Chapter 9 The Confession

A force I had never felt before, a primal pull, beckoned me to stay. My head screamed at me to seize the chance at freedom, but my heart yearned for him, for the monster who had become my captor, my savior, my...?

And then, I did the unthinkable. With a surge of courage and desperation, I flung my arms around him, pulling him into a desperate, all-consuming embrace.

My heart raced, and my soul screamed, as I held him tight, pouring every ounce of my being into the hug. I felt his body stiffen in surprise, his muscles tensing like stone as he was taken aback by the unexpected embrace.

But I refused to let go, my arms wrapped around him like a vice, holding him close as if I'd never let him go again.

His fists clenched at his sides as if he struggled to restrain himself from reciprocating the embrace. But then, like a balm to his soul, my name fell from my lips:

"Aria…” I whispered

“Aria Marie Ashwood is my name."

The sound seemed to shatter his reserve, his body loosening, his tension easing as if the mere mention of my name was a soothing balm.

"I won't leave you," I continued, my voice muffled against his chest, my tears soaking into his shirt.

"Aria won't leave you, Romain."

The words poured out as a promise, a vow, a declaration of devotion. I felt his heart racing, his pulse pounding, as he slowly raised his arms, encircling me in a hesitant embrace.

The world around us melted away, leaving only the two of us, lost in the intensity of the moment. Time stood still as we clung to each other, our hearts beating as one, our souls entwined in a dance of desperation and longing.

"When he finally spoke, his deep voice caressed my name, 'Aria'. It sounded like music to my ears.

The way it rolled off his lips, rich and husky, sent shivers down my spine.

It was as if he had awakened a new depth of emotion within me, and I felt my heart flutter in response."

"I want to keep you," he whispered, his warm breath caressing my skin as he gently brushed the strands of hair away from my face.

"I want to protect you, claim you, and cherish you. I want to be the one you turn to for comfort, the one who holds you close and makes you feel safe."

He traced the curve of my jawline with his fingertips, his touch sending shivers down my spine.

"I want to wake up every morning with you by my side, to feel your warm embrace and watch the moonlight dance across your face. I want to explore the world with you, to hold your hand and bask in the soft glow of the moon's gentle light."

His eyes locked onto mine, burning with intensity.

"I love you, Aria, I love you with every fiber of my being. I want to be your haven, your home, your forever."

"My heart skipped a beat as he spoke, his words weaving a spell of enchantment around me. I felt like I was drowning in the depths of his eyes, yet simultaneously floating on air.

"I'm just a slave, Romain," I said, my voice laced with bitterness and shame. "How can you love someone like me?"

Romain's eyes flashed with hurt, and he placed his hands on my lips, his touch gentle but firm.

"Shhh, Aria," he whispered, his voice filled with warmth and understanding. "Don't say that.

You're my mate, and that's all that matters to me.

When our eyes met for the first time you were thrown into my lair, I felt the mate connection that my wolf Roma couldn't feel. That's why he pounced on you, to devour you, its strength rendered me powerless so I couldn't convince him you're ours.

But suddenly, you lit up the darkness that brewed in him for decades, and he calmed down.

Right now, all I know is that you're my mate, and you being a slave doesn't matter to me."

His finger grazed my chin, a whisper of a touch that sent a flutter through my chest. Without thinking, I licked my lips, a nervous habit that betrayed my inner turmoil and before I realized it, his mouth claimed mine, as if my involuntary gesture had been an unspoken invitation.

His lips were soft and gentle, yet insistent, as they coaxed mine to respond. He started with a soft, gentle pressure, his lips brushing against mine in a tender caress.

Then, he deepened the kiss, his mouth opening slightly as he drew me in. Our lips moved in perfect harmony, a slow, sensual waltz that left me breathless.

I parted my lips to catch my breath, and he seized the moment to slide his tongue into my mouth, teasing mine with gentle strokes.

The sensation sent shivers down my spine, like a whispered promise of secrets to come. The kiss was like a slow-burning flame, warm and tender, yet full of smoldering promise.

It was a kiss that spoke of longing and desire, of secrets and unspoken dreams.

As our lips finally parted, he growled, his voice low and tortured.

“Fuck, Aria, don't tempt me like that again. Your lips are a flame that ignites a fire I can barely control and the way you licked your lips, so innocently yet so alluringly, is a temptation I can barely resist.

Don't do that again, or I swear I'll be completely consumed by my passion for you.”

I was reeling, my mind racing with the intensity of the moment. Did we just kiss? I thought, my fingers tracing the shape of my lips, still tingling from the kiss.

The kiss sparked a jolt of electricity, and I felt my heart race with a mix of fear and excitement. I couldn't deny the chemistry between us, the raw attraction that threatened to consume us both.

His eyes still burned with a fierce intensity, a warning that he was barely holding back the tide of his desires. I knew in that moment, if I wasn't careful, I'd be swept away by the passion that simmered between us, like a stormy sea waiting to engulf me whole."

"My voice was barely a whisper as I spoke, my eyes cast downward in embarrassment. 'I didn't mean to lick my lips,' I murmured, my cheeks flushing with a subtle blush. 'It was just a nervous habit of mine.'

I couldn't meet his gaze, fearing the intensity of his eyes would only make me more flustered."

"It's okay, Aria," Romain replied, his eyes still burning with intensity. "I'm sorry for kissing you. I know you didn't expect it, but I couldn't help myself."

I looked up at him, my heart still racing from the kiss, and whispered "I'm okay.”

"I promise you, I won't make any future advances unless you permit me to." Romain's expression softened as the words fell from his mouth.

Thank you, Romain… I said with a weak smile

"Aria, can you feel your wolf's presence?" Romain asked, his brow furrowed in concern, his voice gentle and probing.

I hesitated, my voice barely above a whisper. "No, Romain... I was supposed to shift at 18, but our pack was attacked, and... I don't know if the trauma has suppressed my wolf's awakening."

Romain's eyes filled with empathy, and he asked, "And how old are you now, my love? How many moons have passed since your pack was taken from you?"

I whispered, "I'm 20,... two years have passed since the attack."

Romain's expression turned thoughtful, his eyes calculating the weight of my words. "I see.

Well, we'll figure it out together, Aria. I promise you that." He kissed my forehead, his lips a gentle whisper of comfort.

"It's late, my love. Why don't you take a shower, rest, and let your worries fade away? I'll step out for a while, but I'll be back soon," Romain said, his voice gentle and soothing.

I smiled, feeling a flutter in my chest. "Come soon, Romain."

His expression softened, and he reached out to brush a strand of hair behind my ear. "I will, my love. You're my mate, Aria. And once you get to feel your wolf, you'll understand how I feel for you.

You'll see that my love for you is unconditional, just like the bond between mates."

"I want to believe you, Romain," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Romain's eyes locked onto mine, burning with intensity. "Believe me, Aria. I'll do everything I can to make you happy.

I'll start by setting you free from the chains of slavery. You deserve to be loved, cherished, and respected. And I promise to do just that."

My heart skipped a beat at his words, and a glimmer of hope ignited within me. Maybe, just maybe, I had found a way out of the darkness and into a brighter future, with Romain by my side.

As I washed my hands and face with rosewater and soap in the basin, my mind lingered on Sophia's cruelty and her attempts to eliminate me.

Yet, here I was, in the arms of my savior - the Dark Prince, my mate. My cheeks flushed as I recalled the kiss and his sweet words.

'Thank you, Moon Goddess,' I whispered, drying myself with a linen towel.

But, just as I relaxed, a low, husky voice whispered in my ear, 'The time is near, Aria. Your destiny is calling.'

I spun around, startled, but there was no one in sight. The bathroom seemed to grow heavier, the air thickening with an eerie presence.

With a voice trembling like a leaf, I whispered, 'Please, show yourself!' I pleaded, recognizing the voice that sent shivers down my spine like a cold winter breeze.

It was the same voice I had heard in the dark cell, the one I had dismissed as my imagination playing tricks on me.

But this time, there was no mistaking its gentle resonance. The voice was clear, and it was beckoning me with an otherworldly allure.

'What do you want from me?' I asked my voice barely above a whisper, my heart racing with anticipation and wonder.