Chapter 7

Kyle's POV... 

I can't explain what had brought me to the exact place Aria was, an unexplainable sensation that ruled over my thoughts and made me restless. The urge to save her was so persistent I had to find her.

Aside from that, I had positioned one of my men to give me every tidbit of what happens in the pack. Knowing she would be executed today, I had to do something to save not just her but my future. 

"Save me, please." She mumbled consistently. 

I doubt if she realized we are a bit far from the night walker's pack. With the way Aria sounded, she wasn't conscious yet.

Now that she is so close to me, all I can perceive from her is the scent of two different people. 

"Why do you have two scents on you?" I inquired her, already feeling a bit disgusted. Even though it didn't seem like the right question to ask someone who was just on the brink of death, I couldn't help myself.

Aria had her head hanging down. The trauma of her near-death experience still lingered within her. "Please save me!" 

The exact thing she must have been saying to call my wolf's attention to her. They had left her to rot away. I looked back at the woods left behind. We were a few steps ahead, and there was no obvious way we would be caught.

What I don't seem to understand is why Aria is always caught up in a complicated mess. Seeing how dehydrated she looked, I carried her towards a flowing stream nearby. Putting her down carefully, I poured the water over her face with a scoop of my hand and also fed her to drink. Her neck was red from the tightness of the rope.

Within a few minutes, she appeared saner. I couldn't keep myself from asking her the question that nagged at my consciousness. And my wolf also seemed restless. 

"Thank you." She said in a whisper, coughing loudly.

After letting her rest for what seemed like the longest thirty minutes of my life, I stood rigid, dipping my hands in my pocket. "Do you know one thing that I despise the most? It's being deceived. It irks me so bad I could smother such a person."

I love how the fear in her eyes gave itself away. That is how you get people to respond to you just as you desire. 

"Why exactly do you have two wolf scents?" 

Aria gulped hard as she stared at me weakly, "I wish I could explain it too. It's complex." 

There is something fishy about her that I can't seem to place. Whoever this lady is, she isn't telling the truth about her identity. I keep getting dragged to her because a part of my mate is in her, and that just sounds like the craziest thing I have ever heard or experienced.

My wolf doubts her words just like I do too. At the same time, I want to believe she is onto me for something in particular, and it would be very important for me to find out. I suspect there is more to what she is letting on. 

For now, she needs to recuperate. She would also make good use to me, considering how far I had to go to save her ass. I might as well take the adequate glory for it. 

"Come with me," I called on to her, seeing she looked a bit well enough to make the journey.

"Do you think taking her with you to the pack is the right decision?" My wolf inquired.

"Should be." I mused. 

The moment we got to the pack, I heard her let out a loud and sudden gasp. It made me curious to know why.

I raised a brow at her, "what's wrong?" 

Aria's lips shook abruptly, "are heading back to the moonstone pack?" 

"Yes," I responded in a deep tone. "Why do you ask?" 

She pointed a shaky finger at me, "I failed to realize this before. You are the most dreaded Alpha everyone talks about." 

Her words sounded confusing; I couldn't tell if it was a statement or a question. Am I supposed to grin at the thought that I am considered a dreaded Alpha? Not like I would deny that for a fact. 

Considering how far I have come and everything I have had to contend with in the past, I deserve to be feared by the old and young and by every pack. No one dares to cross the path of the moonstone pack. They know for certain it will be the death of them. 

"Since you know now, what difference does that make?" I asked her. I wasn't expecting her to smile so brightly as she just did. "Did I say something funny?" My voice sounded more gruff.

A sigh escaped her lips, "Not at all. I think they are all wrong for saying you are heartless and unforgiving."

"And why would you think otherwise?" 

"Because you saved my life, and only a person caring at heart would do that," Aria said.

I would really support the need for her to get her head checked. She is sure out of her mind if she thinks I saved her out of my own will. 

Ignoring her, I made my way towards the packhouse, passing through the back that only I and Barrin knew of. It's a sneaky escape we had made for just us. I wouldn't have taken her through the route, but I intend to avoid any unnecessary rumours as much as I can. 

"Welcome, Alpha. Who is your guest?" The head maid, Cassandra, asked the moment we entered the packhouse foyer. 

"Have her change and get some clothes for her. She has some wounds too, you should help her take care of them and give her some medicines. After that, send her to my study by evening when she must have had enough rest." I ordered, leaving them both. 

************

The first thing I did on entering the study was pour myself two glasses of tequila, downing both of them at a go. I needed something to burn my throat and make me feel light. Tequila does it for me. 

Getting Aria back in my space seems like the perfect gift from the goddess. She probably thinks it would be better for me to get exactly what I want from a familiar source. 

Aria sure has bad luck, if we are to put it right. Just when I had decided to let her go the first time, to save her from an impending heartbreak. A situation brought her back to me again; that is just perfect. 

Leaning into the chair as I twirled in it, I let the soft breeze through the window blow my face and soothe my thoughts. 

I immersed myself in work while taking note of the time she would arrive. Blocking out all distractions, I focused on the things I needed to take care of. 

A small knock came on the other side of the door, and it squeaked open. I could smell her, even though the smell was odd. I knew it was Aria. 

Checking my wristwatch, I saw it was almost time for dinner.

"Stay put right there," I told her as she made her way towards me, making her stand in the middle of the room. From my observation, she looks a bit better.

"Yes, Alpha Kyle." She mumbled under her breath 

I snorted, "I really can't believe I am experiencing this right now. How exactly would my supposed mate have two different scents? Do you have an actual explanation for that?" 

She looked down for a brief second, "I exchanged my wolf for that of my adoptive sister." 

As much as I hate to admit it, there is no doubt my one of the scents belongs to my actual mate. It was just too strong to pass by it. Hearing her talk about it for the first time had me curious about what she must have plunged her hands into.

"Which implies you were involved in witchcraft?" I asked, amused.

It's known around the werewolf history that some people indulge in wolf exchange as a means to get a stronger wolf in place of a weak one. Or probably the one that possesses a special ability. Most times, the ones whose wolf gets exchanged with that of the other are mostly unaware of what they possess. Unless they are forced to do so. 

What I don't understand is why Aria had hers exchanged. It's obvious she was aware of the rite. But, maybe not totally aware. It's none of my business, actually. 

Fear lingered in her eyes as she looked up at me again, "I swear to you, I had no idea. They made me do it. I thought it was the right thing to do for my family. Please spare me." 

It disgusts me how weak she is, not even a hint of bravery. "is this why you were about to be executed at your pack by your supposed boyfriend?"

Aria sniffed, teary-eyed. "It was all a plot against me. I know nothing about it. I am so grateful you saved me." 

A loud laugh escaped my lips. "What in the world? Why would I save you?" 

Her eyes fluttered, "because I am your mate?" 

"Not on your life." The shocked look on her face felt satisfying to me... "I didn't save you because you are my mate or anything like that. I saved you because I need you to do something for me."

She looked taken aback, "why then did you save me? How did you find me?" 

I hummed, "let's just say I have been trailing you for a while. Knowing you would be of great help to me. It's a good thing I was there on time; your existence would have been a total waste."

"What do you want from me?" 

"I want you to birth a child for me," I said in the most audacious tone I could muster.