3- Aiden’s Torment

Aiden

I pace the length of my cabin, my thoughts in turmoil. It’s been hours since I left her in the forest, and yet, I can’t get her out of my mind. Her scent, her wide, innocent eyes, the way she looked at me with that mix of fear and something else—something I can’t quite put my finger on. It’s maddening.

She’s just a human, I tell myself. Weak, fragile, the very thing I’ve spent my life hating. My parents died because of her kind, and I’ve made it my mission to protect my pack from them. And yet, here I am, obsessed with a girl I should despise.

My wolf is restless, prowling beneath the surface, demanding action. It doesn’t understand why I didn’t take her then and there, why I let her go. But the human part of me is just as confused, torn between the instinct to claim her and the knowledge that she’s dangerous—not because she can hurt me, but because she makes me feel things I’ve sworn to bury.

I slam my fist against the wall, the wood creaking under the force. This is wrong. Everything about this is wrong. I’m the alpha—I’m supposed to be in control, yet I feel like I’m spiraling, like she’s already inside my head, twisting my thoughts and desires.

I can’t afford this. I can’t afford to be distracted by some human girl, especially not now. The pack is already on edge, and any sign of weakness could lead to challenges I’m not prepared to face. They don’t know about her, but they will if I’m not careful. And if they find out… no, I can’t let that happen.

But how do I stay away from her? Every instinct I have is pulling me back to that forest, back to her. I can still smell her, feel the softness of her skin under my fingers. It’s intoxicating, and that terrifies me more than anything else.

The door to my cabin creaks open, and I whirl around, my wolf bristling with anger at the intrusion. It’s Caleb, one of my most trusted pack members, but right now, even he isn’t welcome.

“What is it?” I snap, my voice harsher than I intend.

Caleb raises an eyebrow, but he doesn’t flinch. He’s used to my moods, used to the temper that comes with being alpha. “You’ve been in here for hours,” he says, his tone calm, measured. “The pack is getting restless. They can sense something’s off.”

I grit my teeth, trying to tamp down the irritation. Of course, they can. My emotions are bleeding into the pack bond, something I’ve always been able to control until now. But today, it’s like everything is slipping through my fingers.

“I’m fine,” I lie, knowing he won’t believe me.

He crosses his arms, leaning against the doorframe. “You don’t look fine. You look like you’re about to tear this place apart.”

I glare at him, but it’s half-hearted. He’s right, and we both know it. “It’s nothing,” I say, trying to brush it off. “Just… tired.”

“Tired?” Caleb repeats, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Since when does the great Aiden get tired?”

I growl, more out of frustration than anything else. Caleb is one of the few who can get away with teasing me, but right now, it’s the last thing I need. “I said it’s nothing.”

He studies me for a moment, his gaze sharp. “Does this have anything to do with the human girl you were watching?”

My heart skips a beat, and I struggle to keep my expression neutral. “What girl?”

He shrugs, though I can see the curiosity in his eyes. “The one you’ve been stalking in the woods. Don’t think I haven’t noticed. You’ve been acting strange ever since she showed up.”

I narrow my eyes at him, my wolf growling in the back of my mind. “Stay out of it, Caleb.”

He holds up his hands in a gesture of peace, but there’s a knowing look in his eyes that sets my teeth on edge. “I’m just saying, Aiden, if she’s causing you this much trouble, maybe you should deal with it.”

His words hit a nerve, and I feel a surge of anger. “I don’t need your advice,” I snap. “I know how to handle this.”

He raises an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced, but he doesn’t push it. “Fine. But whatever it is, you need to get it under control. The pack’s loyalty isn’t something you can take for granted, especially not now.”

I clench my fists, knowing he’s right. The pack’s loyalty is everything, and if they sense any weakness in me, it could lead to challenges I’m not ready to face. But what he doesn’t understand is that this isn’t just about loyalty or power. It’s about something deeper, something I can’t even begin to explain.

“Don’t worry about the pack,” I say, my voice cold. “I’ll handle it.”

Caleb hesitates, then nods. “Alright. But if you need help…”

“I don’t.”

He gives me one last look before turning and leaving the cabin, closing the door quietly behind him. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, my shoulders tense with frustration.

I know I need to get this under control. I can’t afford to let a human girl get under my skin, especially not now. But the more I try to push her out of my mind, the stronger the pull becomes. It’s like she’s already a part of me, and no matter how much I fight it, I can’t shake her loose.

I sink into the chair by the window, staring out at the darkened forest. Somewhere out there, she’s probably going about her life, completely unaware of the storm she’s stirred inside me. Completely unaware of the danger she’s in just by existing.

I know what I need to do. I need to end this before it starts, before she becomes a threat to everything I’ve built. But as I sit here, the thought of going back to that forest and seeing her again fills me with a sense of dread and anticipation that I can’t ignore.

My wolf stirs restlessly, and I know that if I go back, I won’t be able to stop myself. I’ll take her, claim her, and that will only lead to more problems—problems I can’t afford.

But the alternative… the thought of never seeing her again, never feeling that strange connection, is unbearable. It’s a madness I can’t explain, and it’s tearing me apart.

For now, I’ll stay away. I’ll focus on the pack, on maintaining control, on being the alpha they need me to be. But deep down, I know it’s only a matter of time. The pull is too strong, the connection too deep. Sooner or later, I’ll give in, and when I do…

God help us both.