Writers POV

Ariel was laying in their bed as the sunset over the horizon, a stack of pillows behind her back for support and a book in hand. The door opened and his scent enveloped her; soon he walked in, his jaw clenched, body tensed and an unreadable expression on his face, his eyes cold, and she set the book aside and inquired,

"Is there something wrong?" He didn't respond to her question; instead, he came straight up to her and hugged her, his nose buried in her neck. He took a few whiffs of her scent, pushed her behind the pillow, and simply laid with her. She was taken aback by his sudden behavior, but she said nothing and just lay there with him curdling her. His thick hair was caressed by her hand. And with a low growl of approval, he drew her in closer, if that was even possible. His tensed muscles soon relaxed and he drifted off to sleep. She, too, fell asleep after a while, surrounded by his calming, intoxicating scent and the sense of comfort she only finds in him.

The ringing of the phone on the bedside table jolted him awake. That phone rarely rings because they never have to use phones. He received the phone call, and the person on the other end informed him that dinner was ready. He hung up the phone and laid straight on the bed, where she nuzzled closer to his warmth. He was taken aback, but the memories of the evening flooded back, and he smiled to himself and at the ball of warmth curdling him. Her scarlet red hair was like fire on the pillow, her face resting on top of his chest, and one of her hands gripping his shirt over his torso. He gently pushed her hair away from her face. She was sleeping soundly, a ghost smile on her lips. He kissed her on top of her head and the ghost smile became prominent. He didn't want to wake her up, but the pack was waiting for her, so he gently shook her awake. He got out of bed, and she sat up, wiping the sleep from her eyes.

"Where are you going?" Her voice was raspy as she inquired. When he turned around, he was still dressed in the clothes he wore on their date.

"To change, the pack is waiting for us to have dinner." He went into the closet and emerged wearing a white button-up shirt, black pants, and Oxford shoes. She sat on the bed, her face clean and lightly makeup-coated with just a little concealer, lip tint, and mascara, her hair up in a bun.

"Give me a minute, please." She said as she walked into the closet. She wore black straight-leg leather pants with an off-white lace sleeveless top and a sash tied at the neck to form a maxi bow on the left side. Back neckline teardrop opening with button closure. She wore it tucked in with simple gold oval studs and black pumps. Aiden stood up from the chair he was sitting in as she walked out of the closet. He moved closer to her, his gaze passing over her form.

"You look beautiful," he said.

"Thanks,"

They exited their castle and made their way to the packhouse. Except for the guards, the packhouse was deserted, as all of the wolves were gathered in the pack dining room. The guards stationed at the door bowed and opened the doors as they approached the pack dining room. As they walked in with their heads held high, all eyes in the room turned to them and stood up. As they took their seats at the head of the table, all of the wolves bowed. All of the wolves sat down in their proper places, and Ariel's gaze wandered around all of the faces. It's been four months since she's been here, and the last time she sat by his side, many faces were filled with disgust and disapproval. They didn't even look up to show their faces this time. The rest of them were happy to see her again, some were happy to see their Alpha couple together, and some had curious expressions on their faces as if they were trying to figure out if she was marked or not. The dinner went off without a hitch, and they retired to their room. Ariel sat on the bed with the book in her hand after changing, and he walked out of the closet wearing a trouser and t-shirt. Her gaze was drawn to his closing figure, his hard muscles hidden beneath his shirt, his sapphire eyes, his full lips. She could only think how his lips would feel over hers, her hands roaming around his muscular body exploring everything, her stomach clenched with desire. She wet her dried lips with her tongue and he looked at her. She focused her attention on the book in her hand. The telephone rang for the second time today and Aiden picked it up. While he was on the phone, she was perplexed as to why her attraction to him had grown so strong in just a few hours.

"All right, we're leaving at ten tomorrow," he said, and she put the book on the bedside table and turned to face him as he hung up the phone.

"Are you going somewhere?" she inquired.

"Yes, I forgot to tell you. I'm going to the Dawn Pack for some pack issues."

He responded as he climbed into bed beside her. His flexing muscles drew her attention.

"Are you all right?" He inquired, his gaze fixed on her

"I'm fine. How long will you be gone?"

"I'm not sure, probably a week."

"But why though? Why must you travel to resolve some pack issues? They are a formidable pack. Or are you withholding something from me?" She asked tilting her head. And just by looking into her eyes, he knew she wouldn't fall for any lies. He sighed and replied,

"For the past few months, wolves from various packs have gone missing, and they discovered fifteen dead bodies near the Dawn Pack border today. Nothing is working, so I'm going to look into it myself." He looked at her, who appeared to be in deep thought.

"I'll come with you." She said while looking at him with a determined expression on her face

"No, you're staying here. You're not doing good health-wise, and I don't want to take you anywhere where danger lurks."

"What if, while you're gone, my body shuts down again, and someone could attack at that time. What would happen then?" She wiggled her brows

"I'm leaving my best warriors here. Don't worry." He said while lying down and closing his eyes. She paused for a moment before saying again.

"Let's forget about the attack for a moment. What if while you're gone my body shut downs and I go into heat? What would happen then?" His eyes snapped open, he got up and walked into the closet. After some time, he pulled out a duffel bag and placed it in front of her. She stared at him and he frowned and said sternly

"Well, get along, bring the clothes you need, I'll pack". She went into the closet to bring clothes, trying hard not to laugh at his expression.

When she awoke the next morning, his heavy hand was draped over her, keeping her close to his warmth. He groaned when she moved, and when she turned around to face him, he nuzzled closer, burying his nose in the crook of her neck. He took a few whiffs of her scent and wiggled out, but his grip tightened and he groaned.

"Let me up," she said in her morning voice, and he opened his eyes. He looked at her for a moment before re-burying his nose in the crook of her neck and gently rubbing his nose up and down over her soft skin. She felt as though the tingles and sparks intensified.

"You smell so good," his voice was heavy and raspy, sending shivers down her spine.

He hovered over her and kissed her on the neck, again and again after the first. He sucked and nipped all over the exposed skin he could find, and a moan slipped past her lips, fueling his desires. His torment over her neck became more intense, and all she could think of was what his tongue could do to other places. Her stomach tightens, and a pool of desire fills her chest. The junction between her legs starts to moisten and his eyes darkens when he smelled her arousal. He kisses his way up to her jaw, kissing dangerously close to her lips.

"We should stop," she says breathlessly, and he looks her in the eyes,

"Yes, but in the near future I will finish what I started and you'd beg me to stop." In a raspy voice, he said and got up kissing her forehead. He vanished behind the bathroom door, leaving her lying in bed, perplexed by what had just happened. She has always been in complete control of her body and mind, but that control is slipping away with each passing hour. She has no idea what she will do at the end of the day. When the bathroom door opened and a half-naked Aiden walked out with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist, her gaze was drawn to it. He also had another towel in his hand, which he was using to dry his hair. Her eyes traveled over his smooth skin, hard muscular body from years of training and fighting, the flexing of his biceps as his hands moved. Her gaze followed every droplet of water from his hair, transiting his neck, gracing his abs, and disappearing behind the deep V line. As her burning gaze boreholes in his body, a pool of desire began to drip from between her thighs. She dashed into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her before he could smell her arousal.

After a cold long shower, she was in the huge closet she shared with him. Half of it was filled with his clothes, while the other half was filled with hers, which she had brought from her penthouse. She styled her hair in a simple side bun with a strand of hair out framing her face. She opted for light makeup, with just a hint of concealer, eyeliner, and mascara. She finished her makeup with nude lipstick. She shuffled around in her bathrobe, looking for something to wear. She chose an off-the-shoulder black velvet jumpsuit that ended below her ankle after much deliberation. She was wearing nude stilettos that were now hidden beneath the jumpsuit. She accessorized with gold oval studs and a medium-sized black leather bag.

With all the essentials packed inside the bag, she was about to leave the closet when another thought hit her. She stopped for a while and looked back, she walked closer to black luggage that was lying under the closet drawers and opened it up. Under the hidden compartment of the luggage, laid small easy to hide weapons of her. She chooses to carry a dagger that was made out of demon slayer metals and a pistol that was effective over any species. She quickly stuffed them in her handbag and closed the luggage before leaving it where it previously was. She emerged from the closet to find Aiden sitting on a chair, holding a piece of paper He was dressed in a black suit with a white shirt underneath, and his hair was styled leisurely. Everything about him beckoned to her, and she was dazed. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Shall we go?" She said trying to get his attention. He raised his head and examined her from head to toe. He stood up and approached her.

"You look stunning as always," he said, complimenting her.

"Thank you," she said before hurrying out of the room with Aiden in her toe.

"Where are you running off to?" He asked, grabbing her waist and drawing her in closer.

"Why would I run somewhere?"

"I don't know. You'll have to tell me." He said this while bringing his lips closer to her ear and slowing their walking pace.

"Aren't we supposed to leave at 10 a.m.?" She muttered and he pinned her to the nearest wall, lying feather-like kisses along her jaw.

"Yes, so?" He said in hushed tones,

"We will be late. Hurry up." She pushed him off of her, flushed, and dashed down the stairs. He chuckled and followed her. He caught up to her and put his hand on her waist to slowing her down.

"Slow down, love. The pack is not disappearing anywhere."

"The wolves, on the other hand, are. So get moving."

"That's true," he nodded.

Two black SUVs stood in front of the castle, and a few warriors dressed in full gear stood around talking amongst themselves. They stood straight and bowed as soon as they sensed their Alpha's presence. Aiden nodded, and a man appeared in front of them.

"Alpha," he bowed,

"Luna," turning to face Ariel, he bowed again,

"We haven't officially met, I'm Nicholas the Beta of the Royal Pack." He said, extending his hand.

"Nice to meet you, Beta Nicholas," Aiden growled at his Beta as she took his hand in hers for a handshake. His eyes were turning black, and the presence of his beast was palpable.

"I mean no threat, Your Highness," Nicholas said as he retracted his hand and bared his neck in submission.

Aiden drew Ariel closer by her waist, and she frowned at him.

"Rise," he growled, and Nick stood up and order the warriors into the cars. They all piled into the second vehicle, while Nick waited for his Alpha by the first car. Aiden opened the car door and assisted Ariel in settling in before getting in and closing the car door. Nick settled in the front seat of the car, and the driver turned on the car and they began to move. Aiden's hand remained on her thigh, and she turned to face him.

"What's the matter with you?" She inquired.

"What?"

"Did you really have to growl at your Beta like that?"

"I don't like it when someone touches you," he growled lowly.

"It was just a handshake," she exclaimed and he drew her closer nuzzling his nose in her neck.

"I can't help but feel protective over you, it's my natural instincts. And you smell so fucking good." He laid kisses on her neck and muttered

"You look so edible, oh how I wish to devour you whole."

He sucked, nipped, grazing his canines on her soft skin, leaving bright purple hickeys.

"I think my heat is nearing,"

________________________________________

What are your thoughts on our Beta? I want him to find his mate soon. What about you? 🤔

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