Just Say The Word

Kieran’s POV

“Union…” That word kept ringing in my head as I turned away from Aurora and Elias. It was unexpected and I couldn't decipher if I was angry because the elders didn't consult me before making that decision or I just didn't like the sight of her with the Beta’s son.

She was just a girl when I left and now, she was being forced into marriage. At the war front, I wrapped everything up so quickly because I wanted to come home to see my little girl. Even though I never had so many interactions with her, at the back of my mind, I would always recall the little girl who was always in my line of sight.

She seemed to appear anywhere I turned or went to, except the war front. There was no way I didn't notice I caught her gaze every single time.

And now, I couldn't even have a say, in choosing the best man for her.

After all, I left the Pack in the hands of the elders and they had done whatever they dimmed fit for the Pack. But I never expected Aurora to be part of their decision.

I was her guardian, and I was furious they didn't inform me about her engagement. My Wolf and I were torn due to that, but deep down, there was another reason I didn't want to admit.

“She is here…” Xander, my wolf whispered in my mind.

Frowning, I asked, “Who?”

However, I already got my answer when Xander started to whirl in excitement within me.

“Stop it! You are not supposed to do that!” I scolded Xander quickly, trying to suppress whatever excitement he had for her.

In the next second, Xander groaned in displeasure as he receded to the deepest recess of my mind. I stepped out of the corner I was in, to talk to Aurora whose eyes were wide open, peering into the night like a hawk.

I opened my mouth to speak but I immediately spotted Elias a few distances away from her. He was walking in her direction and without thinking twice, I grabbed Aurora without notice, covering her mouth and dragging her into the secluded corner I was in.

“Hmmm…” She groaned against me, forcefully trying to get away.

“Shhh..it’s me…” I whispered as I looked down at her. Her eyes finally found mine and her body calmed down immediately. All trace of fear and alertness was gone from her body.

Our eyes were still locked and with her chest pressed against mine, I could hear and feel her heartbeats vividly. They skipped, several times in a minute and as goosebumps lined her skin just from my touch, Xander rose in excitement again.

“She feels it! She is attracted to us!” Xander screamed in my mind like his lifelong dream had come true.

“Shut up!” I groaned, pushing him away.

I couldn't let his thoughts override the logical thinking in my head. Entertaining those thoughts would only make me look at her more, in a certain way.

However, deep down, she had already become a woman in my eyes. She wasn't the little girl my brother and wife left behind for me to take care of. She had grown into a sexy and gracious woman who didn't deserve to get into the claws of unworthy men.

Her eyes were still locked on mine, heavily and with the emotions swarming in them, I couldn't help but acknowledge Xander’s words.

A feeling of joy spread through my heart and I gently touched her cheek, my thumb running across the softness of her skin and the side of her lips.

“Uncle Kieran…” She whispered, her voice carrying a trace of confusion. Of course, she would be because of our sudden closeness.

“Shh… just stay here for a bit,” I replied, swiping my thumb across her lips to shut her up. Elias’ footsteps were still resounding in the air and for just this time, I wanted to keep her away from him.

She bit her lips and nodded gently and that action made blood course through me and down to the wood in my pants.

My eyes roamed from her red lips, wishing I could kiss them and down to her exposed neck and accentuated boobs. I wanted to run my tongue along the lines and veins on her neck, digging my sharp tooth into her flesh.

Unfortunately, she was off-limits. Even though her attraction for me was evident, she belonged to Elias and if I claimed her or touched her, it would be a disgrace to the Pack and Aurora would take most of the consequences.

I didn't want that for her...

“Uncle Kieran, why are we here?” She whispered, making sure her voice was low enough by placing her head on my chest.

“We are hiding from a little birdy…” I whispered back.

“Elias?” She clocked it immediately. She was as smart as I could remember.

“He is gone now…” I said, hearing his receding footsteps. I placed my hands on her arm, pulling her away from me and it took me great self-control not to embrace her again.

We stared at each other for a few more moments before she opened her mouth to speak, “I just came out here for some fresh air…”

“I didn’t know Elias was coming after me.”

The way she fidgeted and tucked her loose strands of hair behind her ear made me know she was lying.

I smirked, my gaze taunting, “Are you running from your fiance?”

My words sounded like a taunt but in the real sense, I was trying to probe into her mind, to know what she thought.

“Uhmm… no… I just wanted to get some fresh air.” She denied, looking away uneasily. “Besides, I don’t have to be with him every single time, right?”

“Elias and I are not joined at the hip!” Her voice spiraled out of control with the noticeable bubbling annoyance in it.

“I am not saying you should…” I stepped forward, to assure her but she pulled away from me.

“Yes, but you would want me to fulfill the Pack’s orders, won’t you?” She looked up at me, with displeasure as if I had done wrong.

“The first thing you could talk about with me, after being at the war front for so long is my fiance. Don’t you care about me, Uncle Kieran?”

“Of course, I do.” I countered but it wasn't enough for her.

“No, you don’t!” She hissed and immediately turned on her heel to leave.

Xander panicked, yelling at me that we couldn't let her leave. Without thinking twice, I caught her wrist, stopping her. Her actions and displeasure toward her fiance were evident and it only made Xander and I bubble in excitement.

But the thought of her being engaged to him was still a big issue that she couldn't detach from. It wasn't my place to interfere but Xander wanted me to help…

“Aurora…” I turned her to look at me. “You don’t want your marriage to Elias, right?”

“Just say the word, and the marriage will be canceled.”