Three

LENA

I didn't know how long the drive once but I noticed when the car came to a halt.  

My mind was driven back to reality as I gawk at the villa.  

While struggling to get out, I accidentally broke his handle in anger.  

He got out and opened the car for me and just as I intended to step out, he suddenly carried me in his arms.  

"I can walk" I protested in a weak tone.  

"You have no shoes on, you've walked enough"  

My hands grabbed a fistful of his shirt as he walks me inside.  

The blinding lights flooded me.  

He stopped when he brought me to a door.  

"You can use the room, I'd be waiting downstairs for you..."  

He discontinued and then gasped like he wasn't breathing again when our eyes locked.

"Don't skip dinning because of him, he's not worth doing that for"  

It's like he knows everything but just feign ignorance.  

He lean closely to me, like he'd kiss me but then, I realized he was opening the door.  

"I'd be waiting"

My body recoils as I had goosebumps with that line of his.  

I got inside the room and slammed the door at his face, intending to have a warm shower.  

But I couldn't, even the luxury of this room couldn't take the pain away. 

After freshening up, I strolled out putting on pyjamas and a long face.  

Taking the last step on the curvy stairway I doubt if I was myself yet.

He was wearing an apron, hands serving out chicken chowder and even though it was just that, it felt like a feast.  

I couldn't trust this kindness but it's better than finding myself at a place where I might kill myself. 

He didn't tell me to sit before I did, just opposite where he stood.  

"Hey?" He whispered in a soothing voice that had me staring at him. 

Looking at him closely, I realized he's the definition of handsome, sturdy and more like a model.  

"I'm sorry for the inconvenience" I muttered as his eyes locked onto mine in a shared understanding.

"It's okay but am I permitted to be happy that we met?" He teased letting out a soft chuckle but stop as he realizes I was irritated.

"Why are you helping me?"  

The first line I could finally say. He takes a bowl and place in front of me with a sided smile.

"Because we are up against the same person"  

Oh turns out Aaron has another enemy. After his fame with the Ice Wolves, he just keeps pushing people behind him.  

I narrowed my gaze at him, loss for an appetite.

His eyes were piercing into my soul and my stomach twisted.  

"What?"

"You want revenge on the kid don't you? And don't tell me you're starving for a man who doesn't deserve you either?"  

His eyes followed me as though waiting for me to eat.

I scoffed because he calls the superstar a kid? Aaron is 26 and captain of the Ice Wolves.  

His face looked concerned and angry at the same time as though he'd punch Aaron right in the face.

"As if revenge is possible" I grumbled and took a spoon.  

"It is. You just need the right power for it"  

I slowly raised my eyes as he wasn't smiling anymore.  

His hazel eyes held mine with an unsettling confidence.

"Against zain? You sound very certain"  

He inserted a stand of hair between my ears.  

“Against everyone who stands behind him.” he breath hard. "Allow me introduce myself"  

I don't even need that because by morning, we'd never cross path again.

"I'm Aaron krane"  

I stirred the bowl still wondering if I've heard that name.  

I was too focused on Zain that I didn't look out for other powerful alphas.

"Lena" I coldly muttered. “What did he ever do to you?”  

Aaron leaned back, studying me.  

“That isn't important.”  

“It is if you're asking me to trust you."  

“I didn't ask you to trust me.” he sucked his breath.  

"I just need you to listen"

I folded my arms.  

“You sacrificed everything for that man.”  

I was still. “I know you gave up your wolf for him.”  

"What? How do you know that?"  

“It's common knowledge in certain circles.”

My fingers curled. No one outside family knew.  

Not even Zain liked talking about it. He was more than mysterious.  

“What exactly are you suggesting?”  

“I'm suggesting that you stop mourning a man who has already replaced you.”

“I don't want to talk about him.”  

"You don't need to, talk about yourself"  

“What?”  

“What do you want now, Lena?”

The question caught me off guard. Everyone had always needed something from me.  

But what did I want? My lips parted but no sound came out.

Aaron nodded as though my silence had answered him.  

“You don't know.”  

I lowered my gaze. “I want my sister back.”

He softened not expecting that.

“I can't give you that.” he pulled my chair closer and I gasped.  

We were so close we exchanged breath. “But I can give you something else.”  

I was staring at his lips.  

“What?”  

“Power.”

I scoffed “Power won't bring Raina back.”  

“But it can stop whoever caused her death from doing it again.”  

My heart skipped, this man knew more.  

“What are you implying?”  

"Don't reason it"

Aaron reached for water and muttered;  

“Marry me.”  

I gloated. "Excuse me?"  

“You've officially lost your mind.”  

He gave me a sided smile "maybe"

“You met me today and my husband just abandoned me"  

“You don't have to remind me about that, as long as we both share the same interest"

“You're proposing to me while I'm wearing borrowed pajamas and crying over another man?”  

“I didn't say it was romantic.”

I pushed myself away, lost.

“This is insane.”  

"You're right" his eyes held me. "But you're considering it"  

"No! Why would I marry a stranger?"  

He twirl his lips. “Because I can give you everything you need to start over.”  

I veered slowly. “Such as?”  

“Money.” he spread his arms. "And protection"  

"I don't need your money and I can protect myself"

"Really? Can you?"

He stood, walked to the window and pulled the curtain. I just didn't know what too my eyes there but outside, parked on the driveway under the rain, was an Ice Wolves team van.  

And in the driver's seat, staring right at our window...was zain!

My blood froze as he didn't leave that spot but just watching like a predator.

I hurried closely to see for myself frightened and clenched my fists.

What was zain doing here? How did he find me? Could this mean he wants me back.