11. Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

Bane

T he moment Aria finally gives in, the tension in her shoulders barely loosening, I don't waste any time. I step out of the house and pull my phone from my pocket, dialing Liam.

"Yeah?" His voice is sharp, irritated, as usual.

"Get a car ready," I bark, my tone leaving no room for argument. "We're bringing two more back with us. I want their rooms prepared—next to mine."

"Of course," he mutters before hanging up.

I shove the phone back into my pocket and walk into the house, my wolf pacing.

"We're leaving in an hour," I say firmly.

"An hour?" she repeats, her voice sharp. "You don't waste any time, do you?"

"Time's something we don't have, Aria," I reply, my tone clipped. "You've been out here vulnerable for too long. That ends now."

Her eyes narrow, but she doesn't argue, at least not this time.

Exactly one hour later, we are packed and ready to go. My men move efficiently, loading the car while I stand off to the side, arms crossed, watching. Elias bounces around with excitement, his energy palpable.

"Is this your car, Mr. Bane?" he asks, staring up at me with wide, curious eyes.

"It is," I reply, softening my tone for him. "And you can just call me Bane."

"Cool," he says, grinning. "Can I sit in the front?"

"No," Aria interjects from behind him. "You're sitting in the back with me."

Elias frowns but doesn't push it. Instead, he turns his attention back to me. "Are there other kids where we're going?"

"There are," I say, crouching slightly to meet his gaze. "You'll have plenty of people to play with."

The drive is... interesting.

Elias doesn't stop talking. He fires off question after question, his enthusiasm relentless.

"Do you have a big house, Bane?"

"It's big enough," I answer, glancing at him through the rearview mirror.

"Bigger than ours?"

"Much bigger."

"Do you live there all alone?"

I smirk. "No. The pack lives there too."

"What's a pack?"

I hesitate, glancing at Aria. Her lips are pressed tightly together, her eyes fixed out the window, but I can feel her tension filling the car.

"A pack is like a big family," I explain carefully.

The kid is full of questions, and I answer every single one. Aria, on the other hand, stays silent, her arms crossed over her chest as she stares out the window, clearly annoyed.

When we finally arrive at the pack house, Elias practically bounces out of the car, his eyes wide as he takes in the towering structure before him.

"Whoa," he whispers. "This place is huge!"

"It's home," I say simply, stepping out of the car and motioning for Aria to follow.

She climbs out slowly, her eyes narrowing as she takes in the building. "Still the same oversized ego, I see," she mutters under her breath.

I choose to ignore the jab, focusing instead on Elias. "Come on," I say, leading him toward the entrance.

"The rooms?" I ask, turning to Liam.

"Ready," he says, his tone clipped.

"Good." I turn to Aria, who is standing stiffly by the door, her arms still crossed. "Let's go."

She doesn't move, her eyes darting around the room. I can see the unease in her posture, the way her fingers tighten around Elias's hand.

"Aria," I say quietly, my tone firm.

She glares at me but finally nods, following as I lead them upstairs.

The rooms I've arranged are on the same floor as mine, just a few doors down. I open the door to the first room, motioning for them to enter.

"This is Elias's room," I say.

He runs inside immediately, his excitement palpable. "This is awesome!"

Aria, on the other hand, lingers in the doorway, her eyes scanning the space warily. "And where's my room?"

"Next door," I say, gesturing to the adjacent door.

Her eyes narrow. "Convenient."

"For everyone involved," I reply smoothly.

She huffs but doesn't argue, stepping into Elias's room and glancing around. "It's fine," she says finally, her tone begrudging.

"Your things will be brought up shortly," I add.

"We can handle it ourselves," she snaps.

"That won't be necessary," I say, my tone leaving no room for debate. "My men will take care of it."

Her jaw tightens, but she doesn't push further.

As my men start bringing in their belongings, Elias continues to explore his new room, his excitement bubbling over. Aria, however, stays silent, her arms crossed as she watches everything unfold with thinly veiled frustration.

"This doesn't mean we're staying," she says finally, her voice low but firm.

I turn to her, my expression unreadable. "It means you're safe. For now, that's all that matters."

Elias is already bouncing on the bed by the time Aria and I step back into his new room. His small frame practically disappears into the plush bedding, his laughter filling the space.

"This is so cool!" he shouts, his hands gripping the bedposts as he leans over to inspect every inch of the room. "I've never had a bed this big before!"

"Elias," Aria says softly, her voice steady but tinged with hesitation.

He freezes mid-bounce, turning to her with wide, curious eyes. "Yeah?"

She glances at me briefly before walking toward him, sitting on the edge of the bed. "We need to talk about something important, okay?"

His head tilts, a hint of confusion crossing his features. "What is it?"

I stay by the wall, arms crossed, watching the exchange. I want to be the one to tell him, but Aria has always been the one by his side. She's earned the right to lead this.

Aria hesitates, brushing a hand through Elias's hair. "Elias, do you know why we're here? Why we're staying with... him?" She glances my way, the word him dripping with disdain.

Elias blinks, his gaze bouncing between the two of us. "'Cause it's safe?" He guesses.

"Yes, but there's more to it," she says, her voice softening.

Elias stares at her, waiting.

"Bane is your father," she says finally, her words careful, almost fragile.

The room seems to freeze. Elias's wide eyes flick to me, his lips parting in shock. "What?"

I push off the wall, walking closer but keeping my distance. "It's true," I say, my voice steady. "I'm your dad, Elias."

His reaction isn't what I expect. His excitement dulls, his small face folding into something unreadable. He glances at Aria, then back at me. "If you're my dad," he says slowly, "then where have you been?"

The question hits like a dagger, sharp and unavoidable. Aria's eyes flick to mine, her arms crossing tightly over her chest, clearly waiting to see how I'll handle this.

"I've been traveling," I say, my voice calm but firm. "Handling important things for the pack."

It isn't a complete lie.

Elias tilts his head, his small brow furrowed. "You traveled for five years?"

"I had responsibilities," I explain carefully.

He stares at me for a long moment, his small hands gripping the edge of the bed. Then, slowly, he nods. "Okay."

Aria exhales softly, her shoulders relaxing slightly.

"Are you gonna stay now?"

"Of course," I say, my tone leaving no room for doubt. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm here for good."

His lips twitch, almost forming a smile.

"I'll make up for lost time," I add. "I'll do whatever it takes."

Elias's gaze softens slightly.

"Tell you what," I say, crouching down to his level. "What's the one thing you've been wanting lately? Anything at all."

His eyes light up for the first time since the conversation started. "Anything?"

"Anything," I promise.

He pauses, thinking hard. "There's this new drone that can do flips and tricks and even has a camera on it!"

I smile. "Consider it done."

"Really?" His excitement returns full force, his smile stretching ear to ear.

"Really," I say. "You'll have it by the end of the week."

Elias practically launches himself off the bed, wrapping his arms around me in a sudden hug. "Thanks, Dad!"

The word Dad hits me harder than I expect, a warmth spreading through my chest. I hug him back tightly, my wolf practically purring with satisfaction.

"Anything for you, kid," I say softly.

Aria clears her throat behind us, her arms crossed but her expression softer than before. "It's late," she says. "Elias, you should get some sleep."

"Aww, but I'm not tired!" he whines.

"You will be once your head hits that pillow," she replies firmly.

Elias pouts but climbs into bed, pulling the blankets up to his chin. "Goodnight, Mom. Goodnight, Dad."

"Goodnight, Elias."

As soon as the door to Elias's room clicks shut, I turn to Aria, and the tension between us snaps like a taut wire.

"You want to explain why the hell you kept him from me?" I demand, my voice low but seething.

Her eyes narrow, arms crossing defensively. "You weren't exactly Father of the Year material, Bane. You rejected me, remember? I wasn't about to hand over my son to someone who hated my family enough to walk away from me."

"I didn't know!" I step closer, my chest heaving with the effort to keep my voice down. "You think I wouldn't have come back if I'd known? You think I'd let my son grow up without a father?"

Her laugh is sharp, cutting. "Oh, please. You were so wrapped up in your hatred for my father, for everything connected to me, you wouldn't have cared."

I clench my fists, my wolf clawing at the edges of my control. "Don't act like you did this for me, Aria. You kept him hidden because it was easier for you. You didn't even give me a choice!"

Her eyes flash, fury dancing in the depths. "And what would you have done, Bane? Dragged me back to your pack? Kept me as some prisoner while you played the part of the angry, bitter Alpha?"

"And what about what I needed?" My voice is lower now, my wolf growling just beneath the surface. "You took that from me, Aria. You took him from me."

We stand there, chest to chest, our breaths mingling as the tension morphs into something darker, more dangerous. Her gaze flickers, her resolve faltering for a split second.

"You're unbelievable," she mutters, shaking her head and turning away.

"Don't walk away from me," I growl, grabbing her arm and pulling her back.

"Let me go, Bane," she says, her voice trembling now, though whether it's from anger or something else, I can't tell.

"No," I say firmly, my grip tightening just enough to make her stop struggling.

Her lips part, a sharp retort on the tip of her tongue, but it never comes. The spark between us ignites, flaring hotter and brighter than it had in years.

"Damn you," she whispers, her voice trembling, her eyes locked on mine.

"Damn me all you want," I murmur, my voice low, guttural, as I cup her jaw and bring my lips to hers.

The kiss is fire and fury, a collision of everything we've been holding back. She resists at first, her fists pushing against my chest, but it only makes me pull her closer, deepen the kiss, pour every ounce of frustration and longing into it.

"You're impossible," she gasps against my lips, her hands fisting in my shirt now instead of pushing me away.

"And you drive me insane," I growl, dragging my lips down her neck, biting lightly as my hands find the hem of her shirt.

"Bane," she whispers, her voice shaky, her resolve crumbling.

"I'm not stopping," I say, my hands sliding up her bare skin, my wolf howling with approval as her scent surrounds me. "Not unless you tell me to."

She doesn't.

Instead, she tugs at my shirt, her fingers desperate, her movements frantic. "I hate you," she murmurs, her words contradicting the way she pulls me closer, the way her body arches against mine.

"Good," I growl, lifting her and pressing her against the wall, my lips claiming hers again. "Hate me all you want."

The anger between us turns into something primal, something raw and unrestrained. We tear at each other's clothes, every movement fueled by years of pent-up frustration and unresolved desire.

Her nails rake down my back as I bury my face in her neck, her gasps and whispers fueling the fire that burns between us. "You're infuriating," she hisses, her voice breathless.

"Shut the fuck up and take it," I shoot back, my hands gripping her hips as I press her harder against the wall.

Her response is a sharp intake of breath, her body trembling as we collide over and over, the tension between us finally snapping in the most explosive, unrestrained way possible.

Her gasp is sharp as I shove her back against the wall, my hand gripping her jaw, forcing her to meet my eyes. Her lips part to argue, but I’m done with her mouth running.

“You just can’t help yourself, can you?” I growl, my voice a low rumble. “Pushing me. Testing me.”

Her defiance wavers, her breaths coming fast, and I see the exact moment her resistance crumbles. It’s in her eyes, the way her body sags slightly against me, giving in even though she hates herself for it.

“You want this?” I snap, my hand sliding down to her waist before gripping the thin fabric of her panties. “Say it.”

She hesitates, her pride fighting her need, and I let out a dark chuckle. “Too late.”

With one sharp pull, I tear the flimsy fabric away, the sound of ripping cloth sending a thrill through me. My other hand grips her thigh, yanking her leg up around my hip as I position myself at her entrance.

“Bane—”

But I don’t let her finish. With one brutal thrust, I’m inside her, filling her completely. Her scream is a mix of pain and pleasure, her nails clawing at my shoulders as her body tightens around me.

“Fuck,” I groan, my head falling to her shoulder as I revel in the heat of her. “You feel so fucking good. Like you were made for me.”

Her hips jerk, her moans spilling freely now, and I smirk against her skin. “You like that, don’t you?” I murmur darkly, my teeth grazing her neck. “Being fucked like this. Like the desperate little thing you are.”

“Shut up,” she gasps, but her body betrays her, moving against me, her legs tightening around my waist.

I slam into her harder, the sound of our bodies colliding echoing in the room. “You tell me to shut up one more time, and I’ll make you scream so loud the whole damn house will know who you belong to.”

She whimpers, her nails digging into my back, and I grip her ass, pulling her impossibly closer. My lips trail down her neck, biting hard enough to leave a mark, and she cries out, her head falling back against the wall.

“Bane, I—”

“I don’t want to hear you talk,” I snap, my hand slipping up to grip her throat, squeezing just enough to make her gasp. “All I want is to hear you moan for me. Beg for it.”

Her eyes flutter shut, and she lets out a broken, needy sound that goes straight to my cock. I thrust harder, deeper, hitting a spot that has her trembling in my arms.

“Right there,” I growl, my fingers tightening on her throat as I watch her fall apart. “You’re mine, Aria. Say it.”

“Yours,” she gasps, her voice barely a whisper, and it’s all I need.

“Damn right you are,” I snarl, my pace becoming punishing, my hand slipping between us to circle her clit. Her cries grow louder, her body tightening around me as she shatters, her orgasm ripping through her.

“Fuck!” I groan, my own release hitting me like a tidal wave as I bury myself deep inside her, holding her against the wall as we ride out the high together.

For a moment, the room is silent except for the sound of our ragged breathing. Slowly, I let her legs slide down, her feet unsteady as she leans heavily against me.

My chest heaves as I step back, watching her straighten her clothes with trembling hands. The anger that drove us moments ago begins to fade, replaced by something more dangerous – a feeling I've been fighting since the moment I saw her again.

When she finally looks up at me, her eyes still dark with lingering desire, something inside me shifts.

I realize with growing unease that the wall I built between us is crumbling. My wolf whines, recognizing what I've been desperately trying to deny: that maybe letting her leave was my biggest mistake, and that beneath all this anger and resentment lies something I'm not ready to face.

"This changes nothing," she whispers, but her voice wavers, betraying her words.

I say nothing, because we both know it's a lie. Everything has changed, and as I watch her disappear into her room, I'm hit with the terrifying realization.

My heart is in her hands, and for the first time, I realize just how dangerous that is. I’m utterly fucked.