Chapter Four

Declan's golden eyes gleamed with command as he shifted back, his muscular frame rippling. "Shift, little Luna," he growled, his tone brooking no argument.

Lucia's wolf whined, desperate to submit to the powerful alpha twins. Against her will, her body shifted, leaving her vulnerable and exposed beneath Aiden's towering form. 

Aiden's breath came in harsh pants as he took in the sight of the beautiful woman beneath him, her curves tempting him. He shifted back, pressing his arousal against her as he pinned her wrists to the ground. "Don't fight it, little Luna," he rasped, his voice rough with desire. "I know you want us."

‘I want them too,’ Lucia's wolf whispered, the admission sending a shiver through her human self. But the memory of her broken past haunted her, and she struggled futilely against Aiden's hold. ‘No, I can't, I won't!’

"Please," she begged, her eyes darting between the two dominant wolves. "Let me go."

Aiden leaned in, his lips mere inches from Lucia's when he saw her terror-filled eyes.

"Little Luna... what happened to you?" Declan's deep voice rumbled with concern.

Lucia's heart pounded in her chest, the memories of her past abuse clawing at her mind. "Please," she rasped, her voice trembling. "Just let me up. I'll tell you, I swear." 

Aiden and Declan exchanged a weighted glance, their instincts to claim her warring with their desire to comfort the obviously distressed woman. Aiden released his hold, allowing Lucia to slowly sit up, her knees drawn protectively to her chest. 

Despite the fear lingering in her gaze, Lucia couldn't deny the allure of the two powerful wolves. Their scent enveloped her, but the memories of her past mate's brutality kept her from submitting. She shuddered, wrapping her arms tighter around herself.

"I had a mate before," Lucia began, her voice barely above a whisper. "He... he hurt me." The admission seemed to physically pain her, her words trailing off as she squeezed her eyes shut against the onslaught of trauma.

Aiden's features darkened with a fierce protectiveness, a low growl rumbling in his chest. "Was he an alpha?" Declan pressed gently, his tone deceptively calm.

Lucia nodded, the movement jerky and uncertain. "Yes," she breathed, the word laced with lingering fear.

Lucia took a shuddering breath, willing herself to continue despite the painful memories threatening to overwhelm her. "He... he used his power to control me. To hurt me." Her voice cracked, the words sticking in her throat.

Aiden's expression twisted with rage, his wolf surging forth at the thought of an alpha abusing their mate. Declan, ever the calmer of the two, reached out a hand, pausing when Lucia flinched away.

"Easy, little Luna," Declan soothed, his voice low and gentle. "You're safe now. That bastard can't hurt you anymore." His gaze settled on Aiden, silently urging him to reign in his volatile emotions.

Lucia's wide eyes darted between the two wolves, torn between her instinctive fear and the growing sense of security their presence evoked. She knew, deep down, that these two were unlike her previous mate - their concern for her well-being was palpable. Still, the trauma lingered, leaving her wary and uncertain.

"We won't hurt you, Lucia," Aiden rumbled, the intensity in his eyes softening. "You have our word. We're not like him." 

Declan nodded in agreement, his expression earnest. "You have our protection, little luna. No one will lay a hand on you, not while we're here."

Lucia studied their faces, searching for any hint of deception. But all she saw was genuine concern and a fierce protectiveness that made her wolf stir with tentative hope. Tentatively, she uncurled herself, her muscles still tense but no longer coiled for flight.

Declan and Aiden remained where they were, giving her space but conveying with their body language that they were ready to shield her at a moment's notice. 

"We know you've been through something terrible," Declan said, his tone laced with empathy. "But we want you to know that we would never, ever force ourselves on you, or anyone else for that matter. If anything happens between us, it will be because you want it to."

Aiden nodded in agreement. "We're affected by your heat, it's true. But we can control ourselves, little Luna. Your comfort and safety are the only things that matter to us right now."

Lucia felt her wolf relax slightly at their words, sensing the sincerity behind them. Still, she couldn't completely silence the anxiety whispering in the back of her mind. "But... what if I can't control myself either?" she asked in a small voice. "What if my wolf takes over and I-"

"Shh," Declan soothed, raising a hand to gently interrupt her. "We'll be here to help you through it. You don't have to be afraid of losing control. We'll keep you safe."

Aiden moved a fraction closer, his eyes locked on hers. "We'll take care of you, Lucia. I promise."

Lucia searched their faces, finding only compassion and understanding. Slowly, she nodded, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. "Okay," she murmured, her wolf settling contentedly. "I trust you."

Suddenly, a haunting howl pierced the air, sending a chill down Lucia's spine. Her head whipped around, eyes wide with fear. 

"Unmated wolves," Declan growled, his muscles tensing. "They must have caught your scent."

Aiden moved to stand in front of Lucia, shielding her. "We need to get you somewhere safe," he said, his gaze darting around the forest. 

"Our cabin," Declan said decisively. "It's not far, and we can protect you there until your heat passes."

Lucia felt her heart pounding in her chest, the sound of the approaching wolves sending her wolf into a frenzy. "Will I be safe with you?" she asked, hating the tremor in her voice.

Declan reached out and gently cupped her cheek, his touch soothing her frayed nerves. "We won't let anything happen to you, Lucia," he promised. "You have our word."

Aiden stepped closer, his expression earnest. "We'll keep you safe, little Luna, I swear it." 

Lucia searched their faces, seeing only sincerity and concern. Slowly, she nodded, her wolf calming at their reassurance. "Okay," she said, "let's go."

Without another word, the three wolves shifted and took off into the night, racing towards the sanctuary of the private cabin. Lucia's heart pounded, but she trusted these two alphas to protect her, no matter what.