Chapter 3 Conversation With The Beta

Anna

"What are you doing here, Aaron?" He looked at me with a strange expression on his face that revealed his reluctance, which he tried to hide by trying to look confident even though he was under suspicion. It's possible that he had not expected to be discovered or that he had not expected this specific inquiry. I didn't give a damn either way. The fact that Alexander's Beta was pursuing me could only indicate that Alexander was giving him orders. It was risky for me because the man knew every aspect of my whereabouts if he could send his beta after me. I had finally had enough time to arrange the fragments of my existence into one location, and the last thing I wanted was to witness Alexander ruining this new beginning of mine. "Anna, I-I...." Aaron paused, as like he was drowning in the sorrow that his lack of words was pouring all over him. "You are following me because of Alexander's order, aren't you?" My stomach turned to mush at the thought of that man encroaching on my life once more. When I heard about my so-called mate's decision to continue with his demons at the cost of our lives—a life I had once....dreamed for us—my wolf went mute. His eyes widened and his brows raised, yet oddly, it all shouted incredulity. "Nah! I'm not under Alpha's orders to do this," he said more quickly than I had anticipated. I spit out, "Oh stop the nonsense, Aaron. You don't have to lie to make him look good. I am aware that you were sent by him." "It's not true, he has not sent me," With a measured approach, Aaron moved nearer to say, "In fact, he doesn't even know your location." "Oh my goodness? How can you tell me such weak, foolish falsehoods and expect me to believe them? I laughed, hatred oozing from my lips, "But, no, You thought you could fool me just like your boss. Judging from the fact that you are none other than the mighty Alexander's beta, I thought you'd at least be smart to present some reasonable false narration to prove your point." It's not what you think, Anna. You're confused about it. He tried to say something, but I interrupted, not giving him the opportunity to say something stupid. "I'm not making any mistakes. I am merely expressing what I observe here, and everything seems rather evident to me," I almost yelled, unable to maintain composure and act appropriately. "Aaron, please get this straight in your mind: I won't fall for your Alpha's tricks once more. Please just return and tell me to respect my decision and my life! I'm good where I am; I don't need any more devastation or unfulfilled dreams; I've long desired tranquillity, and I've finally found it. I would fucking kill him and forget I ever loved him if he attempts to ruin my existence once more." I turned around and started to leave after that. Alexander was not going to be allowed back into my life. I lost all that I had ever owned because of him. He destroyed our life together, and whether directly or indirectly, he was the cause of my loss of......No! I was not going to allow his shadow to come close to me. Any life that came in contact with him would be reduced to ashes since he was as deadly as venom. "I have seen it all, therefore I know exactly what you have gone through. Just for once, consider this: Don't you think that after all these months, if Alpha was the one to send me, he would have at least attempted to get in touch with you or have a conversation?" My feet stopped, and all of a sudden, I felt as cold and rigid as ice throughout my entire body. I didn't really look back, and I'm not sure why I was so reluctant at first, but the only conclusion I could think of without being completely blinded by the reality was that his remarks had been motivated by a lack of bravery. "My hands were tied, therefore I was powerless to assist you at that time. To put it another way, I was compelled to remain silent due to my obligations. Things weren't possible at the moment, so even though I wanted to help you, I couldn't." "I know saying all of these to you now may seem unreasonable to you, and it's obvious for you to doubt my intentions," he said as I heard his footsteps approach. I can see why you wouldn't believe me when I say this, but trust me.I just wanted to make sure you were safe because, as you and I both know, Alpha has changed, but that hasn't changed the past he had or the lives he destroyed. Even though some of his enemies have turned into friends, they still want to harm him and everyone who is close to him. My only goal was to make sure you were secure." My body finally gave me permission to turn around at this point. A glint came into his eyes and a thought crossed his face, but I could not interpret it because he was too quick to erase everything from his face, and he erased everything so perfectly that no one could have possibly noticed a trace of it. The basic minimum of how I felt would have been stated if I had said I was perplexed. I did know exactly what he wanted, and I also knew how I was supposed to respond to it. Take his advice and turn away? Alternatively, pose the queries that were arising in my mind with each statement he spoke. Maybe going with option number two was a smart move. When was the last time leaving a situation beneficial? "Why? Why do you wish to protect me? And what is the point of telling me all of this now, I questioned, forcing back the sigh that was about to escape my lips. I've hardly spoken to you at all. Actually, though, we have never really spoken. You were merely a bystander, and to be completely honest, I never anticipated anything from you—not even a favour or a small amount of assistance. As of right now, you owe me nothing and are under no obligation to assist me in any way or to take responsibility for my safety. Since our paths diverge, we hardly know one another other than as strangers. Then, why?" It was a problem to handle at a later time, but for now, the problem in front of me required more attention to be solved, and regrettably, I was unintentionally doing my very worst job at it. I had no idea why my palms were becoming all clammy and my respiration was racing. He went silent for a good few seconds, as if he was trying to understand the inquiries and assertions I was making from the bottom of my heart. It remained a mystery whether or not he found the puzzle difficult to solve, but he might know the answers that would fit in and finish it. Would he, however, decide to be truthful? Or perhaps he was at a loss for words? "I can't really explain it, Anna," He breathed a sigh of relief, briefly validating my second supposition, but that wasn't all. It's only that I don't want you to experience anything more severe because I have witnessed your suffering. I'm not a heartless man or a devoted servant who would wreck another person's life in order to win over his boss. I would be ecstatic to save even one person from someone's horrible intentions or the harsh ways of this world, even if it meant sacrificing my entire life. I don't want to see people suffer or lives being destroyed." "So, pity? Is that all there is to it? My mouth fell open to ask the question, resentment trying to escape. Do you really believe that I need your compassion to win this race? You believe that I wouldn't be able to defend myself without your presence and that it would be your assistance that would save me?" My abrupt outburst seems to have surprised him. His expression was all too telling; it was clear that he hadn't anticipated my response. Once more, you're reading things the incorrect way. Not all of these are motivated by sympathy. Speaking with considerably greater mastery over his tone and ability to maintain composure, "What I am trying to say is that....." He paused for a moment, and in that brief—less than a heartbeat—he opted to leave his sentence hanging. The contemplation and introspection had all taken place in his head, far beyond my comprehension, not that I wanted to understand any of it. He turned to face me as he made another attempt to read something that even I was unaware of. This entire exchange left me feeling conflicted; at the same time, I was attempting to navigate the restlessness that was bending like a huge curveball while also being astonished, perplexed, and mystified. But none of it felt heavier than the burden I carried around—the memories that have returned, enveloping me like a destructive wave at the shore that lived precisely there, beyond the walls I've built around myself, chaining my spine to the cold, only to prevent me from ever having the opportunity to walk there, alone, far into the storm. I remained silent for the entire time. The last thing I wanted was to gain any indication that he might be lying and that his only purpose in being here was to carry out the instructions of the man I had pushed out of my life. I wanted him to speak out, to explain his reasoning aloud, and to spare me from this confusion. Aaron was ready to speak when a number of individuals passed by, some of them avoiding the inconsiderate side glances that generally accompany curiosity and unwarranted conjecture between two strangers. However, there wasn't much room on the table to criticise their decision because, at the moment, neither of us appeared remotely normal. It was easy to see the dismay covering the man's face across a few feet from me, and the coldness casting a shadow over mine. "Listen, let's just go and talk somewhere else," When Aaron spoke, he took the initiative to go closer in an attempt to cover the awkward space between us. He looked around to see if anybody else was staring at us suspiciously, but when he saw nobody, he turned back to me and said, "Please." "No, I'm not going anywhere with you," I shook my head, dismissing his courteous request—which, if I could get over my misgivings, was half-harmless. "I don't need you to accompany me wherever. You've already visited the cafe by the river a few times; it's just that simple." "So you have followed me there as well?" My voice sounded accusing, as it should have. With a defeated sigh, he said, "Please, Anna. Attempt to comprehend. You have no enemy in me." "Nor are you my friend, Aaron." "I know, I realise that more clearly than you do. And I promise not to do anything that could endanger you. All I want to do is talk." As if he understood my thoughts, or perhaps I should say the suspicions running through my head, he said, "It's just a conversation and I promise to take not more than ten minutes of your time." It didn't appear as though he was lying. At least it appeared that he had good intentions. And before I knew it, my mouth made the graceful decision to open on its own without my consent, exactly like it always does, only causing me a great deal of trouble. "Okay, only ten minutes— Not even a second more than that." "You have my word."