The Luna's Revenge

Chapter Four

DARIEN'S POV

I thought I was ready to face her again. Clearly, I was wrong. I thought time would dull the ache. Instead, it made it worse.

I thought I had done the right thing by leaving. Again, I was wrong. Because now, she stared at me with so much hate, and I couldn't understand why.

I had trained endlessly, done everything in my power to rise up to a high position in Alpha Academy, waiting for this very moment when I would finally claim her as my own, but clearly my presence repulsed her.

Aria was my first love, but back then, she never truly noticed me, and was all over Tyler, my best friend. Or at least we used to be best friends.

Aria and I only ever got along through heated arguments, and when I found out we were mates, I was ready to risk everything, including my friendship with Tyler, just to have her.

But knowing our history, I knew she would reject me straight on. I was willing to wait until her 18th birthday, until she got her wolf so she could also feel the mate bond.

I didn't expect her to run into my arms, but I was hoping for something, anything other than the death glares she kept throwing at me.

“Darien!” She exclaimed the moment our gaze locked, and I gently took her hand in mine, taking her by surprise.

She stiffened but thankfully, she didn't push me away.

“What is the meaning of this insolence, Darien Morgan?” Lionel asked in a displeased tone.

"We have great respect for your father, but we won't have you barge in here and disrupt our peaceful gathering!" Elder Simon added, and I couldn't help but scoff at his words.

I could already tell he was an ally of Lionel. I had heard all sorts of malicious claims about Lionel's corruption and today just proved them all to be true.

After all I had overheard, I was determined to put things in order, and in doing that, I hoped it would help me win over Aria's affection.

“Peaceful? You call this gang a peaceful gathering? Cause it seems to be more like a bunch of corrupt Pack elders trying to hinder their true Luna from claiming her throne.”

“Darien!” Lionel thundered.

“It's Alpha Darien, Lionel!” I clapped back, leaving him speechless.

The elders stared at me in shock, and I didn't fail to notice the slight twitch of Aria's lips, as though she was suppressing a smile.

Her expression remained blank as she gently freed her hand from my hold.

“Congratulations, Alpha Darien. Your father must be truly proud.” Elder Ray smiled warmly, and I gave him a slight nod.

I have known elder Ray since I was ten years old, and even till this date, he remains the only trustworthy elder of the Silver fang Pack.

“I apologize for my intrusion though,” I said, not hiding my sarcasm. I gently wrapped my hand around Aria's waist, ignoring the death glare she shot at me.

Her muscles tensed up, and trembled slightly under my touch, but I held her firmly, grounding her, reassuring her that I've got her back.

“I should have come sooner. I didn't mean to keep my mate waiting,” I added, and Aria snapped her head at me, her eyes wide in shock. I could finally read her expression, and she looked torn by conflicting emotions.

“Mate?" Lionel frowned, obviously in doubt.

“Is this true, Aria?” Elder Ray asked curiously.

Aria seemed hesitant for a while, and after what seemed like forever, she gave a slight nod, and I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding.

“She didn't reject us.” Cyprus was excited, but a part of me knew that this wasn't anything permanent.

She cleared her throat, and I felt the tension in her body ease up, as though she was finally on ground with me.

“You wanted me to bring a presentable Alpha. Well, here's one right before your eyes. I believe we all know how competent Alpha Darien is, being the son of Alpha Knox of the Bluewail Pack, which is the leading Pack in Wolf City.” Aria explained as though she was making a mark.

She suddenly peeled herself from my grip, and walked towards Lionel.

“What other excuse would you possibly give me, Beta Lionel?" Aria called with a knowing grin.

Lionel's expression was that of defeat and resentment. And the council seemed to be agreeing with Aria's words.

“Come on Lionel, she has fulfilled your requirements. Hand over the throne and the deeds to the company,” Elder Ray stated, and Lionel clenched his jaws.

“I would be a fool to let a child sit on the throne that befits—"

“Careful now, Lionel," I cut him off. ”Or your next words might be seen as treason," I added, and Aria folded her arms, a satisfied grin on her angelic face.

“Aria is more than worthy of sitting on her father's throne," I added, and the elders bobbed their heads in agreement.

Aria walked up to the high table, head held high with every step exuding elegance. She sat on the chair for the king, a proud smirk on her face.

“I would like my coronation by dawn, and I would like the deeds right away,” she demanded.

As much as I was glad she was reclaiming her birthright, I wondered where the calm and sweet Aria went. This one had so much resentment in her heart that I was curious to know what had happened to her in my absence.

She was obviously putting up a brave upfront but her eyes, I could see through that strong shield, I saw the sadness in them, I could feel her pain.

“Mate is hurt." Cyprus growled and I clenched my jaws.

I felt a bit responsible for her pain. I shouldn't have left her behind. I shouldn't have left without telling her everything, about how I felt about her, about her being my mate. I shouldn't have trusted that she would be fine with Tyler, that he could protect her until my return.

I left to become the man worthy of her, but maybe all I did was abandon her when she needed me the most.

“This meeting is over." Aria's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

Lionel hesitated for a moment before finally giving in.

“As you wish, Luna." He responded with an obviously forced smile.

One by one, the elders began leaving the hall, with elder Ray being the last.

“I'm proud of you, Aria," he said warmly and left as well.

Now alone, Aria's countenance changed. She was back to being the woman who despised me.

“What do you think you're doing?!" She snapped, taking me by surprise.

“Helping you, of course. What else does it look like?”

“I never asked for your help!”

“I wanted to help anyway. You need me—”

“You are delusional if you think that is true for a second!” She cut me off, and I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words.

I knew we never really got along as kids, but I still couldn't understand why she hated me so much. And what she had said earlier about me bullying her for five years? Where did that come from?

Yes, I teased her countless times, but I never did anything to hurt her. So what could have possibly made her resent me so much?

“Okay, fine. I need you,” I responded as I walked up to her, making myself comfortable on the table.

“You won't be able to intimidate Lionel if you have no solid backing. From what I noticed, Lionel seemed to have a solid support group, and you? Only one of the council elders is on your side,” I pointed out, and she seemed thoughtful for a while.

“Where are you going with this?” She asked rather impatiently.

“My father did hand over the Pack to me as acting Alpha, but for me to be able to claim my position in his company, I need my mate by my side.”

I paused, staring intently at Aria, trying to observe her every emotion, but she gave none away.

“If this is another tactic to get me to accept you, it won't work—”

“Fine, then let's do it this way..." I dragged, a bit uncertain if I should go forward with my proposal or not.

"Give me a year. And within that time we have to be as convincing as ever. And once we both get what we want, we can go our separate ways, no strings attached,” I added, even though Cyprus was cursing at me for suggesting such a disastrous plan.

“How can I trust you to keep to your word?” She asked softly this time, and my shoulders sagged in relief, a small smile plastered on my face.

“You can trust me, Aria. I promise,” I said in a reassuring tone.

After what seemed like forever, Aria finally gave a slight nod as she stood on the high table.

“Should we seal it with a kiss then?" I probed, my lips twitching into a sly grin.

“Never!" Aria snapped

and walked away without looking back.

I chuckled softly as I stared at her retreating figure. As expected of her, but I was willing to do anything and everything in my power to melt her cold heart.

I will make her my woman, my Luna, and no one will ever hurt her again!