Chapter 4: The Kiss That Broke Her
744 Words
For two days, Aria avoided him.
No more courtyard training when Kael might be watching. No lingering in the halls. No crossing paths with the man whose presence twisted something deep inside her chest.
But it was impossible not to feel him.
Every time she breathed, his scent haunted her. Earth after rain. Warm leather. Power.
She told herself she didn’t want a mate.
That she’d never let herself be that vulnerable again.
But her body… her heart… her wolf had other ideas.
“Let’s take a break,” Jace said, tossing her a bottle of water as they finished sparring in the private training grounds.
Aria wiped the sweat from her brow, chest rising and falling fast. “I’m getting stronger.”
“You’re already dangerous,” he teased. “Another week, and you’ll be beating the crap out of me.”
She smiled.
Then she heard it his voice.
“Jace.”
Alpha Kael had appeared silently behind them, arms folded, eyes fixed on her.
Aria stood straighter, instantly tense.
“Yeah, Alpha?” Jace asked.
“I need you to meet with the border patrol. Now.”
Jace’s brows drew together. “You want me to leave her alone”
“She won’t be alone,” Kael said, eyes never leaving Aria’s.
Jace looked between them. “You sure?”
Kael didn’t answer.
He didn’t have to.
With a low sigh, Jace nodded and left.
The silence was thunderous.
Kael stepped closer.
Aria didn’t move.
“You’re still avoiding me,” he said calmly.
“I’m protecting myself.”
He studied her. “From me?”
“From the mate bond. From everything it means.”
Kael’s jaw ticked. “I didn’t ask for this either, Aria.”
“I know. That’s why it’s easier if we just stay out of each other’s way.”
He moved so fast she didn’t see it just felt his fingers wrap gently around her wrist, stopping her retreat.
“I’ve been patient with you,” he said, voice low and full of restraint. “But I won’t let you run from something neither of us can control.”
Her eyes met his. She saw it then desire. Anger. Longing.
“You don’t even want a Luna,” she whispered. “You said so yourself.”
His voice dropped even lower. “That was before I knew you were mine.”
Her breath caught.
Then without warning he leaned down, lips brushing against hers so softly she thought she imagined it.
It wasn’t a kiss.
It was a question.
A warning.
Her body tensed. Her lips parted.
But before she could respond—
The door burst open.
A woman stood in the entryway, eyes wide, mouth twisting into a cruel smile.
“Sierra,” Kael muttered, pulling away.
Aria stumbled back.
The kiss was broken.
And so was something inside her.
That night, Aria packed her bag.
She couldn't stay here. Not when she’d just seen him almost kiss her… and then pretend like it hadn’t happened. Not with another she-wolf watching like she owned him.
The rejection wasn’t as loud this time.
But it was deeper.
She refused to be second again.
She’d leave quietly.
She didn’t owe him anything.
“Running again?”
Aria froze.
Kael stood in the hallway outside her room, shirt half-unbuttoned, hair disheveled, eyes burning.
“I saw what I needed to see,” she said coolly, clutching her bag. “You didn’t chase after me then. Don’t do it now.”
His nostrils flared. “That’s not fair.”
“Neither was finding you with her.”
“She’s nothing to me.”
“Then why was she in your office, marking her territory?”
Kael stepped closer. “Because I let her. I made a mistake. One I won’t make again.”
Aria didn’t answer.
He reached out then stopped, hand hovering near her cheek.
“You’re not ready to be mine,” he said, voice raw. “But I’ve already decided… I’ll wait.”
She blinked, throat tight.
“I’m not Liam,” he added. “I won’t reject you. Even if you try to reject me.”
“I might.”
“Then do it. But you’ll still be mine.”
He walked away, leaving her trembling in the doorway.
Her heart pounded.
Her wolf whispered.
“He’s not like the last one.”
And that scared her more than anything else.
- Writer
