Chapter 33
Aria’s POV
I felt like someone was chasing me in my dream.
I couldn’t see his face, but I could feel it- he wanted to kill me.
I was running blindly, stumbling all the way until I ended up at Grayson’s villa. But the gates were locked. I pounded on them with all my strength, but no
one came to open the door.
Then I looked up–and I saw it.
He was standing by the window on the second floor all along, staring down at me with cold, emotionless grey eyes.
I screamed, begging him for help. He didn’t move. And the killer was already right behind me-
“Ahhhh-!”
I screamed myself awake from the nightmare.
Someone immediately wrapped me in a hug. I was shaking in his arms, gasping for breath. It wasn’t until that familiar scent of pine wrapped around me that I started to calm down a little.
“Nightmare?” he asked in a soft voice, stroking my sweaty forehead.
I let out a shaky breath. “Yeah…It was bad.”
“I heard you calling my name in your sleep. What’s it about?”
I hesitated. He grabbed my chin and tilted it up, forcing me to look at him. The room was dark–the curtains were still drawn–but his gray eyes were gleaming cold and bright in the shadow.
“Tell me.”
I swallowed hard. “I dreamed… that the killer came back. I ran to the villa to ask for your help, but no one answered the door. And you were just standing there at the window… watching me like you didn’t care.”
He froze. Then he brought his fingers sliding down my face, brushing my neck, then pausing over my heart. A second later, his lips were on mine, kissing me like he needed to remind me I was his. I clung to his shoulders and kissed him back with everything I got.
Deep down I knew what I was really afraid of.
That I didn’t matter to him.
That he’d walk away and leave me.
“…You were right,” he whispered against my ear. “Jace is involved in all this.”
My heart skipped a beat. “He wanted to kill me? Seriously?”
“No. Not him. But someone he knows. I caught him sneaking out tonight. I’ve already got people looking into who he met. Don’t worry–I won’t let him hurt you again.”
So Jace really was involved.
I couldn’t figure out what he was thinking I didn’t want to believe he would actually hire someone to kill me.
Chapter 33
But right now, I didn’t want to waste my thoughts on Jace.
1 buried myself deeper in his arms, savoring this moment just lying with him in the dark, feeling safe.
…Do you think I should apologize to Delilah?” I asked in a quiet voice. “She seemed pretty upset earlier.”
“No. She needs to realize that she married a jerk.” He covered my eyes with his hand. “Stop worrying. It’s only 4 in the morning. Try to get some more sleep.”
We kissed gently. It was honestly the most wonderful feeling in the world. Sleepiness washed over me again, i drifted off in his arms.
When I woke up again, it was already light out. Grayson was still beside me. I had a feeling he hadn’t slept at all–but of course, staying up all night didn’t put a dent in his perfect looks.
“I know it’s a bit rushed, but I need to leave today,” he said while I was still yawning in his arms. “You can stay here as long as you want. I left a whole security team to keep you safe.”
“I’m coming with you,” I said immediately.
He nodded like he expected that. “Then pack up. Flight’s this afternoon.”
I stretched and hopped out of bed, already feeling a hundred times better than I did last night. Honestly, his scent was the best medicine in the world.
“Should we let Delilah know we’re leaving?”
“No need. She and Jace already left.”
I paused and frowned. Not having to share a plane with Jace was a huge relief. But the fact that Delilah left without saying anything was also a bad sign.
Feeling uneasy, I texted her several times while packing. I asked if we could talk after getting back. But she never responded.
That afternoon, we boarded the flight back home.
After nearly ten hours, we’d flown across half the world back to Red Stone Pack.
It felt good to be back. Especially after all the crazy shit we’d been through lately. I could finally breathe again.
Mrs. Jones was already waiting for us at the gate with a group of servants. Her usual smile made my heart swell.
“Welcome home, Alpha. Miss Collins.”
I replied with a big smile. Grayson simply nodded. His face was as cold as ever. “I’ll be in the study.”
He strode inside. I ran up to hug her. “I really missed you. Look–I brought you some honey from Europe. It’s lavender–flavored!”
She laughed and took the gift. “This villa just hasn’t felt the same without you and the Alpha. If you’re not too tired, I was to make a cake for afternoon tea. I think the Alpha would enjoy that.”
“Of course!” I immediately agreed and followed her into the kitchen.
She helped me tie on an apron and we started discussing the recipe.
But before we could get too far, Grayson showed up in the kitchen again.
“Aria. Do you have a minute?” His voice was cool, his face still unreadable.
“Uh… sure? What’s going on?”
“Come with me.” He dropped that and left.
shoping we could use this honey
23.04 IVI
Chapter 33
I glanced at Mrs. Jones, suddenly nervous. “What did I do?”
“You should go,” she whispered urgently, giving me a gentle push.
I quickly untied my apron and followed Grayson up the stairs. He was headed straight for my room.
My mind started racing–had I done something that upset him?
But I couldn’t think of anything.
I hadn’t lied about my safety. I hadn’t gotten involved in his personal business. I seriously had no idea what this was about.
He pushed open my bedroom door and stepped inside. Then he turned around to face me, hands in his pockets, just watching me like he was waiting for me to confess.
I looked back at him, bewildered.
“You have nothing to say?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Uh… should I?”
His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied me. My back was starting to sweat. Then he said:
“All your stuff is packed.”
“Oh yeah! Well that’s because…”
I froze mid–sentence.
Then it hit me.
Right before our trip to Europe, we’d had that huge fight. He slammed the door and said we needed space. I thought that meant we were over–so ! packed all my stuff.
Of course we made up later, and I forgot all about it.
So this was what this’s all about?
“Because?” he pressed.
“…Remember that fight we had? I thought you were ending things with me. So I packed… just in case,” I muttered.
His jaw clenched. I could practically feel his scent thickening in the air. Oh no. Not a good sign.
quickly moved closer and wrapped my arms around his waist.
He didn’t push me away. But his body was still stiff.
“You’re mad because I packed without asking?” I made my guess.
His expression was unreadable. “Only I get to decide when this contract ends.”
“I know! I wasn’t trying to end it. I just thought you wanted to. Remember? You said—”
He cut me off with a kiss. Hard and possessive.
I kissed him back immediately, standing on tiptoe. Then he spooned me up and carried me over to the window. We kept kissing as he sat me down on the windowsill, bending down just for me.
Chapter 33
I panted, threading my fingers through his thick hair. “You’re really mad might leave right? You don’t want to lose me?
He bit my lip. “You sound a little full of yourself.”
“Then may I ask my dear Alpha… what were you doing in my room anyway? I thought you’d be in your study.”
“I came to give you this.”
I felt something cool press against my collarbone. I looked down–and gasped.
It was the most beautiful blue crystal necklace I’d ever seen. Even prettier than those luxury ones I saw in jewelry magazines. It sparkled in the sunlight like gentle ocean waves.
“I thought it suited you.” he stared deep into my eyes.
My heart was pounding so hard I thought it might fly out of my chest. If this were a dream, I’d give anything not to wake up from it.
“Do you like it?”
“Of course.” I bit my lip and gave him a little wink. “So… do you wanna see me wearing nothing but the necklace?”
