Defy The Mate Bond.(BL)

Aiden wasn't going back.

Not after yesterday. Not after the humiliation of collapsing at Lucian's feet, gasping for air while that bastard barely even looked tired.

Not after hearing that cold, dismissive voice telling him he was 'pathetic.

He had meant it when he stormed away last night, body aching, pride shattered.

But despite everything, despite telling himself to forget it, to move on, he couldn't stop thinking about it.

He lay awake long past midnight, fists clenched in the dark, jaw locked as he replayed every single moment in his head.

Every sharp word, every disapproving look, every time Lucian knocked him down with barely any effort.

It wasn't just the pain that burned, it was how weak he had looked in front of Lucian.

That realization clawed at him, turning his frustration into something heavier, something unacceptable.

And so, when morning came, Aiden found himself standing in the training grounds again.

Lucian was already there, his back turned, adjusting the bandages around his wrists. He didn't seem surprised.

He barely even acknowledged Aiden's presence. Again! Not even an... 'I thought you said you won't come back.'

Just after everyone left,,,,,

Lucian finally turned, cool gray eyes flicking over Aiden. There was no approval, no acknowledgment, just an unreadable gaze that seemed to see everything and care about none of it.

"If you can still stand by the end of the day," Lucian said, rolling his shoulders, "then maybe I'll consider this training worth my time."

And just like that, it began. Not better than last day,,

Weeks Passed. Then Months.

And Aiden improved. A lot.

At first, he could barely land a single strike without getting countered. His footwork had been sloppy, his reactions too slow. But now?

Now, his movements were sharper, more controlled. He didn't hesitate when Lucian moved in close, didn't flinch at the force behind his attacks.

He learned how to anticipate, how to endure, how to fight back. How to do more than thirty push ups.

But Lucian never acknowledged it.

Not once had he said, 'that's great, you are doing better'

It was as if Aiden's progress meant nothing.

Even after all this time, Lucian spoke to him like he was still the same useless weakling from the first day.

"Are you even trying?"

Every word was clipped, uninterested, like Lucian wasn't even bothered enough to be disappointed.

And it infuriated Aiden.

Because the truth was, he had started wanting Lucian's approval.

At first, he told himself he only wanted recognition for his hard work. That it had nothing to do with Lucian himself.

But lately… it was harder to believe that lie.

Because lately, he had started noticing things about Lucian that pissed him off even more.

It was small at first. Like wanting to be approved by him, like Lucian to talk to him just for him to feel special among the others.

Unknowingly, he started noting other things about him--

Like how sharp Lucian's eyes were when he focused, their steely gray color darkening slightly when he was deep in thought.

Like how effortlessly his body moved, every motion precise, every strike controlled.

Strength and discipline wrapped in a frame that had never known weakness.

Aiden hated that he noticed.

Hated that his eyes lingered longer than they should have.

He hated how he had started admiring some things about Lucian. Many unnecessary things like his voice, like how he commanded others and they did whatever he wanted without even a single word back.

Hated the way his pulse jumped whenever Lucian got too close during sparring, so close that Aiden could feel the heat of his breath, the brush of their arms when they moved.

It was infuriating.

It was humiliating.

And the worst part?

Lucian never reacted.

Not once.

No hesitation, no flicker of amusement, no sign that Aiden's presence affected him in any way.

Lucian treated him exactly the same as the first day. Cold. Distant. Indifferent.

It was as if Aiden was just another opponent, someone insignificant.

And Aiden couldn't stand it.

~

One evening, after hours of training, Aiden sat on the edge of the wooden platform, gulping down water, his breathing still uneven.

His body ached, his muscles burned, but he had lasted longer today.

He had thought that, maybe, finally, Lucian would say something.

But instead, Lucian just stood a few feet away, wrapping his knuckles with fresh bandages.

Not a word.

Aiden clenched his jaw.

"You know," he said, voice rough from exhaustion, "a normal person would acknowledge when someone gets better."

Lucian didn't even look up.

"Like it benefits me in any way." Lucian muttered simply, his tone unreadable. After seeing disappointment on Aiden's face, he asked, "What? You want a gold star for effort?"

Aiden's irritation flared. "I want you to admit I'm not the same weakling I was before."

Lucian finally met his gaze. His expression didn't change, but there was something unreadable in the way he watched Aiden, something that made Aiden's stomach twist, though he didn't know why.

But for some reason, Lucian looking at him like that- his heart pounded.

"Congratulate yourself if you think you've made progress," Lucian said simply, turning back to his bandages.

Aiden blinked.

That... that was it?

After all these months, after all his effort, after pushing himself past his limits just to prove something...

Lucian wasn't even looking at him anymore. As if Aiden wasn't worth his full attention.

Frustration curled hot in Aiden's chest.

"You're such a bastard, I must say." he muttered under his breath.

Lucian didn't say anything to that because he had tried to get Aiden to respect him and fear him like others, but it was completely in vain.

Aiden scowled, looking away. Frustrations bubbling in him.

What is it that he wanted from that bastard?! Jackson had offered to train him, even other boys, but he refused it all. And went back to humiliate himself, why was it so important that he proved himself to Lucian.

Why was he suddenly yarning for a simple 'well done' from Lucian. And worst of all, why was he finding it comforting around that brutal bastard than with others who actually seem to care about him.

At first, Lucain' s words frustrated him, he just didn't want to look weak infront of him, but now- Lucian's words felt like a knife twisted in his chest,

They couldn't leave his mind, day and night. He walked away from the training field without another word. And for some reasons it left Lucian wondering because the Aiden he had known those past three months- was not the kind who would just walk away without talking back.

-

Aiden lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling.

He remembered the day before, which was his birthday, he had turned fourteen- the late Alpha Noman had asked him what he wanted for his birthday.

Jackson had bought him one, other friends from the training acknowledged his birthday-- but just because one person didn't even say a single word about it, it had really bothered Aiden.

Not like he was expecting Lucian to do or say anything about it, but him- actually not saying or doing anything, really bothered Aiden.

His mind drift back to his training, the one he had put all his effort in. He should feel satisfied. He had improved. He had forced Lucian to acknowledge it, even if it was in the most backhanded way possible.

But he wasn't satisfied.

Because that wasn't enough.

Because he wanted Lucian to look at him differently.

And the moment that thought crossed his mind, his stomach clenched.

What the hell am I thinking?

This wasn't about Lucian. It wasn't. It was just about proving himself.

...Right?

But the more he tried to push it away, the more he remembered...

The way Lucian's voice sounded when he fought. The way his body moved with terrifying ease. The way his hands had felt when he grabbed Aiden's wrist during training-- strong, steady, unyielding.

And suddenly, Aiden realized something.

"I just want to be like him." Aiden had muttered to himself.

But the words sounded unreal to himself, he felt it, he felt that- that was not the case, because in the late nights lately-- his heart pounds when he thought of Lucian.

Why would his heart be pounding because of someone he wanted to be like.

And even in the dark, he could still feel the ghost of Lucian's touch lingering on his skin.