Aria
I stood still as Lyall's red eyes glowed in the darkness with his teeth bared. I tried moving a little closer but once more, a low growl escaped his throat. I furrowed my eyebrows, wondering what the source of his agitation was till I discovered it. It was Trenton, standing in close proximity to me.
“Move away!” I whispered harshly to Trenton and he raised a confused eyebrow

“What?”
“Just do it!” I responded, not taking my eyes off the black wolf.
“Fine.” Trenton took a few steps away from me and I sighed in relief as the wolf stopped growling. His eyes relaxed and regarded me with curiosity— almost inviting me to come closer.
I couldn't resist the pull and I took several steps toward him.
“What are you doing?!” Trenton hissed. “He is dangerous in this form!”
I rolled my eyes, still taking small steps toward the wolf. “Relax. He won't hurt me.”

“And how do you know that?” An edge of exasperation seeped into Trenton's voice.
“I just do,” I said and finally, I stood in front of Lyall. I expected a growl from him but there was none. Those red eyes remained fixated on me. I reached out and tenderly stroked his fur.
Surprisingly, he let out a whine which was pleasing to me and especially my wolf. She jumped in pleasure, eliciting a smile from me. I sank to the ground, not minding if I dirtied my dress, and began stroking Lyall's fur which felt soft under my fingers.
He let out another whine, leaning into my touch. Behind me, Trenton scoffed, making Lyall growl.

I turned to Trenton with raised eyebrows. “And what's your problem?”
“I just wanted to remind you that's our Alpha, not your pet so you can quit playing around with him now.” He scowled at me.
“And I just want you to know that you cannot tell me what to do.” I sassed and his mouth hung open in surprise. I turned back to Lyall, stroking his fur and scratching behind his ears.
The big bad wolf seemed to like that and he whined, enveloping me with his huge frame. Lyall and I fell on the ground and I giggled as he nuzzled and licked my face. We rolled around on the ground and he was careful not to squash me under his heavy weight.
“Goddess, save me,” Trenton muttered under his breath and I rolled my eyes.
“Quit..complaining, Trenton,” I said in between laughs and Trenton scoffed. “You're so adorable.” I giggled at Lyall, stroking behind his ears, and suddenly, a flustered voice boomed in my head. Lyall's voice.
“I'm the Alpha of all Alphas. I am not…adorable.”
My eyes were as wide as saucers. He was communicating using the mind-link. I had never communicated using the mind link before. It felt strange but exhilarating. My heart thumped loudly in my chest as I closed my eyes and focused.
“You are. You're like an adorable little pup.” I thought and opened one eye, unsure if he heard me or not. He let out a low growl, exposing his fangs.
“I am not a pup!”
I smiled softly and my heart soared at the fact that I was communicating with my mate using the mind-link. I never thought I would see the day.
“Yes, you are.” I teased.
“That's it,” Lyall growled. “I'm shifting back.”
“Wait, don't—”
As quick as lightning, Lyall transformed back into a man and he was lying stark naked on top of me. My eyes widened and my cheeks turned red as I felt all of him on top of me.
His piercing green eyes met mine and my breath hitched as my blush deepened. The air between us sizzled with electricity and I fell in love with him all over again.
Trenton cleared his throat and Lyall and I sprang apart.
“Well, this is awkward.” Trenton rubbed his neck with amusement dancing in the pools of his eyes. He tossed a long furry coat at Lyall. Lyall reluctantly covered himself up, not taking his eyes off me.
“Trenton, a word?” Lyall said standing up and helping me up to my feet.
Trenton looked completely petrified and I tilted my head to the side, wondering what that was all about. The two men strolled to the side to discuss and I busied myself with dusting my clothes. My curiosity got the better of me and I decided to eavesdrop which was easy with my super hearing.
“I told you not to bring anyone here, especially Aria! I told you I wanted to be alone, Trenton.” Lyall said with a hint of annoyance in his voice. My face fell. What did Lyall mean by that? He didn't want me here.
“I didn’t have a choice. She bullied me into bringing her here!” Trenton exclaimed. I would have laughed but I didn't want to be caught eavesdropping.
Lyall scoffed. “Bullied? Do you even hear yourself right now?”
“She is a stubborn and nasty woman, Lyall. She didn't stop until she got her way—”
Lyall growled. “Enough! You have failed me, Trenton. I just didn't want her to see me like this.”
“As a wolf?”
I assumed Lyall shot Trenton a nasty look to which Trenton audibly gulped. “Don't worry about it.”
“I'm sorry, Alpha.”
Lyall didn't respond and an awkward silence ensued between them before it was broken by Trenton.
“Will you come back to the palace with us?”
“Not tonight. I'll be back tomorrow.”
“I guess that woman and I will head back on our own.”
“That woman has a name,” Lyall snapped and my face flushed red. It was endearing how quickly he defended me. “And Aria is staying.”
“But you said you wanted to be alone,” Trenton said and I rolled my eyes at his smug tone.
“Well since she came all the way here, I might as well let her stay.”
“What about me?! I made the trip too!” Trenton protested.
“Go back to the palace, Trenton.”
“But, Alpha—”
“I will not repeat myself,” Lyall said sternly but there was a hint of amusement in his voice.
“Fine. Have fun with Aria.” Trenton replied snarkily and I rolled my eyes. When did Trenton become so immature?
“I will,” Lyall retorted. And suddenly his voice boomed in my head. He communicated to me through the mind-link.
“I know you're listening, Aria. You can stop pretending to do whatever it is you're doing.” I let out a small gasp as my face broke into a smile. I had been caught.