All Chapters of A Mistress For Aiden Creek : Chapter 171 - Chapter 180

Artemis' POVThe silence of the forest had become familiar, almost comforting, but tonight, something felt different. A strange tension hung in the air, making my skin crawl. I shifted on the small couch in the cabin, my gaze flickering to the door where Daymon stood, his posture rigid as he peered out the window.We had been here for weeks now, surviving off canned food and whatever small game Daymon could catch. Every night, we’d take turns keeping watch. Every night, we had a quiet understanding—stay hidden, stay alive.But tonight, something was off. It felt strange, I could not pinpoint to why it felt that way, buh it did.I hugged my knees to my chest. “What is it?”Daymon didn’t answer at first. His sharp eyes scanned the darkness outside. Then, without looking at me, he murmured, “They’ve found us.”My stomach dropped, my jaw dropped too. I was lost, I didn't know if I should cry or run for my life. I have never been this scared. The fear overwhelmed me that I find my teeth hi

Aiden’s POVMy fists clenched at my sides. I was seeing red. Daymon was gone. Killed. And the man responsible was still breathing. Kane murdered him, and I was supposed to just let it go? I wanted nothing more than to make him pay, to make him suffer for what he did.But then my father called me into his office that afternoon, ruining my trail of thoughts.I had spent hours thinking of how to deal with Kane, of how to make him regret ever trying to hard to destroy my life. I walked into the room, barely masking the storm raging inside me.“Good day, Dad,” I greeted, though the words felt empty.“Good day, son.” His expression was unreadable, but I could see the weight of everything pressing on him too.“I called you in to tell you not to do what you're thinking.”I stiffened. “No, Dad. I will kill Kane. I promise you. He must die, he has to pay for what he did to Daymon.”“You will not touch Kane, Aiden.”“I must.” My voice came out harsher than I intended. “He took a brother from me.

Aiden’s POVI had always known that love and power were two sides of the same coin. In our world, emotions were liabilities, and marriage was nothing more than a strategic move—a way to consolidate strength, form alliances, and maintain control.For years, I had known how to command power, how to instill fear. But with her, I was just a man—bare, exposed, uncertain. And I hated that I was scared of losing her more than I had ever feared anything else.But with Artemis, it had never been just about power.Don Carlo had summoned me early that morning, his expression unreadable as he motioned for me to sit across from him in his study. The heavy air in the room told me that whatever he had to say would change everything."You need to marry her," he said, his voice firm and absolute.I stared at him, unblinking. "Excuse me?""Artemis," he repeated. "The family needs stability, Aiden. After Daymon’s death, after Kane’s betrayal, there are too many loose ends. People are watching, waiting f

Aiden’s POVI woke up before sunrise, my body tense with the unfamiliarity of sharing my space with someone again. Artemis was still asleep, curled up on her side, her breathing soft and steady. The golden glow of dawn cast delicate shadows across her face, and for a moment, I just watched her.She looked peaceful like this—like she hadn’t spent months pushing me away, like she wasn’t still doubting whether she’d made the right choice in marrying me.I wasn’t going to let her regret it.Slipping out of bed quietly, I moved to the balcony, lighting a cigarette out of habit before remembering she hated the smell. I put it out almost immediately.A new life. A new version of me.I wasn’t naive. A wedding ring didn’t magically fix the fractures between us. But I had promised to prove myself to her, and I meant it.I was going to be the husband she deserved.---Over the next few days, I made small but deliberate efforts.I was there when she needed me but never too overbearing. I pulled o

Artemis’ POVI never thought I’d find myself here again with him. Yet, as I sat curled up on the couch, watching Aiden pour us both a drink, I felt something I hadn’t allowed myself to in a long time.Peace.It scared me.He handed me a glass of wine without a word, then settled beside me, close but not too close. He had been careful with me lately, not pushing, just waiting.“You always make sure my glass isn’t too full,” I murmured, staring down at the deep red liquid.Aiden let out a quiet chuckle. “You always forget to pace yourself.”I did. And maybe that was the problem with us. I had dived headfirst into loving him once, and I drowned. I wasn’t sure I could survive it a second time.He turned his body slightly to face me, his expression softer than I was used to. “Artemis,” he said, my name almost a whisper. “I fought this for so long. Loving you. Wanting you. I thought it would make me weak.”I swallowed, my fingers tightening around the glass.Aiden reached out, brushing his