Aria
“Let me go, Lyall!” I bristled, trying and failing to break free from his iron grip. “Where the hell are you taking me?”
“Just trust me.” He simply said and kept pulling me away. My eyes widened and my nose flared.

“Trust you?! Are you hearing yourself right now? Why should I trust you? You've done nothing to earn my trust!”
I yelled, once again feeling my anger simmer. Why did he always have to make me so mad? Why did he make me feel so much?
He glanced at me before looking away. “Just calm down, Aria. Please.”
I laughed incredulously. That was a dangerous sign. I was this close to losing it.
“Calm down? How dare you tell me to calm down? Serene got an apology back there but what about Aria? I guess she doesn't deserve one. She only deserves to be dragged around like a fucking mutt!” I yelled in frustration, breathing heavily.
Lyall halted, turning to me with a sombre look on his face. “We're here.” He said and I raised my eyebrows in confusion.

“What?”
He motioned for me to look around and I did. My breath caught in my throat as I let out a gasp. Where in the world was this?
It looked like we were still in the garden as we were still surrounded by trees and flowers but this area was different. Quieter. Calmer. The flowers were more beautiful and the leaves greener.
In the middle of the scenery was a beautiful silver fountain with running water. It was illuminated by the sunlight and it glowed like diamonds.

“Wow,” I gasped, looking around. “This is— I have no words.”
“Take a seat,” Lyall said, already sitting on a bench in front of the fountain. I was too engrossed in the view and didn't respond in time. He took my hand, making me sit next to him.
“Aria,” He said and I gave him my full attention at the sound of his sombre tone.
“I'm sorry for the things I said to you. I should not have acted like I owned you. You are your own person and trust me, I know that. I just got so jealous and possessive when I saw you with Mason and I know that I had no right to be when I was with Sheila too,”
His striking green eyes met mine and I knew he meant every single word. “I'm sorry I slept with Sheila. I shouldn't have. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness but I ask that you forgive me. I promise that it will never happen again. You are my mate and I am going to start treating you like one.
I digested every bit of what he said, seemingly lost for words. “Who knew that the Alpha would be great at apologies?” I tried to lighten the tense mood and it worked as Lyall cracked up a smile.
“Been working on it.”
I took his large hands in my smaller ones, returning his smile. “You're forgiven, Lyall. I just hope you keep your promise and do better, for my sake and yours.”
“I will.” He said and pulled me into a hug which I eagerly returned. Goddess! He smelt so good— like roses, pinewood and spices. It was intoxicating and I wanted to stay like this forever.
“You smell so good.” He purred and my eyes widened.
“That's what I was about to say!” I giggled and he pulled away from the embrace, chuckling. He ruffled my hair affectionately and I blushed furiously.
I quickly cleared my throat, hiding my blush. “I hope Sheila and Serene have not killed each other yet.”
“If they get into a fight, I think Serene would take Sheila.”
I gasped before bursting into laughter. “How atrocious. Have some faith in your wife, would you?”
“It's true actually. Sheila may be feisty but Serene has always been stronger. She could easily go toe to toe with Mason.”
“What?!” I shrieked and Lyall let out a laugh. “No one told me my friend was a powerhouse!” I never imagined that sweet and calm Serene was so strong. At that moment, I realized how much I didn't know about her.
“She is. I've always told her to get more involved in training. She could even be a general in our army if she got more involved but she always turned me down.”
“But why?”
Lyall shrugged. “I have no idea.”
It was hard to believe that the same Serene who was quick to make me a cup of tea or bring me to the gardens when I was down had the potential to be a warrior. Maybe she just wasn't interested in fighting. She seemed like the kind of person who would choose a peaceful life instead.
“That's crazy. I learn something new and surprising in this palace each day,” Maybe I would broach the topic with Serene and see how she reacts. “So tell me, Lyall.” I was ready to ask a question that had been on my mind for a long time.
“Yeah?”
“How do you really feel about Sheila?”
“What?”
“Look, I know she's your wife and all but then you discovered that you have a mate. I want to know how you feel about her. Where do you two stand?” I was curious and I could not get the image of the two of them laughing and holding hands earlier out of my head.
“You want the truth?”
I rolled my eyes. “Of course,” Would I ask if I didn't? He looked uncomfortable at that moment and I held his calloused hands, rubbing circles over them. “If we are going to do this right, there shouldn't be secrets between us. And you know we would have to talk about this eventually. The earlier, the better right?”
He gave me a small smile. “Right. So Sheila, huh?” He rubbed his neck, grimacing slightly. “She's really important to me, you know?”
“Yeah, she has been your companion for five years, and?” I chipped in.
“She has been there for me whenever I need her but I am not in love with her. I never felt that way about her. I see her more as a friend than a lover and honestly, that was the basis of our marriage— to support each other. That's why it's difficult to let her go— not because I love her but because I owe her everything,”
He took my two hands in his, looking me deep in the eyes. “I love you, Aria and I promise you, soon, you will take your rightful place as my Luna. Just give me a bit more time.”
My eyes glistened with tears as I took in the beautiful man in front of me. I was ready to give him as much time as he needed. All I ever wanted was to be his Luna and now there was a huge chance of that happening. My heart soared with happiness and happy tears streamed down my cheeks. He wiped them off gently, placing a soft kiss on my cheek and I blushed furiously.
“So adorable.” He cooed, pinching both my cheeks.
“Stop,” I giggled, swatting his hand away and he let out a soft laugh. I was transfixed by how beautiful his laugh was. Lyall did not laugh often and it made my heart burst with pride that I got to make him laugh genuinely.
“I think this might be the longest we've ever spoken,” I noted and he nodded.
“I mean, I thought fucking you was the cherry on top but talking to you has its own appeal.” His eyes glistened with mischief and I gaped, aghast.
“Lyall!” I exclaimed, once again blushing furiously. Why did he make me turn so red so easily? He linked his fingers with mine, swinging our hands casually.
“I like this,” He motioned at both of us. “I like that we're just sitting here, hanging out. It's relaxing. Your company is relaxing.” He said, taking deep breaths.
I smiled widely. “I feel the same way,” My eyes darted around the garden and back to him. “So do you come here often?”
He nodded. “I do. I come here from time to time to relax and clear my head,” I almost laughed. It seemed everyone in the palace needed a place to clear their heads.
“Currently, I'm the only one who knows about this place and I know you're curious—” He gently nudged me with his shoulder. “—but I've not brought anyone else here. You're the first.”
I glared at him playfully. “I wasn't curious.”
“Liar.” He chuckled.
“Okay, maybe I was but it was only a little bit.”
He shook his head. His eyes glinted with amusement. “My parents used to bring me here when I was younger,” His voice turned sombre. “They discovered they shared the mate bond in this very place and made me swear that I would bring my mate and only her here.”
I inhaled deeply, overwhelmed with wonder. “Wow, that’s—”
“Incredible right?” He said, smiling sadly and I scooted closer to him unconsciously.
“Totally. They sound like nice people.”
“They were,” He said with so much emotion in his voice and I traced comforting circles on the back of his hand. “Fuck, I've not talked about them in a while.” He gave a sad laugh.
“It's okay, Lyall. Thank you for telling me about them and for bringing me here.” I said and I truly meant it. His beauty met mine and I was pretty sure he saw so much love shining in my eyes.
“Gosh, I love you.” He said with a beautiful smile, his eyes creaking at the edges.
“I love you too,” I replied with a smile.
He stood up abruptly from the bench and I raised an eyebrow at his strange behavior. “Dance with me.” He said and I looked at him incredulously before bursting out a laugh. This had to be some kind of joke.
“You're joking right?”
“I'm serious, Aria.” He said with an outstretched hand. My eyes searched and he was indeed serious.
“But there's no music!” I exclaimed, hoping that my mate had not finally gone insane.
“We don't need music, Aria.”
“What do you mean? Of course, we need—”
“Just dance with me, Aria. You don't need to be stubborn all that time.” He said with a laugh and I gaped at him. Did he have any idea what he was asking of me? First of all, I wasn't a good dancer and he wanted me to dance without music. What in the world?
I looked from his face to his outstretched hand in confusion. What the hell do I do? Do I dance with him? The atmosphere and location were romantic enough for a dance but there was just one problem. There was no damn music!
I shrugged. If my mate wanted me to dance with him, then dance I shall. I gingerly placed my hand in his and he pulled me up with a smile. He pulled me against him, placing his hand on my waist, his other hand held mine.
I placed my other hand on his neck and I must have grimaced as his eyebrows shot up in amusement.
“Don't overthink it. Just dance.” He said and his warm breath tickled my face. He began to sway slowly and I followed as his legs moved. One step— two steps— three till we finally found a rhythm and our dancing got faster.
He let out a small laugh as I twirled— once— twice. I blushed, embarrassed that I could be doing it wrong but he shook his head.
“Don't stop. You're doing great.” He said and that was the only encouragement I needed. The chirping from the birds, the howling wind and the swaying from the trees became our music.
The finale was when he held onto my waist and lifted me without breaking a sweat. My body came alive at the exhilarating experience and I laughed, lifting my hands up in the air.
Lyall finally placed me on the ground and my arms snaked around his neck for support. His striking green eyes pierced mine and at that moment— nothing else mattered. Just me and him.