I felt a mixture of emotions, each one battling for dominance. I wanted to push him away, to keep him at a safe distance. But there was also a pull, a strange, undeniable attraction that made it impossible to deny him. “I don’t have to prove anything,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady, though I could feel my resolve slipping. He smirked, leaning in closer until I could feel his breath against my skin. “Then why are you still here?” he murmured, his eyes flicking down to my lips. “If you truly didn’t want this, you would have walked away by now.” The truth of his words stung, and I hated that he was right. I wanted to deny it, to claim that this was all a game, a twisted power play that meant nothing to me. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t true. I cared. I cared more than I wanted to admit. My mind raced, battling against the swirling emotions he’d stirred up within me, heart pounding, breath catching, caught between the desire to push him away and an undeniable pull that h
I was still catching my breath, my mind reeling from the intensity of the moment. His words echoed in my ears, filling the silence around us, sinking in deep."This is what it means to be mine."His voice was rough, each word threaded with possession, and it left me both shaken and intrigued. I wanted to say something, anything that would cut through the tension filling the room, but the words died in my throat. Instead, I stared at him, searching his gaze for something beyond that fierce intensity. For a brief second, I thought I saw a flicker of vulnerability, something raw, almost hesitant—but then it was gone, replaced by that same confident, unreadable mask."Isabella," he murmured, his hand brushing lightly against my cheek, grounding me. "Are you afraid?"The question caught me off guard, and I forced myself to look him in the eye, unsure of how to answer. *Was I afraid?* Afraid of him? Or of what I felt when I was with him? The truth was, it was both. But I couldn’t bring myse
It had been two weeks since the night Aiden asked me that unexpected question, and now, finally, we were on the eve of leaving to meet my mother. The days had felt strangely calm, almost as if the world had decided to give us a brief respite from all the turmoil and intensity that had defined our relationship. I thought that becoming Aiden's Luna would make everything harder—make me feel more cornered, more pressured—but it had been almost the opposite.Everyone, from the pack members to the maids, had treated me with genuine warmth and kindness. They were patient, even in moments where I fumbled over the things I didn’t know—their world still feeling foreign to me. Aiden, in his own way, had tried to make things as comfortable as possible. He had arranged for a personal maid, Alina, to help me navigate my new responsibilities. Alina had taken her role to heart, always checking in on me, ensuring I had everything I needed. Though I often felt overwhelmed by the attention, her kindness
The night went as smoothly as I had hoped, perhaps even better. The dinner felt almost surreal—like we had stepped out of the intensity of our roles for a moment and into something simpler. As we talked, I found myself opening up to Aiden more than I ever had. He was surprisingly easy to talk to, his gaze softening as he listened to me speak. We talked about everything, from the complexities of being Luna to the things that scared me about this new life. And as the conversation flowed, I realized that things were not as complicated as I had made them out to be. The fear that had coiled around my heart seemed to loosen, if only a little."You know," Aiden said, his eyes meeting mine with a faint grin, "I almost booked the entire restaurant tonight. I thought it would make things easier for you."I blinked, taken aback. "You... what?"He chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, Marcus talked me out of it. Said it would probably make you feel awkward." His lips quirked into a smirk. "I suppose
Today felt surreal. A hush settled over my mind, a peace I hadn’t known in ages. Leaning against Aiden, wrapped in his arms, the world ceased to exist beyond the rhythmic beat of his heart under my ear. I closed my eyes, inhaling the crisp autumn air mixed with his familiar scent, a blend of cedarwood and spice that felt like home.“It feels like a dream I never want to wake up from,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.Aiden looked down at me, his gaze soft and intense all at once. A light smile played on his lips, and he tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “It’s not a dream, Isabella. This is our reality,” he said, his voice deep and reassuring.His words felt like a promise, a vow that this wasn’t just a fleeting moment but a snippet of our future together. A shiver coursed through me, not from the cold, but from the intensity of what was becoming of us. A chuckle escaped him as he felt my reaction, his breath warm against the top of my head.“Let’s go, before you
Today felt surreal. A hush settled over my mind, a peace I hadn’t known in ages. Leaning against Aiden, wrapped in his arms, the world ceased to exist beyond the rhythmic beat of his heart under my ear. I closed my eyes, inhaling the crisp autumn air mixed with his familiar scent, a blend of cedarwood and spice that felt like home. “It feels like a dream I never want to wake up from,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. Aiden looked down at me, his gaze soft and intense all at once. A light smile played on his lips, and he tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “It’s not a dream, Isabella. This is our reality,” he said, his voice deep and reassuring. His words felt like a promise, a vow that this wasn’t just a fleeting moment but a snippet of our future together. A shiver coursed through me, not from the cold, but from the intensity of what was becoming of us. A chuckle escaped him as he felt my reaction, his breath warm against the top of my head. “Let’s go, before
The taste of him still lingered on my lips, intoxicating and electric, as Aiden pulled away, leaving just enough space for air to slip between us. His breathing was ragged, the restraint in his eyes a testament to the storm he was fighting within. The silence crackled with the weight of what had just passed, and neither of us moved, suspended in the spell that bound us.The mansion loomed behind us, its shadowed windows like silent witnesses to our moment. The cool night breeze grazed my skin, a contrast to the heat pooling in my veins. Aiden's thumb brushed my cheek, rough and tender, as if memorizing the feel of me in this moment. “I wasn’t planning this,” he murmured, his voice hoarse and low. “But with you, all my plans unravel.”A shiver ran through me, not from the cold but from the truth that seeped into his words. I reached up, fingers tracing the strong line of his jaw. “Then let it unravel,” I whispered back, emboldened by the depth of his gaze. His eyes darkened, an unrea
There was no time for doubt. He put me back on my legs and I wobbled to gain control over my body but he was on me in an instant, one arm looping around my waist and pulling me flush against him. His lips claimed mine in a kiss that was rough, demanding, and all-consuming. A low growl rumbled in his chest, vibrating against my body as I pressed into him, needing more. “Isabella,” he said, my name like a warning, but his hands spoke a different language as they roamed over my body, fingers digging into my hips with a possessive grip that made me gasp. “You have no idea what you do to me.” His voice, deep and husky, sent shivers racing down my spine, but before I could respond, he spun me around, pressing my back against the cold wall. His hands framed my face, tilting it up so that I had no choice but to meet his gaze. The hunger in his eyes made my pulse race, a silent acknowledgment of the wild edge we both craved. “You’re mine,” he said, each word punctuated by the heat in his g
Aiden’s gaze swept over me, his eyes a tempest of dark fire, each flicker holding back a storm of rage not meant for me, but threatening to spill out all the same. He was a fortress in turmoil, his facade barely containing the seething fury beneath. His jaw was set, his stance rigid, each muscle tensed as if ready to spring into a battle he was forced to withhold. “You shouldn’t be here, Isabella,” he said, his voice a low growl that vibrated with a barely restrained intensity. His eyes then darted to the two men who had shifted uncomfortably, their own eyes darting away from my gaze, clearly intimidated by Aiden’s overt protectiveness. I felt a perverse thrill at his possessiveness, a primal approval of his concern for my safety, yet I knew this was neither the time nor the place. Aiden cleared his throat, a sound meant to redirect my attention, and it snapped me back to the gravity of the situation. “No, I—” I started, stumbling over my words. The truth was treacherous territory
“That’s a relief,” he chuckled, his hand finding mine over the center console, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I’m glad she sees that my intentions are good.” I squeezed his hand back, the simple touch sending a current of gratitude through me. “She does. And it means the world to me that you were there, that you’re here now.” Aiden’s smile didn’t wane as he turned the car onto the highway, the sparse traffic allowing him a moment to glance my way. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else, Isabella. You know that.” I nodded, watching the scenery blur past us. The night was clear, the stars scattered across the sky like dusted silver, and I felt a pull to share more with him—to dive into the depths of my thoughts and emotions. “It’s just…” I hesitated, searching for the right words. “Today made me realize how much I’ve changed. How much we’ve changed, together. I used to feel like an outsider everywhere I went. But with you, I’m home.” Aiden’s grip on my hand tightened.We drove in comfort
The first sense that stirred as consciousness crept back was the emptiness on Aiden’s side of the bed. I didn’t remember what time we had fallen asleep, but the vague recollection of his arms wrapped securely around me lingered in my mind like the remnants of a comforting dream. However, the cool, vacant sheets next to me sharply snapped me back to reality. Opening my eyes to the morning light filtering through the curtains, I immediately searched the expanse of the bed for Aiden, but he wasn’t there. His absence was like a void. The lingering scent on his pillow was the only evidence of his presence from the night before. I rolled over, burying my face into it, inhaling deeply. His familiar scent—a mix of sandalwood and something uniquely Aiden—filled my senses, offering a temporary comfort. I lay there, the silence of the room enveloping me, letting the minutes tick by. With each second, the warmth of his scent waned, and the reality of his absence grew. Finally, I couldn’t bear t
The first sense that stirred as consciousness crept back was the emptiness on Aiden’s side of the bed. I didn’t remember what time we had fallen asleep, but the vague recollection of his arms wrapped securely around me lingered in my mind like the remnants of a comforting dream. However, the cool, vacant sheets next to me sharply snapped me back to reality.Opening my eyes to the morning light filtering through the curtains, I immediately searched the expanse of the bed for Aiden, but he wasn’t there. His absence was like a void. The lingering scent on his pillow was the only evidence of his presence from the night before. I rolled over, burying my face into it, inhaling deeply. His familiar scent—a mix of sandalwood and something uniquely Aiden—filled my senses, offering a temporary comfort.I lay there, the silence of the room enveloping me, letting the minutes tick by. With each second, the warmth of his scent waned, and the reality of his absence grew. Finally, I couldn’t bear the
“That’s a relief,” he chuckled, his hand finding mine over the center console, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I’m glad she sees that my intentions are good.” I squeezed his hand back, the simple touch sending a current of gratitude through me. “She does. And it means the world to me that you were there, that you’re here now.” Aiden’s smile didn’t wane as he turned the car onto the highway, the sparse traffic allowing him a moment to glance my way. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else, Isabella. You know that.” I nodded, watching the scenery blur past us. The night was clear, the stars scattered across the sky like dusted silver, and I felt a pull to share more with him—to dive into the depths of my thoughts and emotions. “It’s just…” I hesitated, searching for the right words. “Today made me realize how much I’ve changed. How much we’ve changed, together. I used to feel like an outsider everywhere I went. But with you, I’m home.” Aiden’s grip on my hand tightened.We drove in comfortable s
The car’s headlights cut through the darkness as we left the orphanage, the comforting presence of old friends and the familiar backdrop fading into the night. The drive back to the mansion that I’d slowly begun to call home was quieter than usual, yet filled with a resonant peace that settled around Aiden and me like a soft shawl.“I can’t believe how well today went,” I started, my voice tinged with wonder and relief. I glanced over at Aiden, who was focused on the road, the soft glow of the dashboard lights casting gentle shadows across his face. “It felt so good to talk with my mother about everything—well, almost everything.”Aiden’s slight smile grew as he listened, his eyes reflecting a warmth that drew me further into my recount. “And she seems to really like you,” I added, my tone lifting with pride.“That’s a relief,” he chuckled, his hand finding mine over the center console, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I’m glad she sees that my intentions are good.”I squeezed his hand ba
As we settled around the table, the buzz of conversation filling the room, I began to share my journey or should I say the lies I had build in my mind just in case for the moments like these. I spoke of the cities and the sights, my words painting a picture of freedom and discovery. But I carefully chose my words, the reasons why I had really left, and the secrets that Aiden and I shared. Aiden, meanwhile, ate quietly, his presence a steady calm next to my animated storytelling. Every now and then, he would chime in with a comment or a clarification, his voice smooth and engaging. The group was visibly taken with him, their questions turning from my travels to how we had met. “It’s actually quite a story,” Aiden began, the corners of his eyes crinkling in amusement. “You see, Isabella literally bumped into me in a coffee shop.” Laughter rippled around the table, and I felt a bubble of laugh making its way to my throat at the thought of Aiden making up a story of how we met. “I w
As we settled around the table, the buzz of conversation filling the room, I began to share my journey or should I say the lies I had build in my mind just in case for the moments like these. I spoke of the cities and the sights, my words painting a picture of freedom and discovery. But I carefully chose my words, the reasons why I had really left, and the secrets that Aiden and I shared. Aiden, meanwhile, ate quietly, his presence a steady calm next to my animated storytelling. Every now and then, he would chime in with a comment or a clarification, his voice smooth and engaging. The group was visibly taken with him, their questions turning from my travels to how we had met. “It’s actually quite a story,” Aiden began, the corners of his eyes crinkling in amusement. “You see, Isabella literally bumped into me in a coffee shop.” Laughter rippled around the table, and I felt a bubble of laugh making its way to my throat at the thought of Aiden making up a story of how we met. “I w
As the sun dipped below the horizon, bathing the orphanage in hues of orange and pink, my mother stood in the doorway, her expression a mix of hesitancy and determination. “Will you both stay for dinner?” she asked, her voice carrying a hopeful note that tugged at my heart. I glanced at Aiden, expecting resistance. He was a man of particular habits, unaccustomed to impromptu changes or the chaotic warmth of my past life. But to my surprise, he nodded. “We’d love to,” he said, his voice calm and reassuring. My mother’s smile lit up her face, and something inside me unfurled—a tension I hadn’t realized I was holding. “Wonderful,” she said. “I’ll set up the dining hall.” As she turned to make preparations, I felt Aiden’s hand squeeze mine briefly. “Are you happy?” he whispered, his eyes searching mine for any sign of distress. “Yes,” I replied, more to convince myself than him. “It’ll be good to catch up with everyone.” He nodded, his gaze lingering on me a moment longer before he r