Aaron
I tapped the cigarette's ash onto the tray—a steady rhythm of addiction. My lungs ablaze, bitterness swirled on my tongue, yet the weight on my chest remained unyielding. This was the tenth one till now.
Fucking hell! Of all the choices, she once again fell for that monster, disregarding everything I had done to reach a point where I could at least hope to hear a yes from her. She stuffed a friendship tag in my mouth, silencing my desires.
Was it so difficult for her to let go of a monster like Sebastian Valdez? Or was it her struggle to accept me? The question gnawed at me relentlessly. It had been over a week, yet thoughts of her consumed my mind, as if her scent ran through my veins instead of blood, her voice echoed in place of my heartbeat, and her image tainted every corner of my memory.
God, if only she knew the depths of my obsession and the lengths I went to claim her as my own.
A frustrated sigh escaped my lips. "Fuck. I'm going insane."
Just as I teetered on the edge of losing my shit, for what felt like the umpteenth time today and every day, my phone jolted to life, slicing through my tumultuous thoughts.
The buzzing sound redirected my focus to the screen, revealing a familiar number—Sebastian Valdez.
I blinked twice, needing a moment to believe what I was witnessing was indeed real.
No way. That bastard had the audacity to call me at this hour? And for what? To inform me that he no longer required my services as a beta? Screw him. I had already made up my mind not to work for him anymore.
I shifted my focus back to the cigarette, finding solace in its flickering ember. How I longed to see Athena, if only once. Her face lingered in my mind, a constant presence in every corner, every curve and vein. She was truly one in a million, and it's a shame she chose a man like that monster.
My phone rang once again, the caller ID displaying the same infuriating number.
Damn, this shit!
I grabbed my phone, ready to hurl it against the wall, but my hand froze in mid-air.
What if it's something regarding Athena?
She had already proven that Sebastian was the one she wanted, so why should I even bother?
Hell, I couldn't help but only think of her. That woman, whose words effortlessly nullified all my efforts. The mere act of choosing him over me.
Cursing under my breath, I reluctantly answered the call, "What do you want?"
A few seconds of silence echoed from the other end before Sebastian spoke, "Well, I suppose you've already realised that you and I are no longer on the same side—"
"We were never on the same side. Maybe you've come to that realisation late, but no, we were never on the same side. I worked for you, I was loyal at times, yes, but it was never an alliance. Never."
That bloody idiot believed I was on his side all along. Even during his curse, that piece of shit had displayed emotions, enough to save my life on a few occasions and spare lives that held little value.
"Oh, thanks for enlightening me. I must have been living under an illusion, then. I wonder how many things you've messed up before," he chuckled nonchalantly. "Anyway, thanks for informing me. However, I consider it all part of the past, and I understand that you may still have some feelings for my mate..."
Damn, this bastard. He purposely used the word 'mate' to get under my skin.
"But I think that's none of my concern or something I should intervene in. However, I know that my mate still considers you a good friend, and I can tell that she misses you. So, if we can set aside our differences, perhaps you could pay a visit to meet my—"
"I suppose your mate has a name, doesn't she? Instead of repeating 'my mate' a hundred times, why not just say her name?"
Another chuckle escaped from his side, genuinely amused by my question.
"Alright, I apologise if the truth hurts, but I can't change it, can I?" He continued with a sigh, his voice taking on a serious tone, devoid of the prior mockery. "Well, Aaron, the thing is, I know you might not want to see Athena again because it might stir up painful feelings. I'm not trying to reconcile or offer sympathy because I know that's the last thing you'd want. However, Athena has been missing you, and I believe you shouldn't simply cut her out of your life like this. She does care for you, although it doesn't please me to admit it. So, not for the sake of love, but perhaps for the friendship you two once had, would you consider paying a visit to see Athena?"
"Why do you want me to meet her? From what I know, you're not the type of person to set aside your ego for someone. So why?"
"Because she's not just anyone. She's my mate, and I would burn down the entire world and lay its ashes beneath her feet if she wishes to. So making this phone call to you is the least I could do."
"And what if I refuse to come?"
"I believe you won't, considering the genuine feelings you claim to have for her. But if you do refuse, then I'll have to make my mate believe that the person she cares for deeply doesn't give a damn about her wishes," he stated calmly. "And if this disheartens her or causes her pain to accept the truth, I won't hesitate to drag you to her feet to apologise for being a worthless friend. You know I can do that, don't you?"
Motherfucker!
"So you're threatening me?"
"No, I'm simply telling you what you deserve if you choose to hurt my mate. You were the one who extended a hand of friendship, hoping for love. And now, when it hasn't turned out as you hoped, you're acting like a douchebag while still claiming to care for her," There was an edge to his voice. "So, being beaten up and brought to her feet to ask for forgiveness is what you deserve if you dare to intentionally or unintentionally hurt her. I don't care about your thoughts, but I do understand that if you truly have feelings for someone, if you truly love someone, you wouldn't think of yourself before them. You wouldn't even think of hurting them. Yet, by distancing yourself from the friendship you shared with her, that's exactly what you're doing."
He fell silent for a few seconds before speaking again, his tone more measured. "So, it's time for you to prove whether friendship truly matters to you or if claiming her and possessing her was your only intention. And if it turns out to be the latter, trust me, I won't hesitate to end you."
"You really think your threat will scare me?"
"I know it won't. That's why I'm freely sharing all of this with you. Otherwise, you would have been dead by now," he said firmly. "Listen, Aaron. I can deal with a traitor, but I refuse to tolerate someone who has the potential to hurt my mate, whether through distance or in any other way. So, be a good friend and show up, because perhaps you never considered me a friend, but I once did, and now my mate does. And I'm aware that you care for Athena too. So instead of making foolish decisions, put an end to this and accept reality. It will hurt less."
With that, he abruptly ended the call.
I found myself staring at the blank screen of my phone for a few seconds— That cunning bastard had just played some sick, twisted word games with me.
But deep down, I was longing to see Athena regardless, and the knowledge that she was expecting me only intensified that longing.
Why did I have to fall for her out of all the women in the world?
Damn it! I had already committed too many sins to dwell on that now.
With a sigh, I set my phone aside and pinched the bridge of my nose.
I'm a fucked up.
Suddenly, my phone rang again. This time, agitation replaced the turmoil within me.
I picked up the phone, expecting the caller ID I was anticipating, only to find it was an unknown number. Prepared to unleash my anger on whoever this individual was, I was denied the opportunity.
"Hello, Mr Lozano," a low male voice spoke from the other end. "How's it going between you and your Alpha?"
"Excuse me?"
"Oh, I apologise," the man chuckled, a disconcerting quality to his laughter. "I forgot to introduce myself. I am the mate of the woman you chose not to assist at the last moment."
What the fuck!
"What are you talking about? You must have the wrong—"
"Aaron Lozano," He said, his voice brimming with an undeniable sense of intrigue. "The former beta of Sebastian Valdez, an unbreakable bond forged through loyalty and friendship. He stood alone, the sole confidant who dared to lend a hand to the Thompson family in their relentless pursuit for revenge against the once-cursed Alpha, Sebastian."
Shit!
"Do you still think I have the wrong number, Mr Lozano?"