~
After a while of silence, we got to his mansion, and i went straight to the room i knew.
Aries thankfully did not follow, and let me change in peace.
I put on some black pyjama short shorts, and a mint coloured tank top as i laid myself down on the couch and turned on the tv, flipping through the channels until i found The Ugly Truth.
In a spec of time, i grew bored, and i hadn't yet heard of Aries at all.
It wasn't like him to just be quiet.
I lowered the tv volume as i listened in for any signs of his movements through the mansion.
I got nothing, though.
I sighed as i got up off the couch and tip toed out of the room, in search for him.
~
As i searched through the second floor, and found nothing, i took it upon myself, to continue searching for him on the third floor.
I walked around near the rooms listening in for any sounds, but again, i heard none.
As i walked down the dark hall, i admired the paintings that littered the walls wholly.
My eyes widened as i took notice of something.
The first 12 portraits were of Greek gods, from Greek mythology.
And as i continued walking, the portraits turned into landscape paintings that, i realised, told a story, and at the end of the hall, was a door.
This specific door was darker than the rest. The wooden mahogany colour was replaced with a plain dark brown one.
I sped up my pace, silently and gracefully opening the door, trying not make any noise, as my curiosity got the better of me.
The room was infinitely dark and eerie. There were more paintings that strewed the walls but unlike the others, these were ripped, battered, broken, and horribly abused.
Dusty books and old letters were scattered on the dirty antique wooden tables.
I approached a book, holding it in my hands as i wiped the dust from the front cover. I was surprised to see that i couldn't read the foreign language that was used.
Theoús - it read.
I took a peek at the grubby letters, grabbing a couple of random ones and reading the dates that it was due back to.
October the fifth 1876
January the twenty-first 1998
December the twelfth 1580
1876, 1998, 1580...
How could that be?
My mind wandered to the reasons why these letters would date back so late.
Unless it was his great-grandfather's or something. My wolf suggested.
"What are you doing here?!" A loud horrendously livid growl boomed from behind me, making me drop all of the letters as i jumped in place, my whole body stiffening at the dreadful tone of his deep shriveling voice.
~
Chapter 13- Big Black Blob
Ariel
I shut my eyes tight, trying to think of something other than hiding my face away from him.
"Turn around!" He growled, demandingly.
My wolf wanted to listen to him, in submission to his Alpha command. But my feet were frozen in place, i couldn't face him, i just couldn't.
"Look at me!" He snarled loudly, sending a shiver up my spine.
I slowly turned around to face him, dreading the moment of truth.
His eyes were a dark electric blue shade of colour, and his fists were clenched tightly by his side. All his muscles were tense and contracted, his teeth were gritted and the look in his eyes was murderous. His chest was rumbling with suppressed growls, as he tried-but failed- to control his anger. His whole body was shaking with rage, and i honestly didn't understand why he was being like this.
"Don't make me repeat myself," he sneered.
I was afraid of him, but for some reason i didn't feel like taking his bullshit tonight. I mean, i just got here!
I have had enough of this 'Wrath of the Titans' show he was playing, and started glaring daggers at him.
"Don't be such a drama queen," i snapped.
His anger suddenly dispersed and features morphed with shock as he took in what i just said. The look in his eyes turned into one of confusion and frustration.
"I'm not being dramatic," He grumbled.
"Yes, you are. I was just exploring the house while looking for you," i admitted as i crossed my arms on my chest.
He just stared at me, looking completely dumbfounded, before straightening up and clearing his throat, "You're not allowed in here," he stated sternly, his voice booming over.
"Well, you didn't exactly have a 'keep out' sign stuck on the door! How was i supposed to know that i wasn't allowed in here?" I asked, furrowing my eyebrows.
He's so bossy. Damn.
"You shouldn't be snooping around!" He growled, with an accusing finger, "Why the hell did you have my letters in your hands?" He yelled.
My eyes widened in realisation.
My letters.
That's what he just said.
His letters!
"Y-your letters?" I stuttered, my fake 'brave' facade getting flushed down the drain.
"Do you have a problem with that?" He snapped.
"N-no, I-I I'm sorry," i mumbled, lowly, starting to back away from him.
I turned around, backing towards the door.
His dark angered eyes glared at me, watching my every move like a hawk, "Next time," he started menacingly as he took threatening steps towards me.
I reached the door, with my hands behind my back. I started feeling for the door knob and almost howled in excitement when i found it.
Twisting it slowly, i listened to him as he continued, "Wait until i give you an official tour of the house & territory, may be then, we can avoid these horrible confrontations..." he continued, his eyes seeming to change into constant darker shades.
I nodded slowly, finally opening the door, as i yanked it open with force, slamming it onto the back wall, while i made a run for it.
I went down the flights of stairs, and reached the ground floor, hearing a loud rumbling growl echo behind me, making the whole house shiver in fright.
I ran almost reaching the main door, but as i finally approached it, he was in front of me, blocking my way, in all his might, snarling, "You're not going anywhere!" He seethed, taking deep breaths, as he blocked the sight of the door, and slowly began to stalk towards me. His coal black eyes frightened the daylights outta me, he looked almost monstrous.
I started backing away, placing my hands in front of me, in a defensive state, "D-don't come any closer," i said, my voice sounding weak and shaky, instead of threatening.
He barked out a loud sarcastic laugh, "Or what?" He growled.
"I-I I said i was sorry," i stated firmly, hating the feeling like a prey instead of a predator.
"You were trying to run away!" He yelled, his voice straining in the end as a frown stretched across his sculptured face.
I let out a sigh of frustration, "I was-," i paused, contemplating my words precisely, "You looked murderous, you looked like you were going to kill me!" I defended, pointing at him accusingly.
His eyes widened, as he furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, "Is that-is that what you thought? That i would...kill you?" He asked, with a desperate and pain laced voice.
I nodded slowly, shrinking slightly, under his accusing gaze.
His eyes suddenly hardened, his jaw clenched, and he fisted his hands to his sides, as he looked away from me,"I'm going out, and i won't be returning tonight." He stated, his voice sounding void of emotion, cold and distant, before he turned around and sped out of the house, slamming the door behind him.
I stood there, looking after him, like the idiot i was, before sighing and trudging my way back upstairs.
Slumping my small form onto the bed, i curled into a ball, and pulled the sheets over my head, as i thought about what happened.
I won't be returning tonight.. He said.
It kept ringing in my ear.
Did it mean he was going to sleep at a friend's? Or on the forest floor? Or with another
she-wolf?
My wolf snarled at the thoughts that passed through my mind.
What was her problem?
The closer our birthday came, the snappier she became.
She's been trying to tell me something for days, but it was like there was something blocking that specific thought. But i didn't know what.
I kept twisting and turning, trying to fall asleep, but i was restless.
I was worried.
But for what? I had no idea.
Every once in while i kept looking at the digital alarm on the side of the bed.
1:23 am
1:57 am
2:30 am
3:09 am
And finally...
4:13 am
That was the time my body allowed my mind some rest and took over. Letting my muscles relax, as my eyelids drooped, and sleep consumed me.
~
"Wake up," a deep voice rumbled.
I mumbled some incoherent words, that were meant to be swears at the person who dared to disrupt my slumber.
"Ariel, goddamn it, i don't have time for this! Wake up!" The loud voice urged.
I forcefully lifted my heavy eyelids, and looked around to spot a black blob standing near the bed.
I blinked a couple of times to see clearer. The blob seemed to come closer.
I blinked twice again, and my vision started to return to its natural state.
I glared at the face that came to view.
Aries.
"You're the blob?" I croaked with a hoarse voice.
Aries' tense rigid features, morphed into one of confusion, "Blob?" He asked, with a perfectly raised eyebrow.
My eyes raked over his attire.
A black 'v' neck, with a black leather jacket, some dark navy blue jeans, and black combat boots.
Yup. He's my blob.
I groaned and buried my face into the pillow, "Why are you waking me up so early?" I grumbled, my voice getting muffled into the pillow.
I heard a sigh, before i was suddenly plucked out of bed, and slung over a broad shoulder.
A yelp had escaped my lips before i could prevent it, as i came into view with something dark, and denim.
It wasn't until we started moving, that i realised, that i'd come face to face with Aries' butt. More like face to...butt. Of course he wasn't naked, but...it was still his butt.
Suddenly, i was placed in the shower, and before i could protest, cold water was rushed onto me.
I screamed, as the adrenaline spiked through my veins.
I fleetly pushed myself off of the shower floor, making my cold feet slip due to the water.
My heart skipped a beat and i squeezed my eyes shut, another squeal passing my lips, as i waited for the impact of the hard, cold, and cruel ceramic, but it never came.
With one swift move, a muscular arm wrapped around my waist preventing me from falling.
I slowly peeled my eyes open as my short, panicked, but deep breaths echoed through the bathroom.
His blue worried eyes came into view as he helped me stand up.
I glared at him, crossing my arms across my chest, not to spite him, but to provide myself with some warmth.
My pyjamas were soaked, while my body shivered underneath the cold water.
I probably looked like wet dog.
"Strip," was the only word the he said, before his eyes hardened while he turned on his heels, and sped out of the bathroom.
Anger surged through me, and for one second, i forgot about the ice cold water that was pouring on top of my head.
I made a literal 'Grrrr' sound before, i twisted the shower tap to the middle of the red and blue semi-circle mark.
I began to undress myself, as i carelessly, and purposely, threw the wet clothes in a pile, on the tiled floor.
I hope he enjoys doing the laundry.
The warm water was greeted happily by my freezing body, as it melted away the coldness off my skin and sent satisfactory shivers up my spine.
I showered as he asked, because i had no choice but to continue what he forcefully started, then wrapped a fluffy towel around my body, as i dried myself off.
I walked out of the bathroom, and found some sports clothes picked out for me.
What was this for? I wondered.
I held the baggy shorts, and realised that they were his.
I huffed in frustration, as i threw the shorts on the bed.
I walked into the wardrobe, and slipped on some undergarments, and a black sports bra.
Padding back into the bedroom, i put on his black baggy shorts which reached to just under my knees.
They were too big and too long.
As soon as i let go of the shorts they slid down my legs, and pooled around my feet.
Another huff, was let out as i bent down to pull them back up.
I tied the shorts with my hair tie right under my hip bone.
He had, also, laid out a grey 'v' neck of his.
I put it on, and saw that it showed a lot of my cleavage and it reached to mid-thigh.
This was impossible!
I gathered most of the unoccupied part of the shirt and tied that into a knot right under my ribs.
I looked for some running shoes to wear in the wardrobe, assuming that we were going out for a run.
As i rummaged through the shoe boxes, i found a new pair of Grey Nike Airs that were just my size.
They fit like a glove!
I tied my hair in a high pony tail, and trudged down the stairs.
Aries was standing at the door, with a scowl on his face, waiting for me impatiently, "What took you so long?" He growled.
"Well, sor-ry Mr Big Bad Alpha, i was trying to have a warm shower," i snapped back.
He nodded and began to turn around, but before he did, he turned back to me, and studied my attire.
His blue eyes widening, and turning in the dark electric blue shade that i admired so much, "Why are you dressed like that?"
I blushed feverishly under his gaze, "I-I thought you laid out these clothes for me?" I said, questioningly.
"I did, but why are you wearing them like this?" He asked, looking at me as if i did my clothes this way to show off skin.
I sucked in a deep breath and let it out, "Because! Your clothes are too big," i defended.
"You could've let them down normally, they aren't that big."
"No, i couldn't! Don't you think i would've if they weren't?" I asked, snappily.
"No i don't think so." He spat, turning on his heel, and walking out the door, urging me to follow with no more retorts.
I huffed, and followed hastily behind him, my small steps doing nothing to help me keep up to his large strides.
"Where are we going?" I asked, feeling out of breath as we weaved between the forest trees.
Aries stopped his marching for long enough to answer me, "To the battle practice field." He said, before continuing his silent trudging.
My eyes widened when he said this.
He was taking me to practice fighting in battle! But for what battle? There was nothing coming up that i've heard of. Unless his pack was the one waging the war...
We approached a large clearing, and i was surprised to see, large men, with prominent muscles sparring, while women fought at different sectors with diverse skills. Some were taking up archery, others were fighting with their bare hands. Even children! There was an area, almost at the sideline, where the children were play fighting, but it seemed that they were taking it too seriously, in my eyes.
"Aries.." i called out lowly, as i walked right behind him like his shadow, "What are we doing here?" I whispered, as i tried to make myself seem small and invisible.
Aries again, stopped in his tracks, making me bump into his back.
He made a growling sound at the back of his throat as he turned around to look at me, "What is wrong with you?" He snapped.
"What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you! Why won't you just tell me what we're doing here?" I growled l
owly, trying not to make a scene in front of the werewolves that could gobble me up in one gulp as an appetizer.
"Haven't you seen a battle field before?" He asked, irritatedly.
A blush crept it's way to my cheeks.
We did have a battle field, but it would look like a play ground compared to this.
I didn't answer his question, and he just sighed, his eyes softening, "You'll be practicing along with the pack and i," he said, pausing to look at his pack warriors, who just started to realize our presence, due to their intense concentration in their fights, "You need to be fit and learn how to fight your own battles." He continued, looking back at me, "If you're to be Luna of this pack, you have to become the best female fighter there is. So, you'll have to beat our best female warrior, Natasha, but not before you practice and learn first." He finished, letting a tug rise on the side of his lips, as he placed a supportive hand on my shoulder.
His eyes were filled with hope and a hint of pride. This made my heart kind of tug, and i felt the need to make him proud.
I sucked in a breath, "I know how to fight," i said with a pause, "Remember the rouge attack that happened at school?" I asked, with a smirk.
Aries' lips tugged into a smirk of their own, "How could i forget? You were too busy getting your ass whipped by some rookie rogue leader, that i had to swoop in and save my damsel in distress," he said with a deep and low chuckle.
It sounded so good to hear him be normal for once, it even made my heart skip a beat. But i pretended to be offended and placed a scowl on my face, as i glared at him, which made his smirk widen even more, and morph into a slight grin.
I huffed and walked past him, swaying my hips lightly.
Suddenly i felt a sharp slap on my ass, which made me yelp as i turned around to face Aries.
He had a fake serious look on his face, he was trying to hide the smile that was pushing itself on his lips, "Another ass whipping.." He whispered, lowly in my ear with a husky voice, which made a shiver run up my spine, "Next time, don't walk away from me without my permission." He continued, all seriousness in his tone, which made my cheeks burn into a thousand flames, and i prayed to the lord, that the ground would crack open and swallow me whole.
He walked past me staring straight ahead at his pack members.
Aries (Gods & Monsters Series Book 1) Page 13