t do that.”
He laughed, rich and unbothered. “Making you blush is quickly becoming one of my favorite things.”
“Glad to entertain you,” I muttered, trying to sound annoyed, though judging by his grin, I wasn’t doing a very good job.
His expression softened, eyes flicking to the lake. “Would you like to take a swim with me?” he asked, his voice dipping lower husky, warm and far too tempting.
I froze. “I- I didn’t bring any swimwear.”
“Correct me if I’m wrong,” he said, tilting his head, “but didn’t you come here for a swim by yourself?”
“Yes, but…” I fumbled. “Key word alone. No one usually comes here.”
“So…” His smirk returned. “What were you going to swim in, then?”
I swallowed hard, saying nothing. Naked. That was what I usually did. But there was no way in hell I was telling him that.
He laughed quietly, like he already knew, his amusement written all over his face. “Alright, alright,” he said finally, lifting his hands in mock surrender. “How about this, you wear my shirt. I’m sure it’ll cover enough.”
“I don’t know…” I began, but he leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice to a teasing plea.
“Please?”
Just one word, soft, coaxing and my resolve melted faster than ice in summer.
“Fine,” I said, defeated.
He grinned, triumphant. “Yes!” He actually threw a fist in the air.
“But,” I added quickly, pointing a warning finger at him, “you turn around. No peeking.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He gave me a mock salute, turning his back instantly.
I exhaled, staring at his broad shoulders, the way moonlight clung to every line of him.
“Oh Goddess,” I muttered to myself. “What did I just agree to?”
Nyra purred, laughing softly in my head. “Something very, very good, I think.”
I shook my head, biting down a nervous smile, and began to undress.