Chapter 19

Aiden's POV

Aiden kept true to his word and remained quiet. One wrong move and he'd be mate-less, the thought sent a dose of fear.

He knew this was his last chance with Elizabeth. He lets out a deep breath trying to quell the fear as he flicks his eyes to her. Being this close, he realised again how truly beautiful she was, her lush wind swept hair was pulled back, accentuating her mesmerising forest green eyes and full red lips. The moon goddess had blessed him.

He stifles a chuckle as he watches Elizabeth glance unsubtly between him and the road, biting her lip nervously. She'd obviously worried that he'd kidnapped her.

As Aiden increases his speed the automatic car locks click into place as Elizabeth's heart beat races.

"Elizabeth" he says softening his tone as if she was a frightened child, abandoning his promise to remain quiet. "It's just the automatic lock system. I'm only taking you to school. I'm not going to hurt you". He turns to look at her hoping the sincerity on his face is enough to convince her.

"There's more than one way to hurt someone Aiden". She holds his stare before he's forced to turn his head and focus on the road.

Aiden's grip tightens on the steering wheel as he tries to breathe evenly, if only he could start the week over, he wouldn't be in this mess. He must be the only werewolf in history whose hurt his mate intentionally.

"Why do you hate me?" Elizabeth asks, the question appearing out of nowhere shocking Aiden to the core that he slams on the brakes painfully jolting them both forward.

"Is that what you think, that I hate you" His face is blank as he turns looking at her but he can't hide the pain swelling deep within his eyes.

Guilt courses through him as he watches Elizabeth try and control her breathing as she loosens the seat belt, belatedly realising that she's only human.

"Shit, I'm so sorry. I wasn't thinking, the question shocked me. Here, I'll pull over"

Lizzie cautiously watches as he parks on the side of the road.

"Are you okay" He questions, his eye searching hers for an honest answer.

She nods, but he doesn't truly meet his gaze.

The car is quiet for a moment before Aiden is forced to ask. "Do you honestly think I hate you"

She stares back at him, "Well, don't you?" Elizabeth snaps, eyebrows raised that Aiden's reminded of her fierce side. "Since I've been here you've barely looked at me and when you did it was always to say some hurtful comment. You avoided class all this week except-"

"I always skip class"

She raises her eyebrows, "You haven't answered my question?"

"It's complicated"

Annoyance flashes across Elizabeth's face as she turns towards the door, ready to tug it open.

"Elizabeth wait" he grabs her arm, sending electrifying tingles along his body.

She pauses, turning to face him.

"I'd rather walk to school Aiden, than sit in a car with you telling me that the reason you hate me is because its complicated"

He flinches at her harsh words, knowing deep down that it was going to be difficult to win her heart, with the damage he'd already inflicted.

"It's not easy to explain Elizabeth"

"Well then simplify it" she snaps

Aiden breaks contact staring out the window as he attempts to figure out how to tell her. The car is silent save for the sound of Elizabeth rubbing her hands together. 

"Are you cold" He questions his eyebrows furrowing. 

Heat rises to her cheeks as she nods sheepishly, her earlier anger momentarily suppressed.

"Here" He turns the car heaters on as Elizabeth sighs in relief. Spreading her fingers out in front of the heater.

"Elizabeth" He feels the urge to entwine her hands in his. "Please just give me another chance"

She narrows her eyes trying to deliberate if he was being serious. "You want me to give you, the person who's caused me misery from day one another chance?

Aiden swallows, remorseful as he keeps his eyes trained on her.

"Yes, one chance and then eventually I'll explain everything to you".

"Eventually" She narrows her eyes at him.

He sighs, "I promise I will tell you Elizabeth, I just want to focus on forming a friendship with you"

She pauses momentarily as a hint of red tinges her cheeks. "Including why there is a rivalry between Everdale and Norhaven?"

He doesn't waiver in his response, "I will tell you everything Elizabeth, I promise."

Aiden had to be certain, he needed to assure Elizabeth. He didn't know what he'd do if he destroyed his chances of happiness with his one true mate.

Elizabeth sighs softly as if she's lost some internal battle.

"One more chance Aiden"

Aiden can't help the grin that spreads across his lips as he instantaneously reaches over grabbing her hand and placing a kiss on it.

"You won't regret this Elizabeth"

She pulls her hand back immediately, but the small act of rejection is the furthest thing from his mind. He couldn't believe that he had another chance.

Aiden pulls back out onto the street. Within a few minutes the school looms into view. Swiftly driving into the car park he immediately spots Kat and the others. He parks a few rows back, giving him some more privacy with Elizabeth.

"Thanks for the lift and.." She pauses momentarily, "I really hope this friendship works" She sends him small smile before she opens the car door and hops out.

"It will" Aiden says with certainty as he watches Elizabeth step out of the car and walk towards Kat, she spots Elizabeth immediately running towards her and enveloping her in a hug.

Aiden had been wrong about wanting to reject Elizabeth, he needed to trust the moon goddess, she'd chosen her for a reason.

After the discussion last night, he began to realize that Elizabeth being human only meant that she needed more protection.

This week he'd organise a daily patrol of her house. If he couldn't be with her, then someone would be looking out for her.

Spotting Jack and Donovan approaching he slides out of the overheated car, keeping his attention on Elizabeth. He rolls his eyes as he catches Kat's annoying voice filtering through the air, "So my stupid brother finally decided to apologize"

Despite being an annoyance at times, he was truly grateful for Kat. She was the only one who actually stood up to him when he wasn't thinking straight.

A drop of water against his forehead, breaks him out of his thoughts. Glancing up, he raises his eyebrows, daring the skies to open up and start raining. It was forecasted to rain this afternoon, giving him the perfect excuse to drop Elizabeth home.

He flicks his eyes back to her, a smile gracing her face as she chatted with Kat and Cassandra. He was wrong, she would acclimatise well into pack life.

"How'd you do it" Dononvan questions, finally approaching with Jack.

"Do what" He says regrettably averting his eyes away from Elizabeth.

"Make her forgive you"

"I just used my alpha charm" He smirks

Donovan laughs whilst Jack just rolls his eyes in disgust. Whilst Dononvan begins chatting about the recent pack gossip he'd discovered, Aiden watches Jack out of the corner of his eye.

He'd need to find time to talk to him, with everything that the Everdale pack had done to his family, he knew he was the only one struggling to come to terms with Elizabeth as his mate.