Aria
My heart's pumping really fast, my face's all sweaty, and sloppy. My throat is all dry, and constricted. I have been running for quite a while now.
I stop right before my house, bending down to hold my knees. My sweat burns my face like needles pricking my skin.
"Oh damn it," I say breathlessly.
I have still not recovered from that encounter with Ryder. My legs shake as I advance towards the door where I see father. His eyes meet with mine.
"Where did you go without telling me?" He huffs.
I straighten myself up, my breath still shaky, "I went out for a walk," I lie.
His eyes scan my sweaty face, "Oh? I never knew walks could drain you in this manner?"
I give him a frown, "Well, I ran back home. That does not mean I did not walk before running," I cross my arms over my chest.
He holds his head. He is tired of me, I know.
"You have to normalize not walking out of the house just like that Aria, I deserve to be informed about your whereabouts."
Like he cares.
I shrug, "I am safe," I walk past him, "Who would want someone with a weak wolf anyway?"
I hurry into the house so I do not know what his reaction is like. I honestly do not care.
I walk to my room, my head racing back to Ryder. How is he my mate? I already met Logan, what is happening?"
I swallow hard, my heart beating fast. I turn the doorknob open, entering my room.
"This can not be," I whisper, "This has never happened before. Why is it happening to me?"
I sit on my bed, drawing my legs up to my chest, then I wrap my hands around them.
They are both good looking, they both have charm, yet they are still so different.
"Logan is sweet, and kind, while Ronan is kind of possessive."
"What do I do?"
I want to go back there to tell father about it, but I shake the thought of it off. He definitely would not know how to handle it. This makes me miss my mother more often.
I lay down on my bed, "Ryder," his name rolls of my tongue, and I shiver.
The way he looks at me, the way he touches me, and just immediately claims me, makes my blood rush.
What do I do? Who do I tell?
I sit back up, biting my fingernails, "It is quite safe, now neither of them knows."
My chest rises, and falls, "Maybe I should tell them , then pick a choice."
Aria! Are you really that stupid?!
I hold my head, "Then what else should I do?!" I blurt out.
"Why are you talking to yourself now? You have a visitor," my father's sharp voice interrupts me.
I arch my brow, since when do I start having visitors?
He shakes his head, walking away.
I force myself out of the bed, walking towards the living room again, hoping it is not Ronan-- of course father would not let him in.
I wipe my sweaty hands on the hem of my dress, then hurry to the living room.
I see him-- Varek!
"What in the goddess's name are you doing here?!" I have yell at him, but he quickly pulls me towards me, making me slump on the couch beside him.
"Ow! What was that for you --"
"Listen, stop screaming, your father can not hear our conversation!" He warns, his voice dropping to a whisper.
I roll my eyes, "What makes you think I will just shut up?" I raise my voice even higher.
"Everything okay there with you both?" My father asks from the insides.
I want to answer him, but Varek is two steps ahead. He quickly places hid hand over my mouth, answering in my stead, "Everything is okay sir."
I bite his palm. Hehe.
He sharply draws his hand back, his face contorting with pain, but he does not shout, or groan, not even a grunt.
I blink at him.
"You are making me waste time here," he waves his pain away, "I just want to tell you something, then leave," he hisses.
"Be out with it, quick."
"First of all, congratulations on having a mate. It is quite hard for someone of your status, but you found one."
I blink my eyes in horror, he.. knows that?
"Ronan told me, Ronan told everyone," he adds as if he can read my thoughts, "He is still stalking you."
My heart drops. That cheating rogue, what is his problem?
My jaws drop as I try to process whatever Varek just said.
"You have to get away from Ronan really fast. If he could tell everyone this is what you already found a mate, then in future times, every aspect of your life will be public."
My heart sinks, "But how did he know all of this?"
"Have you been listening to me? I literally said it before, he is stalking you. He will not leave you alone," a frown settles on his face.
Wait... He does not know I have another mate, that means he is not stalking me to the palace either, of course he could never.
"Why are you telling me this? Are you not like his lover?"
His lips turn downwards, "This is what I get from helping you? Hmph, that did not sound like a thank you."
I hold my head, "Listen, this is hard for me to take in at once, you helping me, him stalking me. I do not want to end up being so overwhelmed--"
His cold eyes softens a bit, "Well, okay the thing is.. he cheated on me, and I want to get back at him. I know you are strong enough to do this, and if you need backup, I will help you."
I shudder with immense disgust as I hear he has cheated again. He is such a stupid--
"Aria, he might kill you if this becomes worse. You have to act fast, protect yourself."
I raise my eyes to look at his, "Will you help me? I think I have a plan," a smirk rests on my face.
He stretches out his hand, "Deal."