CHAPTER 5

ARIA

He said it so casually, like it was just some boring, everyday threat.

“Are you serious?” I hissed.

“As a heart attack.” Aaron’s smile didn’t slip, but the corner of his mouth twitched—like even he knew how ridiculous this sounded. “So for my sake, just stay here, okay?”

He even threw in a little pout for effect. My gut twisted with suspicion. Why did this feel too convenient? Could this be a part of some plan no one bothered to tell me about?

But with no other option, I bobbed my head. “Fine.”

“No way in hell!”

The voice exploded right behind us, and my soul nearly left my body. Aaron and I spun around just as a woman stormed toward us. The second Aaron saw her, his whole body stiffened.

“Shit,” he muttered under his breath. “Maren…” He dragged her name out like it was bitter. “You’re not supposed to be here,” he said, stepping in front of me. “These are the Alpha’s private quarters.”

I expected that to slow her down but it didn't.

Not even a little.

“Neither is she.” Maren’s eyes flicked to me, and I felt every inch of it. “And yet… here we all are.”

A lump formed in my throat.

Up close, she was gorgeous, in that painfully effortless way that made me feel self conscious. With all that silky black hair… high cheekbones, and plumpy lips… I hated her instantly.

But her eyes weren’t on me—they were locked on Aaron, and if looks could kill, he’d be ashes.

“Aaron, care to explain why you’re suddenly playing nurse for a rogue?” she asked sweetly but there was nothing friendly about it.

I glanced at Aaron. His shoulders were slumped. My gut told me this wasn’t his first time getting cornered.

“Maren—”

“No, no, no.” She held up one perfectly manicured finger, cutting him off before he could even start. “I’m just dying to know why this is happening. Because last I checked, treating rogues wasn’t exactly a pack priority.” Her eyes dragged over me again, and I swear I felt my skin peel back from the force of her stare. “Especially not her.”

I had no idea what I did to this woman, but I could practically hear her deciding I wasn’t worth the air I was breathing.

It’s not like that,” Aaron tried.

“Oh? Then what’s it like?” Maren leaned closer to me, scrunching her nose. “She doesn't even look hurt.”

I opened my mouth, but Aaron beat me to it.

“It is a medical issue but she’s recovering, that's all.” he said quickly. “Also, she has internal injuries.”

Maren’s brow shot up. “Really? What kind?”

“Fractured rib. Among other things.”

The way he said it made me embarrassed. Why throw out my business in front of this woman? Who was he anyway?

“I don't believe you.” Maren sneered. “That’s just a flimsy excuse. So what now? You’re just looking for a good place in the ALPHA'S quarters to keep the rogue? Is this a new rule or something…?”

The tension between us was a living thing now.

My skin itched and I couldn’t help but stare at Aaron, silently waiting for him to explain how this whole drama was my life now.

But all he did was rub his neck. Again.

“She really is hurt, Maren. Look at her.”

“But you said she had some internal injury.” Maren’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Unless… unless there’s something you’re not telling me.” Her gaze dropped to my wrist, the one Aaron was holding, and her smile curled into something cruel. “Something personal.”

Oh hell no.

“Excuse me,” I said, raising one shaky hand. “I don’t know what kind of arrangement you think this is, but I woke up here. Trust me, if I had a choice, I wouldn’t be across the hall from anybody.”

Maren scoffed. “Yeah, right.”

I blinked. “What?”

“We’ll see how much attitude you still have when Lucian finds out Aaron sneaked you to his quarters.”

My head snapped toward Aaron so fast my neck cracked. “He doesn’t know?”

Aaron winced. “Technically…”

“Technically nothing!” Maren repeated, rolling her eyes so hard to the heavens I thought they might get stuck. “Lucian doesn't allow anyone in his quarters and you know that!”

I turned to Aaron, feeling weak in my knees. “What the hell is she talking about?”

“Don't worry about her.” Aaron muttered. “Nothing will happen.”

“You are wrong, Aaron.” Maren snapped. “Get her out of my room!”

My brain short-circuited. “Your room?”

Aaron closed his eyes like he knew exactly how bad this was about to get.

“But what did I even do to make her hate me this much?” I asked him directly.

The moment Aaron hesitated a second too long, I knew. I knew there was more to the story. I smelled the lie before it even left his mouth.

“Just that you’re…”

“Aaron,” I called, recoiling as dread filled the suspicion in my stomach. “What exactly did you tell her about me?”

He flashed me an innocent smile, and I acknowledged that I was royally screwed.

“What is going on here?”

I didn’t need to turn to know who it was. The heat of his stare drilled holes into the back of my head, and when I finally looked, Lucian was standing at the end of the hall.

His jaw ticked once.

Twice.

I followed his cold gaze to see where they settled—on my wrist, right where Aaron was holding me. I hadn't realized that Aaron was still holding me.

Neither did I think to separate our hands.

And Maren, of course, couldn't read the room.

“Perfect timing, Lucian,” she said, full of annoying innocence. “Tell Aaron to get rid of her already. She doesn’t belong here and definitely not across from your room.” She finished smugly.

“No.”

Lucian’s answer was short, and full of irritation.

Maren's smile fell. “What?”

“You’re not moving into that room,” Lucian said calmly but his cold grey eyes were still on me.