5. Caught

Aria's POV

"Nicholas Sainthood."

I swiftly pushed Nicholas away after hearing a woman's voice. Someone is calling him. And then, out of nowhere, Kaia appeared, her face contorted with curiosity.

"You should go before someone sees us here," I suggest.

However, he merely glared at me, and instead of following my words, he snaked his arms around my waist, drawing me closer to him. Our situation was so uncomfortable that I almost couldn't breathe.

"What are you doing?" I said, my jaws clenched.

"Holding what's mine, isn't it obvious?"

"I've already told you a million times that I'm not yours," I insisted. He is my mate. But I am not his possession and will never be as long as he hasn't claimed me.

"Whatever you believe, Aria."

We were in the midst of an argument when the door swung open, and a woman in a red dress entered. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw us, and she lingered in the doorway for a while, apparently absorbing the situation. And, strangely, her hazel orbs flashed with wrath as she gazed down at Nicholas' hand on my waist.

In response, I fought to free myself from Nicholas' grip, but he was unquestionably powerful.

"Who is she, Nicholas?" the woman asked, walking in our direction. Her jealous aura is reaching me, and my wolf is not pleased with it. Kaia's possessiveness grew and our emotions became entwined.

"My woman," he answered coldly, standing beside me unbothered.

The woman halted just a few inches from us, eyes sending daggers toward mine — and I generously returned the favor. I'm not some girl she can easily intimidate with a glare.

Who does she think she is?

"You're what, Nikko?" she asked again.

Her stupidity is apparent that even her crimson lipstick couldn't conceal it. Indeed, this woman had no shame left on her body to even place her finger on Nicholas's arms without his consent.

"What are you doing, Natasha?"

Nicholas's grasp on my waist weakened as he fought to break Natasha's grip.

"I did this every time I came home, and you never complained; what's the sudden change?" Natasha whined, glancing at me.

My attention was diverted to Nicholas' grip on Natasha, and a pang of pain ran through my chest. I felt a surge of emotion. It was stifling and nasty. And seeing Natasha's smug look made me want to shatter her bones into pieces.

I exhaled deeply and raced out of the room. The more I witness their interaction, the more enraged I felt.

'Are we just going to leave them there?' Kaia wondered. I nodded in between my steps. There's no reason for us to stay inside. It will only hurt us.

The open-air was already dark when I exited the building. There were also just a few shifters around, monitoring the packhouse. Once again, the bitter feeling threaded inside me, urging me to clear my head and use this opportunity to flee.

And I did.

I was able to leave the pack without being caught, even though there was no apparent path to take. I just ran till I reached a well-lit area that appeared to be a little hamlet with different lights hanging from each house.

What place could this be?

My eyes stuck to the little signs before passing through the entrance. Unlike Red Moon, this place is bustling with activity even when the stars and moon have risen. A combination of shouting, dancing, and singing echoes in all corners. By the look of it, they seem to be celebrating.

Anxiety erupted in my chest, along with a thousand thoughts, as I started my pace. These folks have never met me, and I have never met them. The possibility of them being a hunter made me pause.

Fear began to engulf me, and a change of heart occurred seconds after weighing everything. And just as I was ready to exit, a cold hand held mine. Shit!

"What the heck!"

I glanced over to see who was holding me, and shock seized my system rather than panic. Despite being in a dimly lit spot, I could easily see who was in front of me. His face was irritated as he massaged the area where my fist had landed.

"Matthew?"

What is he doing here?

"Great punch," he sarcastically uttered as he turned to face me. "But what are you doing here?"

I bit my lower lip, not knowing what to say. I never expected to see him here. Oddly, Matthew always appears every time I escape. He's like a shadow lurking in my light, rising whenever he wants. It isn't delightful.

"Nothing," I lied. "I came here just to unwind."

His eyes were skeptical, but he didn't press the issue further. "Come with me. I'll show you something," Matt stated as he grabbed my wrist and pulled me somewhere.

We walked into the woods, and the only sounds heard were the broken twigs we stomped on and a variety of forest animals. The place was utterly dark that even the moon failed to penetrate his light within.

"Where are you taking me?"

Matthew did not respond to my question. He continued tugging me till we arrived at our destination. Unlike before, the moon's light permeated the branches, giving us faint illumination.

As my eyes roamed around, I noticed something. In the center of the woods is a peaceful haven where I can see the moon's reflection. It was a blue lagoon with waterfalls next to it.

"Do you like it?"

I nodded in response. Like is an understatement; I love the view. The gentle sound of the water soothes my ears. It's lulling me, calming my racing thoughts, and giving me a chance to breathe.

"I'm happy that you like it," he uttered.

At one point, this setting reminds me of something. It reminds me of home. Unexpectedly, the longing sensation began to fill me again. Squeezing every emotion I've hidden inside of me.

A day had passed without my parents, and the missing portion of me craved their presence, but I knew they didn't feel the same way.

"Hey," Matthew approached me with a troubled gaze. "Why are you crying?"

Oh!

I immediately wiped my tears, laughed my sorrow away, and cracked a simple joke. "I'm just glad you didn't bring me here to murder me."

Matt creased his forehead and softly whacked my shoulder. "You're weird," he muttered as he walked to the lagoon. "Come on. Let's take a dip."

I'd want to soak away my grief, but I'm not in the mood to do it at this hour, aside from the fact that swimming with Matthew is quite awkward. We've only known each other for a few days, and entirely trusting him isn't a brilliant idea. My intuition urges me to make a reservation.

"I'll just wait for you here," I said, resting on one of the large trunks.

Matthew no longer responds as he dives straight toward the waterfalls. The roaring sound of the falls' must have distracted him. Because, in contrast to the lagoon, the waterfall next to it is rather noisy.

'Are we going to return in Red Moon?' Kaia popped up. Her sudden appearance almost made me stumbled on my seat. But what piqued my attention was her swollen eyes and troubled expression.

'Did you cry?'

She shook her head and yawned. 'I just awoke.'

Her response is convincing. That may be the case. Besides, crying over dogs isn't in Kaia's vocabulary unless it has been added.

'So, are we going back?' she reiterated.

Now that Matthew has caught us in the act, it would be challenging to fabricate another excuse merely to get away; he'd surely suspect my intention.

'I have no idea, Kaia.'

My wolf gave me a frustrated look before disappearing. She must have been quite unhappy with everything. It's not like I'm relishing all we've been through lately. These things are beyond my control.

"Don't you want to take a swim? The water is refreshing," Matthew suggested, standing in front of me.

I instantly turn aside after noticing his nude torso. He was wearing only a boxer and no shirt, and the water streaming over his masculine body made him appear even sexier to the point that it felt like a sin to lay my eyes on him.

"No," I said, refusing. "I felt good just by seeing the place."

There was a deafening silence after I responded. And, out of curiosity, I slowly turned my head to where he was standing, only to find him staring at me with an amused smirk on his face. This is the first time I've ever wished for the earth to swallow me entirely.

Damn it!

Matthew chuckled while looking at my embarrassed expression. He picked up his t-shirt beneath my feet and messed with my hair. "You look cute," he whispers before turning his back on me.

Matthew's comment only worsens the situation. And my cheeks heated up twice out of embarrassment, and from the feel of it, I might look like a ripe tomato by now.

"Let's go," Matthew stated after he put on his clothing. I nodded sheepishly, cleared the dust off my clothes, and hopped out of the trunk. We were just a few steps away from the lagoon when a particular figure blocked our route. Fear gripped my body as intense golden eyes locked on mine.

"Aria Summersault."