CHAPTER 43: TELL ME YOU FEEL IT TOO

Andria’s POV

"You can believe whatever helps you sleep at night," I replied, my voice calm but firm, in a friendly tone, hoping he understands that I don’t want to disclose the actual mess that I’m in.

He made a dramatic sigh. "Mysterious as always. Fine, keep your secrets."

When we reached the point where the paths split, we stopped. "Goodnight, Arlo."

"Goodnight, Princess Aria of Nowhere," he teased, giving a little bow before turning away. ’Arlo must be the most hilarious individual that I have ever met in Ashwood Academy, ’ I muttered to myself.

I shook my head and continued toward the Alpha successors’ dorm. The building loomed ahead, its tall windows lit like watchful eyes.

But as soon as I stepped inside, I felt it, the tension, thick and heavy in the air.

They were all there. Aven, Tristan and Damon. Hanging around the sitting room like predators circling prey. Their eyes locked on me the second I opened the door; their eyes were so intense and demanding answers.

Damon’s voice was the first to cut through the silence. "Where were you?"

Tristan’s gaze was sharper, almost accusing. "You never came back after school hours, and it has been hours since classes ended"

Aven didn’t speak; he didn’t even have to because the weight of his stare did enough talking.

I opened my mouth, but another question snapped out before I could answer.

"Were you with Zade or Kaelric?" Damon’s voice rang in

"What?" I shouted, "Are you three trying to be controlling, possessive, or what?" The air felt colder. Their eyes didn’t just watch; they were searching my eyes, their eye color turning almost a dark shade of red..

"Don’t try to deflect, Aria, we can’t bear the pain if you get hurt, and you know that, so we just have to know if you are safe."

I looked at them to see the intensity in their eyes. "If you must know, I was with friends."

"Friends?" Tristan’s voice dripped with disbelief. "You mean... more troubles?"

"You know we never trusted Kaelric, but I saw you go into his office...he looks and feels like trouble to you," Damon growled, his jaw tightening and his fist bawling.

"Oh, so you three are stalking me now?" I couldn’t help but wonder if they were saying this or doing this out of their possessive, jealous nature or because they genuinely wanted to protect me.

"There’s nothing wrong with stalking our mate, especially when she appears to be in danger," Aven growled for the first time, and it seemed like he could rip Kaelric’s head if he ever got to meet him.

I didn’t answer, I let the silence stretch between us, thick and unyielding.

I blinked at them. "Since you decided to stalk me, you should have seen when I left the office to join my friends in the cafeteria."

"And also when you left with Zade?" Tristan fired back.

"Oh, and when I left with my friends to their dormitory", I finished, my chest beating fast and out of proportion.

Aven stood up from his dangerously relaxed position on the sofa, and he took my backpack with me, which I struggled for some minutes with him not to take.

He stared into my eyes in an intimidating and possessive manner, "You are ours always, do you hear me? We can only tolerate each other sharing you, but Zade and Kaelric are not creatures I can tolerate sharing you with."

"He is your instructor, remember," I remarked in a mocking tone.

"Not when it comes to our mate," Damon said in a low tone, his face contorting in a weird smirk as he moved closer to me, making me move two steps backwards.

"How does intimidation pass for protection, Damon?" I paused and then looked at the three of them intently, "I’m going to Tristan’s room where you unpacked my stuff and I’ll be leaving your place as soon as possible."

I pushed Damon slightly and ran to my room. I swore that I’ll never cry again, but their distrust and controlling attitude just now made me feel like it was just another Zade, just that they are three this time.

I shut the door with a bang behind me, making sure to bolt it after I came in.

I needed to cool off, I rushed to the wardrobe and started getting my things together, I should be leaving this place before dawn.

When I was done packing my stuff, I rushed into his massive bathroom to enjoy the space and amenities for the last time.

After I was done with the shower, I stepped out, feeling a bit more relieved than I felt minutes ago.

Then I heard a light tap on the door. At first I didn’t know if I misheard, or if I should get the door, but the tap on the door continued persistently.

It’s Tristan’s room; he could be the one at the door. Well, I just had to get the door for him.

But as I opened the door to my greatest surprise, it was not Tristan, it was Aven. His face looked worried and a bit sullen.

"Would you let me in, Aria? I just want us to talk. I know we started this conversation on a wrong note, but let me make amends." Aven said as he tried to peer inside the room.

"So you meant it when you said you were leaving?" He asked with an arched eyebrow.

"Of course, as you can see for yourself," I said, giving him the view of my already packed box.

"Please let us talk for a while, before you leave, or maybe I can convince you to stay." Aven pleaded, and for the first time, I wondered if it was the icy, snobbish and arrogant Aven.

"You can come. Thirty minutes to say whatever you want to say to me."

He strode in, sizing me up and then walked to the couch close to the bed to settle. "Are you sure thirty minutes will be enough, Aria?"

"Your time is going already."

"Aria, we were all worried about you, and we have different ways of expressing what we feel," Aven explained in an unbelievable soft tone.

"So you three decided to gang up on me and make your worries sink in, right?, Oh well, it has sunk in."

"You are misunderstanding me, Aria, and it stresses me that you can make this mad," Aven walked towards me as he confessed.

I wanted to chuckle at the new realization that I affected the almighty Aven, but I swallowed that expression.

"Don’t come too close, Aven"

"Why? Is it because you cannot control my effect on you also, Aria? Why do you have to be so tough?"Aven cornered me in a weird position against the wall.

Too many questions coming from him and hearing the words from him, just made my heart a weak mess from beating loudly. I could feel my pulse accelerate and I couldn’t control the jolt of electricity or my heat.

"Tell me you want me as much as I want you," Aven persuaded me as he drew closer to me, until his breath was fanning my neck.