Aria
My hands grow pale, and I am sure I am totally white by now. I stare at him with widened eyes.
"Ryder?" My words almost choke my throat as I call his name.
A smile lit up his face, and he comes to me with his arms spread, before I can even say anything else, he engulfs me in his arms.
My knees go weak as he presses me close to his bosom. I feel pangs of guilt hit me hard as I know Archi is there watching.
"I missed you so much my love, how have you been?" He pulls away, his eyes sparkling.
I immediately turn to look at Archi who is staring at us with hurt in his eyes.
"Archi I swear I can explain," I take some steps forward, but Father grabs my hand, and pulls me back.
"Why did you not tell me you had a second mate? Huh?" He asks me with a sly grin, "Now you will stay away from him, and not go close to him at all."
I bite my fingernails, "He is your mate?" Archi asks, his eyes never leaving me.
Ryder faces him, "I should be asking you that?"
I panic, what am I supposed to do now?
Archi's face goes completely red, "Listen here whoever you are," he charges at Ryder, but I immediately block his path.
"Wait! Archi please, listen to me!"
He stops right in front of me, "What? Are you supporting him now?"
I shake my head, "No--"
Ryder scoffs, "What are you going to do? Fight me?" He gently shoves me out of the way, closing the gap between him, and Archi.
Archi looks like he would snap at any moment, and I am so scared of that.
I turn to my father who seems to be enjoying the show, "Father! Do something! They might kill themselves!" I yell, running to him.
"He should be taught a lesson, the world does not revolve around him."
Ryder gently taps his shoulder, but Archi roughly shoves it away.
"Listen man, she is mine now. I.. claimed her first," he chuckles cooly, "So, reject her now, then go find a second mate somewhere else," Ryder grins sheepishly, then turns around to meet us.
Archi grabs him back almost pulling him to the ground, before Ryder can react, Archi has given him three punches in the face!
I gasp loudly, "Father do something!" I run over to meet them trying to stop them from fighting, "Stop this! Stop fighting!"
Ryder grabs Archi right arm, then kicks him hard in the groin, leaving Archi somehow disarmed. He clutches at his groin to regain himself.
"We better get out of here before the guards start trooping in Ryder," my father tells him.
Ryder nods, briskly walks over to meet us, then grabs my hand, "Let us leave from here," he smiles at me as if he did not just kick Archi like that!
I shake my head, "No! Wait!" I try to wriggle myself from his grip to go to Archi, but Ryder's grip is just too strong.
"Please Aria," he pleads softly, "We have to leave here," he wraps his arm around my waist leading me out of there.
I look over my shoulders to look Archi, our eyes meet, he stares back at me, a lot of emotions flood those beautiful grey eyes.
I look away, as I can not keep on looking at them-- they have suddenly grown scary.
***
"Father why would you do such a thing?" I yell at him, as soon as we get to our house.
He does not say a word, he only saunters to his room as if he did not hear me.
"Answer me!" I storm up to him, gripping his arm then spinning him around.
He stares at me with hardened eyes, "Do not make me act harshly on you. First you kept this from me, second you defied my orders!"
Ryder comes in immediately, "Let her be Zephyr," he cuts Father off sharply in a cold time, "I want to be with her alone."
Father eyes me in annoyance, then walks off into the rooms.
My body is shaking like a leaf as I turn to face him, "Ryder I--"
He places a finger over my lips, "Do not worry, you do not need to explain anything," he ruffles my hair.
I stare at his blue eyes, "How did you find me?"
His face falls, "Is that man really your mate, Aria? What about me?"
Of course you are my mate too, but..
I feel a lump suddenly in my throat, I try to swallow it, but it seems to be stuck there like that.
He takes my hand, drawing me closer to himself, "You have to make a choice now Aria, you have to choose between him, and me."
'Why can I not just have you both?' My head screams, but I shove that stupid thought away.
"Ryder, all of this is so soon."
He rolls his eyes, "Come on now. You will be fine with me, besides, since your pheromones.."
"Do not mention it," I snap, pulling away then turning on my heels. Goodness! He is annoying me!
I storm off to my room fuming, my head is brimming with thoughts, "What is all this?" My voice breaks.
I reach my room, burst through the door, walks and attempts to slam the door behind me, but it is stopped.
Huh?
I turn around to see Ryder has followed me, "Aria, please listen to me."
He walks into the room, then gently closes the door behind him.
"Look, I do not mean to offend you, okay? I am just caring for you that is all."
I shrug my shoulders, "That does not sound caring at all."
He holds my shoulders, "Aria, you know you can not have us both. You have to choose between the both of us, and your father.."
"He does not know anything about me," my voice breaks, I bite my lower lip to stop a whimper.
He cups my cheeks, "If you do not trust me yet, I will make sure I earn that trust. I want you to be mine, and I will do anything to make you mine."
I shiver at his words.
"I want you Aria, and I am going to have you," he tilts my head backwards, slamming his lips on mine.