My Rare

ULRIC KNIGHT ︎

The soft amber light of dawn spilled through the tall windows of my study, brushing across the heavy bookshelves and the files laid out on the desk. I sat at the edge of my chair, phone tucked between my shoulder and ear, half-listening as Hayden's voice crackled through the line.

"We've got another border report from the west side. They caught a scent near the river again."

"Same one as last time?" I ask, fingers absently tapping against the wood.

"Yeah. Not a full trail, just traces. Probably nothing, but it's... off. I'm doubling the patrols."

I nodded, staring at the edge of the file in front of me. "Do it quietly. I don't want the pack worked up unless there's something solid."

"Copy that," Hayden said, his tone shifting slightly. "You home?"

"Yeah." I rubbed a hand across the back of my neck. "She's here."

That silence on his end was telling. I didn't elaborate. Hayden knew better than to ask right now.

I lean back, letting the morning settle for a second, when I hear it.

"AHHHH!"

My spine went straight.

Then again—louder this time.

" LEAVE ME!" A cry. Choked. Her voice.

"Mate is in trouble!" My wolf Arius snarled.

My blood went cold.

"Hayden, I'll call you back." I didn't wait for a reply before I ended the call, the phone already slipping into my pocket as I shot up from the chair and moved toward the stairs in a blur.

By the time I reached the guest room door, the sounds had turned into full-blown screams, raw, terrified, broken.

"Aelia," I said, voice rough as I shoved the door open.

She was tangled in the sheets, her body thrashing, hands clutching at the air like she was trying to push something away. Her breath came in gasps, ragged and too fast. Her face twisted in fear.

I crossed the room in two strides, dropping to my knees beside the bed.

"Aelia," I said again, louder now, reaching gently but firmly for her shoulders. "It's just a dream. You're safe. It's me, Ulric. You're safe. listen to my voice."

Her body jerked beneath my hands, and then her eyes snapped open.

"Aelia," I said, softer now. "You're okay. You're here."

She blinked rapidly, her chest still heaving, and then her whole frame shuddered like the fear was still trying to claw its way out of her.

"I–" her voice cracked. "It was him again. He was there. I could feel it. Like he was really there–touching me–watching me–" Tears welled up and spilled before she could stop them.

"Whoever hurts my mate, I'll tear it apart!" Arius roars, seeing the state of Aelia.

Without any hesitation I wrap my arms around her, pulling her into my chest without thinking. She came willingly, burying her face into the curve of my neck. Her body was shaking, barely holding together, and all I could do was hold her tighter.

"Shh," I whispered, one hand smoothing over her back. "You don't have to talk about it yet. Just breathe. I've got you."

She didn't speak. She didn't need to. Her hands gripped the front of my shirt like she was afraid she'd wake up again and be somewhere worse.

And for a moment, I just hold her.

Warm skin. Her quiet sobs. The storm she was still trying to crawl out of.

"You're okay," I murmured. "He's not here. And I swear to the goddess, he's not coming anywhere near you."

Her breathing began to slow. Still shallow, still uneven, but better.

I shifted slightly to adjust her, one hand sliding down to her thigh, steadying her.

And that's when we both freeze.

She was still wearing only my shirt from last night, bare legs curled into the sheets. And my palm.…was resting firmly against the inside of her thigh.

Our eyes met.

"Mate." Arius purrs at the sight of Luna.

I do not move for a second. Neither did she.

Then I cleared my throat and pulled back quickly, dragging my hand away like it had been scorched.

"Sorry," I muttered, voice low. "I didn't–"

"It's okay," she whispered, not meeting my eyes this time.

The tension was suddenly thick, coiled and sharp but not the same kind as last night. This was fragile. Breakable. We both knew it.

I stood slowly, giving her space. "Why don't you freshen up a little? Change if you want. Then come downstairs. We'll have breakfast and… talk about it."

She nods faintly, her fingers still clenching the sheets around her like they might disappear too.

I didn't move until I heard the bathroom door click shut.

Only then did I let out the breath I'd been holding.

"Need to claim mate!" My wolf growls with need.

I can feel Arius need to mark her get stronger day by day.

Not yet, need time with her. We can't rush her into it.

And only then did I realize...my hands are still trembling.

.

.

.

.

The sizzle of eggs in the pan was the only sound in the kitchen as I flipped the spatula, the scent of garlic and herbs rising with the steam. I stood barefoot, shirtless, half-focused on not burning breakfast and half-aware of the fact that she was upstairs, maybe still shaken, maybe trying to piece herself back together.

I heard soft footsteps behind me.

She hasn't moved for a few minutes, I don't say anything because I can feel it—her gaze. Like heat pressed against my back. Lingering, curious, and making every inch of me too aware of the fact that I wasn't wearing a damn shirt.

I flipped the omelet once, casually.

"You keep staring at me like that," I said over my shoulder, "and I'll start to think you're enjoying the view."

Silence.

Then, her voice. Soft, but clear. "Maybe I am."

I turned.

And caught her mid-stare, eyes slowly trailing from my face, to my neck, to my chest... then lower.

Much lower.

She blinked up suddenly, eyes snapping to mine like she'd been caught red-handed.

Her cheeks flushed instantly.

Fuck.

The spatula froze midair. Innocent thoughts, Ulric. Innocent thoughts.

"Fuck innocent thoughts!" Arius snaps.

I blink once but my gaze dips to her lips on instinct, and the image hit me fast and hard, her blushing like that beneath me, breathless, mouth open, thighs shaking.

My jaw tightens.

Innocent thoughts. Ulric.

"Let me out! Need to mark her! You and your innocent thoughts." Arius continues his desperation.

Heat surged down, thick and fast.

I turned away before I embarrass myself, adjusting the plate on the counter to cover up what was quickly becoming a problem.

"Eat fast," I muttered. "Or I'll forget this is supposed to be breakfast."

She laughed under her breath and took a seat. The sound settled something in my chest.

We ate quickly, both of us pretending not to notice how charged the air was. Or how often our knees bumped under the table. Or how long our glances lingered between bites.

As I picked up her empty plate, I glanced down at her. "I'll drop you at your place. You can change, take a moment. I have a quick meeting this morning, pack stuff, but after that…" I raised an eyebrow. "Our date."

She tilted her head. "Still not telling me where?"

"Not a chance."

Her lips twitched. "Fine. As long as it doesn't involve a mountain and hiking boots."

"No promises."

.

.

.

.

I parked the car our place just as the front door swung open...and there he was.

Tyler.

Arius growls.

Arms crossed, jaw tight, and looking like he was ready to pick a fight with the sky itself if it meant finding her.

A woman steps out right behind him, calm as ever, a small smile playing at her lips.

"Don't worry, Ty," she said lightly. "She's back. Not kidnapped."

I get out though my side and walk over to my Luna's and open her door, holding out my hand for her to grab. Her soft hand grips mine as she steps out of the car closing the door.

Tyler's eyes zeroed in on Aelia the second she stepped out. "Where the hell were you? We were calling all night–"

Before she can answer, I step around the car and pull her firmly to my side, wrapping my arm around her waist with no room to breathe between us.

"She was with me." My voice dropped. "Her mate. You seem to keep forgetting that."

The words landed like a slap in the cold air.

Tyler blinked, face hardening. But he didn't say anything.

Victoria, on the other hand, grinned like she'd been waiting for this moment her whole life. Her gaze bounced between us, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

I turned to Aelia, dipping my head, and kissed her with all my might.

Right there.

Right in front of him.

I know Arius needs to feel her for him to calm down, So I let him late over the kiss and I can feel she seems to sense the difference as her breath hitches but she doesn't pull away. My hand tightens around her waist as I made damn sure the message landed.

"Mhm Mate." Arius purrs with satisfaction.

When I finally pulled back, I murmured low into her ear, "I'll pick you up in two hours."

Then I kissed her again, slower this time. Meaningful.

"Luna," I said, just loud enough for them both to hear.

And then I leave, without looking back.

❦︎ To Be Continued ❦︎