3

AEROS

She... she became the centre of my attention the moment she walked into the bar and took a seat beside me. It was evident that she carried the weight of the world on her fragile shoulders. The more I observed her, the more I realized she was struggling hard to hold back tears.

I had come to the bar to unwind after a gruelling day at work, seeking a sanctuary where my beta, Jonathan, wouldn't find me. It was supposed to be a quiet evening until I crossed paths with a woman I initially found quite annoying. However, as she began to loosen up under the influence of alcohol, I found her strangely captivating.

There was an aura of innocence around her that piqued my interest, and something ignited a sense of dominance within me. It was an overwhelming urge to possess her, to break her, and which completely clouded my senses.

I loved how responsive she was to me. I reveled in the fact that the slightest touch from me could render her as moist as the ocean. Without knowing anything about her, I had already developed a sense of ownership over her. So, when I awoke and found myself lost in her captivating grey eyes, framed by her midnight-black, Jerry curls hair that I had tousled, I knew I had surrendered myself to her completely.

I would be damned to allow her to leave. I desired her, I wanted her. I craved her to be mine, to fuck, to be moulded and claimed as I saw fit. I yearned to possess her in every conceivable way. My intentions were clear, and I was determined to pursue them.

I wanted to explore every position imaginable with her, and on every surface available in the mansion.

"Uhmm... did we?" She glanced at me, then back at her half-naked body hidden beneath the blanket. I stretched my muscular arms but remained where I was, enjoying how close she was to me and the scent of her that filled my senses.

"Yeah, we most certainly did this time," I replied confidently, holding her gaze. Her cheeks flushed crimson, and she nervously bit down on her lip.

Watching her in this vulnerable state, so timid and fragile, only intensified my desire to possess her. The urge to claim her grew rapidly, almost alarmingly fast. How could a woman so petite have such a powerful hold over me?

"Do you regret it?" I inquired, and she blushed even deeper, avoiding eye contact.

She didn't give me a response, but I already knew the answer due to her body language, so I didn't push it any further.

"What's your name?" I asked, noticing her reluctance to meet my eyes. Dissatisfied with her evasion, I reached out and gently grasped her chin. With her face held in place, I stared deeply into her eyes and repeated my question, "What's your name?"

"Elarian," she replied softly, "Elarian Jordan." She looked like a scared little cat, reminding me all too much of someone I desperately wanted to forget.

"Aeros Hawthorne, Alpha Aeros Hawthorne of the Dark Moon Pack," I introduced myself. Her eyes widened in shock, and she might have tried to flee the bed if I hadn't restrained her.

"You're... you're him. You're Alpha Aeros, the... the... how did you..." She stammered.

I smirked. It was rare for people to react this way upon discovering my true identity as Aeros. My reputation wasn't exactly that of a benevolent leader; I was known for my ruthlessness and danger to the point where mothers used my name to frighten their children.

"A pleasure to meet you, Elarian," I responded with a smirk.

"How... how is this possible? A man like you can't be this far from his pack, and certainly not without security.”

I leaned in closer to get a good look at her face, a hint of amusement on my face, "Where exactly do you think we are? And do I appear as if I require security?"

"The bar wasn't far from my pack, and that's a long distance away from the Dark Moon pack, and... and... it's impossible for you to have travelled this far."

"This far?" I arched an eyebrow at her words. "That bar was on the outskirts, right at the border of my pack. So, I should be the one asking you what you were doing that far out," I explained, and her expression turned ghostly.

I had to stifle a laugh, not wanting to give away my amusement.

"So... so where are we?" She glanced around my room and then back at me.

"We're in my house, and, as you've already deduced, it's in the Dark Moon pack."

"Wait... what? How? I didn't... didn't drive around for long, and..."

Her words faded into the background as my attention remained fixated on her, a source of immense satisfaction.

"Why are you smiling?" She suddenly asked, snapping me back to reality. I hadn't realized that a smile had crept across my lips, so I quickly wiped it away.

"I have to go," she mumbled, hastily getting out of bed and scrambling to gather her clothes while still wrapped in the blanket.

"Where are you going?"

"Home," she replied, then turned around abruptly, freezing when she saw my bare chest and tattoos. Her mouth hung open for a moment before she averted her gaze.

"You can't leave this place without me."

"Why can't I?"

"Because I'm the Alpha, and I brought you here late at night. The security would detect you, and there's a good chance they'd take action by hanging you before I get downstairs," I explained, watching as she swallowed hard.

I rose from the bed and walked toward her. Her hair was disheveled, and she had nothing on but a blanket, yet she had never looked more beautiful. When we stood face to face, I felt something tugging at my heart.

"Mate!" My wolf growled inside me, and I couldn't ignore it. My hand froze midair, I wasn't so sure that I had heard right, and I was a bit disoriented. I needed to hear that word again. To my surprise, I did hear it again, loud and clear.

"The fuck, Ash. You can't possibly be serious," I muttered to my wolf inwardly, and I felt his restlessness.

Situations like this weren't supposed to catch us off guard, but this one did. I had once been mated to someone, but my inability to protect her had resulted in her loss, and I had never forgiven myself for it. In fact, I had sworn to never have another mate.

She stepped away from my touch and headed toward the door. Something clawed at my heart, and in that moment, I knew I couldn't let her simply walk away. I had to make her stay.

"Wait..." I called after her, and she stopped, her hand resting on the doorknob. Slowly, she removed it, and I continued, "I have a proposal, and if you agree, I'll take you home." The words tumbled out, and I hadn't even formulated a specific plan, but one instantly materialized in my head, and I was eager to set it in motion.

"What do you mean? What kind of proposal?"

"In exchange for the most luxurious life you can imagine, you would become my companion or, rather should I say PET."

"Excuse me," she shot me a skeptical look, "your pet!? Need I remind you that I'm not an object you can keep locked in a room."

"I never mentioned locking you up, but we can discuss arrangements if that's your preference," I retorted, a faint smirk playing on my lips.

"Relax, that was a joke, Hon. You will stay here, follow my lead, refer to me as master, and enjoy the best life that money and power can provide," I said seductively, approaching her and cupping her face in my palm.

She closed her eyes and nuzzled my palm unconsciously. It felt strangely satisfying to see her react this way without any ulterior motive. It was exactly what I needed.

"We'll draw up a contract, and then sign it," I added, and she looked up at me, a mix of confusion and fear in her eyes.

"Don't worry, I can't guarantee I won't bite, but trust me, I won't harm you," I reassured her, but she still wore a skeptical expression.

Asking her to consider my proposal was audacious. She didn't seem desperate for money, and she certainly didn't appear to be the type to agree to my plan. Nonetheless, I had to give it a try.

It was insane, but it was worth a try. I had been granted a chance, a unique opportunity handed down to me by the Moon Goddess herself. This was a chance to right the wrongs of my past, and it could only be possible if I kept her close.

She needed to stay within my grasp, and the fact that I loved how she made me feel was the icing on the cake.

"So, what do you say?" I asked, but she remained silent. I brought my face so close that our lips were just inches apart. I could feel her rapid breaths and hear her racing heartbeat.

"I... I need to... um... I have to gather my things and put myself in order." She replied, and Ash, my wolf, nearly jumped for joy. He let out an excited howl, but Elarian didn't hear it since our conversation was private.

"Remember, you told me yourself that your mate and best friend were in bed together. You have nothing to return to, nothing tying you to your old life. Everything you desire will be provided for you here." I reassured her.

She still wore a look of disbelief, "Are you really serious? I mean, if you think about it, it doesn't make any sense, and..."

"That's for me to decide, Elarian. Are you in or not?" She held my gaze for a moment before slowly nodding her head.

"Good," I remarked, taking a step back from her. "There are just a few rules you must follow at all times."

She took a deep breath, then asked, "What are these rules?"

"Don't fall in love with me. Don't get pregnant by me. Don't touch me without my permission. Don't ever address me by my name from now on, and do not share the same bed with me."

She stared at me blankly, as if I had just said something impossible. She might have thought I was joking, but when she realized I wasn't, confusion played across her face.

"Why all this if I can't sleep in the same bed with you? It sounds like a waste of time."

"I will summon you when I need you, and you will have access to the mansion except for the red room and mine," I added, but she didn't respond. She just stared at me, bewildered.

"I will take that as a yes," I said as I walked past her and opened the door. I had expected her to protest or try to leave, but she remained still as I stepped outside and locked the door.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart and Ash, who had been pacing nervously while I spoke with Elarian. It was as if her eyes had an inexplicable effect on me.

"Aeros!" A familiar voice called out my name beside me, and I turned to find my beta, Jonathan, rushing towards me.

"Bloody hell! Where have you been? I searched the entire mansion for you last night and couldn't find you. I was about to send out a search party when I received a call that your car was back in the garage."

"I just needed to clear my head," I replied as I turned and made my way toward the study. Jonathan followed, his steps falling in line with mine.

"So, who is she?" Jonathan suddenly asked.

"Who are you talking about?"

"The woman you brought back last night. I saw her on the CCTV."

"Just someone," I replied, hoping he would drop the subject. But he didn't.

"After eight long years, you finally bring a woman home, and you think you can dismiss it with 'just someone'? Well, think again.”