Chapter 4 Ares

[Aimee] Ares? It was Ares. Due to Ares’ interception, the guards looked at my father hesitantly. Despite looking furious, my father started sucking up to Ares. “Your Majesty, I believe Aimee is glad to marry Damon.” He then gave me a threatening look. If it were before, I would’ve given in to his threat, but now, Ares was standing up for me. I would be giving up on myself if I agreed. I was no longer timid. Instead, I straightened my back and looked him straight in the eye. “No, I’m not. I don’t want to marry him.” “Aimee! Please don’t forget that you’re a member of the Hale family.” My father was furious, his eyes piercing. Although I was afraid, I pursed my lips stubbornly. “Ha!” Ares chuckled. “Lord Adrian, Lady Aimee has made it clear that she does not wish to marry Lord Damon.” My father was up to his usual scare tactics again, but he couldn’t get tough in Ares’ presence. “Your Majesty, Aimee is my daughter. I would never do anything to harm her. I’m sure you’re aware of her situation. She’s lucky that Lord Damon wishes to marry her.” My inability to shift had always been my sore point, and my father bringing it up in front of many nobles today crushed my newfound courage. It was true that I was a werewolf shunned by others. If I weren’t a member of the Hale family, I might’ve been abandoned a long time ago. I started to doubt myself, wondering whether it was my fault that I couldn’t shift. “It’s not her fault.” I turned to Ares in shock and met his serious gaze. He was the first person to say that it wasn’t my fault. Even Alger had never said anything like that to me. In fact, we had never talked about this seriously before. Therefore, I had never expected Ares to come to my defense. “I think Lady Aimee is kind and gentle. I’m sure those trivial matters aren’t important to her.” My father smiled in embarrassment. I knew he disagreed with Ares' statement, but he didn’t have the courage to challenge Ares. “You’re right, Your Majesty. We’d like Aimee to be with us for a few more years too.” Standing by my father, my stepmother said with a smile. However, her smile did not reach her eyes. Somehow, it gave me an uneasy feeling. I hoped it was all in my head, but no matter how she treated me, I had to keep my poise in public. Damon, who had not said another word since Ares showed up, could not hold his tongue anymore. “Lady Hale, are you sure you want to change your mind?” Upset, Damon questioned my stepmother. My stepmother looked disoriented as she tried to soothe Damon. It turned out that my father wasn’t the only one who wanted to marry me off to Damon. My stepmother had something to do with it too. “I fancy Lady Aimee. If she agrees, will you allow her to leave with me, Lord Adrian?” It might appear as though Ares was asking Adrian’s permission, but everyone knew that Adrian would never dare to stop Ares if the latter wanted to take me away. Between an elderly earl and a member of the royal family in his prime, it was clear who was the better choice. My father said yes to Ares without thinking twice. I stared at Ares while suppressing the shock. I wondered if he recognized me. Otherwise, why would he help me again and again? Although I had no idea why Ares wanted to take me away, I was happy to be anywhere away from the Hale family. I didn’t miss the condition of him taking me away. He asked for my consent, and when my father nodded, I made my stance known as well. “I’m willing to go with Prince Ares.” Even if I had to become a servant, I was happy to do so. Ares appeared satisfied with my answer. He came closer to me and stroked my head the way I touched his ears the other night. “Good girl.” With that, I left the Hale family with Ares on the day I came of age. My stepmother even cautioned me to be sensible and not be headstrong when I was there. She must think the most defiant thing I ever did was to boldly say I wouldn’t marry Damon. “I will, Mother.” Ares was leading me out of the hall when Alger suddenly rushed to me. When it was announced that I was to marry Damon, I saw him try to come over, but Matt stopped him. I could understand and did not blame him. “You can’t leave with him, Aimee!” He gasped for air and tried to hold back a coughing fit after running too fast. His eyes were filled with worry. “He’s Ares. You must’ve heard of his killing sprees during the full moon. It’s too dangerous to be near him, Aimee!” Alger blurted it out in haste. Even though it was something everybody knew, it wouldn’t be in his best interest to say it out loud. “Enough, Alger!” I pulled Alger’s arm and frantically gave him a look. Having witnessed Ares going crazy before, I knew how terrifying he was on the night of the full moon. However, he was also the one saving me from misery. “I’m leaving with Ares of my own free will, Alger. You should be happy for me that I’m finally free from my family's control, right?” “But he–” Alger had more to say, but he stopped himself when he looked into my eyes. “Alright, Aimee. I can respect your choice. You have my blessings.” Then, he said to Ares without fear, “Even if you’re royalty, I’d like to remind you that Aimee is my friend and that we grew up together. If you harm her in any way, I will not let you get away with it. Adrian originally wanted to marry Aimee to me. So, if Aimee is unhappy there, I will take her back, even if it’s against her will.” Alger was brave to take the risk and say that to Ares. Unexpectedly, Ares didn’t get angry. On the contrary, he smiled. “But she picked me in the end, didn’t she?” “You!” “Enough! Alger, I won’t regret my decision, and I don’t regret what I’ve done before either. That’s the end of it. We’re leaving.” I had to stop Alger from going any further. Ares didn’t look like someone to be messed with. If they got into a fight because of me, the guilt would sit with me forever. Ares was right. I chose him in the end. On our way to Ares’ castle, I was worried Ares might take revenge on Alger for his disrespect. Hence, I explained, “Alger is my only friend. He was only worried about me. Can you please not blame him?” “What? Do I look like someone petty?” Ares looked at me with a half-smile. I immediately shook my head in denial. “No, of course not.” Ares laughed. “Very well. As you wish, my dear.” Although I wasn’t sure if he was sincere about it, he gave me his word.