Mated to the Dragon Twins novel Chapter 7

Aria's POV

As I ran from the clearing and into the woods I could hear my heart pounding in my chest, my feet hitting the ground but all I could think was I had to get away I had to run!

As I came into the field behind the school, I ran towards the road and pushed my legs harder and harder until I was out of breath and left panting as I put my hands on my knees, and tried to suck in as much breath as I could into my lungs to soothe the burning feeling in them.

I looked up and realised I had run to the park between my house and Ariel's, I spotted an empty bench under a huge willow tree and made my way to it.

I sat there staring out into the empty playground, my thoughts going back to my conversation with Dragus.

Why did I tell him about Colton? Why did I show him those marks? The truth is I didn't know why but I felt like I could trust him. I didn't know much about the twins. I knew their father was the Alpha over Azira and they were next in line to take over that role, but we had never really spoken so I didn't know much about them as people.

As I continued sitting there staring out, I started to think what life would be like if Colton wasn't my brother, Lucien wasn't my father. What if I could leave them all behind and start my own life and be free to be happy.

I was so lost in my thoughts I hadn't realised Ariel had sat next to me, she sat there in silence looking out to the playground, she rested her hand on mine and squeezed it slightly before turning to me.

As I looked at her I saw the handprint on the side of her face, my eyes teared up knowing who had done it to her.

"I'm so sorry Ariel" I sobbed as I pulled her into a bone-crushing hug. I sobbed into her hair as we just embraced each other. She rubbed soothing circles on my back, whispering to me that it wasn't my fault and that she didn't blame me for what Colton did.

After what seemed like forever we finally pulled apart. I wiped my eyes with my hand and looked back at Ariel.

"I can't stay here Ariel, I can't take it anymore," I said, holding back the tears that threatened to fall from my eyes.