Chapter 19 ARIA
ARIA'S POV
Lucian insisted on carrying me all the way to the pack house, but there was no way I was letting him do that again. I’d already fainted on him once and I wasn’t about to be treated like I was made of glass.
“I can walk,” I muttered as we reached the front steps, clutching the railing for support.
“You almost face-planted earlier,” he said, brow creasing.
“I’m fine now,” I insisted, taking a slow step forward to prove my point. My legs wobbled a little, and his hand immediately hovered near my waist like a safety net.
His sigh came out heavy and resigned. “Stubborn woman.”
“I’ve been called worse,” I said, forcing a tiny grin.
The front door opened before I could think of another comeback. A warm scent of herbs and roasted chicken drifted out, along with a woman’s cheerful voice.
“There you two are!”
She was all sunshine, short curls, bright eyes, and an apron that said Kiss the Cook. She came bustling forward, smile wide enough to light the room.
“You must be Aria!” she said, clasping my hands before I could even blink. “I’m Josie, Lucie’s aunt, Orion’s wife. He called ahead and told me what happened.”
“Oh,” I said, slightly startled by the warmth in her eyes. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you too, sweetheart. And don’t worry, we’ve got everything handled.” She patted my arm gently, turning to Lucian. “I made chicken noodle soup and had a room prepared.”
Lucian shook his head. “She’ll stay in my room.”
I blinked. “What?”
Josie’s lips curved in a knowing smile. “Of course she will,” she said, voice teasing. “I’ll just make sure fresh sheets are laid out.”
My cheeks burned instantly. I tried not to look at Lucian, but the smug little smirk on his face didn’t help.
“Come on,” he said casually. “You want to eat first or shower?”
Before I could answer, my stomach betrayed me with a loud growl.
Josie laughed. “That answers that!”
Heat crept up my neck. “I-I had brunch earlier,” I stammered, “but I didn’t really eat much…”
Josie waved me off. “No explanation needed, darling. Come on, let’s get some soup in you before your Alpha here decides to force-feed you.”
Lucian scowled playfully but followed us toward the dining area. The pack house felt warm and lived-in, the faint hum of chatter from deeper rooms, the smell of wood polish and spices. It wasn’t what I expected from an Alpha’s home. It felt… homey.
I sat down at the long table, trying to ignore how his gaze kept flicking toward me like he needed to confirm I was still breathing.
“So,” I said after a pause, “Josie calls you Lucie?”
Lucian froze. “Don’t.”
I smirked. “Lucie.”
Josie laughed from the kitchen. “He hates it! But it’s been his nickname since he was little.”
Lucian groaned. “Aunt Josie…”
“Oh, come on,” I teased. “Lucie suits you. It’s cute.”
He gave me a mock glare, and the sound of Josie’s laughter filled the room. For a few minutes, everything felt easy again.
Josie returned with a steaming bowl of soup. “Alright, you eat now,”
Lucian immediately picked up a spoon and scooped some broth, holding it out toward me.
“Uh-uh,” I said, leaning back. “I can feed myself.”
“Humor me,” he said, that cocky grin returning.
Before I could argue further, Josie swatted at him with a dish towel. “Go upstairs and draw her a bath, Lucie. I’ll stay with Aria.”
He frowned. “But…”
“I said go,” she ordered, eyes twinkling.
He hesitated, giving me a reluctant look before finally sighing. “Fine. Don’t let her overexert herself.”
“Shoo.” Josie pointed toward the stairs.
When he disappeared up the hallway, she turned to me with an amused grin. “You poor thing. He’s absolutely smitten.”
I felt my cheeks warm. “I wouldn’t say that…”
“Oh, honey,” she said, sitting opposite me. “I’ve known that boy his whole life. I’ve never seen him look at anyone like he looks at you.”
I stirred my soup, avoiding her eyes. “It’s just… a lot. He’s an Alpha, and I-well, I’m me.”
“You’re exactly who you’re supposed to be,” she said simply. “And whatever’s between you two, it’s real. I can see it.”
Her words lodged somewhere deep in my chest, and for a moment, I couldn’t speak.
“Now,” she said briskly, standing up. “Let’s get you upstairs before Lucian overflows the bathtub.”
I laughed, setting my spoon down and letting her guide me up the stairs.
When we reached the end of the hall, Josie pointed toward a slightly open door. “That’s his room. You’ll find him in there.”
I knocked lightly.
“Come in,” Lucian’s voice called from inside.
I stepped in, and burst out laughing.
The entire bathroom looked like a bubble factory had exploded. Foam covered the surface of the bath, almost spilling onto the floor. And right in the middle of it stood Lucian, shirt damp, hair slightly tousled, looking ridiculously sheepish.
“I might’ve overdone it,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck.
“You think?” I grinned, leaning against the doorframe. “Where did you even get bubbles?”
He shrugged. “Asked one of the staff. They seemed excited to help.”
“Of course they did,” I said, still laughing.
His lips twitched. “I just wanted to do something nice.”
I softened immediately. “It’s perfect, Lucian.”
His shoulders relaxed, and for a moment, something unspoken passed between us, warm and full of quiet tension.
“I’ll leave you to it,” he said finally, setting a folded T-shirt and a pair of boxer briefs on the counter. “These should fit… sort of.”
After he left, I slipped into the bath, sinking into the warmth until my muscles melted. The bubbles smelled faintly of cedar and something sweet…his scent.
“He really did all this for us,” Nyra murmured in the back of my mind, practically purring.
“Don’t start,” I whispered, smiling despite myself.
When I stepped out, I slipped into his shirt. It hung off me like a dress, soft and warm, and I couldn’t stop inhaling his scent.
“He smells good, doesn’t he?” Nyra teased.
I rolled my eyes but didn’t disagree.
When I walked back into the bedroom, Lucian was already there, wearing gray sweats and nothing else. His hair was still damp, his skin glistening faintly, and every line of muscle stood out in the low light.
“You bathed too,” I said, trying not to stare.
“Guest bathroom,” he said simply. “Didn’t want to hog the hot water.”
“Thoughtful,” I muttered, eyes flicking – involuntarily – to the sharp V-line disappearing beneath his waistband. Nyra all but swooned.
He smiled faintly, clearly catching me looking, but didn’t comment. “You should get some rest.”
I hesitated. “What did Orion say? About me?”
His jaw tightened. “We’ll talk tomorrow. You need rest first.”
I wanted to argue, but exhaustion was already tugging at my limbs. “Fine.”
He moved to the couch, grabbing a pillow.
“What are you doing?”
“Sleeping here,” he said, as if it were obvious.
Nyra nudged me hard from inside. “Say it.”
I swallowed, then blurted, “You could… sleep on the bed.., and maybe hold me. If you want.”
Lucian froze, eyes searching mine. “Are you sure?”
The tenderness in his voice nearly undid me. “Yeah,” I whispered.
He crossed the room slowly, slipping into bed beside me. The mattress dipped as he wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close. His scent enveloped me completely.
My heart raced, but in the best way.
“Better?” he murmured against my hair.
“Much,” I whispered.
For a few minutes, we just lay there, tangled in warmth and silence.
“You really scared me, you know,” he said softly.
“I didn’t mean to,” I murmured back.
“Don’t do it again.”
I smiled sleepily. “No promises.”
His quiet laugh vibrated against my back, deep and soothing.
As my eyes drifted shut, one last thought passed through my mind, warm, dizzy, and certain.
There was nowhere else I’d rather be than in his arms.