Filed to story: The Rise Of The Lycan Queen
“Yup.” He captured my hand and tugged me toward the door. “Alec, make sure Ella gets home safe.”
“Aren’t you going to the bar?” Meredith frowned and stared at my and Mason’s joined hands.
“Nope, not interested.” He waved at the other two girls. “I’ll see you around.”
“Bye, Aria.” Ella rushed over and gave me a hug. “I’ll see you in class Monday.”
“Bye.”
* * *
We walked out into the parking lot, which was pretty much dead. It was kind of eerily quiet now after all of the noise and commotion in the gym.
“That was kind of interesting tonight.” Mason chuckled as he held the door open for me.
“What was?” I slid into the seat, hoping he wasn’t going to bring up the vampire.
He shut the door and jogged to his side and climbed in. “What did that … guy say to you?”
Vampire had almost crossed his lips. I felt bad holding back my past, but I had to protect all of us. “Oh, nothing. Rambling about me smelling familiar.” If this wasn’t confirmation that I had to stay away, I wasn’t sure what else would be. Tomorrow, Mason Lockly could no longer exist for me.
His hands tensed on the steering wheel for a second before he started the car. “You don’t seem very upset about it.”
“Guys say weird things to me all the time.” I shrugged. At least I wasn’t lying on this one. “You kind of get immune.”
“Well, I hate that I wasn’t the one to kick his ass again.” He pulled us onto the main road heading back toward my house. “You’re awfully strong.”
I figured this was going to come up. “You kicked his ass better.” I cleared my throat and gazed out the window. “Where are we going?”
“I’m taking you home.”
For some reason, I hadn’t expected that, and I probably should’ve. Of course, he wanted to go hang out with his friends. It was better this way. “Okay.”
“What’s wrong?” He glanced at me and reached over the console to intertwine our fingers.
“Oh, nothing.” The last thing I wanted was for him to feel obligated to spend time with me. I savored his touch, knowing it would be one of the last ones I would ever experience with him.
“Will your guardians be upset if we chill on the back porch for a little while?” He squeezed my hand comfortingly.
“Guardians?” My breathing increased. “Why would you say that?”
“Because you said they raised you and aren’t a couple.” He tilted his head and glanced at me. “So that would make them your guardians.”
“Right.” So many parts of my life were getting crazy. It felt like I couldn’t keep up. The longer Mason and Ella spent close to me, the more I’d be putting them in danger. It wasn’t right. I had to come clean or leave.
Now that I had made that decision, the drive home seemed twice as fast as normal. I took a deep breath and turned my body toward him. “Do you mind if we stay in the car for a second?” This was it. Even if I had to pull out of the university, I couldn’t be around either one of them any longer. They both already found a place in my heart. The more time I spent with them, the more they’d take.
“Of course not.” He put the car in PARK and reached over to take my hand. “I’m ready for my prize.”
“You aren’t leaving yet.”
“I never claimed it was a goodbye kiss.” His eyes once again flickered to my lips. “And honestly, I can’t get it off my mind.”
My heart raced as he leaned over the center console. “Wait, I need to tell you something first.” I had to somehow make him want to stop.
“Nothing you say will change my mind.” His fingertips touched my cheek, ever so gently caressing it.
“But we probably should know certain things before doing this.” My wolf and body yearned for his touch, but I didn’t want him to regret his decision. I was determined to make him see how wrong this was for all of us.
“We have all the time in the world to learn them.” His lips brushed against mine softly at first, causing electricity to course through my body.
Not able to refuse him any longer, I opened my mouth, and my tongue ran along his lips.
He groaned and wrapped his fingers in my hair, opening his mouth and matching my tongue, brush for brush.
My wolf surged forward, and a low growl emanated from my throat. The intensity began to grow between us, and my wolf lashed against my body.
Shit, she was trying to force the change on me. I gasped and jerked back, grabbing my head.
“Aria, what’s wrong?” His voice was laced with concern.
“I need Rose.” I wasn’t ready for my uncle to know about me yet. Not now.
“A flower?” He glanced around outside like he was searching for some kind of blooming plant.
“No, witch.” With shaking hands, I grabbed my purse and pulled out the sticky note with her number written on it. “Call her, please. Take me to her.’ I had meant to make him run away by telling him a lie. But it appeared that the truth would have to do it. He already knew one of my secrets.
He unfolded the paper and grabbed his phone. It wasn’t long before she picked up.
“I’m calling for Aria. She’s screaming in pain, and she says she needs you now.” He paused for a moment and took a deep breath. “We’ll be there in ten minutes.”
He squealed out of the yard to take me to her.
* * *
My wolf ran rampant inside, trying to force the change on me. If she gained it, she knew we’d finally be synced enough for her to have influence.
It took all my focus and energy to keep her in check.
“We’re here.” Mason’s tone was tense, and he turned off the car. “Are you sure we should be here?”
I slowly nodded my head, sweat covering my forehead. I didn’t have the energy to say no.
“Okay.” He jumped out of the car and opened the passenger door. He picked me up gently, and I laid my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
Luckily, the door was unlocked despite the sign being off. When he stepped inside, he pulled in a quick breath. “Witch.”
I was going to have to explain everything when this was all said and done. Maybe he’d keep my secret and leave without a fight. Then again, a part of me hoped the bond would make him want to stay, to at least protect me.
