Chapter 11

**ARIA**

As we eat, the discussion turns to me. David says he wants to get to know me even though I know he just wants to help out his friend. So I repeat the boilerplate phrases that I repeat to everyone else every time I am asked this question. I have lived alone with my father and older brother since I was 8 years old. My mother passed away from cancer and my father did his best to raise both of us and especially to keep Cassius in line. My father owns two gyms and a boxing gym in Boston. Cassius is a physical therapist and Dad often sends him clients. They are both passionate about what they do and make a great living at it.

Austin looks at me with a sympathetic look and I give him a small smile.

“By the way, what did you tell your dad? You were supposed to be back in Boston this week.” Riley asks me.

“The truth. That I was staying with you and that I would let him know when I got home.”

They all seem a little tense all of a sudden and I think I know why. Humans aren’t supposed to know the truth about the existence of werewolves so would that mean I should write off my old life? My friends, my family?

David clears his throat. “I think I hear the wheels turning in all your heads so I suggest we change the subject.” He pauses with a mischievous smile. “Riley and I have something to tell you.”

“We’re moving in together. We found a little house within the pack and it’s perfect.” She tells me.

“Wow that’s cool. I’m happy for you guys.”

After talking about the house and decorating, I slip away to go to the bathroom. Riley wanted to go with me but I think I can go into a restaurant bathroom alone without an escort. As I wash my hands, I feel the air change in the room and when I turn around I come face to face with Adam. He is wearing a black suit with a white shirt. He is so handsome and elegant.

“Aria, you look beautiful.” He says to me as he shamelessly checks me out.

“Adam. What are you doing here?”

“Aren’t you happy to see me?” He asks me with a frown. He slowly approaches me with his hands in his pockets.

I feel like I’m prey and he’s a predator, ready to attack me any second.

“Yes, but it’s just that Austin...”

“Are you afraid we’ll fight again?” He cuts me off and I nod. “He won’t do anything to me. I don’t like the idea of you being in his house and so far away from me, but I guess that’s the game. I’ll call him and explain myself to him. I want you to get to know me, I want to be with you. Every day away from you is torture.”
He stops right in front of me and takes one of his hands out of his pocket and strokes my arm with his fingers slowly, leaving a trail of goosebumps. How can such an innocuous gesture cause such an exciting reaction. I feel my cheeks heat up as I realize that this simple gesture makes me wet.

“I want to kiss you.” He says as he looks into my eyes with his piercing blue eyes.

“Me too.” I reply as if hypnotized.

He holds my chin between his thumb and forefinger and his mouth slowly crashes against mine. I open my mouth to let his tongue in and we kiss sensually. The kiss lasts only a few seconds before he pulls back.

I look at his eyes and for a second they are black.

“What are you doing with me?” He asks me softly.

“I could ask you the same question.” I answer him by clenching my thighs.

“I’ll call him later. He’ll smell my scent on you. He’ll know we saw each other.” He kisses me on the forehead and exits the bathroom.
I look at my reflection in the mirror and my cheeks turn pink. I take a few seconds and then return to our table.
“I thought I was going to have to go get you.” Riley says to me as I sit down.

In my peripheral vision I see Austin’s fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles are white.

“He was there.” It wasn’t a question. Adam was right, he would know.

“He told me he’d call you later to explain.” I reply without looking at him.

The tension is at its peak when Riley announces that she is tired and suggests that we go home. The trip in the car seems to last an eternity, nobody speaks, Austin has the jaw so tightened that his teeth will probably break from one second to another. After getting out of the car, Riley gives me a quick hug before heading to his room with David. Austin and I both walk up the stairs side by side without saying a word to each other. We each stop in front of our respective rooms which are next to each other. I open the door and look at him before entering.

“I know this is a complicated situation for you but it is for me and whether you want to hear it or not, it is for Adam too.”

“I know.” He grunts. “But just because I know doesn’t mean I accept it.” He approaches me visibly frustrated. “You know what it’s like to wait for THE person you’re going to spend the rest of your life with and the day you finally meet that person you find out they have two mates and they’re going to have to choose one of you. Aria, I have a 50/50 chance of losing you and ending up alone.”

I open my mouth but he speaks before I can say anything.

“Nothing you say can change that. You fucking know I could forcibly mark you and make you mine. But I won’t because deep down I’m a good person. I’m constantly fighting my wolf not to kiss you, touch you, mark you or make love to you. Especially when you look at me like that.”

I blink a few times and look away. I feel like a horrible person for being attracted to these two men. He slowly walks up to me and his phone starts ringing.
“He’s a cock blocker all the way. Good night.”

“Good night.” I answer and he kisses me on the forehead before answering the phone and going to his room.