Chapter 39

Elian

The sunlight filtered in through the sheer curtains, dancing across my face and warming my chilled skin. I stretched languidly, my muscles aching in a pleasant way that reminded me of last night's passionate encounter. As I blinked the sleep from my eyes, the events of the previous evening came flooding back, and a warmth spread through me that had nothing to do with the sun.

I rolled over, my body protesting the movement, and opened my eyes. The room was filled with soft sunlight, and the air was cool and crisp. I took a deep breath, inhaling the faint scent of sex and sweat that still lingered in the sheets. A muffled noise in the other room caught my attention, and I remembered that Aurelia was nearby. I smiled at the thought of her, my heart swelling with affection.

The memory of her touch lingered on my skin as I sat up, the sheets falling away from my naked body. My muscles ached deliciously, a reminder of the pleasures we had shared. I stretched, feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin, and slowly got to my feet. I walked to the window and pulled back the curtains. I had no idea what time it was, but the sun was shining brightly into the room.

I turned from the window just as Aurelia quietly entered the room, a tray of food in her hands. Her golden hair spilled around her shoulders, and her eyes sparkled softly as she set the tray down on the low table near the bed. "You're awake" she murmured. "I thought you might be hungry." Her voice was a gentle lullaby of sounds, and warmth settled deep in my stomach.

"Yes, I'm awake." I smiled at her, my body responding with a hunger that surged to the surface at the sight of her. "Thank you." Her eyes seemed to devour me as I walked slowly towards her, my body bare beneath the sheets. She didn't flinch away from me as our eyes took in the hunger in each other's gaze. Aurelia walked towards me, a soft smile lighting her face.

She caressed my face and I melted into her touch. "How are you after yesterday, my omega?" Memories of yesterday quickly returned. I looked at her and saw the concern in her eyes. "Now that you saved me from Tarek I'm fine, my Alpha, but I'm still scared," I admit and lower my head to the floor. Aurelia grabs my chin, lifting it up.

The concern in Aurelia's eyes was palpable. She knelt before me, her grip on my chin gentle yet insistent, urging me to meet her gaze. She spoke softly, her words a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. "But tell me. Tell me what scares you, my omega." A shiver ran down my spine, and I swallowed hard. The memory of Tarek's laughter, his vile touch inspecting me while screaming his desire in my ear, echoed in my mind.

I took a shuddering breath, trying to quell the tremors that wracked my body. "He... he laughed at me. Tarek, while dragging me... and... he wasn't gentle. The things he muttered..." I trailed off, my voice cracking, the words unwilling to leave my throat. I blinked away the tears that had formed at the corners of my eyes, unwilling to let them fall. "Took me to his bed... His bedroom..."

Aurelia's growl echoed through the room. She knelt before me, her eyes wild. "That bastard touched you?" I flinched, sensing the danger as her anger flowed off her in waves. "Elian, you idiot. You shouldn't have told her that" Kael said in my head. "She's going to be mad now." Her hand gripped my chin tightly and I felt my heart race, this time not out of desire but fear. "Answer me!" the alpha wolf inside her growled.

"Yes-yes" I stuttered. Aurelia squeezed my jaw tightly and pressed her forehead to mine. "No one touches what's mine! No one!" she growled. On one hand I was afraid of what she might do out of anger, but on the other hand I liked how obsessed she was and how much she loved me. "Alpha he tried to touch me, but I told him I only belonged to one Alpha in the whole world" I admitted.

Aurelia's eyes softened and she pulled me into her lap, hugging me like a child. "Oh, my poor omega" she cooed, gently stroking my hair. "You're safe with me now. Tarek will never touch you again." I melted into her arms, feeling small and protected. "I'll never leave you again" she swore. "From now on, I'll be closer to you than my shadow."

Aurelia pulled me closer to her and buried her face in my neck. "You are only mine Elian! We will be married soon and I will not let anyone get close to you." Her words calmed me down and now I know that she will protect me from others. "I love you Aurelia and I can't wait to be yours forever."

Aurelia's nostrils flared at my words, and I saw her bite her lip, the tip of her fingernail sticking out. "Married... Forever, Omega, don't you know what that means? It means bound to me, by scent, by bite, by baby." Her eyes softened as she looked at me. "By choice." She pulled me closer. "It means being bound to death. Are you sure that's what you want, my omega?"

I looked up at Aurelia, her eyes burning into mine, feeling the heat of my Alpha's possessiveness consume me and melt every ounce of fear that remained. I could see the tension waning from her body, the fury broken up by a flicker of confusion. "I'd do anything for you" I said, my voice steady as my resolve came to.

Aurelia growled at my words and buried her face in my neck, breathing in my scent. "Okay then! I'll speed up the preparations for our wedding," she murmured decisively and left me on the bed. She took the tray of food and placed it on my lap. "Now eat, my Omega," she commanded, her tone unyielding. "I'm going to Lycanthra Corporation, and you stay here! Raina and Elara are here to protect you if Tarek shows up again."

I reached out and took her hand in mine. "Alpha, I'm still afraid," I admitted quietly, my voice barely audible. Aurelia stiffened, then turned to face me, her expression softening as she looked down at me. "I love you" she said softly. "I love you too" I whispered back, my heart racing as I repeated the words. Verbal declarations of love are typically rare for alphas, and it was a sign of how deeply she cared for me.

Aurelia leaned down and pressed her lips to mine. The kiss was soft yet hungry, filled with yearning and I felt myself melting into her. She pushed the tray of food aside, and one of her hands came up to grab my hair, pulling gently and urging my mouth to open. I didn't hesitate, I opened for her, letting her take what she wants.

I gasped as Aurelia's lips parted from mine, leaving me breathless and my heart pounding in my chest before she stood up and sat down in front of me. Her fingers lightly touched my cheek, her eyes restless, burning with alpha madness, hunger, and something else I couldn't identify. "I will never let anyone touch you, Elian" she said with a fierce growl. "You are mine and mine alone."

I watched her leave the room, her words echoing in my mind. "Mine, and mine alone." I could still feel her lips on mine, her touch on my skin, and the promise of her return. With that, I turned my attention to the breakfast before me. The spread was simple but delicious: fresh fruits, pastries, and a small pot of rich, fragrant coffee.

The scent of the food made my mouth water, and I realized just how hungry I was. I dug in, savoring each bite as I thought about what Aurelia had said. I knew she would protect me, feel possessive of me. It's not the fear of being in danger that worries me. It's the fear of being alone. I didn't have that fear, not with her. I continued to eat, feeling my strength slowly returning as I did.