4. Law

Aria's POV

I was walking back and forth, thinking of ways to get my stuff from Nicholas. Our interaction yesterday was a nightmare. He was a devil in disguise. A sex maniac and an ill-mannered creature. I couldn't wait to get out of this place.

Unfortunately, thoughts and ideas fled my mind when I needed them the most.

I sat in my bed in annoyance and tugged the cord linked to my wrist. I couldn't think of any other way to escape except to approach Matthew for help. I helped him. Maybe he could help me as well. 

Isn't give and take a thing? After all, if it weren't for him, things wouldn't have ended up this way.

My feet glided to the door, and my hand twisted the knobs. The clicking sound echoed, and my eyes widened in surprise after realizing they hadn't locked it.

I took a cautious step outside. The first thing I noticed was the empty corridor coated in white. The ambiance was eerie, mainly because no one was around, not even those ladies in white uniforms.

"Where are you going?"

I froze for a moment, and instead of continuing to walk, I halted. Being caught on my first step was not something I had intended. But if I flee, either Nicholas or Matthew will have me chased. With a dejected soul, I gently turned and took a slow glance behind me. When I saw it was Matthew, I breathed a sigh of relief.

Thank goodness!

"I need to fetch my things from your brother," I responded.

Matthew seemed to be in better shape than he had been the day before. His wolf, like Kaia's, must have aided him in healing quickly. It's not a big deal, though. Shifters are expected to recover faster than ordinary beings. And it would be odd if we took so long to recuperate.

"Why?" he asked, closing our distance.

Matthew truly comes off as stupid to me. It's my stuff, so I'm entitled to it. There's a reason common sense exists so someone like him can use it.

"Because it's mine?" 

 

I don't mean to come out cynical, but his inquiry is plain stupid. Apart from me, who else has a right to my stuff? Of course, nobody — mine is mine.

"Nikko may return it to you, but..." he paused, "...you have to give him something in return."

True to Matthew's word, his goddamn brother will only give my stuff back in exchange for my freedom. He holds a rule no one can bend: a freaking manipulative psychotic bloke.

If this dog were just some ordinary werewolf, I would have been able to get away, but he's the Alpha, someone I can't easily fool.

"Fine, do whatever you want with my things," I surrender. "I'm still leaving!"

I'd rather lose my expensive clothes than stay in this shithole with Nicholas Sainthood. His surname does not fit him at all. He's not a saint but a devil.

Of all the male wolves in the domain, why did my mate happen to be him? I wanted to beg the moon goddess to change our fate, but that's not possible. It was so unlucky of me to meet him. 

"Aria!"

My feet continued to pace without stopping or acknowledging Nicholas's words. He called my name twice more, and after the third time, two men blocked my route, causing me to stop for a moment.

"You are not permitted to leave without the Alpha's approval," the beardy man stated. His stance resembles that of a Viking, with bulging muscles and a scarred face.

"I'm not his to own. Why can't I leave?"

Unfortunately, the devil has already convinced himself that I am his possession, despite the fact that I am not. He's my mate, yes. But that isn't enough for him to throw out my decision. I am entitled to mine, just as he is to his.

"You're the Alpha's mate," one man said without humor.

Fuck that!

I'm on the verge of throwing a hissy fit in sheer frustration. But the men just stood in front of me like robots, saying nothing until Nicholas arrived.

"Can you please fucking leave me alone?" I muttered.

Instead of granting my wish, Nicholas grabbed my wrist and dragged me back into his office. He shut and locked the door before shoving me down onto the sofa.

"Keep me company," he commanded.

My fury was steadily filling up my system, and I felt like I was about to burst. Saving Matthew was really a mistake because look where it led me. He didn't even try to persuade his brother. 

My ideas flow like a torrent of cynicism. And in the midst of it all, Kaia appeared, bearing some uninspiring comments that irked me even more.

'Just enjoy his presence,' she proposed. 'Then try to flirt with him.'

Her remarks make me want to throw up. Nicholas' presence is more of a torture than a pleasure. I don't care about the butterflies, goosebumps, and fleshly yearning he could give when he's the polar opposite of the men I've set as ideals.

'Shut up, Kaia, this is all your fault,' I grumbled.

It finally dawned on me that compassion benefits those who receive it but is disadvantageous to those who give it. 

'But we wouldn't have met our mate if it hadn't been for me,' she replied.

Who cares about mate anyway? I survived two decades and made it through every heating season without a man. I'm confident I can manage to live alone in the coming days. 

The sun had already set in the west, and Nicholas still hadn't permitted me to go. He's as firm as a rock in his decision. And that merciless eye with an unsympathetic heart will not give me salvation.

"You are mine to own, Aria. Why do you want to leave?"

Allowing someone to take control of me is the last thing I would do with my life. Commitment entails responsibility, and I don't want anyone to direct my path.

If I can defy Alpha Luke, I can defy anybody, whether they're Alpha or not. Nobody owns me but myself. And that pathetic idea of a mate taking possession of its partner is a crock of shit. It's bullshit.

"I want to live a peaceful life," I explained.

Being a shifter does not provide me peace. Almost every month, we are subjected to an unexpected onslaught by rogues. Perhaps things would be different if I lived in the human realm.

"Does that imply that you reject the mating bond?"

Nicholas moved in closer, touching my cheeks down to my jawline, making my heart skip a beat. His caress removed all the words from my mouth, leaving me speechless and filled with a whirlwind of emotions. I was convinced of my decision before, but a little brush from him made me wonder and question everything.

Will I be okay if I reject him? 

My consciousness was spinning in the illusion of love and desire, and I found it challenging to get through such a phase without succumbing. The connection we shared drew me in, and every stroke of his hand made my body quake. 

"Rejecting our bond is a little harsh. Don't you think, Aria?" he said hoarsely.

His minty breath soothed right to my nose because of our distance. And, no matter how hard I tried, ecstatic sensations began to bubble inside of me.

"Huh, Aria?"

Words merely hung on the roof of my mouth, refusing to be said. Nicholas's gentle prods had me on my knees. And I'm not sure what more he can do with my life if I allow him. He has my weakness in his hands, and the deeper it becomes, the more dangerous it will be.

"You can manage," I said.

I stepped back to distract myself from the sensual feeling he was giving me. However, Nicholas grips my chin and forces me to look him in the eyes. His expression was icy and angry, as though he didn't like my previous reaction.

"You can't reject me, Aria."

His tone came out like a warning. As though he's telling me that if I'm not obeying, worse things will happen. Nicholas probably doesn't want me to reject the relationship since it will hurt his ego: men and their pride. But I'm not someone he can easily threaten.

"The decision is mine to make, Nicholas. If you refuse to accept my rejection. Maybe you should reject me?"

His brow furrows as his gaze becomes more intense. The way he looks at me makes me feel like I'm being burnt alive. His rage filled the air, leaving me no place to go, but I won't go down without a fight.

Nicholas must have considered his decision now that he has seen how obstinate I am. Maybe he'll change his mind and dump me instead. Alphas like subservient she-wolves, easy to manipulate and dominate, but I am not like that.

"It's our decision to make, Aria. We're mated by fate, and it's not something you can easily turn down," he said frustratedly. "Rule breakers are really a pain in the ass."

I was taken aback. His last remark rendered me stunned. Nicholas gave me an unashamed glare as if what he was saying was genuinely meant for me to hear.

"What laws am I violating?"

He shrugged his shoulder. "What do you think?"

The kettle pot is already boiling at the top of my head, ready to be poured. I take a deep breath and stretch out my patience because this man is putting it to the test. Nicholas never ceases to infuriate me. I guess he is a master in this field.

"It's my freedom to do whatever I want, Nicholas, and it's not against the law," I argued.

A mischievous smile appeared on his cheeks, and by the looks of it, it was sending me a danger alarm.

"You really believe it's freedom, huh?" he mocks my tone, closing the space between us. And before I could respond, his cold lips brushed against mine. It was only a peck, but it sent hundreds of butterflies in my stomach.

"I wanted to kiss you, and it's my right to do whatever I want," he chuckled. "I'm not breaking the law, right?"

Huh?