Chapter 5

_Aria's POV_

Lucien pushed himself away from the car when he saw me walking toward him. Snowflakes fell around him like tiny stars. His eyes softened and a small smile pulled at his lips.

“Hi, Aria,” he said, his voice warm and smooth.

“Hi,” I breathed back.

Before I could say anything else, he leaned in and kissed me gently on the cheek.

It was quick and soft. But it felt like fire pressed into my skin.

My whole face turned hot. I didn’t expect it. I didn’t know what to do. My heart jumped and my breath tangled in my throat.

Lucien chuckled when he saw me blush. “You look cute when you go red,” he said.

“I don’t go red,” I muttered, even though I knew I was lying.

He laughed again. The sound was deep and warm and then, walked around the car. He opened the passenger door for me like a perfect gentleman.

“After you,” he said.

I slid inside and the first thing that hit me was the warmth. The interior of the car was heated, soft and comfortable. The leather seats hugged my body. It felt like stepping into another world.....one far from my cold, loud and messy house.

Lucien closed my door then walked to the driver’s side and got in. He looked at me again. His eyes softened.

“Are you hungry?” he asked. “Do you want to grab something to eat?”

I nodded quickly. “Yes… I didn’t eat much during the Christmas dinner.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Why? The food wasn’t good?”

“It was good,” I admitted. “I just… lost my appetite after something my aunt said.”

His jaw tightened a little. “What did she say?”

I looked down at my hands. “She told me I was getting chubby. That boys won’t like me if I don’t diet.”

Lucien let out a soft and annoyed sound. “That’s rude,” he muttered. “And wrong.”

My cheeks warmed a little again. He made me feel seen and important.....not invisible.

“Well,” he said while starting the engine, “I’ll make sure you eat something delicious tonight.”

I blinked. “But… it’s half past midnight. I don’t think any restaurant is open now.”

He grinned. “Don’t worry. We can go to my house.”

I froze. “Your… house?”

When he saw the look on my face: wide eyes and tight shoulders, he burst out laughing.

“Aria,” he said and placed a hand over his heart, “I promise I’m not a psycho serial killer.”

I stared at him.

He grinned even wider. “Really. You’re safe with me. And I’m a good cook. Actually… I’m a great cook. You’ll appreciate my talent tonight.”

A laugh broke out of me. He was ridiculous. And funny. And somehow charming without even trying.

“Okay then,” I said. “I can’t wait to discover your cooking talents.”

He smirked. “Oh, I like when you say things like that.”

“Stop it,” I said while covering my face.

He laughed again and kept driving.

The streets slowly changed as we moved away from the houses. Soon, the streetlights disappeared. The road turned darker. The snow grew thicker. Trees surrounded us on both sides.

I frowned. “Do you… live far away?”

“Not too far,” he said calmly. “We’re almost there.”

But he kept driving deeper into the woods. The road turned into gravel. Then into a dirt path. My breath hitched. I had never been here before. It felt like we were entering another world.

After a few more turns, I saw it.

My mouth fell open.

A mansion.

A massive mansion in the middle of the forest. There were dark stone walls, tall windows and lights glowing warmly inside. It looked like something from a movie or a fairy tale.

Lucien drove toward the gate.

A man stood there. He wore neat clothes but it was clear he wasn’t just standing there....he was watching and guarding. The moment he saw Lucien, he straightened, pressed a button and the gate opened at once.

“Good evening, Alpha,” he said respectfully.

I blinked.

Alpha?

Such a strange way to call your boss.

Lucien didn’t react. He simply nodded and kept driving.

“Why did he call you Alpha?” I asked, confused.

Lucien’s smile was easy. “Just a nickname.”

A weird nickname… but I nodded anyway.

He parked right in front of the main entrance. The huge door opened before we even reached it. Two servants stood there. They bowed slightly.

I stepped inside and felt like I had walked into a palace.

The interior was breathtaking.

There were tall ceilings with crystal chandeliers that sparkled like stars and warm golden lights. The marble floors were so shiny that I could see my reflection. A long staircase curved upward like something from a ballroom. I could see expensive paintings on the walls. There were elegant furniture with velvet cushions. Everything looked luxurious, polished and perfect.

I stared around with wide eyes.

“So this is your house?” I whispered.

Lucien smiled like it was nothing. “Yes.”

People were everywhere. Servants moving quietly. Guards standing strong near the walls. And every single person stared at me when I walked in with Lucien.

Their eyes widened.

Some whispered.

Some stiffened.

Some even bowed their heads a little, as if I was someone important.

It made me nervous. I leaned closer to Lucien.

“There are so many people here,” I whispered.

He looked down at me with a small smile. “Don’t worry. They won’t bite.” Then he winked. “Well… some of them don’t.”

I laughed despite myself. He always found a way to make me smile.

I looked around again. “With this huge mansion… and all these servants… you must be some kind of prince.”

He laughed. “If I were a prince, would that impress you?”

I rolled my eyes. “Maybe.”

He grinned again and led me to the dining room.

It was enormous. A long table stretched across the room. It was covered with a beautiful white cloth. Dozens of chairs lined both sides. It looked like a room meant for royalty.

“Sit,” he said softly and pulled out a chair for me.

I sat next to him, feeling small in such a big room.

Lucien turned to the servants. “Bring food. Quickly.”

“Yes, Alpha,” they said and hurried out.

Alpha again.

So strange.

In less than two minutes, the dishes started to arrive. The table quickly filled with big plates and small plates, bowls and trays. There were steaming dishes, roasted meats, fresh bread, soups, sauces and even desserts. Everything looked delicious and the smell made my mouth water.

“All this… for us?”

Lucien nodded proudly. “Only the best.”

When all the dishes were placed on the table, he waved his hand.

“You may leave,” he told the servants.

They bowed and left.

“Yes, Alpha.”

I smiled again. “That nickname is cute.”

Lucien raised an eyebrow. “Cute? Usually people find it intimidating.”

“Well,” I said softly, “you don’t scare me.”

He tilted his head and smirked. “Good.”

We started eating. The food was amazing. It was rich, flavorful and warm. My stomach felt so happy after being empty for so long.

“So,” Lucien said while pouring me some juice, “tell me more about yourself.”

I wiped my mouth. “Well… I’m an orphan. I was adopted when I was a baby. I never met my birth parents. And now I’m waiting for my high school results. They come out in a few months.”

He listened closely.

“And what do you want to study?” he asked.

“Interior design,” I said. “I love beautiful spaces. Colors. Decorations. Everything.”

“That fits you,” he said gently. “You have an eye for beauty.”

I blushed again. “What about you?”

His expression softened. “I also lost my parents. Long ago. In an accident.”

“Oh…” I whispered. “I’m sorry.”

He shrugged gently but there was sadness in his eyes. “It was a long time ago.”

Then his smile returned. “And you… you must be around eighteen, since you’re waiting for results?”

“Yes.”

He leaned back and smirked. “Well, I’m twenty-five. That won’t be a problem, right, darling?”

My heart skipped.

Darling.

I swallowed. “No… it’s not a problem. We seem to get along well.”

His eyes warmed. “We do.”

We ate more. We laughed. We teased each other. He was flirty, charming....and strangely comforting.

Then his face grew serious.

“Aria,” he said slowly. “Would you believe me if I told you… that I am not human?”

I blinked at him.

For a second, I waited for him to laugh.

But he didn’t.

He looked completely serious.

I let out a nervous laugh. “Oh? What are you then? An alien?”

He didn’t smile.

“Maybe you humans would see me that way,” he said quietly.

I frowned. “Lucien… how much wine did you drink?”

He looked down at his empty glass, then back at me.

“A werewolf,” he said. “I’m a werewolf.”

I burst into laughter. “No, really.”

He didn’t laugh.

“How serious are you right now?” I asked.

“Very,” he said. “And I can prove it.”

He stood up slowly.

“Lucien…” I said, suddenly unsure.

He moved a few steps back, then dropped to all fours.

My breath froze.

I stared.

At first nothing happened...

Then I saw it.

The hair on his arms thickened.

It grew.

It grew again.

Longer. Darker. Thicker.

Not human.

Not normal.

I gasped.

Then I screamed....