Chapter 86: Chapter 86

/Aiden's POV/

"I like you" Those three words rang in my ears, but instead of Ria, I saw my mate Rose to stand in front of me, pouring her heart out. She had uttered those exact words in her drunken state, lips glistening and cheeks flushed. Guilt swarmed my belly as I recalled the way it scared the living daylights out of me.

Those words were all it took for me to flip and start treating her like a stranger. Maybe even worse. A lump wedged in my throat at that, hands awkwardly patting at Ria's back. With my clueless behaviour, I have managed to hurt not one but two people. The weight of it fell on my shoulders, body going stiff.

My friend placed a hand on my chest, taking a step back, still not meeting my eyes. I thought that I was treating Ria the same way I treated Liam because we have been friends for so long. Along the way, the boundaries faded between us, and I managed to confide most of the things to her. It was vice versa. Then again, Ria did not date anyone or talk about finding a mate all this time. That should have been my clue, but I failed to notice.

"I feel horrible for doing it now." Ria sniffled, her lashes clumped together, voice weak and hoarse. "But I had to know."

"Ria..."

She ducked her head, moving away and creating distance between us. Shaking her head, the beta held her hand up. "Please do not say anything. I am already embarrassed for the day. Let's pretend this never happened."

"Humour me", Ria suddenly started, lifting her head and meeting my eyes, lips quivering. "I-If I had stayed back, and you were still single, was there a possibility of us happening?"

"I am sorry, Ria."

Even if the situations were different, I could never imagine ending up with Ria in any scenario. Not because she lacked something, but I have always considered her to be a friend. That's all.

Tears streamed down her cheeks which she hastily wiped, turning her head away from me.

My breath stuttered in my throat just as she swiftly turned on her heels and rushed along a corridor and into another room. I had no idea what was going on inside her mind, glancing at her profile out of the corner of my eyes, shoulders sagging in defeat. I tugged on the roots of my hair, eyes clenching shut, hoping that things would go back to normal.

***

Rose breath formed small white puffs in front of her flushed face.

The air smelled like ice and smoke at the same time, so sharp that it made my nose itch; I could almost taste it at the back of his throat. I pulled at my coat, holding on to it as a sudden gust nearly flew past us, funnelling through a narrow path.

My question still hung in the air.

"I like her as a friend. That's all. What made you think that?"

Rose breath hitched, and the omega tried to calm herself by closing her eyes for a few seconds. My gaze pinned on her, watching as her fingers were trembling from where they were at her sides.

“It d-doesn't matter what I think.”

Taking a step forward, I closed the distance between us, to which she gulped down and parted her mouth instead. My eyes followed the motion, watching as her plump lips, pink and chapped, curved just a little at the sides. She licked at her bottom lip, making it shiny and desirable, stealing my glance.

“It matters to me.”

Her head snapped up, taking my breath away at how blue her eyes appeared at that moment. As if she stole all the shades of the galaxy and held them in there. Feeling my hungry gaze, the omega shifted on her feet, looking away.

“W-Why? Why does it matter what I think?”

Our torsos were nearly touching, almost a hairbreadth space between us and the tips of our shoes crunched the dried leaves. The warmth of her body was comforting, burning my skin and managing to get me to crave for much more. My breathing accelerated, fanning her face to which the omega shivered, wrapping her arms together.

Maybe it's been ages since when we got in this position, just looking at each other. I could not stop taking in the tiny details and changes in her features, too desperate to grasp everything. As of this moment, everything around us faded, and I could only see Rose in front of me, blinking with her wide doe eyes.

The tip of my finger brushed through her cold cheek, feeling her flinch before I raised her head more by lifting her chin. Slowly but determined, I came closer inch by inch, trying not to scare her away. It was like approaching a feeble, wounded creature; one wrong move, and it will run away from you.

“Because you are my Luna. It matters a lot to me.”

Her eyes widened, body going still before she quickly took a step back. My hand hung in the air, watching as the omega twisted her head and roamed her eyes around. She bought her hands across her chest, pinning me with a glare.

“No one is around us, so you should drop this act.”

My jaw slacked at that, hands falling helpless by my side. Did she regard my genuine feelings as an act? I struggled to breathe, the chill catching up to me.

“A-Act…”

Before I could finish my sentence, she cut me off, swiping her tongue across her dry lips. “I am walking to the cabin on my own. Good night, Aiden.”

Her head held high as she turned on her feet, hand sinking in the trench coat pockets and racing towards the cabin. Watching her walk away, I couldn't help but groan in frustration, so loud that my throat stung, rubbing my palms harshly on my face. Why would she not believe my words anymore? Did I lose all the trust she had in me?

Grabbing at the ends of my hair, I looked at the dark, clear sky and closed my eyes as hard as I could, a curse escaping me.

***

It's late, but the night was unexpectedly bright, an almost full moon shining its white light onto shiny cobbled streets. The walk back to the tavern was not too long, but I was truly rattled. My body swayed slightly, feeling sick with how my insides begin churning and for a second, I worried about emptying my stomach onto the dark, cold surface.

Liam and I had frequent visits to the tavern at the edge of the market. The streets were deserted, save for some vendors closing up. Passing by them, I managed to walk in, immediately sinking in one of the bar stools, a sigh escaping my lips.

“Pack Alpha” The owner behind bowed down to me, but I dismissed the greeting, my chest still constricted.

“Get me whiskey. Neat.”

“Coming right up!”

A few minutes trickled by before I saw the door creaking, and the bell above ringing as Liam walked in. His lips twisted when our eyes met, collapsing on the seat next to me. I groaned, turning away.

“Did you follow me?”

The beta rolled his eyes, showing his teeth. “Why state the obvious, Pack Alpha?”

“Go away! I am not in the mood to entertain you.”

“Why? Did Ria confess today?”

It was chilly in the room, but I was hot all over my face paling. Sitting up, my nose flared, eyes pinning on him with an accusing stare. “Did you eavesdrop on our conversation? That was private!”

He crossed his arms, letting out a scoff. “What do you take me for? I was waiting for that snake to do something like this.”

“Snake?” I shook my head. “You knew all along?!”

“The entire pack knew. You were the only idiot letting her hang off your arm and giving her false hope.”

“B-But I have treated her as a friend.”

Liam rolled his eyes. “You are such an idiot.”

“Watch it!” My teeth gritted together. “I am still your Pack Alpha!”

“What did you say?”

“I said no!” I bristled at his question. “Of course I said no. What do you take me for?”

“Does that mean you like Rose?”

I parted my lips to deny it, to reject the conclusion Liam has drawn about me, but my mouth was unable to form words. It was true anyway. I have been so good, is the thing, not putting a single foot wrong. Not since that incident. My Alpha went stray at times but only because she is my mate, but other than that; I tried to control as much as I could. I have refrained from taking another glance at an omega, forget courting them.

But all it took was Rose to come along to crumble my wall.

“Yeah, I do.”

***