Chapter 142: Quincy.

AARON She looked up at me then, her eyes searching mine for something I wasn't sure I could give. There was a softness in her expression that made my chest tighten, like she was finally letting down her guard, even if it was just for a moment. 'Aaron..." she began, but before she could finish, the sound of footsteps behind us made both of us turn. The first thing I noticed was his eyes. They were sharp, almost glowing in the dim light of the room, catching everything with a wolf's keen awareness. He stood there for a second, his usual smirk replaced with a raised eyebrow, as if trying to read the situation without saying a word. His posture was relaxed, leaning slightly against the doorframe, but there was no hiding the wolf within him. His muscles seemed tense, coiled like a spring, ready to shift if needed. The faint stubble along his jawline gave him that rugged, effortless charm. His dark hair was a bit messier than usual, probably from the long day, but it didn't take away from his commanding presence. His scent hit me next, that familiar blend of earth and pine, always reminding me of the forest and the wild. It wasn't overbearing, but it was distinct, another reminder of his connection to his wolf. He was confident in his place as a werewolf, in the way he carried himself, in the way he held his head high, knowing he didn't need to say much to be noticed. His eyes flicked between Helena and me, the hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips when he realized what he had walked into. But there was no judgment in his gaze, just that playful glint I had come to expect from him. Quincy, my proposed Beta, was standing in the doorway, a grin on his face. 'Well, well, what do we have here?" Helena immediately stepped back, her face flushing with embarrassment. 'Quincy," I muttered, shooting him a look. 'Couldn't have picked a worse time, huh?" He laughed, clearly enjoying the awkwardness he had caused. 'You're lucky I'm the one who found you. Anyone else might've jumped to the wrong conclusion." I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help the small smile tugging at my lips. 'What do you want?" 'Just came to check on you," Quincy said, leaning against the doorway. 'But it seems like you've got other things going on." Helena cleared her throat, her face still a bit red. 'I should probably go..." Before I could stop her, she slipped past Quincy and disappeared into the house. I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Quincy raised an eyebrow at me. 'Something going on between you two?" 'None of your business." I grumbled, pushing past him. He just chuckled and followed me inside. 'Sure, sure. Whatever you say, Alpha." Asshole. Even in sleep, I was aware of her. The warmth of her body pressed against mine was impossible to ignore, like a fire that burned just under my skin. Her soft breaths, so steady, so calm, brushed against the pillow, and I couldn't help but pull her closer. She fit perfectly in my arms, like she belonged there—like she always had. Her hair, slightly messy from sleep, tickled my nose. That sweet, subtle scent of apples that clung to her, even now, made my head spin. It was a scent I'd recognized the moment she walked into my life, and somehow, it had become my favorite thing. It was intoxicating, pulling me deeper into a place I wasn't sure I could get out of. Not that I wanted to. God, I was obsessed with her. I couldn't explain it. Maybe it was the way her laugh brightened every room, or the way she challenged me without even realizing it. Maybe it was how she had this softness to her—something so innately Helena—like she didn't even know how beautiful she was, how her presence affected everyone around her. A beauty that went beyond looks, something deeper, more powerful, something that pulled at my very core. My fingers twitched slightly, brushing against her skin. Even the smallest touch sent a jolt of electricity through me, like her presence was enough to ignite something primal in me. I tightened my grip, afraid she'd slip away, even in sleep. The thought of waking up without her beside me was almost unbearable. How did I let it get this far? How had I fallen so damn hard? But I had. There was no denying it anymore. I was completely, undeniably, head over heels in love with Helena. She shifted slightly in her sleep, pressing closer to me. The rhythm of her breathing was almost hypnotic, soothing in a way I couldn't explain. I buried my face in her hair, breathing in that apple-sweet scent again, letting it fill my lungs. It made me dizzy, but in the best way possible. I wanted to lose myself in her, to stay here forever, wrapped up in her warmth, in the quiet intimacy of this moment. It hadn't always been like this, so easy, so natural. We were both guarded at first, keeping our distance in a way that seemed almost ridiculous now. But somehow, all those walls had crumbled, and now she was here, sleeping in my bed, her back pressed against my chest like she belonged there. She did. I'd never tell her, though. Not yet. Not while she still had her walls up. Helena was like that…fiercely independent, always in control. But in moments like this, when it was just the two of us, when she was unguarded, I could see it. That vulnerability she kept hidden, that softness she rarely let anyone else see. And I loved her for it. I loved every bit of her…the stubbornness, the strength, the way her lips curved when she was trying not to smile. The way her eyes lit up when she laughed, even when she tried to act annoyed with me. Every inch of her had me hooked, and I couldn't pull myself away. I didn't want to.