3: Her Lover

"IS LOVING SOMEONE a mistake?"

She shook her head once again. Up until now, she can hear the voice of Aro. She must have gone crazy to hear him.

“Yes, I am crazy. That’s it! I am crazy,” her eyes widened as she shook her head left to right and fast. “Why do I need to hear your voice right now?”

"For a month, I forced myself to forget you. But even though so many things ran through my mind, I still couldn't help it. In the end... my heart still beats for you... only you, Lirah."

Lirah gradually raised her gaze. Her vision blurred when she saw the figure of a man in front of her.

“A-aro, is it really you?” she’s asking because she feels like this is just a dream.

“Who else?”

“Y-your wolf helped me again…she saved me…” She’s talking about her encounter with Tasyo and his men because she wants to calm down. She wants to restrain herself from hugging him for the reason that she’s afraid she will not allow herself to let him go.

“I don’t know what I will do to them if something happens to you.”

“She saved my life…”

If the wolf didn’t save her, maybe she is now a captive of Tasyo's men and something bad happened to her. That’s one of the reasons why she chose to leave too. She can’t compromise her safety anymore, especially because she's sure that her parents don't have concern for her. 

She couldn't speak for a couple of minutes. She was lost in thoughts. She thinks that she’s gone crazy. She rubs her eyes using her left hand. She looked at the man carefully so that she could be sure that she was not dreaming.

“Is it really you?” she asked.

When he came closer, she still couldn't help but admire his beauty.

She can see the perfect body of Aro. Her lover didn't have any tops, his pants were worn. Aro also has no soles. Lirah couldn't help but swallow as she felt the sudden thirst for an Alpha who was in front of her. Who wouldn’t? She saw his perfect body that seemed to have been made by the best sculptor.

But not the perfect six-pack abs is the one who always gets her attention. Aro's tantalizing eyes are the culprit that’s why her heart beats fast whenever he looks at her like this. 

She remembered how surprised she was the first time she saw his black iris that turned red when the moon's rays hit Aro's eyes. She’s also ready to show off how sexy his lips are whenever Aro smirks. It suited his pugnacious chin. Most of all, her favorite pointy nose whenever he wrinkled it just to see her smile. Aro is also tall. That's why she had to look up to see his perfect face. She also liked Aro's positive attitude toward life. Despite the problems, he always reminds her not to give up. There is still a great chance that her fate will change.

He was smiling but his eyes were sad which she didn't even notice right away. 

"It's me, Lirah!" Aro said again while both hands were open and ready to accept a hug.

“But h-how?” she asked worriedly. “Why are you here?” She’s happy. Yes. But on the other hand, she is afraid of his fate. Aro could be punished for breaking the law to meet a mere human like her.

Aro came closer, smiled at her, and hugged her tightly. “Aren't you happy now that you've seen me?” He sounded disappointed. "Humans are really different. You are a mess. You never get tired of asking for things. But when you get what you want, you'll look for something new again. You don't know how to be satisfied."

Lirah smiled with contentment in her heart. She’s not dreaming. He is real! He is the one who’s hugging her. She couldn’t help but close her eyes and return his warm hug.

They were like that for a few minutes, not until Lirah remembered their problem.

“Yes, I am happy to see you, but why did you show up? Why did you choose me?" her tears fell again. "You will be the king—not just an alpha of your pack! Your pack needs you... your subjects need you!" She avoids his embrace even though she's seeking it for so long.

Lirah shook her head. She did not want to fulfill her heart's desire if the exchange of it was Aro's dream.

"Can't I be selfish just for a moment?" There was resentment with Aro's voice. Looks like he has a problem that he can't tell her.

Lirah’s heart seemed to be punched by what he said. She couldn't look at him straight. She’s afraid to see his sad eyes. She doesn’t know how to handle the vulnerable side of Aro but she needs to face him. There’s no second chance but right now.

"I’m asking you, can’t I, Lirah?" 

"Be selfish?” She looked at him with bravery. “That's what I've wanted to do for a long time, Aro. But every time I think about what might happen to you because of this forbidden love, I keep stopping myself from coming here. I don’t want you to get hurt because of me…” Her tears fell harder this time. 

Aro looked at her worriedly. “What happened? What has your mother done this time?”

“You’re the only one that I have and if there’s something that is going to happen to you, I don’t know what I’m going to do—”

“Are you still doubting my capability—”

"I wish you would just let me go! I wish you'd pretend that you didn’t hear me and you’ll turn a blind eye. You shouldn’t come to me like you always do! Your safety is more important than my happiness, Aro." Lirah was forced to smile despite her sadness. "I can sacrifice everything... but not you. I don't want you to get hurt."

“Did you ask me what I want?” Aro closed his eyes as his tears fell at the same time. “You’re giving up a fight without even trying.”

The sight that Lirah sees is a poison that will kill her. She can't bear the pain of seeing his loved one hurt because of her. She’s used to being hurt and not the other way around.

"I don't think there's anything worse than the pain I feel now that you're pushing me away," a sad smile drew on Aro's lips as he wiped away the tears after looking at her.

When Lirah tried to touch Aro, he dodged.

“Please—”

“Shhh…” Aro began to look around at their surroundings. His expression changed instantly also. From being a vulnerable back to being an alpha who’s ready to give a fight to anyone.

Later on, she could see the intense concern in his eyes after Aro pulled her right hand and told her that they needed to run. 

The moment they stepped on their feet, they didn't stop. Aro's panic can be seen especially as they hurriedly run!

She poured all her strength just to make them stop and she succeeded. She needs to understand what’s going on.

Aro looked surprised when he looked at her again.

“How?” he’s asking her with so much confusion on his face. “How did you make me stop?”

“Huh?” she answered with a question. She doesn't know what he's talking about.

For a split second, Aro changed his emotion again. She can see how furious he is now. But she doesn't know why. She’s just observing him while Aro’s looking in one direction that’s why she does the same.

"Your happiness is more important than my safety. That's what you'll always remember, Lirah," he said without looking at her. “People say that love is not selfish. But will I just forget my love for you?"

“What are you talking about? I can’t understand! What’s really going on? Tell me—”

“Self-love isn’t also a selfish thing, Lirah. How can you love someone else if you don’t truly love yourself in the first place? Be brave. Choose yourself once in a while.”

Aro said that to her like he was hinting at what’s going to happen next.

She becomes more confused as she notices Aro's anxiousness once again. He hid her behind his muscular back like it seems that it is his way of protecting her.

Later on, she heard consecutive applause. After she blinked her eyes, she saw a man with a golden iris. He has pale skin as if his body had never been exposed to the sun and she can see his fangs. He also walks with grace like he came from a noble family. But what is remarkable about the man is his big scar on the left eye up to his neck.

“How great!” he clapped again three times. “Their beloved alpha and next crowned king of the wolves, trade his power for a lowly mortal woman—what a shame!"

They were gradually surrounded by so many creatures that suddenly appeared in the blink of her eyes. What's worse is they looked at her as if they wanted them to turn them into food.

Lirah snuggled closer to Aro. This is the first time that she felt like this. An intense fear that she couldn't describe.

Aro got his confidence back and smirked. "Slow down your speech, Valmir. You don’t know what trouble I can bring you! Before we shed blood here, let her pass!”

They tried to pass between those creatures but he failed. 

“Who are you to give me a command?”

In Aro's last attempt, Lirah injured her arm. 

How the person in front of him had such sharp claws was unknown to her. All she can think about is the rage that she sees in Aro’s eyes…