Defy The Mate Bond.(BL)

Aiden stood outside Lucian's door, staring at the smooth, polished wood that had just been shut in his face.

For a moment, he didn't move. Didn't blink.

Then, slowly, he rocked back on his heels, exhaling a short breath through his nose.

A smirk finds its way to his lips.

Well. That was… something.

He'd expected indifference. Maybe a cold look, a clipped response. He hadn't expected to be outright dismissed before he could even get a word in.

Aiden scratched the back of his head, glancing down the hall.

"That's just how he is," a voice came from behind him.

Aiden turned to see a sixteen year old Jackson leaning against the wall, arms crossed loosely over his chest.

The guy had that easy confidence about him, like he knew everything there was to know about this place and didn't have to try too hard.

Jackson gave a slight nod toward the door. "Don't take it personally. He's like that with everyone."

Aiden raised a brow. "Everyone? Well, I get. I mean, it's understandable because I wouldn't take it lightly too when my parents just brought in some kid, claiming to keep them as their own, but I would never show them this kind of dismissal."

Jackson laughed... "Well well, I didn't think you were this bold when you were standing in that grand hall. Anyway, kiddo, that's where you go wrong. Because you aren't Lucian. But I'm an except me, he doesn't treat me the same way," Jackson smirked. "I'm special."

Aiden huffed a laugh despite himself. "So like what are you to him?"

"Best friend," he answered proudly.

"I don't see what's so good about being friends with a stuffy person like him." Aiden said without a second thought.

Well, that's just him, speaking his mind regardless. He would rather face the consequences than let the words chock him while trying to keep them inside.

"You'll understand once you get a chance of being close to him- well, that's if that will ever happen." Jackson pushed off the wall and motioned for him to follow. "Come on, I'll show you around. Someone's gotta do it."

The pack house was bigger than Aiden expected. Not just in size, but in the weight of it.

The history.

The way the walls carried the presence of the people who had lived here before him.

It wasn't unwelcoming, but it wasn't exactly warm either.

"Come on, tell me even just one thing. One good reason, because I would never want to be near someone like him even if I was to be paid." Aiden couldn't stop questioning that question as Jackson led him through various halls, introducing him to the training grounds, the dining hall, the central courtyard, Aiden couldn't help but notice how people looked at him.

Some with curiosity, some with indifference, and some with an expression that was hard to place, like they were already deciding what to think of him before he had a chance to prove himself.

"Don't worry, you'll not be, because he won't let you either." Jackson answered. "I mean,by now you should tell that, right?"

"Just because I don't want either, because if I wanted... I would." Aiden corrected.

"Haha! That's actually funny. Well, when you feel like it, then good luck." Jackson said laughing at That, the new kid he had just met seemed fun to have around after all.

So maybe when Lucian give him a cold shoulder like he did sometimes, he would just hung around with Aiden.

Eventually, Jackson stopped in front of a door. "And this is you," he said, pushing it open. "Not bad, huh?"

"How do you know it's my room?" Aiden asked, just wondering.

"Alpha Noman kinda knew that Lucian won't be of any help to you, so he sent me after you. He told me that this should be your room. What? Don't you like it? Or is it too much for you?"

Aiden stepped inside. The room was simple, clean, spacious, with a large bed against one wall and a window overlooking part of the training grounds.

"It's nice. I just wish it was across Lucian's room so that he sees me every moment he steps out, I would love to start off his days. Annoyed by me... my pleasure." he said.

Jackson leaned against the doorway. "Trust me, he wouldn't bother even looking at you. Anyway, if you ever need anything, just let me know."

With that, he was gone.

Left alone-- Aiden spent the night crying over his parent's death. And also the feeling that he had been pretending not to feel-- intruder- crushed over him too.

He knew that actually that was who Lucian was, from what he had been told-- but the memory of being shut out like that crushed him.

Every feeling he had that unsettled him turned into tears. How the Luna had looked at him.

~ But when morning came, he was there, looking like he had a very peaceful night.

After breakfast, Aiden stood at the edge of the main hall, feeling really bored, for some reasons missing his past life, but he knew- that was the only place he could be safe, and for that reason there was no way he would leave the pack house.

Suddenly he spotted Lucian.

The guy was impossible to miss.

He moved through the pack house like he owned it, which, in a way, he did. People instinctively made way for him, even if they weren't aware they were doing it.

Aiden stood at the edge of the main hall, watching as Lucian passed through. Tall. Silent. Untouchable.

Aiden felt it, that flicker of unease curling in his stomach. That instinct telling him to keep his distance.

And yet...

He thought about last night. The way Lucian had walked away without a word. The way he'd shut him out like Aiden wasn't even worth acknowledging.

And that?

That annoyed him.

So before he could second-guess himself, Aiden stepped forward, falling into step beside him.

"Hey," he said casually. "You were supposed to show me around, Alpha Noman told me to tell you that. Am stuck at one place because I don't know where I should step my feet and where I shouldn't."

Jackson had already done that, he had showed him every corner, but Aiden thought, why not just annoy someone who annoyed him.

Lucian didn't even look at him.

Aiden tilted his head, watching him carefully.

"Guess I'll just have to follow you around until you shut me out again, then I'll know that's all for the day. It's fine if you don't want to use words, I'll still understand." Aided added.

Lucian's stride didn't falter. He didn't so much as blink in Aiden's direction.

Aiden exhaled slowly. His heart was pounding, steady beat against his ribs, since he didn't really know what he was messing with. But even so, on the outside, he kept his expression relaxed.

Okay. Fine. Let's play.

He kept following him, rambling on and on about the things he was sure Lucian didn't want to hear.

Lucian still didn't acknowledge him.

But Aiden caught it.

A flicker. The faintest shift in Lucian's gaze- there and gone in an instant. But Aiden knew he had at least touched his nerve.

It wasn't much, but it was something.

He smiled secretly.