Alpha Aria

Chapter 4 Mate?

DIEGO

When I got home from Aria's I found my mom in the living room, sitting in her easy chair and knitting. I gave her a slight nod hello as I passed her to go up the stairs. I saw her frown out of the corner of my eyes and before my feet even reached the first step, she asked, "Diego what's wrong? How is Aria? Your father told me what happened this morning."

Concern flooded her voice, and I turned to face her. How was it that moms always knew when something was up? I knew that there was no use obfuscating. My mother was far too sharp and would know. So I decided to be as honest as I could without telling her too much.

"She's okay now, mami. Just some stitches and no concussion. But I'm tired and was just about to head to bed."

She scrunched up her forehead, scanning my face for more information, and waited for me to elaborate. When I didn't and instead turned to go upstairs she let out a frustrated sigh. I padded up the stairs quickly, surprised but relieved she hadn't tried to pry further.

When I got to my room,I peeled off my clothes and tossed them in the laundry hamper. I went to the bathroom and turned on the water in the shower, and while I waited for it to warm up, I brushed my teeth. Testing the water and determining it was perfect, I stepped in and let the hot water spray onto my back, melting my tight muscles. I had been holding myself stiffly all evening. The water felt great and I could almost relax enough to stop thinking about Aria.

Almost.

I've been doing a lot of it lately. In fact, she crossed my mind so often it was getting out of hand. I was starting to feel like a creepy stalker or something.

When that girl Zoe had treated Aria so badly and I saw the look of hurt in her eyes, it had killed me inside. My wolf, Dante, had snarled in my head. He wanted to tear off Zoe's limbs. All I wanted to do was pull Aria into my arms and tell her how amazing and wonderful she is. How beautiful she is. How being near her makes my throat close, and how her smile takes my breath away. How I want to lean over and place my mouth on her perfect lips to see how she tastes…

I shook my head as if physically shaking her from my mind and groaned. Looking down, I could see that my thoughts had affected me greatly. Well, there is only one way to take care of that. I grasped onto my length and stroked away, thoughts of Aria floating through my mind. It didn't take too long to find release and clean up was a snap in the shower.

Later in the evening when I was settled in bed, I closed my eyes and tried to sleep. Unfortunately, slumber was elusive. I kept seeing Aria's beautiful face smiling, her deep green eyes twinkling. I kept hearing her adorable laugh.

These feelings I was going through had plagued me for the last 2 years, but they were getting stronger the more time went by. It had all started when I turned 16 and I had my first shift. After the transformation rite was complete the first thing I did was go to Aria's house to tell her all about it. After all, I'm a month older than her so her transformation ritual would be next, and she wanted to know all about mine so she could be prepared.

When she opened the door and her sweet familiar scent hit my newly enhanced olfactory senses, I got lightheaded. My stomach fluttered nervously and I was speechless. She looked at me strangely, like she was trying to figure out what I was thinking, and it was then that I suddenly realized she was beautiful. I mean, of course I always logically knew my best friend was beautiful, but this time it was different. It was like I was seeing her for the first time. Could it be? Could she be... Mate?

Dante was wagging his tail excitedly, but neither of us could be sure until she had her first shift. I swallowed, cleared my throat and stuttered out some random stupid thing. I don't even remember what it was. She laughed, Goddess that really was adorable, and pulled me into her home by the hand, demanding to know all about my experience. I swore I felt tingles at her touch.