Aria's pov
He had said that he wanted to show me his "wolf."
I declined immediately. I had just seen his wound close up like it had barely existed. I didn't need to see more....so fast. I wasn't ready.
"I'm not...." I took a step back, shaking my head, "I'm not ready for that."
Jaxon raised his hands slowly, like he was calming a frightened animal. "Okay. No pressure. I won't shift unless you ask me to."
I swallowed, arms wrapping around myself. "Why would I ever ask you to?"
He gave a short, sad chuckle. "Because sometimes, it's the only way you'll believe that I am not lying." He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out something small, it was metallic and looked like a key.
I eyed it warily. "What is that?"
"My mom's old cabin," he said. "There are no wolves there. Just books and answers."
I hesitated.
"I won't say anything to anyone," I whispered. "But I want to go home, eat a good meal and shower."
Jaxon nodded slowly, slipping the key back. "I'll take you home."
He looked over at me again, his voice gentler now. "Just.....don't run from me next time, okay?"
I didn't answer. I just turned and started walking, hoping my legs would stop trembling before we reached the car.
____
We pulled up at the garage. Jaxon killed the engine, and before I could reach for the handle, he was already out of the car, walking towards the front door.
I stepped out slower, my mind was heavy with too many thoughts. My mom was in the kitchen, I could hear her voice before I even got to the door. She was laughing softly.
Inside, the house smelled like curry and fresh bread. Jaxon's father, Mr. Cross, stood by the kitchen counter, one hand lightly resting across my mother's. They were talking, and laughing, shining their pearly dentitions like everything was okay.
Jaxon paused, watching them. His shoulders tensed. "You're home," Mr. Cross said, turning to us. "Together?"
Jaxon nodded. "She didn't feel great. I figured it would be nice to drive her home."
My mom's eyes lit up. "That's so sweet. You know, she always insists on walking home. I'm glad you two are finally getting along."
I forced a small smile. "Yeah....it was a long day."
Jaxon stepped past me. "I have practice. I need to meet Felix."
Mr. Cross narrowed his eyes slightly. "Everything okay?"
Jaxon didn't look at him. "Fine."
He started upstairs but gave me a quick glance. I nodded slightly. I wouldn't say anything. I understood.
I walked into the kitchen.
"i will serve lunch shortly darling," my mom said cheerfully, pulling plates down.
"I was thinking I'd just eat in my room," I said.
Mr. Cross smiled. "Come sit with us, Aria. It's just lunch."
I hesitated. But my mom gave me that look. 'The please, let's be a family' look. So I nodded and sat.
The table was already set. Mr. Cross sat across from me. His eyes swept over me once, and then again. "You okay?" he asked.
"I'm fine."
His gaze landed on my hand. "What happened here?"
I instinctively pulled my hand back under the table. "It's nothing. Just.....scratches."
"Let me see."
"It's really nothing..."
"Aria," he said firmly.
I slowly turned over my hand. There were faint claw marks still healing. Mr. Cross studied them and his eyes narrowed. The silence was incredibly uncomfortable and awkward after that.
I shifted in my seat. "I think I'll just..."
"Sit," he said. His voice was firm and left no room for questioning.
Then he smiled. "How would you feel about switching schools?"
I blinked. "What?"
"I've been doing some research. There is a college two towns away. Elite and more quiet You've had some... trouble adjusting here, haven't you?"
"Yes," I said quickly. Too quickly. "I mean, I think a change might help."
My mom looked confused. "Are you sure? I mean, we just got settled....."
But I was already nodding. "No. I'd like that. A fresh start."
A voice came from the stairs. "She will not go anywhere."
Jaxon.
He was standing at the base of the staircase, arms crossed.
Mr. Cross didn't even turn. "It is not your decision to make son."
"She is not a pawn," Jaxon said.
"Your reaction says enough," his father replied. "You think I can't smell her on you?"
Jaxon's jaw tightened. I froze in my seat almost immediately.
"Sit down," Mr. Cross said again, this time to Jaxon.
Jaxon stepped forward, slowly. His voice was quiet, directed only to me. "If you leave, it'll hurt both of us. The bond doesn't break with distance. It will rip through my body and through your mind."
I felt my heart drop. "I didn't know."
"Now you do," he said.
"I changed my mind," I said quickly to Mr Cross and my mother. "I am not interested in switching, I believe that I will adapt to the new environment."
Mr. Cross turned to me. "Yes. You are. This conversation is over."
"No," Jaxon snapped. "You don't get to decide for her."
"Watch your tone," Mr. Cross warned.
"You've been deciding everything since Mom died," Jaxon shot back. "Even that night, she said she didn't want to go to the store. You pushed her. You said it was nothing to go out and shop. And she never came back."
My mother looked stunned. "Jaxon...."
"You're still doing it," he continued. "Trying to control everything. Including this."
"You think I don't know what's going on?" Mr. Cross said, standing. "The Moon Goddess made a mistake this time. A human? You think I'll allow that?"
"You don't have a say dad, you literally married her mother who is also human for fucks sake." Jaxon said. His hands trembled at his sides.
"My stance is final." Mr Cross snarled, stepping away from my mother. Even his eyes were illuminating in rage.
Then it happened. In one fluid, snapping motion, Jaxon shifted. His body cracked and stretched, his bones reshaping, his skin turning to fur. A massive, black wolf stood between me and the man across the table.
My mom screamed.
Mr. Cross didn't even flinch. Instead, his bones began cracking too.
He shifted.
The air was thick with heat and rage. Two alphas in one kitchen. Two humans between them, and a very thick atmosphere of blood lust.