Stalked by the Gods, Blessed by the Moon

Ch. 7 - An Offer of Help

AYLA’S POV

I woke up when the cold water hit me in full force. I struggled to sit up but realized I was being held firmly by strong arms that had me under the rush of the cold water cascading over me. I gasped for air, struggling against the arms. “Let me go!”

A deep voice rumbled in my ear. “I’m trying to help you.”

I shot an elbow backward, my blow landing sharply in his chest, causing him to grunt and loosen his grip in surprise. I scurried out of the bathtub, his hands trying to catch me, but my skin, now wet with water, allowed me to slip from his grasp. As I landed on the cold tile floor, almost landing right on my face, I looked up to see Aaron leaning forward to shut off the water, remaining soaking wet in the shower.

He looked over at me. “I’m trying to help you,” he repeated.

“Help me by drowning me? What are you even still doing here?”

He leaned over the edge of the tub, crossing his arms to rest his chin on them. “You looked sickly when I was leaving. I felt wrong just leaving you alone like that, so I came back.”

I rolled my eyes. “Or you just pretended to leave in the first place.”

He shrugged. “Maybe.”

“Who are you? And why do you care what happens to me?”

His eyes bore into mine. “I’m a friend.”

A chill ran through my body at his statement. Alternatively, it may have been due to the thin, wet fabric I was wearing. Which I suddenly became very aware of as I grabbed a towel from nearby and tossed it over myself. Not before noticing Aaron’s eyes dip down to my hardened n*****s. “I don’t know you, and I’d like you to leave. For real this time.”

He smirked. “Afraid you’ll do something you won’t regret?”

“Yeah, right,” I scoffed.

He gripped the sides of the tub, using it as leverage to stand up in the wet tub. “I guess you’re right. You’re an adult now. You can handle yourself. And your curse.”

My jaw dropped as he stepped out of the tub and headed towards the door, blatantly ignoring me. “What do you know about that?”

He paused, resting his hand on the door frame. “I know enough.”

“But how?”

He shrugged again. “Maybe I know someone who’s gone through the same thing as you.”

I scrambled to my feet. “But I didn’t…no. I didn’t…this doesn’t make any sense. Nothing happened last night. I’m not cursed. So whatever happened with your friend isn’t happening to me. It’s just a fairy tale my dad told me.”

“It is real, Ayla. She knew it was coming, and even she wasn’t prepared for the havoc that would come from it. And now…she’s no longer with us. I thought that I could…do her justice if I helped someone like her.”

“Who was she?”

“A friend.”

He didn’t care to share more information about his late friend, so I didn’t want to push the matter. It was a sensitive subject, as evidenced by the heated look I received from him when I pressed him for more information. “And you really think you can help me?”

He ran a hand through his wet hair. “I’m not sure, but I’d like to try.”

“Only because your friend…went through it?”

As if sensing what I was implying, he blew out a breath. “I’m not trying to help you to get in your pants. If I wanted in your pants, I’d take a much easier route than the one we’re about to embark on.”

“What are we going to do?”

“We’re going to talk to a friend of mine first and see if she can help us.”

I crossed my arms. “Another friend of yours? You sure have a lot of them for someone who seems like such an ass.”

He grinned. “You want my help or not?”

He held out his hand to me, inviting me to take it. As if taking his hand would seal some silent deal, making us partners. Partners to try to keep me from being driven as mad as my mom.

I took his hand, determined that wouldn’t be me.

*****

AARON’S POV

I wasn’t sure where to start. I told Ayla we’d see a friend of mine, but I had no intention of bringing her along. But I couldn’t leave her alone. It was too dangerous. So I’d need to meet with Selene with the mortal in tow but keep her out of our conversation. Which, based on the fight Ayla had in her, might prove to be quite tricky.

Glancing at the door to her bedroom, where she was changing into dry clothes, I couldn’t help but wonder what she looked like naked. I’d watched her for so long but never saw her in a state of undress. I wasn’t that…creepy. I was a gentleman.

I laughed internally at my comment. I was anything but a gentleman. I wasn’t worthy of a title such as that. I was cold, heartless, and domineering. I was not a gentleman. I wasn’t even a man. I was more.

The door opening interrupted my thoughts, and I sucked in a breath, taking her in. For wearing something so casual, she truly was a stunning creature. She wore a short black shirt that barely covered her skin, along with tight blue jeans that hugged her curves. Her hair was pulled back in a messy knot, but she still managed to look intentional.

I hadn’t felt a desire like this in centuries. I wanted her. And I wanted her more than I’d ever wanted someone. Maybe it was due to the fact I’ve watched her for so long. But it felt like it had deepened since coming into direct contact with her. Like a burning feeling in my chest, a desire to consume her. To make her mine.

I was at war with myself. I could not go down a path where I was with her. Not only was it impossible, but it also wasn’t something I truly wanted. I was only feeling desire. Something immortals have struggled with for eons. Desire was my father’s greatest weakness and had caused him enough headaches. Those headaches were my mother.

No, I wouldn’t let desire lead me down that path. I’d taken that path before, and look how I ended up now. A babysitter for a mortal, trying to help her beat a curse that…

“Well? Are you ready to go?” Ayla asked, interrupting my thoughts once again.

I looked her up and down dismissively. “You’re wearing that?”

She looked down at herself. “What’s wrong with this?”

“It’s a bit…revealing.”

She rolled her eyes. “Don’t tell me you’re one of thooooose guys. The kind that can’t control himself when a woman’s skin shows even a little.”

I narrowed my eyes. “I didn’t imply that…”

She held up a hand. “I’m joking. If this isn’t proper…attire to meet your friend, I can change.”

“Just forget it. Come on,” I said gruffly, holding out my hand.

She looked down at my hand hesitantly before grabbing it. “Alright.”

I closed my eyes, focusing, trying to sense where Selene was. What part of the world, here or there, was Selene currently occupying? I reached for her, sending a clear message that I wished to speak to her until I heard the connection click. I opened my eyes, grinning. Ayla looked at me, confused. “What are you smiling about?”

A knock on the door had her spinning towards the sound. “Who is that?”

“My friend.”