Page 79 of His Fated Luna

“Well, I’m glad you find it so funny.”

The words were said testily, and Aiden got up to leave.

I grabbed his arm. He turned to me, his gaze questioning. It was on the tip of my tongue to ask him to stay, but I stopped myself just in time. I didn’t want to be alone right now, but I also didn’t want to burden him further.

“I…sorry I woke you up.”

I released his arm.

Aiden swallowed, staring down at me, his eyes boring into mine.

“Don’t worry about it.”

And he was out the main door faster than I could blink.

I stared after him, confused over his rapid departure. Then I tilted my head to look at the side-door built into the wall separating our rooms. The symbolism of him choosing to come through the main door was not lost on me.

Opening the door between the two rooms would have been too…intimate.

Chapter 26

“I need you like a heart needs a beat.” – One Republic

Rose's POV

The next morning, I stepped out of my room into the early morning glow that filtered through the Alpha manor. I hadn't slept well—honestly, I barely slept at all. That nightmare had me so rattled I didn’t dare close my eyes again. The bags under my eyes said it all. I spent the night tossing and turning, eventually losing myself in my favorite book, hoping it would lull me to sleep. It didn’t. Instead, I got swept away in Alexander Dumas’ world until morning crept in. My stomach finally convinced meto get up and head to the kitchen, but I froze when I saw Aiden standing in the foyer with Tony.

“Sleeping beauty awakens,” Tony teased.

“I wish I’d slept... it was a rough night,” I muttered, eyes drifting to the dark blue suitcase in Aiden’s hand. “Are you going somewhere?”

“The regional alpha meeting,” he replied with a nod before turning back to Tony, who was handing him a stack of papers.

“Rose really should be going with you,” Tony suggested. “It would validate your relationship further.”

Aiden shook his head. “I think we have a pretty good excuse for her not to go. Word’s gotten around that she was kidnapped.”

“All the more reason for you to want to keep an eye on her yourself,” Tony countered.

“I’ll go,” I said before I even fully thought it through. Aiden looked at me, caught off guard. “I mean… if you don’t want me to, then—”

“No, it’s fine. If you can be ready in an hour,” he said, clearly uneasy. Then he shot Tony a look. “I might not be able to book an extra room—”

“I’ll take care of it,” Tony cut in, smooth as ever. “You go help Rose get ready.”

“She hasn’t even had breakfast yet—”

“Grab something on the way for her,” Tony called as he walked off toward the TV lounge.

I turned to look at Aiden, noting how uneasy he looked. But before I could say anything, Josie appeared from the direction where Tony had disappeared.

“What’s this I hear about Rose going to the regional meeting?” Josie practically flew towards me and before I knew it, she was hauling me up the stairs to help me pack.

After a four hour drive, Aiden and I arrived at a fancy hotel. Twin fountains shaped like wolves howling framed the entrance, water arching elegantly from their mouths into wide basins. White marble steps led up to the entrance.

“The Blue Moon Pack owns this place,” Aiden explained after handing off the car to the valet. “They always host their meetings here.”

While he went to check us in, I wandered the lobby, admiring the space but also watching him. I saw him gesture to the invitation with a bit too much frustration. Something wasn’t right. Maybe they were being difficult about me coming? I started walking over, nervous.