~ELARA~
The moment I felt his thickness hitting deeper into my walls, my whole body tensed with every muscle, and every breath caught somewhere between pleasure and panic.
My walls tightened as I clung to Hardin's arms, nails digging into his skin as if he was the only thing keeping me from falling apart.
"Hardin…" I breathed, barely finding my voice.
He didn't stop. Instead, he slammed in deeper, every movement grew deeper, stronger, like he was trying to claim a part of me I didn't know I had. It felt too much, too intense, too real and I didn't entirely want it to end.
"Hardin, stop!" Aaron's voice broke through the haze, sharp and protective. "She can't breathe."
Hardin froze, his chest rising and falling fast. The tension between them filled the air like thunder. For a moment, none of them moved. Then, slowly, the rush of heat began to fade, leaving only the trail of it burning in my skin.
I was this close to releasing, the pleasure doubled and I finally let it spill.
When it was over, I lay there still dazed, the silence around me almost heavier than what had just happened. My thoughts were scattered, my body too weak. I couldn't even move, nor could I process what I'd just done, let's say for the moment though, because my wrecked self hadn't come in terms with my reasoning for what we'd done.
Aaron didn't say a word at first. He just pulled a sheet over me gently, like I was something fragile. Then he scooped me into his arms carefully.
"I'll take her to my room," he said quietly, not waiting for Hardin's response.
I didn't know when we arrived, only that I felt the softness of a bed beneath me and Aaron's scent surrounding me, warm, calm, and just too subtle not to cling to.
Moments later, warmth touched my skin again. I blinked and realized I was inside the bath tub and he was helping me wash away the traces of everything that had happened.
"I can do that myself," I murmured, trying to push his hand away.
He didn't stop. His voice came lower, softer, and almost guilty. "I'm sorry I couldn't give you what you wanted earlier. Let me at least do this for you."
"That doesn't change anything, Alpha…" I said, my voice breaking halfway but he cut in.
"Just call me Aaron," he whispered. "You were doing fine calling me that before. Let's keep it that way."
I let out a shaky laugh, part scoff, part, maybe surrender. His tone was gentle, almost too gentle, and though part of me wanted to believe him, nothing about this felt simple or right anymore.
"Whatever," I shot back but it didn't carry the kind of weight it would have if I wasn't so weak.
AARON
I knew it was too much for her and definitely too soon to wrap her head around things. I agree we'd rushed things. I shouldn't have let my desire take the lead when patience should've. But even now, I didn't care how long it took for her to accept us as her mates. I'd wait, no matter how long it took.
Still, the guilt sat heavy in my chest. The fear of hurting her had taken over somewhere in between, I wanted her so much that I became extremely too careful to even go inside her. But, still, I pushed her to Hardin and that was on me.
When I finished cleaning her up, I lifted her in my arms again and carried her to my bed, covering her with a duvet to keep her warm.
That was when I heard Hardin's voice suddenly echo in my head through the mind link. I tried to block him out; I wasn't ready to hear him yet. I was still too mad at him.
I had told him to take it easy, but he didn't listen, and now Elara could barely stand. That image alone made my blood boil. But he kept pressing the link, and eventually, I gave in.
What do you want? I asked, my tone sharper than I meant it to be.
I called already, and you wouldn't pick up, he replied. This was the only way to reach you, so don't start blaming me for it.
That doesn't answer the question, Hardin. I'm kind of busy right now.
Father and Mother want us in their quarters. Now.
I clenched my jaw. Are you kidding me? It's late, Hardin. Tell them we will come tomorrow.
It's about the Stone Pack. It can't wait.
I froze for a second. The Stone Pack? I knew it was gonna boil down to this but what I didn't know was, it'd come this soon.
Fine, I finally said, letting out a slow breath. I'll meet you there.
He didn't respond back. The link went quiet just like that.
That guy is just so frustrating.
I looked down at Elara, still wrapped in the sheets, her face peaceful even in sleep. My chest tightened again. Whatever waited for us with Father could wait another heartbeat… but duty always came first, even though I didn't want to leave her.
ALPHA KING'S QUARTERS
AARON
As I made my way down the long marble hallway, my mind was already crafting the right words for Father. What I'd say to make all this end quickly. But the moment I stepped into the chamber, my thoughts froze mid way.
Goddess… What in the hell?
Alpha Thomas sat across from my father, his wife Luna Kimberly right beside him,looking smug as ever. And there, clinging to my mother's side like a frightened child, was Enor.
The moment I stepped fully into the light, all eyes turned toward me. I felt the weight of their gazes instantly, especially Father's. His nostrils flared once, and I knew he'd caught my scent. The look that followed said it all but he didn't say anything. At least, not yet.
I bowed slightly. "Good evening, Father." Then I walked toward our usual seats, pretending not to notice how everyone's eyes trailed after me.
Hardin wasn't here yet. Very typical of that guy. He was the one who said it was urgent and yet, nowhere to be found.
Before I could sit, Enor stumbled forward, her eyes wide, her nose twitching. She came too close, sniffing the air around me like a feral wolf.
"What the hell, Enor?" I grabbed her arm, holding her still. "You can't do that in front of our parents. Sit down."
But she didn't. Her eyes glinted sharp, dangerous, as if she'd caught fire and she was too hot to hold back.
"I smell something different on you," she hissed. "You smell different, Aaron." Her voice cracked, almost trembling.
I wasn't surprised. I knew this would come sooner or later. I wasn't even planning to hide the fact that I'd found my mate and of course, marked her already.
"Enor," Luna Kimberly finally spoke, her tone silky but fake as usual. "Come sit down. It's disrespectful to act out before the Alphas."
I almost laughed. I knew Kimberly too well. Sweet on the surface and venom underneath. A viper dressed in silk. That's who she is.
"Mum!" Enor snapped back. "Aren't you smelling it too? He smells like that witch! He obviously has her scent all over him, it's wrecking my nose."
I straightened. "And who exactly is the witch you're talking about?" My voice came calm, and maybe, too calm for the kind of anger boiling inside of me.
She scoffed. "Don't play dumb, Aaron. You know I mean Elara."
"Exactly." I cut her off sharply. "Then next time, stick to her name. If you ever call her a witch again, Enor, I won't take it lightly."
Her eyes widened, anger flashing. "You're taking her side now? Wait—" she gasped. "Did you mark her already? Did you? Answer me, Aaron!"
Her chest heaved with every word, but no one spoke until Alpha Thomas's deep baritone broke the silence.
"Sit down, Enor." he said
Then, my mother added, "Listen to your father, dear. I promise, no one is taking Aaron from you, okay? Calm yourself."
I turned sharply to her. Seriously? Of course she'd say that. Why was I even surprised? My mother had always liked Enor, too much, if you asked me. The exact explanation behind Enor misbehaving many times and still gets away with it.
Thomas gave me that smug, knowing grin, the kind that said he was enjoying this mess far too much.
Enor finally sat beside her parents, muttering under her breath, while Father's low growl brought everyone to attention.
"Where exactly is Hardin?" Father asked, his voice carrying the weight of command.
"I don't know," I replied evenly. "I assumed he'd be here before me."
A heavy set of footsteps echoed through the hall before I could say more. Of course, it was Hardin. His strong scent already filled the room even before he appeared.
"I'm here, Father," Hardin's voice came. "I apologize for my lateness."
Father glared at him. "You were the first to be summoned. Why the delay?"
"I'm sorry, Father," Hardin said. Then his gaze slid to Enor. "But… I think Enor here can explain that."
Enor blinked, her face going pale. "What do you mean me? What kind of joke is that?"
"Don't play dumb, Enor," Hardin shot back.
"Would you both stop this nonsense!" Father's voice thundered through the room. "Do you think we're here to play games?" He turned sharply to Hardin. "If you came late, just apologize. No need to stir chaos. Sit down now."
But Hardin didn't move. His jaw was tight, his eyes burning.
"Enor tried to attack her sister, Elara. Does that sound like nonsense to you, Father?"
The room went cold.
Father shifted in his seat. "What? Attack?"
Kimberly jumped in immediately. "That's ridiculous!"
"Please stay out of this, Kimberly," Hardin said, his tone a little clipped.
Alpha Thomas rose halfway from his seat. "You will not speak to my wife that way, Hardin! And I won't stand by while you accuse my daughter without proof."
Hardin's fists clenched. "Are you kidding me? Elara isn't just anyone, she's your daughter too!"
Thomas's voice hardened. "Maybe by blood. But I don't regard her as one, and that's not your concern, Alpha Hardin."
"Quiet, all of you!" Father's roar shook the room, his Alpha aura flaring so fiercely the air itself seemed to tighten.
Everyone went silent instantly.
Father's eyes locked on Enor, as if accessing the truth out of her. "Did you attack your sister?"
Enor froze, her lips parting but no sound coming out. For the first time that night, she looked small and very terrified.
And I could smell the fear coming out of her.