REJECTED YET CHOSEN

Chapter 30

_Lyla's POV_

The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. I blinked awake. My body was still wrapped in the warmth of Aaron’s arms. His chest rose and fell steadily against my back. His breath was soft and even. For a moment, I just lay there, my mind replaying the events of the previous night. My cheeks flushed as memories of his touch, his kisses, and the way he had marked me as his flooded my mind. I felt a mix of emotions—happiness, contentment, but also a strange shyness. I wasn’t sure how to act now that we had crossed that line. What if things were awkward between us?

I stayed perfectly still. I did not want to wake him up. My heart raced as I tried to figure out what to do. Should I say something? Should I just pretend to be asleep until he woke up? I didn’t have to wonder for long. Aaron stirred behind me, his arms tightening around me as he nuzzled into the crook of my neck.

“Good morning, darling,” he murmured, his voice thick with sleep. His lips brushed against my skin and this sent a shiver down my spine.

I froze for a moment, then relaxed into his embrace. “Good morning,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He chuckled softly, the sound vibrating against my back. “You have been awake for a while, haven’t you?” he asked, his tone teasing.

I blushed. I was grateful that he couldn’t see my face. “Maybe,” I admitted.

Aaron turned me gently in his arms so that I was facing him. His eyes were soft, filled with warmth and affection. “Why didn’t you wake me?” he asked, brushing a strand of hair from my face.

I shrugged, feeling suddenly shy. “I didn’t want to disturb you,” I mumbled.

He smiled, his thumb tracing my cheekbone. “You could never disturb me, Lyla. You’re my mate. I want to wake up to you every morning.”

His words made my heart swell, but I still felt a little unsure. “Aaron… about last night…” I started, but he cut me off with a gentle kiss.

“Last night was perfect,” he said, his voice firm but tender. “You’re perfect. Don’t overthink it, okay?”

I nodded, feeling some of my anxiety melt away. “Okay.”

He grinned, his playful side emerging. “Besides, I seem to recall you enjoying yourself quite a bit,” he teased, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

I groaned, hiding my face in his chest. “Aaron, stop!”

He laughed, the sound warm and rich. “I’m just saying, darling. You were very… enthusiastic.”

I swatted his arm lightly, my face burning. “You’re impossible.”

“Only with you,” he said, his voice softening. He tilted my chin up so I was looking at him again. “I love you, Lyla. More than anything. Last night only made me realize how lucky I am to have you as my mate.”

I reached up to cup his face.“I love you too, Aaron. So much.”

He kissed me again, this time slow and sweet. When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against mine. “There is something I have been meaning to talk to you about,” he said, his tone serious now.

I frowned, my heart skipping a beat. “What is it?”

He smiled and brushed his thumb over my cheek. “Nothing bad, I promise. I just… I want to make things official. You’re my mate, and I want the whole pack to know it. I want to announce you as the Luna of the pack.”

My eyes widened in surprise. “Aaron, are you sure? I mean, I am still new to all of this. What if I an not ready?”

He shook his head. “You’re more than ready, Lyla. You’re strong, kind, and you care about the pack. They need to respect you. This is just making it official.”

I bit my lip, still unsure. “What if they don’t accept me?”

“They will,” he said firmly. “And even if they don’t at first, they will learn to. You are my mate, and that’s all that matters to me. Besides, we’ll have a ceremony. It’ll be a celebration—a way to show everyone how much you mean to me.”

I felt a rush of emotion at his words. “Aaron… I don’t know what to say.”

He smiled, his eyes full of love. “Say yes.”

I nodded, tears spilling over. “Yes.”

He kissed me again, his lips soft against mine. When he pulled back, he was grinning. “And after the ceremony, we’ll start planning our wedding.”

My eyes widened. “Wedding?”

He chuckled. “Of course. You didn’t think I would let you get away without marrying me, did you?”

I laughed, the sound bubbling up from deep inside me. “I guess not.”

He kissed my forehead, his arms tightening around me. “Good. Because I am not letting you go, Lyla. Not now, not ever.”

We lay there for a while, just holding each other. The shyness I had felt earlier was gone, replaced by a deep sense of contentment. Aaron’s presence was like a balm to my soul, and I knew that no matter what challenges we faced, we would face them together.

After a while, Aaron sat up and stretched lazily. “Come on,” he said, holding out his hand. “Let’s take a shower.”

Aaron pulled me into the shower, his hands warm and firm as they held me close. The water cascaded down our bodies. The steam rose around us, wrapping us in a cocoon of warmth. He made love to me once again, slow and tender, as if he wanted to cherish every moment. When it was over, he gently dried me off. His touch was soft and careful, as if I was something precious.

Once we were dressed, Aaron called for breakfast to be brought to our room. We sat together on the bed, sharing a meal in comfortable silence. I watched him, taking in every detail—the way his jaw moved as he chewed, the way his eyes softened whenever he looked at me. I still couldn’t believe that he was mine and that I was his.

After we finished eating, Aaron set the tray aside and turned to me. He cupped my face in his hands and pressed a lingering kiss to my lips.

“I have to go for a little while, darling,” he said, his voice reluctant. “There are some matters I need to take care of.”

I frowned, not liking the idea of him leaving, even if it was only for a short time. “Do you have to?” I asked softly, my fingers gripping his shirt.

He smiled and kissed my forehead. “I’ll be back by the afternoon. I promise.”

I nodded, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of wanting to hold onto him. After everything that had happened between us, I didn’t want to be apart from him. Not even for a few hours.

He ran his fingers through my hair, sensing my emotions. “Lyla,” he murmured, his voice filled with warmth. “I can feel you now, completely.”

I knew exactly what he meant. Ever since he had marked me, there was no barrier between us anymore. I could feel everything—his love, his protectiveness, his desire to keep me safe. It was overwhelming in the best way.

“And I can feel you,” I whispered, pressing a hand to my chest. “It’s like… you’re inside me now, a part of me that I can never lose.”

He rested his forehead against mine, his breath warm against my lips. “That’s because we are one now, my love. Nothing can change that.”

I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “Then why does it hurt when you say you have to leave?”

He sighed, his arms tightening around me. “Because our bond is strong. Because we belong together. But I swear, I won’t be gone long.”

I nodded, even though it didn’t make me feel better. “I’ll miss you.”

Aaron chuckled, tilting my chin up. “You’re making it really hard for me to leave, Lyla.”

“Then don’t.”

He kissed me again, deep and slow, before finally pulling away. “I’ll make it up to you when I get back.”

I sighed, watching as he stood and walked to the door. “You better.”

He smirked. “I will.”

Then he was gone, and the room suddenly felt empty without him. I wrapped my arms around myself, already missing him. It was strange how much closer I felt to him now, how much I needed him. I had always cared for him, but this was different. Now, he was a part of me in a way that no one else could ever be.

And I knew, without a doubt, that I never wanted to be without him again.