I apologise for being late:') but writer's block' s got the better of me. I'll try not to wander away now. Thanks for reading.
98. Don't rush Aria went straight to her house, not waiting for Jake to pick her up as promised. She was too aggravated, too anguished, and too sick of Noah's cunning behavior that she wanted some time alone to clean her head.Also because she wanted time to clean herself off Noah's scent he left lingering in all the wrong places. And though Jake was an understanding boyfriend, she was not sure how he would react to the realization of having Aria cocooned in her mate's fragrance.She took a shower and wore her old baggy clothes. One that would conceal her figure and give her some relief. She was sick being called with names. Being judged as greedy just because she was dating the future alpha."Do I really give such vibes to people? That I am with Jake for his money and the luxurious life he enjoys." She whispered to her reflection in the mirror while drying her hair.Aria noticed the dark red line alongside her lower lashes. It seemed as if she cried nights and days. But the truth wa
99. I thought you loved me"Aria," Realizing the wrong purpose his words may have sounded to give, he went to fetch her hands.Aria moved far away and raised a hand to stop him. Her face exhibited the pain that emerged inside of her from that statement. Cursing himself, Jake rose from the couch."Aria, I am sorry if I sound weird, but it's a mate-bond you're talking about breaking. I have heard from my parents how painful it is. I want you to think wisely bef—""Leave me alone, Jake.""Aria," Feeling weighed down by remorse, Jake hesitantly grazed her shoulders.A jerk was expected, and what followed was a burst of heavy cloud of fury as she pushed him toward the door."Go at once, Jake. I don't want to talk to you.""Aria, you're taking it the wrong way. I meant..." He froze three steps from the door and pulled her in his arms. "I meant for you to take your time. Rejecting Noah may feel like the right thing now, but I don't want to be the cause for it.""The moment you came into my l
100. Bully boyfriend! Aria's POVI stormed to my room and disposed of myself in the small space between the bed and the wall. It brought back all the memories when I used to seek a console in this small-- now tight space for my grown body. Back then I would hide here and cry for hours for being treated like trash by my father.This is where I spent most of my childhood, remembering my mother, and begging the moon goddess to raise me up to heaven in her embrace.The tight feeling in my chest was pretty much the same. The reason, regardless, is different. I was happy that it was not caused by my father. But the awareness that it was caused by one whom I handed over myself to made my bones burn from the force of rushing agony in my body.'Control yourself, Aria.' Melody's words cracked as she said that.She was also heartbroken and taken by surprise. Jake has carved out his place in our hearts. He didn't do anything to impress us, yet every move made, every word he spoke, every smile he
101. Listen to me, Aria. Jake's POVWhen I saw Aria walking out of the door in that apron and flour dust on her forehead, my first thought was to pull her in my arms and eat her lips hungrily. She really made me crazy last night with her outburst. I hadn't realized she would get so pissed for she looked like your timid, baby dear, that would jump at the sight of humans.As I observed her now, a desire to possess her crossed my head. Her lips were set tight in a thin line, eyes glaring at me narrowly while her hands folded before her chest. I felt like I saw a hint of need in her eyes too. But she was quick enough to shake it away before I noticed it.I walked toward her, "Why didn't you tell me when you left home?" She moved away as I sought to take hold of her waist.My teeth clenched together, watching her act differently again. I was not used to this Aria. She annoyed me. The one I was obsessed with was equally invested in me as I was in her. She made me feel like her world revolv
102. A stubborn boyfriendIt took everything in Aria to not slam the door angrily as she came walking back into the bakery."What happened? You look very stressed and... Infuriated." Harry blocked her path and gave her a look that indicated he was on her side if she needed help."I'm okay. Thanks for asking." Aria forced out with a grin and darted toward the door behind the counter to resume her baking classes.She was mad and having someone to listen to her rants would have made her feel good. Harry was not the person though. He was cute and adorable. But not her confidante. He could never be even if he gave her positive vibes.Aria entered the baking room again. She was about to take her position behind the slab she was working on when her ears rang with Jake's voice. Indignation rolled through her. She was being nice because she cared about his public image and the rules and regulations of this bakery.However, she could not suppress her rising turmoil when Jake was being ridiculous
103. Father's interruption Aria was awestruck seeing her father in the house, "Surprise!" He exclaimed and opened his arms for her. She dropped the food bags by the door and threw herself in his arms. Warmth cocooned her-- Just what she needed at the moment. She wrapped her hands tightly around his waist and pressed her face in his chest. "I missed you so much, dad." She said. Zavier smiled and caressed her hair, "I missed you too, baby. I couldn't focus at all. I kept thinking about you." Aria smiled from ear to ear as she looked up at her father. Traitor tears formed in her eyes and she pouted. She had never missed him this badly before. Well... Maybe because they didn't share the close daughter and father's bond they shared now. "Aww, did you really miss me so much that you'd cry over my arrival now, Aria?" She didn't answer and hid her face in his chest. She had two reasons behind her crying. One was that she didn't want to talk about. Forget about talking about it! She didn
104. I need helpJake checked his watch and blocked the destructive thought of barging inside the house again. It would only make that asshole of a Hunter get more mad and find a reason to separate him from Aria. But Jake wanted anything but.He sighed angrily and slapped a hand on the hood of his car, "Bloody son of a bitch!"He closed his eyes and performed deep breathing. At this moment, he felt completely helpless. Even after being the son to the strongest wolf in the pack— In fact, the whole state, he couldn't do anything more than growling and waiting.The girl he has the hots for belonged to an overbearing Hunter— a man who didn't respect his alpha father, let alone him. And now that he had recognized her as his beloved daughter, Jake had to think with his head. One wrong move and he could lose Aria forever.'Aria, I know you are not busy at all. Come out now.' He connected with her on the mind link.This was his seventh time. Or maybe eighth. Maybe ninth. Who knows! Ever since
105. Aria's PunishmentAria was sitting on the sofa put before the wall under the window that overlooked the front porch. She had the hem of the curtain in her clutch, and slightly lifted, so she could look outside under the dark night at Jake.Sending the food down her dry throat was a herculean task. She didn't feel like eating, knowing that Jake was waiting outside to see her. She wanted to go out, too, had it not been for her adamantly egoistic father.Her fight with Jake gave him an impending right to keep them apart. He didn't want her to meet Jake at any cost. Zavier also crossed the line of privacy Aria had presumed he would respect and called his father."Your son is scaring my daughter with his stalking skills, Ragnar. If you do not want to mourn the death of your only son in my hands, you better come here and take him away. He's done testing my patience." She had heard him snap on a phone call.That had brought tears to her eyes. Aria had promised herself that no matter wha