The Luna's Revenge

ARIA'S POV Today was a memorable day in the Silver fang Pack. Today, they would be getting a new queen, a strong Luna, one who will lead them to a better age. But it was also a sad reminder of the day I lost the two most valuable people in my life... My parents. I couldn't believe it had been two years since their tragic death, and yet no justice has been brought to them. The council elders claim to be in search of the perpetrators, but I say they're all sitting ducks and looking for more ways to harvest the Pack's wealth for themselves. Well, not anymore. It ends today! Now, I will finally take my rightful place as heiress of Fangi Industries, and as Luna of the Silver fang Pack. The same throne I was denied a year ago, allowing Beta Lionel to take over. “We were young and vulnerable back then. We couldn't have possibly known what would become of our Pack by letting Lionel sit on the throne.” My wolf Shiraya growled, and I smiled faintly. She was right, else, I wouldn't have agreed to his silly terms. A knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts and Sky, my best friend, walked in with a bright smile on her radiant face. “Well, don't you look ravishing,” she purred as her eyes raked my appearance from head to toe. I let out a nervous sigh as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. A pair of hazel-brown eyes stared back at me, calm yet stormy with everything I had endured. My dark curly hair rested boldly on both sides of my shoulders, complementing the black velvet gown that hugged my body in all the right places. A gown fit for Luna, a warrior queen! “You're really doing it, Ari. Are you ready?” Sky nudged me a bit and I let out a shaky breath. “I was born ready.” “I can't wait to see the look on Tyler's face when he sees you.” Sky smirked, and I felt my cheeks burn as the butterflies in my stomach danced endlessly. I couldn't wait to see him. He was the one good thing that remained constant in my life after everything else came crashing down. He wasn't my fated mate, but he loved and cherished me like I was the most precious jewel on this planet. He was my childhood sweetheart and now my fiancé, with a diamond ring to prove it. I giggled softly as I admired the ring on my finger. “You two are truly the envy of every young wolf in Silver fang Pack,” Sky gushed as she pulled me out of my room. We halted in our tracks as a maid suddenly ran up to me. “A letter for you, Luna.” She bowed slightly as she stretched her hand towards me. I took the sealed letter from her, giving a slight nod to let her know she had been dismissed. “Let me guess, a love letter from your doting fiancé.” Sky winked at me and I pushed her away playfully. “Go on without me. I'll meet you in the ceremonial grounds later.” “As you wish, Luna.” She smiled in response before excusing herself. I lowered my gaze to the envelope, wondering why Tyler would send a letter rather than just call me on my cell. I impatiently ripped it open, eager to know its contents. “Let's meet at our favorite spot. – Tyler.” It read. That would be the rooftop! We would often go there at night as one could see the entire city view coupled with the beautiful night sky from that spot. I noticed two masculine figures standing at the edge of the balcony. They paused their silent whispers the moment they sensed me, and turned their attention to me. I halted, my gaze locked with a pair of hazel-green eyes that complemented the smug smile on his face. Beta Lionel! “You look lovely, Aria,” he said with an obviously forced smile. “What are you doing here, Lionel?” I asked dryly, making my disapproval obvious to him. My gaze shifted to Tyler, who was standing next to him. As always, my heart raced just at the sight of those blue eyes that seemed to bore into my soul each time our gaze locked. He had shoulder-length dark hair, a pointed nose, sharp jawline and a very muscular body. I'm not surprised that I fell head over heels for him. “What is going on, Tyler?” I asked when it finally dawned on me that he wasn't dressed for my coronation. We had agreed to wear matching outfits, him in his dark elegant tux and me in my velvet gown. “The ceremony is about to begin,” I added when he didn't respond. “We need to talk, before you make a mistake you can't undo,” Beta Lionel said, his earlier friendly upfront now replaced by a cold stare. I knotted my brows into a frown. “A mistake?” “Aria, please, just hear us out,” Tyler responded in a gentle tone. Every fiber in my bones was telling me to walk away right at that moment, but Tyler's reassuring gaze told me the exact opposite, and so I gave a slight nod, pushing all other thoughts aside. “I'm listening.” “You are not ready to lead. You've been chasing ghosts for two years. The Pack needs stability, not grief, not vengeance,” Lionel stated coldly. My nails dug into my palms until my knuckles turned white, my emotions a turmoil of rage. “What is this? Another sly means of letting yourself remain on my father's throne?” I seethed. Tyler walked up to me and held my hands. His gaze remained calm, and it somehow soothed my rage. “Aria, you know I love you, but this position… this power… it’s tearing you apart. All you've ever done in the past two years is talk about revenge. It's all you ever think of. Let me take over the throne, and together with Lionel —” I snatched my hands away from Tyler, gasping at the atrocity he dared to utter. “Together with Lionel?" He was supposed to take my side, to defend me against Lionel and fight for my position! Instead he was trying to remove me from the picture? Lionel had corrupted him too! I stepped back as realization dawned on me. “Aria,” “Don’t. Don’t pretend this is about love!" I thundered. I could feel Shiraya's anger as well and tried my best to keep her calm. “This is about control! How long? How long have you been plotting behind my back with Lionel?!” I snapped, my voice sharper. I could barely hear anything other than the loud sound of my thudding heart. I never imagined Tyler would join hands with the very man who has made it a goal to run our Pack to ruin. Lionel stepped closer, his expression unreadable, but his eyes held so much resentment in them. “We held the Pack together while you drowned in your grief. We protected it. You owe us that.” I let out a hysterical laugh. “I owe you nothing. You wanted to rule, and now that I’m taking my rightful place, you're scared.” “Aria, please —” “Don't!” I cut Tyler off, my voice shaking slightly. I would deal with his betrayal after my coronation, and as much as I hated it, deep down, I hoped we would be able to work this out. This would be the first time we ever argued or disagreed on anything, and I have Lionel to thank for that! “You're both cowards if you think I would give up what's mine without a fight!” Lionel smirked at my words, and for some unknown reason, I felt a chill run down my spine, the hairs on my body rising all of sudden. “Well, it can't be helped then...” he dragged his words as he glanced at Tyler, before turning back to me. “Take care of this,” he added, and walked away without a second glance. I stared at his retreating figure, my mind still trying to process what he meant by his last words when I suddenly felt Tyler's presence next to me. “Tyler, what is the meaning of this?!” I snapped, but his next words shocked me to the bones. “You should have just given up while we were being nice.” My throat ran dry, and for a second I had forgotten how to breathe, shocked at Tyler's sudden change of tone. His expression held no warmth, no love, no tenderness compared to the man I had fallen in love with. “Tyler,” My voice was barely above a whisper, and my legs moved backwards on their own accord. Something about him had changed, and Shiraya growled dangerously, as though sensing the danger ahead. “It's always about you, and what you want isn't it? Everything always has to be about you!” Tyler growled, his eyes flickering as his wolf threatened to come forward in response to Shiraya's growl. “What are you talking about?” I still couldn't understand where this was heading. Just yesterday, we had already made plans for our wedding which had been scheduled to take place on the next full moon, so where did this sudden resentment come from? There was a flicker of hesitation in his eyes as his hand made its way to my neck, gently caressing the skin beneath, and I almost shut my eyes, but then he suddenly tossed me hard against the pillar. I let out a painful yelp as I fell on my back, breaking a few muscles. “Tyler, what are you doing?” My voice cracked as I forced myself back up. Shiraya fought for control but I kept her restrained. I couldn't bring myself to attack Tyler, and I was confident that we could still resolve this peacefully. “What does it look like I'm doing?” He was right in front of me in a flash, his fingers gripping my windpipe as he slammed me hard against the pillar again, choking the life out of me. My insides burned as I scratched and kicked endlessly. Hot tears flooded my eyes as I struggled to break free from Tyler's grip. My legs kicked the air endlessly, my fingers clawing aimlessly at his hands, but his grip was strong and relentless. I could feel my consciousness slowly slipping away. “Tyler,” I choked, my gaze pleading, begging the man who promised me forever less than twenty-four hours ago, but now stared at me with death's gaze. He finally tossed me hard against the cold ground, my hands frantically grabbing my neck as I gasped rapidly for air. “I didn't intend to go this far, but you've left me with no other choice.” Those were the last words I heard before I felt something metallic rip through my heart. I coughed out blood, pain like never before coursing through my body. A tear finally escaped my eyes as I stared at the man I loved, satisfaction written all over his face. “You... loved me.” I coughed, my limbs slowly going numb. Tyler let out a chuckle, and then he dragged me by my hair like a ragdoll towards the edge of the rooftop. “If you still think that even at this point in your miserable life, then you truly are a fool.” And with that, he pulled out the dagger, letting my body fall over. I felt nothing at that moment. No fear, no pain, nothing but pure hatred. Hatred for the perpetrators that killed my parents, hatred for Lionel, and as for Tyler, what I felt for him was beyond hatred. I shut my eyes, leaving the last teardrop. “If I could go back, I would make them all bleed.” I swore within and then... Everything went dark.