Aries (Gods & Monsters Series Book 1)

by Hanan Sobhy DreamCatcher

  I put on a hot pink corset bust crop top and threw on a sleeveless jean jacket. Slipping on my pale pink cotton undies, i put on some black and white tribal high waisted shorts. I found some black flip flops and put them on, before walking out of the wardrobe.

  Heading towards the dresser, i grabbed my hair brush and ran it through my hair, multiple times before tying it up in a high pony tail.

  I could feel Aries' eyes watch me, but i tried to ignore it as much as possible.

  I sat on the couch, on Aries' left. Turning on the tv, i started to flip through the channels until i found 'He's just not that into you' playing on. It was one of my favourite movies, so i increased the volume and hugged my knees, getting comfortable.

  "Are you hungry?" His voice suddenly piped up, when Bradley Cooper's character first met Scarlet Johanson's in the market.

  You could literally feel the sexual attraction between them.

  "Ariel?"

  I tore my eyes from the screen and looked at Aries, "Huh?"

  "Are you hungry?" He repeated.

  At the mention of food, my stomach growled. My cheeks flushed as i slowly nodded, "A Caesar Salad would be good."

  He nodded and got up, heading towards what i assumed to be an intercom, and pressed a button, then talked through it, "Rodolpho, une salade César , s'il vous plaît," he said, his voice sending shivers through my body as i heard that perfect french accent.

  I tried not to stare at him as he walked back to the couch, but failed. I actually gawked at him like he grew two heads.

  He took a seat next to me, and i still stared.

  "Something the matter?" He asked, without looking at me, his face's side profile looking hard and serious.

  "You speak french?" I blurted out before i could stop myself.

  He nodded, before opening his mouth to speak, "You know nothing about me," he stated.

  I didn't know if that was an answer or a question so i just nodded like a numbskull, "Enlighten me then. Tell me, who are you?" i whispered.

  Aries looked at me, his eyes looking calculating, contemplating, and shockingly, fearful, "If i told you about myself, you wouldn't want anything to do with me," he spat harshly, making me flinch and shrink in my seat. I gulped and stared at him wide eyed.

  What could he be hiding?

  What are his secrets?

  Is it so bad that i want to know more about him?

  Why is he always so mysterious? Cryptic? Aloof? And Tightlipped?

  I wanted to know more. Even with the dangers that would come from it.

  My logic said no, but my curiosity said yes.

  Aries shot out of his seat, and slammed the door on his way out.

  What did he mean? Is he dangerous or did he have a inappropriate past?

  All i could do was stare behind him and wonder, who was Alpha Aries?

  Finally, my curiosity overcame my logic.

  I was going to uncover all his secrets. I will find out, who Alpha Aries really is.

  Chapter 17 - Curiosity Kills the Cat

  Ariel

  'Rodolpho' had brought my Caesar Salad, and i consumed it in less than 10 seconds. I kind of gobbled it all up.

  After i was done, i set the plate aside on the coffee table and decided to snoop around.

  Starting with the forbidden room.

  You shouldn't be snooping around, my wolf sang.

  Why not? He would, if our positions were switched, i countered.

  Remember the last time he caught us there? She reminded me.

  I cringed inwardly, but shook my head, obstinate to find out who that man really was.

  We have the right to know who the man we're living with, under the same roof, really is! I growled.

  My wolf hummed, then defeatedly agreed, when you're right, you're right...let's go!

  I crept out of the room, and headed for the 'forbidden' room.

  Before landing a hand on the door knob, i began to listen in for any sounds or shuffling made around the manor by Aries. There were none.

  I could literally hear my heart thudding against my rib cage due to how quiet it was. I could seriously imagine The Pink Panther's theme song playing in the background.

  I placed my hand on the knob and twisted it ever so cautiously, just in case Aries was around.

  I carefully pushed the door open, making sure not to make a sound.

  As the door opened wide, it creaked at the end, making me curse under my breath before i fleetly entered and gently shut the door behind me.

  I turned around to face the room, and decided to look through the letters first. If i could only find them, things would be much easier.

  I looked towards the area where i last left them, but they were nowhere to be found.

  I huffed my shoulders slumping in defeat.

  We cannot give up! We've come so far...My wolf urged.

  With a deep breath of encouragement, i kept looking.

  I found a dusty old box, and opened it, curiously. There were old photos, more like paintings. A man that looked nothing like Aries, with a woman that looked just like him but with feminine features, stared back at me. The man, had dark pitch black hair, and what seemed to be bluish-grey eyes, like mine. His eyes seemed to carry a storm, filled with emotions. He was sat on a Bergère chair, with the woman on his lap. His hair was done back slickly, and he had a smile on his face, but it didn't reach his eyes. That smile, reminded me so much of Aries'. When i looked at the the two people from afar, i thought that Aries resembled the woman more, but as i looked at the man closely, i found that he had more in common with Aries than i thought. The man's lashes were dark and thick, his jaw-line prominent, and his face seemed rough as stone. Another feature that reminded me of Aries. If i could reach his face and may be stroke it, would it soften like Aries' usually does? The man was mysterious and beautiful. He was seriously handsome. His chest and shoulders, seemed firm and wide. The woman, had striking blue eyes, just like Aries, with lighter shade hair. He had her straight nose. She had a bubbly wide grin on her face, and she sat perfectly on the man's lap. She had a petite figure. Her eyelashes were long but not quite as thick as the man's. She had wide doe eyes unlike the man's who had almond shaped eyes. Her hair was light brown and long, it reached her waist, and almost covered the hand that held a tight grip on her. I could tell that his fingers were digging into her dress out of protectiveness and possessiveness. They looked elegant and perfect. Like they came out of one of those love movies, where people loved each other at first sight and forever. Recently, even mates began rejecting each other, and it saddened my heart to think that things aren't like they used to be.

  I flipped onto the next photo and found many more family drawings and paintings, including more random people. I held onto the 'photos' deciding to look through them some more after i found the letters.

  My eyes wandered and searched until i spotted a drawer left slightly ajar, with a corner of a paper sticking out.

  I mentally smirked, and pulled the drawer out carefully. I almost yipped in excitement when i found the letters. I pulled them out and set them aside, continuing my browsing through the photos. I saw more paintings of the man and woman, but with a little boy.

  "They must be his parents," i whispered to myself, as i traced the little boy's face with my fingertips, a smile creeping on my face.

  "I see you've met my family." A deep voice startled me.

  I dropped all the photos and they scattered on the floor boards, at the sound of his menacing voice.

  I turned around swiftly, jumping in place, "A-aries..." i whispered, as my heart pounded frantically.

  His eyes were hard, but there was something else, i couldn't read.

  He took a few steps forward, stepping out of the shadows, as the dim light shone on his face. I gulped, and took two steps back.

  Why didn't i hear him? How could he sneak up on me? Was he too quiet or was i too cogitated while looking through the photos?

  "Now you've made a mess,"
he scolded, a frown spreading across his face as he clenched his jaw.

  "I-i'm sorry, I I'll pick them r-right up," I stuttered, feeling very intimidated all of a sudden.

  It was like the temperature dropped, and i felt chilly.

  I stooped down to collect the pictures, and fixed them up properly, before I stood back, not daring to look into his eyes.

  "Put them back in the box," he ordered, harshly.

  I followed his command mindlessly, while my wolf growled and stirred within. I didn't even look into his eyes, and kept my head down the whole time through.

  "Look at me," he growled.

  I flinched with his sudden loud voice, as tears stung at my eyes. A lump began to form in my throat, and even my wolf fell silent.

  No matter how my Alpha blood controlled the way i acted, when it came to Alpha Males, my wolf was still inferior in comparison, and she had to submit.

  "I said look at me!" He boomed, tears strayed onto my cheeks, as i slowly looked up to meet his harsh, intense, penetrating gaze, "Why do you always defy me? Why!" He scolded, his eyes growing darker, "When i command you, you will obey. When i tell you not to do something, you will obey. And when i tell you not to disrespect my privacy, you will obey! Do i make myself clear?" He gritted out.

  Fury ran through my wolf, and she became infuriated. She wanted out, but i had to control her.

  Stand up for us, we're not dogs! She growled.

  I couldn't disagree with her. Although we were part wolves, but we definitely were not mutts.

  Hot frustrated tears kept streaking down my cheeks, before i gritted my teeth, looking up at him with red, embarrassed, and flustered cheeks. "Ruff," i spat sarcastically, before side stepping him and hurrying out of the room.

  I headed towards our room and threw myself onto the bed, face first.

  My face connected with the pillow, so i grabbed it tightly, and screamed into it, letting out all my frustration before i began to cry. All of today's events finally taking toll over me.

  I missed my family, friends, and pack.

  I was living with a bipolar maniac slash stranger due to a stupid deal i made with him.

  I killed a girl. An innocent girl. It was all my fault. Her face as she cried replayed through my head, making me sob even harder into the pillow that was drenched in tears.

  A knock on the door halted my tears, as i purposely hid my face into the pillow.

  "Ariel..." his dangerously low voice called for me.

  I ignored his call, hearing footsteps near the bed.

  "Why were you in the room, when i previously asked you never to enter?" He asked, the edge and roughness in his voice slowly receding.

  I ignored him further.

  "Ariel..." he warned, more menacingly, "Don't make me repeat myself."

  I growled, and pushed myself off of the bed, huffing loudly, with frustration, "I went there to find out more about you, you jerk! But i think i found out everything i needed to know! You. Are. An. Asshole." I yelled, hitting his firm chest.

  He barely even flinched, as he watched me with an impassive and unaffected, hard look.

  I growled through gritted teeth, at his coldness, and hit him again.

  He didn't react, so i decided to throw another punch onto his chest, but he caught it in mid-air, and pulled me flush into his chest.

  He looked down at me and his eyes slowly darkened. He wrapped his arms around my waist and cupped my butt cheek with one hand, giving it a spank afterwards.

  I gasped, as my cheeks flushed.

  "That's for disobeying me," he purred huskily.

  He landed another slap on my butt cheek and i squealed gripping onto his left arm.

  Aries leaned into my ear, his lips brushing onto my delicate skin, sending light tingles through my body, "That's for angering me," he growled huskily, before nibbling on my earlobe.

  Another spank.

  "That's for fucking turning me on," he whispered, holding my chin and bringing my lips dangerously close to his own.

  You finally got the upper hand, use it to your advantage, my wolf informed me.

  His breath fanned my lips and my eyes began to flutter shut, but i summoned up the self-restrain to push him away.

  A low threatening growl rumbled through his chest as he tried to pull me back into his arms.

  "No," i said firmly, getting out if arms reach, "I don't know a thing about you. You're a stranger to me, so until you shed some light onto the mystery that is 'Aries', no more stolen kisses, no more smitten cuddles, nothing." I stated, looking him directly in the eye.

  Aries sucked in a breath, "Okay," he said, defeated.

  I gawked at him, "Okay?" I repeated, unsure, with incredulousness.

  "Yes. You deserve to get to know me. And seeing that i was going to tell you after your birthday, well, why not tell you now?" He said, still trying to convince himself, firstly.

  I nodded, and hesitantly, took a seat on our bed. I couldn't believe he was being this responsive. I shouldn't jinx it though, right?

  Aries took a seat, in front of me, getting comfortable in bed.

  I threw off my flip-flops and crisscrossed, because it looked like it was going to be a long evening.

  Aries' lips tugged slightly, as a try for a smile, before he pinched them in a thin line. He sucked in a deep breath and let it out, "Where do we start?" He asked.

  "Hmm, um, maybe at what started all of this? The letters?" I said, questioningly.

  Aries' eyes hardened and his forehead creased as he knitted his eyebrows, "I was hoping you wouldn't mention those," he said.

  "Well, obviously god is on my side this time," i joked, to lighten up the mood.

  "It's funny you should say that," he said, all seriousness in his voice.

  I deadpanned.

  "What do you mean by that?" I asked, as i narrowed my eyes at him.

  "Well, lets start from the beginning, shall we?"

  I nodded.

  "Just listen attentively, and keep all the questions till later, unless there's something really important." He ordered.

  Before he began, he looked at me hesitantly, "If i tell you about me, would you promise me something?"

  "Um," i began unsure, before feeling compelled by his helpless eyes, to nod and agree, "Sure, whatever."

  "Promise me, you won't run away? That you would stand by my side, if need be?"

  I stared at him. Again, my logic said no, but, my heart...it said yes.

  "I promise i won't run away from you, and that i'll stand by you," i agreed, giving him a small smile.

  I felt him relax, as he breathed out a breath he was holding.

  I kept quiet so he could begin.

  "My mother's name was Theia, her side of the family was originally Greek, my father's name was Jean-Luc and his side of the family was French. That is why i can speak, both languages, fluently. My mother died of illness after my birth by five years, and I was raised by my father. So i began speaking french more frequently than Greek. My mother, left a script, with details of a prophecy. I never looked into that, not until my father laid in his death bed. Before his death he told me about some letters. And asked me to follow through them, and read all about the prophecy and what was expected from me in the letters. I promised him but never got to it. After my father's death, when i was 15, i took over his place as the village leader..."

  He sucked in a breath, and looked at me, with a hooded expression. While i looked at him, curious, confused, and sort of excited to hear the rest. It was all so interesting. His life seemed more important than mine. My family was so boring, nothing out of the ordinary. I mean, already, both his parents were from interesting places, even their names seemed interesting, for cryin' out loud!

  Theia & Jean-Luc, how gorgeous is that?

  "I began to read through the script and letters in my free time, after i gained control over the people. That was when i was 17. There was lots of bullshit, about Greek gods, and gu-"

  "You're a Gree
k god?!" I blurted out.

  Aries huffed, "I'm not a full Greek god, let me explain at my own pace," he scolded, with a frown.

  "Ok," i squeaked, before listening intently.

  "At first i didn't believe it, but as i read further, i learned some things. I've been created as a werewolf many centuries ago by Zeus & Hera. The Greek gods have known that the witches had dark plans against them, and so they needed a fail-safe, so they created werewolves to avenge them against the witches right before they got banished a long time ago, to a world filled with destruction, darkness, and immortal loneliness. That world is called the Prison world. They are trapped there. I kept all the letters that they have sent through Hermes the messenger. Every couple of years, he would be able to escape from the prison world to ours, to send us a letter, informing my family of new information regarding the plan. He is the only one that is able to leave that world, because transport between the roams is his specialty. It's easy for him to escape and go unnoticed. I'm destined to be their guardian on earth. I am the only creation that they were able to retaliate with. You could say that they prepared me and basically cooked me up and decided who were going to be my birth parents. The other normal werewolves were created to fight alongside me, i was born to guard and build the werewolf army until we're ready to lead the final battle and avenge the Olympians. There will be destruction. There will be death. There will be a battle, the battle of the witches," He concluded, seriously.

  I stared at him, trying to decide whether he looked serious or not. He was looking at me intently, waiting for me to speak.

  Was he crazy?

  Greek gods don't exist!

  I'm imagining things.

  What if i was imagining Aries?

  I reached out to touch his face, and he shut his eyes.

  I retracted my hand, as if it just got burned.

  Nope. He was real.

  Maybe i was the crazy one?

  Chapter 18 - Home

  Ariel

  Aries stared at me with panic evident in his eyes.