Love in the Chaos

Chapter 19

Aaron stood there, his presence commanding and dark, his eyes glowing crimson, a rare sight that only appeared when a vampire was dangerously close to losing control. His gaze swept over the room, and the fury in his eyes was palpable. He was no longer the calm, collected Aaron everyone knew—he was a predator, ready to protect what was his.

Aaron’s eyes locked on Rune, softening just for a moment before they hardened again as he addressed the room. His voice was low, almost a growl. "Enough."

The power in that single word silenced everyone. Even Rune’s grandfather, who had been so furious moments ago, seemed momentarily stunned by the sheer force of Aaron’s presence.

"I’ve listened to enough of this," Aaron said, his voice cold and cutting through the silence like a blade. "You don’t get to decide what Rune wants. You don’t get to choose who he loves."

Rune’s heart skipped a beat at the intensity in Aaron’s voice. He had never seen him like this before, so protective, so fierce.

"You think you can force him into something he doesn’t want because it’s ‘tradition’?" Aaron spat the word like it disgusted him. "I don’t care what your rules are. Rune is not your pawn. He’s mine."

There was a collective gasp in the room, but Aaron continued, his eyes never leaving Rune’s. "And I will fight anyone who tries to take him from me."

Shyla, still crying, took a step forward, her voice trembling. "He’s not yours, Aaron. He’s the Moon Goddess’s gift to me. We’re meant to be together."

Aaron’s gaze snapped to her, and the sheer intensity of it made her take a step back. "You don’t own him either," he snarled. "You think because of some mystical bond that he’ll forget everything and fall into your arms? Love doesn’t work like that."

The room was dead silent, the tension so thick it was suffocating.

Rune, overwhelmed by everything, whispered, "Aaron…"

Aaron moved toward Rune in a flash, his cold but strong hands cupping Rune’s face gently. His touch sent a shiver through Rune’s body. Aaron’s eyes softened again, the crimson fading to the deep blue Rune was used to, filled with concern and love.

"Bambi," Aaron whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. I’m here. Always. But I need to know—what do *you* want?"

Rune stared into Aaron’s eyes, feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders. He knew what everyone expected of him, knew the pain that rejecting a mate would cause. But all of that paled in comparison to what he felt for Aaron. Aaron wasn’t just a lover—he was Rune’s anchor, his safe place, his home.

"I want you," Rune breathed, the words finally escaping his lips, as if they had been caged for too long. "I only want you."

Aaron let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding and pulled Rune into a deep, passionate kiss right there, in front of everyone. The kiss wasn’t soft or gentle—it was raw, hungry, and filled with all the emotions they had been holding back. It was a kiss that defied fate, family, and tradition. A kiss that claimed Rune in every possible way.

Rune moaned into the kiss, clutching onto Aaron as if he would fall apart if he let go. Their bodies pressed against each other, the heat between them building as Aaron’s hands roamed over Rune’s body, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss until Rune felt like he might lose his mind from the intensity.

Everyone in the room was stunned, frozen, unable to comprehend what was happening.

But Shyla… Shyla’s eyes filled with rage and jealousy. "No!" she screamed, her voice filled with desperation. "He’s mine! You can’t have him!"

Before anyone could react, Shyla lunged at Rune, her claws extended, aiming for his throat.

Aaron’s reflexes were lightning-fast. He grabbed Shyla’s wrist mid-air, twisting it until she yelped in pain, and threw her back with a force that sent her crashing against the wall.

"No one touches him," Aaron growled, his eyes glowing crimson again. He stood in front of Rune protectively, shielding him with his body, daring anyone to challenge him.

The room erupted into chaos. Rune’s family moved to intervene, but Aaron let out a snarl so vicious that it stopped them in their tracks. He wasn’t playing anymore. He was ready to tear anyone apart who tried to take Rune from him.

Shyla, breathing heavily and clutching her injured wrist, glared at them. "You’ll regret this," she spat, her voice venomous. "The Moon Goddess will not forgive you."

Aaron didn’t flinch. He pulled Rune closer, his hand resting protectively on his waist. "I don’t care about the Moon Goddess," Aaron said, his voice low and dangerous. "I only care about Rune."

And with that, Aaron swept Rune off his feet, carrying him out of the house, leaving his family, his mate, and their destiny behind. Because Rune had made his choice. And Aaron wasn’t going to let anything—or anyone—take him away.

As they left the house, Rune clung to Aaron, his heart pounding. He didn’t know what the future held, but for the first time, he felt free. Free to love, free to be with Aaron.

And that was all he needed.