Chapter 49: Territorial Instincts
Chapter 49: Territorial Instincts
(Caroline’s POV)
The air in the hallway of Northern Ridge Pack headquarters buzzed faintly with activity. Wolves passed by, heads low in respect as they acknowledged Aaron walking at my side. His presence alone was enough to command unwavering attention.
Then I saw him – Daniel Rivers. He exited Freya’s office with a casual air, holding himself effortlessly as if he belonged there. His ease made my wolf stir with something sharp and opportunistic.
Aaron stiffened instantly, the tension rolling off him in waves. His golden eyes narrowed on Daniel like a
predator zeroing in on its prey.
I seized the moment.
“Oh, isn’t that Daniel?” I remarked lightly, as though the observation had just entered my mind. My voice was
calm, carefully casual.
Aaron’s reaction? Immediate. His posture grew rigid. His lips pressed into a thin line, his jaw working as if to
suppress something primal.
“He seems quite close to Freya these days,” I added, my tone almost thoughtful.
Aaron didn’t respond, but the flash of gold in his wolf eyes spoke volumes. Pack members around us quickened their steps, sensing the growing storm in their Alpha.
“I noticed them having lunch together recently,” I continued, feigning ignorance of Aaron’s growing agitation.
My gaze drifted deliberately toward Daniel, who had disappeared down another corridor.
“They seemed rather… comfortable with each other,” I added, a hint of suggestion in my voice.
Aaron’s fists clenched at his sides. I could almost hear the tension in his restrained breathing. He was fighting his instincts, barely keeping Logan, his wolf, in check.
But I wasn’t done.
“You know,” I said, slightly lowering my voice as though I was divulging a secret, “when the Snowfang Pack lost their territory, everyone abandoned her. Everyone. Except for him.”
Aaron’s rigid frame made a subtle movement–a shift in his stance that sent a shiver through me. His golden eyes burned cold, his Alpha presence coiling tightly, like a spring ready to release.
“Even after all these years,” I continued delicately, “he followed her to Northern Ridge Pack and still remains… close. Loyal, I suppose.”
Aaron’s silence was deafening.
My wolf pushed me to take the final step.
“I thought you might already know,” I said softly, letting my words linger. “Her father even once considered
Daniel as a potential mate for her before your arrangement. Isn’t that interesting? For years, it was just idle pack gossip, but…” I let the sentence trail off.
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Aaron’s reaction was immediate. His lips pulled back in a near–snarl, a low rumble catching in his throat. Logan’s intense aggression bled into his Alpha presence, and for a moment, I questioned if I had gone too far.
He didn’t outwardly snap, of course. He was Aaron Steel–always composed. But I could see the storm raging beneath that carefully controlled exterior. His wolf wanted to lash out.
And yet, beneath his anger, a dangerous realization settled over me. Aaron’s reaction was too intense, too
personal.
The unease crept in quickly, my wolf prompting me to reconsider this approach. What if I had bitten off more
than I could chew this time?
I swallowed hard and changed my expression into something softer, more accommodating.
“But it’s all ancient history now,” I added lightly, forcing a soft smile. “Just baseless rumors from a time long
gone.”
Aaron exhaled sharply through his nose, his golden eyes still fixed on the empty hallway Daniel had vanished into. He didn’t respond directly, but I didn’t need him to.
I had succeeded at driving that wedge deeper, at least. Yet now, my wolf pressed warning thoughts into my mind. The intensity of his reaction meant one thing: I needed to accelerate my plans.
If Aaron’s territorial instincts became further entangled with Freya’s situation, everything I’d worked for could spiral out of my grasp. I couldn’t afford that.
(Freya’s POV)
The soft hum of the desk lamp cast a gentle glow across the neatly arranged documents. The room was quiet except for Sarah’s voice coming softly through my phone earpiece.
“About this section,” Sarah began, her hesitation evident. “I’m not sure if the phrasing about hunting rights works here. Should I revise it again?”
“Yes,” I answered, my tone calm but firm. “Make sure it’s clear and fair but leaves no room for manipulation. Send me the edits when you’re done.”
I glanced toward the clock but didn’t let the late hour deter me. There was still so much to do, and Sarah needed this training.
“Got it, Luna. I’ll-”
The air shifted. A presence, powerful and unmistakable, filled the room.
I turned to see Aaron standing just inside the doorway. His jet–black hair was damp and clung slightly to his forehead. A towel hung low around his waist, and his broad chest glistened faintly from the shower.
For a moment, I froze, my heart betraying me with an unexpected skip. Bella stirred uneasily, her energy bo curious and wary.
But Aaron’s expression wasn’t one of warmth or ease. His golden eyes, sharp and assessing, made the air feel heavier.
“Can’t these pack matters wait until tomorrow?” His voice was laced with irritation, his Alpha authority clear in every word.
I ended the call with Sarah, removing the earpiece and turning back to my documents. “There’s too much to
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handle during office hours,” I replied, refusing to meet his gaze.
“You’re working too late,” he stated bluntly.
+ Pointsy
“And yet the workload doesn’t lessen,” I countered, keeping my voice neutral despite my rising frustration.
His silence spoke volumes. The weight of his wolf’s displeasure hung between us, coiling tightly around the
space.
“I’ll move to the study,” I said finally, gathering my papers. “If you need rest, I’ll leave you to it.”
I made my way toward the door. But I didn’t make it far.
“Isn’t your time at pack headquarters enough to handle your duties?” His voice stopped me cold.
I turned slowly, arms clutching the scattered documents against my chest. Beneath his calm tone, there was something sharp, something accusatory.
“What do you mean by that?” I asked evenly. Bella stirred warily in my thoughts, sensing the brewing tension.
Aaron’s lips quirked, but there was no humor behind it. Only something bitter. “Or perhaps there are other, more important matters keeping you busy.”
I blinked, my frustration mounting. “What are you implying? That I’m neglecting my responsibilities?”
“Isn’t that the case?” he shot back, his golden eyes narrowing. “If you were balanced in your duties, why bring your work home at all?”
The words stung despite their absurdity.
“Not talking anymore?” he continued, his voice taunting. “What’s wrong? Did you have a… pleasant chat with your dear pack brother Daniel?”
I froze.
So that’s what this was about. His sudden hostility, his clipped words–it all stemmed from his oversized
Alpha pride.
“Enough.” I sighed, turning toward the hallway. I wasn’t going to engage further in whatever irrational narrative he’d built in his mind.
But before I could take another step, his hand shot out, gripping my wrist with a force I couldn’t ignore.
“Aaron,” I warned, twisting in his hold, “let me go.”
His expression darkened, Logan’s presence flickering visibly in the gold of his eyes. Then, without warning, he pulled me closer.
In one seamless motion, I found myself off my feet, thrown onto our bed with a forceful ease.
“Aaron!” I exclaimed, the documents scattering as I landed on the mattress. He followed immediately, pinnin me in place before I could react.
“What are you doing?!” I struggled, but his weight and wolf strength kept me firmly beneath him.
His hands caught my wrists, holding them above my head. His knee pressed down on my legs, ensuring I couldn’t move.
“If you think you can use Daniel to toy with me-” he began, his voice dark and stormy.
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“Toy with you?!” I cut him off, rage building inside me. “Are you even listening to yourself?!”
His grip tightened as he glared down at me. Bella growled fiercely within me, but I pushed her instincts back.
“You’re acting ridiculous,” I spat. My body moved instinctively, and before I could reconsider the consequences, I bit down–hard–on his forearm.
His sharp intake of breath was the only indication of pain.
“Let go,” he commanded through gritted teeth.
“No,” I answered defiantly, my voice muffled against his skin.
“Snow Princess,” he barked, his frustrated voice tinged with something nostalgic, “let go now!”
The nickname from our childhood caught me off guard just long enough for his grip to shift. He released my wrists, grabbing my chin instead and forcing me to meet his gaze.
His blood coated my lips, staining them crimson. He glanced briefly at the bite mark I’d left on his arm before
sneering.
“You bit me this hard, Snow Princess?” he mocked. “Have you forgotten how pack hierarchy works?”
“If you respect pack hierarchy,” I shot back coldly, “then let me go.”
For a split second, his wolf eyes flickered with something unreadable–something between anger and
disbelief.
The nickname fell heavily between us, stirring old memories of when things were simpler. Back then, Snow Princess had been a mere taunt, a teasing jab at my fiery nature.
But now, with his face hovering inches from mine, the weight of the name carried something far more complicated.
I refused to let it faze me.
“And what if I did talk to Daniel?” I challenged, my voice cutting through the tension like a blade. “What business is it of yours? Are you jealous, mighty Alpha?”
Aaron’s golden eyes burned fiercely, locking with mine. Neither of us looked away.
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