Kian’s POV
I couldn’t sit still. I was pacing, my eyes fixed on the door, my fists clenched at my sides. I had no damn reason to be here. None. But here I was, standing outside Aria’s door, waiting like a fool. By the time Danielle had left, Lucian and Aria were already gone.
I kept moving, my mind racing, until the door finally opened. She stepped out, alone. She didn’t look at me. She just bowed her head and walked past like nothing happened. Like she hadn’t gone out with Lucian last night.
My jaw tightened. I stood there for a second, boiling inside.
I knocked on her door, voice tight. “Get changed and see me in my chamber.”
Without waiting for a response, I turned and stormed to my room. I was fuming. I was mad at Lucian for being a smug bastard. I was mad at Aria for going with him. I was mad at Danielle because she’s telling the truth. Why the hell am I obsessing this servant? I should be preparing for my ascension, and yet here I am too occupied with Aria. How beautiful she looked in that dress, how she laughed at Lucian’s stupid jokes.
My wolf growled inside me, “Claim her, she’s ours.”
A soft knock came to my door almost immediately and I yanked the door open before she could knock again. Aria gasped as I grabbed her wrist, yanked her inside, and slammed the door shut.
Then, before she could react, I had her pinned against the wall, both hands caging her in. She was completely shocked. I could hear her heart pounding matching mine.
“Why did you go with him?” I growled.
She opened her mouth, but I didn’t let her speak.
“What did he do to you last night?” I demanded.
I slammed my palms against the wall, inches from her face. “Answer me, Aria!”
She flinched, but not in fear or in shock but because she saw it. The fire. The possessiveness. I was losing control and I didn’t care.
Her breathing was shaky, lips parting slightly as she stared at me, not with fear. But with something else. Something dangerous. Something I shouldn’t want.
My gaze dropped to her lips—plump, red, and so damn tempting. I wanted to bite them.
She leaned in, just an inch closer. The moment our lips met, the world shifted, everything clicking into place.
Her taste. Her scent. The way my wolf roared in recognition.
Mate.
The word slammed into my soul like a thunderclap.
I tore myself away from the kiss, my breath ragged as I looked at her—really looked at her. She’s mine. She was always meant to be mine.
“You’re right,” I murmured. “We were fated to be together.”
But then she stepped back, her face burning with embarrassment. “I-I should go, Alpha. You already rejected me. The Moon Goddess will grant me, another mate.”
She turned to leave, and something primal inside me snapped.
No.
I grabbed her wrist, pulling her back into my arms before she could take another step. Then I kissed her again. Harder.
The bond exploded between us like wildfire, scorching away every doubt, every hesitation. I crushed her to me, deepening the kiss like I’d been starving for her my entire life. Maybe I had been.
She gasped against my lips, and I swallowed the sound, my fingers tangling in her hair, pulling her closer—impossibly closer.
Nothing had ever felt this right.
Nothing.