5- MUSIC FOR MY HEART

SEVEN YEARS AGO...

"Do you have a favourite song?" Aria inquired, walking backward to face Xavier.

The evening embraced them as they strolled along a cobblestone path, surrounded by walls of lush green foliage. The lamppost's gentle glow illuminated their way. Xavier chuckled in response.

"Must I have a favourite song?"

"Absolutely," Aria affirmed, but her foot caught on a broken cobblestone, nearly causing her to stumble. Xavier, swift as ever, caught her just in time.

He steadied her, his hands gently gripping hers, a touch of concern in his furrowed brow. "Are you alright?" he inquired.

"Of course. I didn't even hit the ground."

"Aria, I've reminded you numerous times to walk facing forward. You nearly fell, and if I hadn't been quick, you might have injured yourself."

Aria playfully jabbed his chest. "You worry too much. But as long as you are with me, I won't be falling. I want to see your face whenever I can, for the times when I won't be able to."

Xavier came to a halt, causing Aria to stop as well. His eyes penetrating hers, their eyes locking in a silent exchange, as moments passed them. Then, Xavier gently reached for her face, his hand cradling it as he stroked her cheeks with his thumb.

"I've asked you not to say things like that," he whispered. "I won't give up on us, no matter what."

Aria leaned into his touch, rubbing her cheek against the warmth of his palm. "I know you won't want to give up on me, and I won't either. But we can't predict the future. You're going to be an Alpha someday, and I'm an Omega."

"It doesn't matter, Aria. Our love can defy fate," Xavier said with desperation in his voice.

"What if we wolf out and find our destined mates?"

"We can reject them and be together forever. You might not believe it, but I can't imagine a future without you in it."

Aria saw the sincerity in his eyes. They were both addicted to each other, but she knew they were only kids and have a lot ahead of them. Xavier would be faced with so many responsibilities and fighting for her might not even become important. That was the harsh reality. There was a significant gap in their social statuses. Xavier liked to live in the present, while she looked toward the future.

"I love you so much, Xavier," Aria confessed, tears pooling in her eyes as her voice trembled. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

"You will, okay?" Xavier reassured, gazing deeply into her eyes. "I promise you; nothing will come between us. Nothing."

Aria believed him and resolved to cast aside her pessimism. She would cherish the present and keep their love alive. "Nothing will come between us," she affirmed.

"I love you so much, Aria. Always have that in mind." Xavier leaned in and kissed her gently.

Aria went all watery knees and misty thoughts. Xavier has a way of making that meeting of lips into a long, slow shimmer. A kindling rather than an explosion. His touch and his lips always had that effect on her, no matter how many times he had kissed her. Xavier wrapped his arm around her waist, drawing her closer as though his arms could shield her from the future itself. All her doubts about their future faded away as they kissed. After a while, they parted, and Xavier looked into her eyes, charming her with his boyish grin.

What did she do to deserve him? Aria wondered.

"Did I manage to convince you?" he asked.

She chuckled and rubbed his hand on her cheek. "You have a confident way of being very convincing." He nodded, and a sudden wave of fatigue washed over Aria. She felt like crawling into bed and falling into a long sleep. "I feel so tired."

"Why wouldn't you, after losing all that blood? Come," Xavier left her cheeks, held her hands and stared at the scars on her wrists for a while, but said nothing, and then he turned his back to her and lowered himself slightly, gesturing for her to climb onto his back. "Let's get you some iron tonic."

"I don't need it," Aria protested.

"Of course, you do." He gestured for her to climb on.

"I weigh more than I look."

"Same here. Get on."

Aria slowly climbed onto his back, and he rose to his feet, securing her legs with his arms. She rested her head on his shoulders, feeling warmth and peace envelop her.

"You know," Xavier murmured as he started walking, "I'll always be your support when you need it."

"Mhm," Aria agreed. "I'll always be your shoulder to lean on."

"I'll always be the eyes you rely on in the darkness."

"I'll always be the hands you hold onto for support," Aria mumbled, her sleepiness increasing.

"I'll always be your rock—"

Aria interrupted him, asking, "You haven't answered my question yet."

"What question is that?"

"What's your favourite music?"

"I don't have one," Xavier replied.

Their voices dropped to mere whispers, intended for each other's ears alone.

Aria huffed and held Xavier's chest tighter. "Yet you claim to love music."

"I do love music. I haven't really thought about which one I like the most because all the music I listen to is exceptional."

"That's why it's called your favourite. There's one that you feel speaks to your soul."

"Do you have one?"

"Yes, it's called 'Only You' by Justus Barber."

As thunder rumbled in the distance and lightning streaked across the sky, Aria squealed behind Xavier's back. He looked up at the darkening sky, a hint of worry in his eyes. Rain was something he didn't particularly welcome; it brought back memories he would rather forget.

"Why are you happy about the rain?" he asked.

"It's going to rain soon, and I love the feeling of it. When it rains, I run out and let it wash away my fears and anxieties."

Rain was a source of dread for Xavier, but he wouldn't share that with Aria now. Her happiness was his priority, and since she had so few moments of joy in her life, he wouldn't be the one to deny her this chance. He nodded.

"Me too. Should we dance in the rain, then?"

"Really?" Aria's voice was now wide awake.

"To your favourite song," Xavier added.

Aria jumped down from his back, facing him, and planted a deep kiss on his cheek. "You're the best."

She retrieved her music player from her backpack, played Justus Barber's song, and tucked her backpack under the foliage. As if on cue, the rain began to fall. Aria took Xavier's hands, closed her eyes, and tilted her face to the sky, while Xavier fought to keep his fears at bay. When she opened her eyes and locked them onto his, he drew strength from her gaze, holding her hands tighter. Before long, Xavier's fears dissipated as they twirled, hands intertwined and laughing heartily under the rain. He spun Aria and pulled her close, hugging her from behind.

"Why do you call me Aria? My name is Ariana," she asked.

"Because you are the melodious music that my heart has always longed to compose," he whispered in her ear.

"I've been happier since I met you, Xavier."

"Same here, my Aria."

She turned to face him, leaning in for a kiss. He let her kiss him, let her take the lead. Then, he lifted her off the ground, making her straddle him. They kissed under the rain for a while before Aria pulled away.

"If you ever move on without me, I want you to know that you're the only one I'll ever love."

***

PRESENT DAY...

Aria's thoughts were lost in a sea of memories when a sudden deep voice broke through her reverie.

"Are you alright?"

Startled, she spun around to face a tall, imposing figure with the deepest blue eyes she had ever seen. His long hair was intricately braided into three large cornrows, adding to his aura of strength. Clad in a green vest that hugged his muscular chest, he stood before her, his presence commanding attention. Aria momentarily forgot her manners as she found herself captivated by the chiselled features of his face—his straight nose, thick eyebrows, high cheekbones, and full, expressive lips. She had to remind herself that he might be a high-ranking werewolf, and it was not customary to lock eyes with them.

"You look pale and dizzy, are you okay?" His voice held genuine concern, clouding his rugged features.

Aria realised that she had been hyperventilating, lost in memories of Xavier and their past. She hastily wiped away her tears, attempting to ignore the handsome stranger. He stretched out his hand and caught her. She hadn't even realised she was swaying. Everyone else was inside having a blast of their life, while she was merely alive. She wriggled out of his hold and attempted to thank him for his concern. However, pain overwhelmed her, and her knees bulked. Before she could fall, the stranger reached out and caught her again.

"Okay, I have something to help you," he said, retrieving a bar of pills from a weathered leather satchel slung across his chest. "Here, take some of these. I use them when I'm feeling anxious."

Aria took the pills from him, not bothering to count them, and popped them into her mouth, chewing them with desperation. "I need to sto... stop the pain," she whispered as the waves of emotional agony crashed over her.

The stranger nodded, his face a portrait of understanding. "I'll help you," he offered. "Do you have a room?"

Aria nodded, unable to find her voice. He provided support, guiding her along the lengthy balcony toward her room. As the effects of the medication began to kick in, she started feeling better and became aware of the potential danger. He was a stranger, and he was leading her to her private space.

"I'm a warrior from Snowpack, Alpha Xavier's right-hand man. My name is Malik," he introduced himself, almost as if he could read her thoughts.

"Oh," Aria mumbled, relaxing a bit. "Thank you for your help tonight. I really appreciate it." She couldn't recall the last time someone had spoken to her with such kindness.

"I apologise for the way Xavier treated you this evening," Malik said. He is not usually like that. He just bears this grudge against Omegas, but it's not personal."

Aria nodded, stifling a sad, ironic laugh. If only he knew how deeply personal it was. She knew that Xavier's behaviour wasn't typical, and the grudge was far more personal than Malik realised. "I'll take it from here," she said. "I'm feeling better now. Thank you, again, Malik."

Malik nodded. "Goodnight, Aria."

"Goodnight, Malik."

With that, Malik walked away, leaving Aria to watch his retreating figure as he disappeared into the night.