Chapter Four

Aria’s Pov

Disaster was about to unfold. 

My family was coming for me and they were bringing war with them.

****

I nearly choked on my drink as Xavier revealed the news. “I'm sorry — who's waging war?”

Xavier sighed, looking like he was about two seconds away from throwing something. “Your family.”

I stared at him and blinked. “You're joking, right?”

He was quiet.

I pushed back my seat. “Why — I mean, why would my family — who made it very clear they wanted nothing to do with me — suddenly care that I was gone?”

Unless…

Realization hit me like a brick to the face. 

“Oh my God,” I gasped. “They're not coming for me. They're coming for the treaty.” 

Xavier didn't say anything again, which was the confirmation I needed.

I let out a humourless laugh. “The only time my family ever gave a crap about me is when they realized their baby factory is gone? Wow.”

Xavier moved and I didn't notice he'd been standing beside me. “If they come here, they won't take you. I won't let them take them.” 

“I —”

He pulled me into his arms, startling me. “You're not leaving me, Po.”

I melt into his arms. 

Why was he making me feel like this — scared. Scared that he was the only keeping me from breaking apart. 

I turned and buried my face in his chest. “I never agreed to be your mate.” 

“And yet, you are.” He kissed the crown of my head.

“What are you like this?” I held him tighter.

He didn't have time to dwell on that because boom — the warning bells rang and suddenly, the entire camp went into war mode.

No.

Oh no.

They were here.

My family… they've come for me.

“Take her to safety.” Xavier said, lightly pushing me into Asher's arms.

I panicked as his warmth left me. “Wait, Xavier!” 

Why?

Why am I calling for him?

What the hell is wrong with me?

Xavier stepped closer and engulfed me in his arms. “You need to be safe. I want you to be safe. Go with Asher. He'll protect you.”

“I don't want you to leave.” Those words left my lips before I could stop them.

Staying here, in the BlueMoon camp with everyone who taught me what it was like to have a family, 

Staying with people who smiled all the time despite the cruel rumours about them,

Staying with Xavier made me happy.

I'd told myself I hated Xavier but now, I wasn't sure.

Before I knew what was happening, warm arms grab my waist and pulled me into a kiss.

My eyes widened for a second before it settled on blue ones — not icy, not filled with bloodlust but warm, oh-so-warm. My eyes fluttered shut and I put my arms around him.

I wanted more of this.

I wanted more of him but he pulled away and leaned his forehead on mine.

“I'll be back for you. I swear.” He whispered.

“Come back, please.” I sob this time.

“I will.” He gave me a kiss on my forehead and disappeared with the other soldiers.

“Let's go.” Asher said.

I let Asher pull me away.

****

From a distance (behind Asher), I watched as my family arrive with way too many CrescentMoon wolves.

Standing at the front was father, Alpha Vincent Ivanov and next to him, was my so-called fiance, Tristian Drakos, who looked annoyed that his “property” had been stolen.

I felt sick.

“This is your last chance, Rogue,” My father said, voice cold. “Return my daughter, and we'll consider sparing you.” 

Spare them? He was acting like he was the one in charge here.

Xavier let out a chuckle. “You're mistaken, Alpha Vincent. Aria is mot yours to claim.” 

Father yelled. “She is mine by blood! 

“And mine by treaty,” Tristian spoke up then he gestured to me. “Come to me, Aria.” 

I had never wanted to die more in my entire life because every instinct in me screamed at.

They screamed at me to go back,

To obey, 

To let them use me and end this entire nightmare. 

But then I looked at Xavier.

And then, the realization hit me.

He wasn't ordering me to stay.

He was forcing me to stay.

Instead he was giving me a choice.

And suddenly I understood.

If I left, if I go back to my family, I'll be fulfilling my duty. I'll become the perfect little Omega wife to Tristian Drakos.

Or

I could stay.

I could choose myself.

I could defy them.

I lifted my chin and took a deep breath and the next thing I knew, I said the most reckless thing I'd ever said in my life. 

“No!” 

“Excuse me?” Father's eyes darkened. 

I clenched my fists. “I said no. I'm not going back.” 

Tristian's face twisted in rage. “You belong to me.” 

“I don't!” I screamed at him. 

“You will do as you're told, Aria!” Father said in a threatening voice.

My heart hammered in my chest. Whenevr he yelled at me, I always… always shrunk. I always apologized. I always obeyed. But now, I had a choice and I say NO!

“Not anymore, father.” I said.

“What? Aria, I will drag you over here if I have to! Come here!” Tristian lost his patience and so did I.

But before I could retort, Xavier beat me to it.

“If you want Po, you'd have to fight me.”

I nearly had a heart attack.

What?

I looked at Xavier. “Are you insane?”

Xavier didn't look at me. “For you? Yes.” 

My cheeks turned red at the wrongest time.

“You think I'm afraid of a rogue?” Tristian sneered. 

“You should be.” Xavier smirked. 

And then, all hell broke loose.

The second Tristian lunged at Xavier, Asher grabbed me and ran for cover. 

I'm glad he did just in time because I couldn't just stand there and hoped no one would rip my face off. 

Wolves began to creep into the hiding place and Asher hurried to wade them off, leaving me with an instruction to never leave where I stood behind the tree. 

As I peeked form behind the tree, I couldn't help but wonder — 

How did my life become this chaotic?