Chapter 4: A Shade Of Lust

‎The growl outside her window deepened, low and predatory, nothing like Rowan's or any guards she'd heard. Aria's hand slapped over her mouth, a strangled noise escaping her throat. The storm outside swallowed everything, making the dark shape outside her window glass look bigger and closer.

‎

‎Then…

‎

‎THUD.

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‎A body collided with her bedroom door from the other side.

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‎“Aria." Rowan's voice was sharp and feral. “Open it."

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‎Her shaking fingers fumbled with the lock. The moment the door cracked open, Rowan pushed inside, one arm sweeping her behind him in a single, instinctive movement. His body blocked nearly the entire doorway as he inhaled sharply, scanning the room, then the window.

‎

‎“Where?" He demanded.

‎

‎With trembling hands, she pointed towards the window. “Someone was standing right there. They—they growled at me."

‎

‎Rowan's entire body went rigid. The air around him shifted into something charged. A half wolf sound vibrated out of his chest, first it was anger, then something darker and territorial.

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‎He crossed the room in two heavy strides and threw the window open, letting the freezing wind waltz in. He leaned out slightly, nostrils flaring.

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‎Aria watched his shoulders stiffen.

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‎“What is it?" She whispered, edging closer to him, slowly.

‎

‎He didn't answer.

‎

‎Because he couldn't scent anything. Not even a trace.

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‎Instead, he shut the window, jaw locked so tightly she thought they'd crack.

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‎“Stay behind me," he ordered, grabbing her wrist and pulling her gently but firmly towards the hallway.

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‎“Rowan…”

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‎" I said stay behind me.” His tone left no room for arguments. At least not tonight.

‎

‎Two guards rushed up the stairs.

‎

‎" Alpha… tracks vanished past the treeline. No scent. Nothing.”

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‎Rowan's eyes darkened, almost black. " Double the patrol. No one leaves or enters my estate without my direct permission."

‎

‎“Yes, Alpha."

‎

‎Aria expected explanations. Reassurance. But nothing came.

‎

‎Instead, Rowan turned to her, his expression was unreadable, protective, and a little too controlled.

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‎“Go to the pack house tomorrow,” he said severely. “I want you surrounded."

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‎She blinked. “Am I… in danger?"

‎

‎Rowan didn't answer.

‎

‎Which was answer enough.

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‎He escorted her back to her room, checked every inch twice, then turned to leave, but hesitated.

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‎For a second, a rare second, his hand lifted, brushing a stray curl from her cheek. His thumb hovered, not touching, just trembling with restraint.

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‎“You're safe," he murmured. But his voice sounded like he was trying to convince himself, not her.

‎

‎And with a light peck to her forehead, he left, before she could even react.

‎

‎The next morning, the storm had settled. The sky turned a soft winter grey, and the pack members bustled around Rowan's estate clearing snow and repairing lantern posts.

‎

‎Aria stayed close to the fire in the main hall, wrapped in a cozy blanket. Despite the fear of last night, she felt… oddly comforted.

‎

‎The pack house was lovely, warm, filled with pine smoke, and the sound of kids running in the halls.

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‎Rowan kept his distance but she felt him often, his gaze on her, tracking her movements discreetly. Every time she stepped into a new room, somehow he was already there or arriving a second later, as if being pulled by instinct.

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‎Once, she caught his eye lingering on the mark her blankets left on her collarbone, but he looked away sharply.

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‎Almost guilty.

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‎By afternoon, voices rose outside, fast, excited, and chaotic.

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‎Aria turned towards the entrance just as someone burst through the pack house doors.

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‎“ARIAAAAA!"

‎

‎Liana.

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‎Bright, loud, glittering in a ridiculously oversized winter coat and a pink suitcase rolling behind her.

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‎Aria barely stood before Liana crashed into her, hugging her tight enough to knock her breath out.

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‎“Oh my God, you look like you were abducted by snow wolves," Liana squealed, pulling back to squish Aria's cheeks. “You're freezing. And pale. And—what happened to your face? Why are you blushing?"

‎

‎Aria laughed weakly. “I'm fine… just…rough night.”

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‎Liana's eyes narrowed, sharp despite her bright smile. " Did my dad bother you? Did he get weird?” She whispered, in a low and accusing voice.

‎

‎Aria stiffened.

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‎A hush swept pass the room.

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‎Because Rowan was standing on the stairs, halfway down, gaze fixed on them.

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‎More accurately, on Aria.

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‎His expression was unreadable. Cold. Possessive.

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‎And he had heard every word.

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‎" Liana,” he said dangerously slow and smooth. " A word.”

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‎" Nope.” She chirped, looping her arm tighter around Aria. " I'm staying with her.”

‎

‎Aria swallowed.

‎

‎This wasn't going to be peaceful.

‎

‎

‎******

‎

‎Later the pack held a small welcome gathering for Liana in the main hall. Warm lights glowed off the wooden beams. The fireplaces roared with people chatting happily.

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‎Aria mingled easily, until she noticed some weird glances from several elders.

‎

‎Not dislike or hate, but something similar to fear.

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‎As if she wasn't supposed to be there. As if something about her being with them was a huge risk.

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‎She tried to ignore it but the unease crawled under her skin.

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‎Rowan approached her silently, fingers wrapping around her wrist, taking her by surprise.

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‎His voice dropped, dark and private. “You stay where I can see you "

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‎It wasn't a suggestion.

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‎Aria's lips parted. “Rowan… I'm not helpless.”

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‎" I know,” he said, eyes dragging down her face, throat, the line of her shoulder. " That's why I'm saying it.”

‎

‎Her stomach knotted.

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‎He held her stare for a moment longer before releasing her and stepping away.

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‎But she still felt the imprint and tingling of his finger long after he was gone.

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‎The night stretched on warm, and festive. Some lit the extra lanterns, while some brought out more cinnamon wine. Aria ended up by the massive stone fireplace alone, hugging a pillow as she watched the sparks rise.

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‎She didn't know Rowan had walked up behind her until the shadows shifted, abd the smell of his cologne hit her senses, making her breath still.

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‎He came closer, too close, kneeling beside her until their shoulders brushed. The firelight cast a warm glow on his jaw, on the scar across his forearm, and on the barely controlled hunger in his eyes.

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‎“Aria," he murmured her name like a prayer, voice rough. “Look at me."

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‎She did, slowly, dangerously.

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‎He reached out and pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. His fingers grazed the side of her neck lightly, warm, and deliberate. Her pulse fluttered wildly under his touch.

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Then his gaze dropped to her lips. He leaned in carefully.

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‎Not to her mouth. But lower.

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‎His lips brushed her neck, barely a whisper of contact but enough to make her gasp and grip the edges of his jacket.

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‎Heat flooded her. Her knees went weak even though she was sitting. His breath traced her skin, slow, hungry.

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‎He was going to kiss her.

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‎Properly.

‎

‎Deeply.

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‎Then—

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‎“Aria! Where is she?" Lian's voice sliced through the thick tension.

‎

‎Rowan froze.

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‎Every muscle in his body locked up. He pulled back like the fire had burned him, fists clenching at his sides. His eyes flashed something darker before he stood abruptly and walked away with heavy, thunderous steps.

‎

‎Liama appeared almost instantly, an aloof smile on her face. " So, what did I miss?" She asked as she watched the retreating back of her father.

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‎Aria didn't answer, because she couldn't breathe.

‎

‎The pack house quieted after midnight. Aria had slipped into the hallway, headed toward the guest rooms, when she heard voices near Rowan's study.

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‎His and another man's. Beta Elias.

‎

‎Aria paused, hidden behind the corner.

‎

‎“...and the intruder?" Elias asked.

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‎“Gone," Rowan said. His voice was low and tense. “No scent. It was masked."

‎

‎Aria's blood ran cold. So she'd been right.

‎

‎Elias sighed. “And the girl?"

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‎A pause. Then Rowan spoke, his voice rough and dark.

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‎“She's becoming a problem."

‎

‎Aria's chest tightened.

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‎She never thought being here again would make her feel unwanted, but hearing that word from Rowan's mouth cut deeper than she ever expected.

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‎“Problem…” she whispered, hurt twisting into her gut.

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‎She turned away before the sting in her eyes could fall, heading back to her room with her jaw set.