~ELARA~
I didn't know if it was something I ate before leaving home or something entirely different, but my body was burning up like I'd just been thrown into an oven. My skin tingled, my heartbeat raced, and every breath I took felt heavier than the last.
Was this… an allergic reaction? Or my cramps coming early? Whatever it was, it didn't feel normal. And it was so damn uncomfortable.
I barely reached where my truck was parked when a strong hand grabbed my shoulder from behind. My instinct kicked in before logic could take over. I spun sharply, my leg sweeping under the stranger's feet in one clean move.
He hit the ground with a hard thud.
Before he could recover, I crouched low, one knee pressing into the ground, and my hand clutching his throat tightly, holding him in place. My pulse was wild, but the moment my eyes caught his face, it was like the world went still.
What?
Alpha Aaron!
Oh my God, Elara.
I jerked my hand away like I'd just touched fire, stumbling backward in panic and embarrassment clashing together.
"A–Alpha Aaron?" I stammered, still trying to catch my breath.
He growled low in his throat, an almost inhuman sound, before shooting to his feet and closing the distance between us, almost immediately. My heart slammed against my ribs as he leaned in, his chest nearly brushing mine. Then he did something that made my brain short-circuit…
He started sniffing me everywhere. From my neck to my shoulder, down to my arm.
I just remained in a position, still frozen, torn between either screaming or kicking him where it would hurt most. If it wasn't considered treason to hit the Alpha, especially the King's son, I would've knocked him out completely even if he was stronger.
"You smell…" His voice was strangely low, almost dazed. "Different."
Excuse me? Different? What the hell was this guy rambling about?
"Why didn't I fish you out before? You're not from here, right?" he murmured again, like he was talking to himself more than me.
I blinked at him in disbelief. "What—are you even listening to yourself right now?" I snapped, my anger finally breaking through the shock. I pushed at his chest, but the moment my skin touched him, a jolt shot through me, like electricity dancing under my skin.
My breath hitched.
What was that?
And worse, his scent filled my nose, warm, and sharp, at the same time, like cedar mixed with storm air. It was so strong it was almost choking.
"I know you're a prince or whatever," I managed through gritted teeth, "but that doesn't give you the right to start sniffing random people like a crazy person!"
He chuckled softly, running a hand through his hair like this was all perfectly normal. "Alright," he said, his voice still calm but deep. "I'm sorry. It wasn't like that."
I stared at him, my chest still heaving. "Really? Because it looked exactly like that."
He smiled faintly, in that annoyingly calm way, too composed for a man who just got thrown to the ground. And that, somehow, made it even more annoying.
"What's your name? I haven't seen you in Vale before," he continued, his voice softer now, curiosity flickering in his silver eyes.
Of course, he hadn't. Father barely let me step beyond the house gates, and even when I did, it was only when I snuck out through the back fence. As for the Moon Pack's territory? It was forbidden, might as well have been another world entirely, even though we lived in the same damn town.
"Listen," I said firmly, taking a small step back, "you shouldn't be here with me right now. You should be on the altar with my sister. I don't want her seeing me with you. I'm sure you understand what I mean, Alpha?"
He frowned, confusion knitting his brows. "Wait… you're Alpha Thomas's daughter? You?"
And just like that, I lost it completely.
I hated that look. The disbelief and the silent judgment. Like everyone expected me to be smaller, weaker, and lesser because I was simply human or not deserving to be among the pack.
"Why? You also think I don't look like I belong?" I snapped, my voice sharp enough to cut air. "Or is it because I'm human, I don't deserve to be part of the pack? Well, let me shock you, Alpha, I have no interest in being one of you. I came here to honor an invitation, not to be looked down on."
I wasn't even halfway through with my ranting when I heard quick and heavy footsteps behind us. It was very familiar.
And I knew instantly, it was Jeremy.
He appeared a moment later, striding toward us, his eyes flicking from me to Aaron. "You're supposed to be on the altar, Aaron," he said evenly. "Why did you leave in the middle of the ceremony? Your father's worried sick."
Aaron slid one hand into his pocket, his posture relaxed but his voice steady. "I'm not going to marry Enor, Jeremy."
Jeremy blinked, then sighed like he thought it was a joke. "That's not funny. You need to get back in there and finish the ceremony. Your father's waiting to give his blessing any minute now—"
"That's exactly why I'm calling the wedding off," Aaron interrupted. His voice dropped lower, but more firmer this time. "It's a good thing it hasn't gone too far. I found my mate, and that's reason enough."
Jeremy's eyes darted toward me instantly.
My stomach twisted.
No. No, no, no. Never, ever was he referring to me.
"Really?" he said slowly. "So… who…"
"I knew it!"
The sudden shriek made my heart jump. We turned at once, and there she was, our lovely bride, Enor, storming toward us like a raging tornado, her wedding gown billowing, her eyes locked on me. And behind her, of course, was Father.
Perfect. Just so perfect.
"I knew something was off the moment I saw you leave, Aaron!" Enor's voice cracked with anger, her fingers trembling as she pointed accusingly at him.
Aaron didn't flinch. "What are you doing here, Enor?" he asked quietly.
"What do you mean what am I doing here?" she snapped, fury flaring in her tone. "You left your bride alone at the altar only to be out here, with her!" Her gaze sliced into me like a blade. "That cursed thing."
Cursed? Why was I even surprised, just like father, and like daughter.
But I was still very mad.
My chest tightened, but before I could react, Father's voice cut through the tension.
"Don't call her that, Enor," he said smoothly.
For a fleeting moment, I almost believed he was defending me. But no, I knew that tone. The calm before the cruelty. He wasn't taking my side. They were just some pretentious facade.
He turned to Aaron with a forced smile. "I'm sorry for my daughter's behavior, Alpha Aaron. Why don't we head back inside and finish the ceremony first, so we can discuss this later? Everyone's waiting."
Aaron's lips curved into something close to a smirk. "I'm not angry, Thomas," he said smoothly. "But I'm not going back inside. Like I was about explaining to Jeremy before you came. I found my mate and your daughter is my mate."
The silence that followed was deafening. As if the words eventually sank in, everyone's gaze finally landed on Aaron..
"What?" Father and Enor chorused first, their voices echoing across the courtyard.
Then every pair of eyes turned to me.
And I swear, in that moment, I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole.
Seriously?
God, you've got to be kidding me.