Chapter 19 17.5

"I found out about his past. What do you expect? The war started because some stealer decided to trick his uncle Zeuracious. I feared he would think the same." Seth silenced for a while. He seems to be thinking about it. "Okay. But what are you? I mean, you really can steal mates?" "I don't know more about my case aside from the fact that yes, I can make a wolf believe I'm their mate but I would never do that. I don't even know how to do that." "I never doubted you. I just wanna be sure." "That's the same as doubting." I rolled my eyes and huffed, resting my back on the seat. "Well, I don't doubt you now," he said and gave me a half-smile. "So your, uh, abnormality can only be sensed by who? By wolves who lost their mates?" I can see the curiosity in his reaction. This felt new to talk about being a stealer and to think that I'm having this conversation with Seth somehow raise threat in me. "Only the male wolves. Wait, you won't say a word to Aiden about this!" "Why are you even hiding it? It would be better if he knew. He might have a solution." I already think of that but my anxiety is killing me. What if the opposite will happen? I don't know what to do if he'll reject me again. I already felt how it was like and that's equaled to dying. "I can't." I simply utter. Seth sighed and looked away. "I can tell him on your behalf if you want." he suggested. "No!" 'Are you okay? Why are you yelling? I've been trying to reach you.' Aiden's growl is loud and I figured he used his power to break into the wall I've been building and also heard my voice. I jumped when Aiden spoke to my mind. I closed my eyes shut when I forgot to wall down when I tried blocking Aiden. "Fine. Have it your way then. But I still think it is better to tell him." Seth said and exhaled hastily, unhappy with my decisions. I sighed too. I'll think this through, I promised to myself. 'Everything's good. Are you done?' I answered to Aiden first, avoiding to create suspicion on his part if I won't respond to him. 'Will be there in a bit.' "You have my loyalty, Ash. But I hope you won't drown yourself in danger with your decisions." Seth said, ending the conversation. I can feel that he liked to talk more but our time was out when Aiden and Nick moved out of Titus's room. "I hope so, too." Aiden and Nick came back and we started hitting the road again. Headed to the ancestral. Aiden's hands were on my shoulders as I leaned my back to his chest. Our position can make me feel another wave of heat but my mind is clouded with so many thoughts that I can't be aroused. "Are you okay? You've been quiet." Aiden whispered and I saw Seth shifted uncomfortably on his seat. I rolled my eyes with his obviously uneased reaction. "Yeah. I'm just...exhausted, I guess." Silence is all over the car as we reached our destination. I gave Seth one last knowing look before Aiden guided me inside the house. Seth and Nick will stay the night. They are talking about the introduction ceremony tomorrow but my mind is not with the conversation. "Don't you need to be with your mate?" Aiden asked Seth when all of us are ready to sleep. Seth glanced at me before looking at Aiden. "I'll stay the night." he said. Nick tugged on Seth's neck with a sheepish grin on his face. "You dog! Don't tell me you already completed the mating process!" he teased. Seth tried shrugging him off as they started to spar. Aiden just laughed and he snaked his arms around me. "Let's call it a day. Take any room you want." Aiden said. I felt his hand giving me a slight push towards the stairs and we walked to his room. Once inside, I watched Aiden as he changed his shirt with something comfortable. I was standing by the door and he noticed that I was zoning out. "Is something wrong?" he asked. I blinked twice before biting my lower lip, trying to hide the nervousness that started eating me. I should have this conversation with him. I gave it a quick thought of what to talk with him about. Should I admit to him that I'm a stealer? Or should I just convince him to give Titus another chance? I didn't notice that he had walked near me until I felt his hand on my cheek. "Hey. Talk to me." I looked at his eyes and it breaks my heart to think that I might anger him tonight. I hesitated to give him the talk but I have no choice. I needed to choose or else someone will. "I... I was thinking that perhaps you should give Titus case a second thought..." my voice croaked at the last sentence when I saw his forehead formed a knot. His hand dropped to his side and he looked at me with a question. "A second thought?" I closed my eyes when I felt intimidated as his voice changed. I nodded slowly and met his gaze once again. "Maybe you could give him an extension." He inhaled loudly and turned his back on me. "I won't. Where is this coming from?" a low growl escaped his lips and I almost jumped. I hate to do this. I'm even scared of talking to him about any of this but I also feared telling him what I am. "Did he asked you to talk me through?" he asked again when a long pause came from me. I shook my head even if he can't see me. He is now looking outside the window, up to the beautiful moon outside. "He didn't. I just heard what happened with his...mate." I cleared my throat. "I just thought he needed to be busy and taking him off the council is a be idea." He snapped his head and looked at me. I can see his eyes changed to a darker shade of golden-brown, almost turning black. "Are you telling me that I made the wrong decision?" he smirked as disbelief crossed his face. I quickly shook my head fats."No, of course not I just thought-" "I don't care what you thought!" he growled as he walked near me. I feel myself shrinking when his height mounted over me. I can no longer meet his eyes as tears threatened to roll out my eyes. "I already gave my word. No one can interfere with my decisions. Not. Even. You." He growled loudly this time that I shut my eyes tightly, feeling the tension from his overwhelming power. He is using his Alpha to me and it's giving me no choice but to submit. His words cut deep into my chest, to my heart. I felt worthless and without a voice by his words. If I'm the Luna of this pack then what is my worth here? If I can't convince him then I'd rather tell him the truth. He'll hear it from Titus anyway, right? I fought the trembles from him and stopped my knees from shaking. I tried calling my wolf to give me strength and resist to our Alpha. I looked him straight in his eyes and he snarled at my behavior. He didn't like my rebellious side before, and he didn't like it now. "Are you sure you won't change your mind?" my voice came out low and soft, far from what I expected it will sound. Aiden growled and grabbed both of my arms, pushing me until my back was pressed to the wall. He leaned closer until his mouth was near my ears, sniffing my scent. "I'm not changing my mind for you. I'm the Alpha and you can't mess with my rule." I immediately found where his anger is coming from. It is a bad idea to meddle with his judgment. "I'm sorry. I forgot you despised your mother and will never let me in your life just to avoid being like your father." My voice is sharp, I can feel the bitterness of it in the tip of my tongue. His grip tightened and I suppressed myself from flinching with the pain it caused. I tried steadying my breathing, trying to seem strong but deep inside, I am shaking. "How dare you!" he looked at me like he is ready to lose control. His body is trembling and I can only imagine the anger he was trying to suppress. "Keep your words. I will never intervene with your rules but don't you ever ask for me when it comes to your pack." My voice spat to him like I was disgusted but, to be honest, I'm dismayed. I never thought I'll be voiceless when it comes to his decision and he just slapped it straight to my face. "You just proved to me that I will have no voice when it comes to your pack. I just wished you didn't let me be a part of it." His gripped loosened as he was caught off guard with my words. I immediately freed myself and walked out of his room then headed for the previous room I had. I got offended by what he said and not saying this stuff because he didn't let me have what I wanted in the first place. Suddenly, I forgot my agreement with Titus and ready to break off with it. I no longer feel anxious with Aiden knowing that I am a stealer but just furious about what he has said. He indirectly told me of my role in his pack. That I'll only do what he wants. But that is not what I was made of. I'm ready to be exposed. Pain is better to be placed first than suffer last. I don't care if Titus will rat me out tomorrow or the day after. The only thing which is important right now is what I just realized by Aiden's words. That it doesn't matter what I am, he still can't accept me whole because of his past.