Chapter 6 6

Odette's Pov

I still hadn't recovered from the way Aaron left the room.

I sat still for a while before I was snapped out of my daze and put the items in my hand away.

Even after that was done, I couldn't stop replaying his words in my head, the feeling of the trembling hands… for someone who called himself a monster, he seemed absolutely terrified. The question was : what scared him? Was it me?

Another sigh left me and I think it's the thousandth one I'd released in the past hour.

The room was so quiet I could hear the sound of my own inhales and exhales.

To distract myself, I decided to take a look at my new room.

Unlike the dungeon I’d previously lived in, this one was much warmer, bigger and brighter. The fireplace was lit and the chairs looked like they cost a fortune. I traced my fingers along the walls, trying to remember the last time I'd done something like this when suddenly and without warning, Aaron's face appeared in my head. The way his voice cracked when he said I should stay away, the way his eyes had darkened with fear when he told me I didn't know the kind of person he was.

I could still feel the warmth of his skin under my fingertips and the way he trembled when I touched his scar.

Why does he fear his own touch?

The chamber door creaked and I turned quickly. My heart leapt to my throat when I saw a small figure approach me.

“Oh, mother,” I whispered, exhaling in relief. “You scared me.”

Clarisse smiled faintly, though her eyes were shadowed with something heavier than fatigue. “You're still awake.”

Part of me wanted to lie about it but I knew she'd see right through me. “I… couldn't sleep.”

She stepped closer, her gaze not leaving mine. “You've been thinking about him, haven't you?”

I spluttered a cough. “I… no. I was just…”

“Worrying for him?” She finished for me.

My cheeks heated and I nodded slowly. She was right. I was worried about him. For some reason, I needed to see him again and make sure he was okay. He didn't let me tend to his wound properly and I feared…

“Aaron will be fine,” Mom said with a weak smile. “Don't worry about it.”

“But…” I fumbled with the sleeve of my gown. "He said I was his wife. I have to…”

“If he had told you to stay away, which I'm positive he had, you should listen to him.” she sighed.

I furrowed my brows. “Why?”

“I'm afraid that's not my story to tell.”

“Story? What is it? Did something happen?”

“Yes. A long time ago. None of which you should worry your pretty head about,” she beamed at me then walked to the window and drew the curtains closed. The sudden absence of the moonlight made the room feel smaller and a bit dark.

“Can I at least see him?” I mumbled.

“That's kind but … I'm afraid it'll make things worse.”

I frowned. “Worse?”

“There are things you don't know that should remain in secret, child.” Clarisse said quietly.

My pulse quickened. “Is it about Aaron?”

“Yes.”

Those words sank into me like ice.

Clarisse hesitated, then sat beside her on the edge of the bed. “I can't tell you anything. I'm sorry.”

“Why? Is it about his family? Is it his father? Aaron told me his family was corrupt…” At this point, I was rambling.

“Corruption is a kindness compared to what they actually are,” Clarisse sighed. Her voice trembled as she continued. “Aaron’s father is ruthless. His brothers are much worse. But Aaron…” she paused. “He was born with too much heart. Something that was stolen from him.”

My fists clenched. “What? Why did they warn me about Aaron when they were much worse?”

She reached into her cloak and drew out something small, a silver locket that shimmered in the candle light.

“What is this?” I asked.

“A magical necklace,” she said, pressing it into my palms. “Keep it close. It may one day protect you from what Aaron cannot control.”

I looked down at the locket, then back up at her. “Control? You mean his anger?”

Her face darkened. “I mean the beast that lurks within him.”

I blinked. “What?”

“You must not mistake tenderness for safety, Odette,” She said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Nina did that and things didn't end well for her. Even a man who claims to love you can still be the same one who will destroy you.”

Then she turned to leave.

I called after her. “Wait! Who is Nina and what happened to her?”

Clarisse paused at the door, her hand clutching the doorknob tightly. “She's Aaron's ex-wife. She tried to save him and it … killed her.”

The door shut behind her.

For a long moment, I stood in silence, clutching the silver locket in my palm.

If Nina had died, does it mean Adam was right? Did Aaron actually kill her?

Suddenly, the metallic scent of blood filled the air and I stiffened. Immediately, I was taken back to that night I first met Aaron, his deep-red eyes that pierced mine, the coldness in his eyes when he killed Alpha Roman and his wife, then I gasped.

Could it be?

I swallowed hard and looked down at the locket. Nina had died wearing this. Was I next?

I hugged myself as I sank into the mattress. It was cold now. I wasn't used to it but I felt it now. Despite my fear, I wanted warmth, his warmth. I didn't know what got over me because I rummaged through the walk-in-closet and found the fur coat I'd worn earlier and put it on. Then, I crawled into bed and hugged myself to sleep.

While I slept, I made two prayers to the Moon Goddess. The first one was for her to keep Aaron safe and free him from whatever he's afraid of. The second was to kill him if he was the one that killed his wife.