REJECTED YET CHOSEN

Chapter 28

_Lyla's POV_

After the emotional reunion with Aaron, we decided to have dinner together. The dining hall was quiet, with only the soft clinking of cutlery and the occasional murmur of voices. The tension from earlier had melted away. It was replaced by a warm and comforting atmosphere. Aaron sat across from me, his eyes never leaving mine. His presence was like a balm to my frayed nerves, and I felt myself relaxing for the first time in days.

As we ate, Aaron reached into a small cooler beside him and pulled out a bottle of champagne. The golden liquid sparkled in the soft light, and he held it up with a playful grin.

“What is this for?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Celebrating,” he said, his voice low and teasing. “I am home and I am with you. That is worth celebrating, don’t you think?”

I felt a blush creep up my cheeks. “I guess so.”

He popped the cork with a soft *pop* and poured two glasses, sliding one toward me. “Come on, Lyla. Just one drink with me.”

I hesitated, my fingers brushing against the stem of the glass. “I don’t know… I am not really a drinker.”

Aaron leaned forward, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Indulge me. Just this once.”

I sighed, but I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. “Fine. Just one.”

He clinked his glass against mine, and we both took a sip. The bubbles tickled my nose, and I giggled softly. Aaron’s grin widened, and he reached across the table to take my hand.

“See? Not so bad, is it?”

I shook my head, feeling a bit lightheaded already. “No, it’s not.”

We continued eating, the conversation flowing easily between us. Aaron told me more about the meeting with the other Alphas, and I listened intently, grateful for the distraction. But as the meal went on, I noticed his gaze growing more intense, his words laced with a teasing undertone that made my heart race.

By the time we finished dinner, I was feeling a little warm, the champagne making my head swim just enough to loosen my inhibitions. Aaron stood and offered me his hand.

“Come on,” he said, his voice soft but commanding. “Let us go to our room.”

I took his hand and let him lead me upstairs. The hallway was quiet, the only sound the soft echo of our footsteps. When we reached our room, Aaron closed the door behind us and turned the lock with a soft *click*. My heart skipped a beat, and I felt a rush of anticipation.

Aaron turned to me, his eyes dark with desire. “Let us take a shower together,” he said, his voice low and husky.

I felt my cheeks flush, and I shook my head. “Aaron, I… I don’t know.”

He stepped closer, his hands resting on my hips. “Why not? We are mates, Lyla. There is nothing to be shy about.”

I bit my lip. I could feel my heart pounding. “I just… I have never done this before.”

Aaron’s expression softened, and he cupped my face in his hands. “I know. And I’ll go as slow as you need. But I want to be close to you, Lyla. I want to feel your skin against mine.”

His words sent a shiver down my spine, and I felt my resistance crumbling. My wolf, Astra, was practically bouncing with excitement. Her presence was a warm and comforting weight in my mind. I took a deep breath and nodded.

“Okay,” I whispered.

Aaron’s lips curved into a smile, and he leaned down to capture my lips in a slow and tender kiss. His hands slid down to the hem of my shirt, and he pulled it over my head, leaving me in just my bra and jeans. I felt a rush of shyness, but Aaron’s gaze was so full of admiration that it quickly faded.

“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured, his fingers trailing along my collarbone.

I reached for the buttons of his shirt, my hands trembling slightly as I undid them one by one. When I pushed the fabric aside, I couldn’t help but stare. Aaron’s chest was perfectly sculpted, his muscles rippling under his skin. He was ripped, every inch of him radiating strength and power.

My eyes drifted lower, and I gasped when I saw his manhood. He was so big and thick, and I felt a rush of heat flood my cheeks. Aaron chuckled softly, his voice dripping with amusement.

“See something you like, little wolf?” he teased, his tone playful but laced with a deeper, more possessive edge.

I immediately looked away, my face burning. “Aaron! Stop it.”

He laughed, the sound warm and rich, and he tilted my chin up so I was looking at him again. “Why are you so shy, Lyla? You’re allowed to look. In fact, I *want* you to look.”

I groaned, covering my face with my hands. “You’re impossible.”

He gently pulled my hands away, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Come on, admit it. You were staring.”

I huffed, trying to sound indignant, but my voice came out more breathless than I intended. “I wasn’t staring.”

“Oh, really?” he said, his lips curving into a smirk. “Then why are your cheeks so red?”

I glared at him, though there was no real heat behind it. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”

“Maybe,” he admitted, his hands sliding down to my waist. “But can you blame me? You’re adorable when you’re flustered.”

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. “You’re such a tease.”

“Only with you,” he said, his voice softening. He leaned down to kiss me again, his lips warm and insistent. When he pulled back, his eyes were dark with desire. “Now, let’s get in the shower before the water gets cold.”

I nodded, and he took my hand, leading me into the bathroom. He turned on the water, adjusting the temperature until it was just right. Steam began to fill the room, and Aaron stepped under the spray, pulling me with him.

The water was warm, cascading over my skin and soothing my nerves. Aaron reached for the soap, lathering it between his hands before he began to wash me. His touch was gentle, his hands moving over my shoulders, down my arms, and across my back. I closed my eyes, letting myself relax into his touch.

“Your turn,” he said, his voice soft.

I opened my eyes to see him holding the soap out to me. I took it, my hands trembling slightly as I began to wash his chest. His muscles were hard under my fingers, and I couldn’t help but admire the way they flexed with every movement.

Aaron’s hand closed over mine, guiding it lower. “Don’t forget this part,” he teased, his voice low and husky.

My breath hitched as my hand brushed against his manhood. He was so hard, and I felt a rush of heat between my legs. I began to rub him, my movements tentative at first, but growing more confident as I felt him respond to my touch.

Aaron groaned softly, his hands gripping my hips. “Lyla…”

I looked up at him, my heart pounding. “Aaron, I…”

He shook his head, his eyes dark with desire. “Not yet, love. Let’s rinse off first.”

He took the soap from me and quickly washed us both, his hands moving with practiced ease. When we were clean, he turned off the water and stepped out of the shower, pulling me with him. He grabbed a towel and dried us both off.

When we were dry, Aaron lifted me into his arms and carried me to the bed. He laid me down gently, his body hovering over mine. His eyes were full of love and desire, and I felt my heart swell with emotion.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, his lips brushing against mine. “I love you, Lyla.”

Tears pricked my eyes, and I reached up to cup his face. “I love you too, Aaron.”