Chapter 162

Carol’s POV

"Call me as soon as you get there,” Aiden said, wrapping me in his arms and pressing his lips firmly against mine. “I need to make sure you are okay at all times, or I won’t be able to sleep tonight.”

“If all goes according to plan, I will be there this afternoon and will be back by tomorrow morning,” I told him, burying my face in his chest and taking in his scent. “With Fiona,” I added.

He nodded and kissed the top of my head, his eyes shooting towards Oliver who was seated in the backseat of the car. We were being driven and escorted by a couple of Gamma warriors. It was going to take several hours to reach the town, and I was planning on using that time to go over the game plan for Fiona. She had no idea we were going to her apartment, and I doubted she was going to be very happy with me. Knowing Fiona, she was going to be lounging around in her pajamas with stains all over it, eating a jug of ice cream, and not wearing any makeup.

But I think it might be good for Oliver to see her in her natural state so she would know how true he is and how much he wants her. It’s not going to be easy to convince Fiona of his intentions, but I’m hoping she won’t put up a fight and at least return to the Capitol with us so she can give him a true chance.

I knew it was killing Aiden to not be able to come with us, but he had Alpha duties to take care of. I couldn’t blame him for needing to stay behind.

I kissed his lips again, loving the feeling of him. I was pathetic; I was only going to be gone for a day and a night and I was already missing him. I hadn’t even left yet.

“I know how you feel,” Aiden whispered against my ear, clearly hearing my thoughts. “I miss you already too.”

I smiled and tried my hardest not to cry.

“Luna, are you almost ready?” One of the Gamma’s, Charles, asked. He was a large and bulky man; actually, both Gammas were large and bulky. It was no wonder Aiden chose them to escort us. Charlie was the one driving and his companion, Allen, sat in the passenger seat.

“Yes,” I said, stepping away from Aiden, reluctantly.

“I’m trusting you to keep your Luna safe,” Aiden said with authority.

Charlie nodded.

“Yes, Alpha. Of course. I take my job seriously and I won’t let any harm come to her or the Beta.”

Aiden nodded and shook his hand before turning back to me one last time. He smiled, but it was sad. I couldn’t help myself; I closed the gap between us and kissed him again. The kiss was lingering and deep at the same time. I didn’t want to pull away from him, but I had to. We needed to get on the road and get to Fiona before sundown.

Aiden walked with me to the car and helped me get into the back seat beside Oliver. He gave Oliver a nod that said, “Good luck.”

Oliver returned the nod with a look of uncertainty clear on his face before Aiden shut the door and stepped back.

He gave Charlie a nod as well, telling him to get going. Charlie was already in the driver's seat and put the car in drive. I watched Aiden who stared after the car. I didn’t look away until Aiden was out of sight.

I sighed and sat back in my seat, looking forward.

“I’m sorry for pulling you away from him,” Oliver murmured, staring down at his hands.

I’ve never seen him so vulnerable before. When I first met Oliver, I thought he was kind of arrogant and so sure of himself. Then as I got to know him, I realized he wasn’t arrogant, he was just very good at his job, and he knew it. He was also a great friend and would do anything for those he loved. But he was still so confident, and he always had a smile on his face.

But now, I’m seeing him in a whole new way. He seems so unsure of himself and nervous. It’s almost as if for once, he doesn’t have all of the answers. He doesn’t know what’s going to happen and he doesn’t know if he’s good enough to get what he wants.

“I would do anything for my best friend,” I told him honestly. “Oliver, you make her happy. She just doesn’t know it yet. She’s scared her past will come back full circle and I think it terrifies her that she’s falling so fast for you. She knows she could get hurt again…”

“I would never hurt her,” Oliver said sharply. “Not intentionally.”

“You just have to tell her that,” I said, shrugging my shoulders. “She’s not going to open herself up to you right away.”

“Should I get her flowers before we get to her place?” Oliver asked. “I could go by the jewelry store and get her something expensive and pretty. What kind of jewelry does she like?”

I smiled.

“That’s the problem, isn’t it?” I asked thoughtfully. “You don’t really know much about her. You’ve only really slept together. But you never really talked. I don’t think I should tell you any information about her because it’s something she should tell you during a conversation.”

“Please, Carol,” he pleaded. “I need as much help as I could get.”

I nodded in agreement.

“Yes, you do,” I said, suppressing my smile. “Word of advice, you can’t buy her affection. She won’t take kindly to you buying her anything right now because it’s exactly what her stupid ex used to do. He would buy her gifts after every argument. She swore off rich boys because of that. So, don’t flaunt your money in her face.”

He blanched at my words and nodded.

“So, what do you suggest?” He finally asked.

This time I did smile.

“I’m glad you asked, my dear friend,” I said, nudging his shoulder. “Something she’s not used to is being heard. You need to listen to her and let her talk without interruption. She needs to tell you all the ways you’ve upset and hurt her. She doesn’t want you to come up with excuses, but she wants you to know how she’s truly feeling. You aren’t just accepting Fiona into your life, but you are accepting her fears and anxieties as well. You have to be patient with her, and she has to know that you aren’t going anywhere. You are her mate, Oliver. So, act like it.”

He was quiet for a moment as he processed my words and then he nodded almost thoughtfully. For most of the drive, it was quiet. We stopped only once so we could use the bathroom and get something to eat. But then we were back on the road, and we drove until the sun was setting.

“Is this the place, Luna?” Charlie asked as we pulled into the parking lot of the apartment complex.

“Yes,” I answered. “Thank you both for taking us here.”

“It’s our pleasure,” Allen said> “Wait here until I assess the situation.”

I frowned.

“Assess the situation?”

“Before we get out, they need to make sure there’s no danger,” Oliver explained. “Alpha’s orders.”

I rolled my eyes.

“There’s no danger here,” I muttered. But I didn’t argue as Allen walked around the perimeter of the building.

After a few minutes, he returned and gave Charlie a nod.

“Okay, let’s go,” Charlie said, opening the car door. Allen and I got out of the car, and I led them into the building.

“I’ll keep watch outside,” Allen said to Charlie.

He nodded and then followed Oliver and me inside. I walked up the staircase and towards Fiona’s apartment. She was on the second floor, so it didn’t take us long to get to her apartment.

I knocked on her door, hoping I didn’t have to use my spare key to get into the apartment. I could practically feel Oliver’s anxiety from beside me. After a minute, I knocked again, this time louder.

I waited with bated breath and then soon, the door opened. As predicted, Fiona’s appearance was less than ideal. She was wearing her pajamas with stains and her hair was tossed up in a messy bun. She wore no makeup, but that didn’t take away from her beauty; oddly enough, she was still naturally gorgeous. But she looked so sad, and her eyes were puffy, indicating that she’d been crying.

My heart shattered for her and when she saw me, she gasped.

“Carol?” She asked, her voice coming out as a croak. “What are you doing here?”

“I was worried about you,” I admitted, biting my lower lip.

She hadn’t noticed Oliver yet, but that didn’t last long because when her eyes shifted and met his, they grew large, and she stepped backward.

“O…Oliver?” She stammered, the color draining from her face.

She looked at me again and I flinched at the look of utter betrayal on her face.

“Don’t be mad at Carol,” Oliver said quickly, also sensing her betrayed feelings and anger. “I wanted to come here.”

She pulled her eyes away from his and stared down at her pajamas, her face turning a bright shade of red.

“I… uh…”

“You look beautiful,” Oliver blurted. “Regardless of what you wear.”

Her face turned even brighter red at his mention of her clothing. I sighed and put my hand on Oliver’s arm.

“How about you stop talking before you dig yourself a grave,” I warned him before looking back at Fiona. “Can we come inside? I can help you change and then maybe you two can talk?”

She looked so uncertain that it broke me; I could only imagine how Oliver must be feeling. But after a moment, she nodded and stepped aside.

I looked at Oliver briefly and I could see how nervous he was. I motioned for him to follow me and after taking a deep and shaky breath, he stepped into Fiona’s apartment.