2. ARIANA

Four Years later

A knock sounded on the door.

“Xav! Who is it?” I yelled from the kitchen.

“Coming.” He yelled back from the stairs and ran to open the door.

I could hear some muffled dialogue but apart from that I couldn’t make out who it was. Oh, right. It should be Mrs. Paul, she said she wanted some recipes from me and she would visit us in the afternoon.

Wiping my hands on the kitchen towel, I walked towards the door. “Is it Mrs. Pau—”

Words got stuck in my throat.

It was him.

Lucas Klein in flesh, at my doorstep.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I barked and Xavier held me back before I could kill him.

“I–I just wanted to talk to you.”

Wow, Lucas Klein and stuttering. I never thought that I would get to see the day where I would see the mighty and proud Alpha stuttering. Hell, I didn’t even think that he would want to see me after all that he said and did to me. 

“Then talk. Why are you here?” I folded my hands in front of my chest and his gaze fell onto my boobs.

“Eyes up here mister.” I snapped my fingers.

“Can we talk in private?” He asked.

“You can say whatever you want in front of Xavier. And get done with it soon, I don’t have all day with me waiting for you to open your mouth.” I held Xavier’s hands as he was about to leave. I assured him with my eyes asking him to stay with me and he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me into him. I sank into his embrace as he kissed my forehead in comfort.

But it seemed like someone didn’t like this affection. He clenched his fists and stared at Xavier’s hands on my waist.

“Do you want to talk or are you simply going to stare?” That brought him out of his reverie and his gaze returned to my face.

“Can we go inside?” He asked. I wanted to laugh at him.

“Yes.”

“No.”

Xavier and I simultaneously answered. I glared at him and he pouted cutely. Rolling my eyes at his antics, I returned my attention back onto Lucas.

“I am not allowing you into our home. Whatever it is, talk here and get out.” He nodded and ran his hands through his hairs.

“I want you to come back home. Come back to our pack.” He spoke and I went still. Xavier’s arm around my waist was the only source of comfort  for me that was preventing me from having a panic attack.

“Are you out of your senses? Do you even know what you are asking for? And what makes you even think that I would come back just because you asked me to.”

“Ari, I am sorry for whatever happened. I apologize sincerely. If I wish–” I showed him my palm and cut him off.

“Ari? Who the hell are you to call me that? I am Mrs. Reynolds for you and that is the only way you will address me.”

“Mrs?” He stuttered.

“Is there a problem?” He shook his head in a no and I heaved a breath of sigh. “There is a problem back at the pack and we need your help.”

“What kind of problem and how will a pathetic, naive and foolish person like me be of any help to you and your pack?”

“Aria–Mrs. Reynolds.” He corrected his words. “I am sorry for that day. If I could go back and relive that day, I would have never done something like that. I regret what I did to you that day.  

I am –”

“Save your sorry and apologies for someone. Even if you would go back in time, you would try to be even meaner and harsh.”

“It's not like that. I am being honest. I cannot even imagine what you would have gone through and I regret it everyday.”

“What’s the problem?” He can save his sorry ass for someone else. I would never forgive him at all.

“We are being attacked by a group of Vampires. They have been destroying our homes and killing our pups. We have tried everything to stop them but all we are left with is a sacrifice to the Moon Goddess.”

“What do I have to do about it?”

“Only a true Luna and Alpha can do this and invoke the Goddess. Else, this sacrifice is futile.”

“Oh! I get it now. That mate of yours is no longer useful to you now. So you want me now. What else do you want from me? My life? My peace? Sex?”

“Ari.” Xavier rubbed my arm, calming me down. “It’s not good for your health, baby. Calm down.”

“Can you believe this man Xavier? After everything, he wants me. Why? Because his pack is in danger and his reputation is at stake. Tell me something, if this situation had not come up, would you even remember that I exist or like the past years you would have lived your life happily wishing that I died?”

“Ari, I would never wish something like that for you. I never intended to do what I did to you.”

“Yet you hurt me and left me alone to suffer. You know how painful the pain of rejection is yet you decided to inflict it on me.”

“Ariana” I glared at him. “Mrs. Reynolds,” He corrected himself. “Your father and your brother, Augustus' son, were killed by the vampires. I tried my best to protect my people, but I failed as an alpha. Things look very scary back there and I didn’t want that to happen to anyone again. But the sacrifice needed you, else, I would never trouble you with my problems and worries. All these years, all I did was think about you. But after what I did, I realized that you deserve someone much better than me, someone who chose you.” He looked at Xavier and then back at me.

“I need some time to think about this.”

“Sure. But please think about it once.” I nodded and shut the door on his face not caring how rude or harsh my behavior was. He deserved it and he was going to get it.

I turned around and faced Xavier who was looking at me with a different emotion.

“Don’t worry. I am not going to leave you for him.” I patted his chest and walked into the kitchen to finish baking those cookies.

“I know you won’t but I am also certain that he has a powerful influence on you. I just–” JHe raised his hands trying to put words for his fear.