Keep Me Safe
Chapter 4: Keep Me Safe
“Why the fck would Aiden not answer his phone? It’s been two days now,” Prince muttered under his breath, frustration thick in his voice.
His calls went straight to voicemail. His texts? Unread. That wasn’t like Aiden. Not even close.
During morning class, the seat beside him was empty again…just like yesterday.
Prince tried laughing at a joke from a classmate, but his mind was elsewhere, his eyes glued to his phone, hoping…praying…for a message, a sign, anything.
More than twenty-four hours, he thought, scrolling through his unanswered messages. Maybe it’s time to file a missing person report.
By noon, he was already instructing the Uber driver. “Nearest police station, please.”
At the station, Prince marched up to the counter, trying to keep his voice steady.
“I want to file a missing person report. For my best friend.”
The officer looked up, picking up a pen with an air of boredom. “How long has he been missing?”
“Two days, sir.”
The officer scoffed. “Kid, university students disappear for a couple of days all the time. Parties, hookups…you name it. He’ll show up.”
Prince gripped the photo of Aiden tighter, voice rising slightly. “Officer, my friend isn’t like that. He wouldn’t miss class—not even if he was dying.”
The officer sighed, glanced at his watch. “Lunch break. Come back later, kid.”
And just like that, he stood and walked away.
Prince pushed open the door, anger bubbling under his skin. Are police officers idiots these days?, he thought. He couldn’t give up here. Not on Aiden.
He paced down the street, constantly glancing behind him, a creeping feeling crawling up his spine.
Then he saw him.
A tall man, dressed entirely in black, approached with piercing blue eyes and short blonde hair…eyes that seemed to look right through Prince.
Prince wanted to run but his body froze, caught in a magnetic, paralyzing stare.
The man stopped just inches away.
“Looking for your friend, Aiden?” His voice was calm, almost amused.
Prince swallowed hard, trembling. “Who are you? How do you know my friend’s name? If you have him, you better let him go before I call the police.”
A slow smirk curled on the man’s lips. “Sharp-mouthed. My kind of person.”
“He’s safe. With us. You need to go home and rest, Prince.”
Prince’s heart hammered. “What are you? A stalker?”
A cold breeze swept past them. Prince thought he saw the man’s eyes flicker faint gold before returning to icy blue.
“You have a shift tonight, right? You should go home.”
The man’s hand reached out and brushed Prince’s, collecting the photo of Aiden. When their hands touched, heat flared up his arm. Prince flushed, unable to look away.
“I’m Grants. Aiden is with us.”
“*Us? Who are you people? Grants, tell me where my friend is.”
But before Prince could say more, Grants vanished…like a shadow melting into the night.
Prince stood frozen, clutching the photo tightly.
His phone buzzed.
Unknown number: Your friend will call you soon. Wink wink.
Prince’s eyes darted around the empty street.
Who are these people? And what has Aiden gotten himself into?
Aiden’s eyes snapped open. Panic flooded him as he scanned the unfamiliar room, willing himself to believe everything that had happened was a nightmare.
He was in a cozy, old-fashioned room. Heavy curtains blocked out the daylight, thick silk sheets tangled around him.
From the fireplace came the comforting scent of burning wood.
He checked himself...no injuries. He was wearing an oversized black shirt, the scent unmistakably Aldrich’s.
Aiden scrambled out of bed, heading straight for the door. He had to get out.
“Holy shit.”
Aldrich blocked his path, arms crossed, leaning casually against the doorframe.
“Where do you think you’re going, Aiden?” His deep baritone rumbled.
“Home. Obviously. And how do you know my name? Have you been stalking me?”
“Nope. Just here in case you need help.”
“Can I go now? How long have I been asleep?”
“You can’t. Not yet. Actually, it’d be better if you moved in with me. You’ve been out for a day. I was starting to think you wouldn’t wake up…I kept checking if you were breathing.”
Aiden laughed nervously. “You’re kidding, right? I don’t even know you. What’s your name?”
“Aldrich.” His voice was calm but serious.
Aldrich stepped closer, his scent filling Aiden’s senses…warm, calming, confusing.
He carefully tucked a loose strand of hair behind Aiden’s ear, eyes fixed on the glowing crescent mark on his collarbone.
Aiden froze, heat rushing to his cheeks. He quickly looked away, heart pounding at how damn irredeemably handsome Aldrich was.
“Can I look around? I’m not a prisoner.” He headed down the hallway.
The house was steeped in history…old paintings lined the walls, antique furniture, strange weapons, moonstone charms, and ancient maps scattered about.
A massive wolf-fur cloak lay draped over a table. Aiden ran his hand through the thick fur.
“Cosplaying Twilight, much? Dracula?”
Aldrich was suddenly behind him. Too close.
“Hey, stop sneaking up on me like that. Jesus Christ.” Aiden stepped back, trying to keep some space.
“So, Aldrich... what are you? A mafia sugar daddy? Or a Don looking for a twink to keep around?”
“Huh?”
“I’m not a twink, and I don’t want a sugar daddy. I had a girlfriend once in high school.”
“What’s a sugar daddy?” Aldrich asked, genuinely confused.
Aiden snorted and laughed awkwardly. “You’re not kidding, right? Do you live under a rock? How old are you? Thirty? Forty?”
Aldrich tilted his head. “I was born in 1790.”
Aiden’s jaw nearly hit the floor. “Bro, you’re my ancestor.”
“I’m a werewolf. So are my friends. We are immortal”
Aldrich’s expression softened as he looked at the glowing crescent on Aiden’s collarbone.
“I’m guessing this is the Liora. You just happen to look like her. I’m not her.”
“Yes. She was my wife. I lost her because of the prophecy. But I’m not losing you.”
He brushed a gentle finger against Aiden’s cheek, like he was made of porcelain.
Their eyes locked, and Aldrich leaned in slowly, bringing his face closer.
Their lips brushed lightly at first, then deepened…the kiss hungry and searching. A moan escaped Aiden’s lips as Aldrich’s tongue slid into his mouth.
Hands found his waist, pulling him closer, pressing him against the wall.
But then…
A whistle cut through the moment.
They broke apart instantly.
“Sorry to interrupt your romantic moment,” Merrick said with a grin, winking at Aldrich.
Fiona stormed in, bloodied, followed by Grants.
“The Argato clan wasn’t working alone,” she warned.
“The Council of the Nine knows about you now, Aiden. They believe your blood can awaken The Alpha Prime…a being with unstoppable power.”
“Alpha Prime? Sounds like some kind of transformer,” Aiden muttered.
“Look, all I want is to go home,” Aiden said, voice shaking. “I’d never mention any of you or show up again.”
“Kid, if you walk out that door, they won’t hesitate to kill you.”
Aiden’s body ignited with heat, vision blurring. The scent of Aldrich overwhelmed him.
His eyes flickered gold, faint fur sprouted on his arm and vanished.
He collapsed to the floor.
Aldrich dropped to his knees beside him, steadying his breathing, murmuring, “Move away... your scent.”
“He’s going through heat,” Fiona said softly.
“They were attacking when I arrived,” Merrick added.
“What the hell is happening to me?” Aiden whispered, terrified.
“Your wolf is awakening. The bond is calling.”
He shoved Aldrich away, trying to stand but falling again...this time into Aldrich’s arms.
“Put me down. Leave me alone.”
“I can’t,” Aldrich said, voice low and steady. “You’re my mate. Taking care of you is what I have to do.”
“I’m not your mate! For God’s sake, I’m not even gay!” Aiden snapped, voice cracking.
Suddenly, the mansion shook violently.
“They found us. Shit!” Fiona shouted.
The front door exploded inward.
