Chapter 71

Aiden's hands rested firmly on Lucy's shoulders, his touch steady yet electrifying. His gaze bore into hers, deep and searching as though he could uncover every secret she kept hidden just by looking. Lucy felt the heat of his closeness, the tension cracking between them like a storm waiting to break.

Her breath rasped as his thumb grazed the corner of her lips, lingering there with a tenderness that sent shivers down her spine. His eyes softened, the golden flecks in them shimmering in the dim light and for a fleeting moment, she felt the only person in the world.

“Lucy…” Aiden muttered, like a whisper.

She didn't respond, her words caught somewhere between her chest and her throat. Instead, she held his gaze, her heart pounding so loudly she was sure he could hear it.

And then he leaned in.

It was slow at first, as if he was giving her the chance to pull away but Lucy didn't move. She couldn't. The moment his lips touched hers, the world seemed to tilt, everything else fading into insignificance.

The kiss was warm, soft, and achingly gentle at first. His lips moved against hers in a way that made her heart race and her knees weaker. Her hands instinctively found that way to his chest, her finger curling against the hard muscle.

Aiden deepened the kiss, his hand sliding yo to cradle the back of her head while his other arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. Lucy melted into him, her body pressing against his as the intensity of the kiss grew. 

There was something desperate about it, a need that neither of them could fully articulate but both understood.

She tasted the faint tang of his breath, felt the heat radiating from his skin. It was as though the kiss carried all the emotions they hadn't said aloud—all the longing, all the unspoken truths.

But then something shifted.

Aiden's grip on her tightened for a brief moment. And Lucy felt a slight tremor run through his body. His breathing grew heavier, and before she could fully process what was happening, she felt the sharp grase of his teeth against her bottom lip.

She inches as a sudden sting registered—more startling than painful. Aiden pulled back instantly, his eyes wide with alarm, his lips parting as if to apologize.

“I—” he started, but his voice broke off. He turned his head away, his jaw clenching as he tried to steady himself.

Lucy brought her fingers to her lip, touching the tiny bead of blood that had formed. “Aiden?” she murmured, her voice trembling slightly.

His shoulders heaved, his words came out with labored breaths and when he finally turned his head to face her, his eyes glowed faintly—not the warm eyes she knew, but something more primal, almost predatory.

Lucy groaned softly, discomfort encroaching on her face as she swallowed hard like there was a lump in her throat. Aiden wagged his head and in no time, froze, his expression shifting from sharp eyes looking expressionless to eyes filled with heated passion.

“I'm so sorry,” he said quickly, his voice laced with guilt. He reached up, breathing her cheek with the back of his hand before gently tilting her chin to inspect the tiny cut on her lower lip.

“It's nothing,* Lucy whispered, her words slightly muffled as she tried to downplay it.

But Aiden wasn't convinced. He withdrew a small cloth from his pocket and carefully cleaned the small bead of blood forming. His touch was tender as though he were handling something fragile. 

“Lucy…” he paused and raised his head. “I didn't mean to hurt you.” he murmured, his eyes locking onto hers. The gaze was intense to an extent that it made her heart skip.

“You didn't,” she assured him, trying to put on a face like what happened was nothing. But it was the opposite—as there was a whirlwind of emotions and questions swirling inside her. “It's just a little scratch.”

Aiden exhaled heavily, shaking his head. “I shouldn't have let myself… I don't know what came over me.”

He didn't know, huh? Lucy thought. To her, it was obvious that something was going on with him. No one could change so suddenly if there wasn't something else. 

Deep down within Aiden, he knew what the matter was. He knew, sooner or later, that what he had been keeping could escalate if he didn't find a solution to it. He bit down one end of his lips while he stared at Lucy. He could not make a move. He could not even touch her… Not now—not after what happened had happened.

Lucy noticed the one feet distance between them. She could tell he didn't want to touch her anymore. Why? Is he scared? He can't be but what if it's the truth? What if there's something I don't know about, something that got him scared? 

Lucy tilted her head and took a step forward, closing the distance between them. “You shouldn't apologize, Aiden. It's fine. Really.” 

He stepped back again, creating the distance again and this time around, it was further than the first. “No, it's not… that,” his jaw tightened, though firm. “I need to leave.” His tone sounded more like he was talking to himself than to her.

The words hit Lucy like a slap. After a long time, waiting for who her mate was. She finally found Aiden and even had the chance to see—not only see but to meet up and do whatever they want with each other. This was the only thing he could say to her. His last words outweighed the rest of the former words he had always told her. The sweet words. I wouldn't hurt you. I'll always protect you. You don't have to be scared. 

At the moment, she felt hurt by his words. Leaving… “what?” she asked, her voice rising slightly but she immediately composed herself, realizing it was Aiden right in front of her. “Why?” Her voice came out with a gentle tone.

Aiden avoided her gaze for a moment. It wasn't because he was scared of her eyes on him. No, Aiden had never been scared of anyone. That was a long time ago and that was his childhood days. But now, he was scared of touching his mate—Lucy.

“I'm… I'm not comfortable staying. Not after what just happened.”

Lucy took a step forward, her hand reaching out to brush his arm. “Aiden, I told you already, it's just a minor wound. I told you, it's nothing. You don't have to worry about it. You want me to be fine. Here I am. I am…Fine.” 

He glanced at her hand on his arm, his expression softening for a brief moment before the resolve returned to his eyes. “It's not just about that,” he admitted, his voice like a whisper.

“Then what is it?” she pressed, her fingers tracing the vein on his arm.

Aiden hesitated, searching for the right words. He could not bring himself to say something unusual… something that could stir up questions. “I can't say, Lucy. But I don't want to hurt you, Lucy. Not again.”

She blinked, trying to process his words. He doesn't want to hurt me? Does it mean that… she wagged her head as she could not finish up the thoughts that lingered in her mind.

“You won't hurt me,” she said softly. “I trust you.”

He shook his head, a faint smile that depreciated the next second tugged at his lips. “You say that now. But if I'm close to you. I don't trust myself with what I might do.”

Lucy felt frustration bubbled inside her as her fingers fidgeted, slowly retreating themselves from his chest. It wasn't anger—it was something else, something close to being rejected and all she could do was try not to press further. She didn't understand why he was pulling away when all she wanted was for him to stay. Though she had her guesses but she couldn't be sure about it, right?

“Aiden,” she began, her voice trailing off. “Please don't go. I promise, I don't care about the scratch, or… whatever this is. I just want you to stay… stay here with me.” She paused and continued. “Tomorrow night is the full moon and I won't have the chance to see you again. Aiden please.”

Aiden took her hand gently, his fingers warm and firm around hers. “You don't understand. I know,” he clasped his fingers with hers. “It's just for the moment, okay. If I stay, I might lose control. And I can't risk that with you. Not with you, Lucy.”

She shook her head, a gesture that showed she didn't agree with his words or rather—excuses. She wanted to argue, to try and convince him that she could handle whatever he was afraid of. But before she could even utter a word, Aiden gave her a small squeeze and let go the next second.

“I'll see you around. We'll see each other,” he promised, his voice softening. “If not tomorrow, during the day. Then I'll see you at night, during the full moon.”

Lucy frowned but didn't say a word. She wagged her head, her fingers pressed against her forehead. And by the time she looked up, Aiden had been long gone. She hurried with her steps and around the open space but he was nowhere to be found.

“Why? Why do I have to go through this with my mates? The first and now–the second.” She sobbed and went down slowly, sitting on the dusty ground, not minding the new clothes she wore.