Bound to the wrong mate

CHAPTER FOUR: THE MOON’S WARNING

Time seemed to stretch and snap all at once. The icy air from the broken windows whipped through the room, carrying Klaus’s scent—earthy, predatory, and laced with power. Aria’s legs felt rooted to the floor, her heart pounding like a war drum.

Liam moved first, his growl low and guttural as he stepped in front of her. His entire body vibrated with tension, his wolf barely contained beneath his skin. Ethan was at his side in an instant, their unspoken rivalry momentarily set aside as they faced the threat before them.

“Klaus,” Ethan said, his voice cold and sharp. “You’ve crossed a line.”

Klaus laughed, the sound rich and mocking as he leaned casually against the shattered frame of the window. “Come now, brother. You know me well enough to understand—lines mean nothing to me.”

His gaze flicked to Aria, and she felt it like a physical touch. The smirk on his face widened as he inhaled deeply.

“And this must be the mate causing all the commotion,” Klaus said, his voice dripping with amusement. “You’re even lovelier than I imagined, little wolf. No wonder your bond is tearing them apart.”

Aria swallowed hard, her hands curling into fists. She wanted to speak, to fight back, but her throat felt tight, her voice trapped beneath a storm of fear and uncertainty.

“She’s not yours,” Ethan snarled, stepping forward.

“Isn’t she?” Klaus countered, his emerald eyes gleaming with malice. “The Moon Goddess works in mysterious ways, doesn’t she? Perhaps she meant for her to be mine all along.”

“Enough!” Liam’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. “Leave now, or you won’t walk away this time.”

For a moment, Klaus’s playful demeanor faltered, and something darker flickered across his face. “Brave words, brother. But you forget—I never play fair.”

A Sudden Attack

Klaus lunged with supernatural speed, his form a blur as he charged at Ethan and Liam. The room exploded into chaos. Aria scrambled backward, her heart hammering in her chest as the three men clashed in a flurry of claws and fists.

“Aria, run!” Ethan roared, his voice thick with the growl of his wolf.

She hesitated, her instincts screaming at her to flee, but something deeper rooted her in place. Klaus wasn’t just here for the pack—he was here for her. And running wouldn’t change that.

A sudden flash of silver caught her eye as Klaus threw Liam against the far wall, the impact cracking the wooden paneling.

“You’ve gotten slow, little brother,” Klaus sneered, his eyes wild with the thrill of the fight.

Before he could turn back to Ethan, Aria did the only thing she could think of. She grabbed the nearest object—a heavy silver candleholder—and hurled it at Klaus with all her strength.

It hit him square in the chest, knocking him back a step. His head snapped toward her, and for the first time, she saw something in his gaze that chilled her to the core: amusement.

“Feisty,” he said, brushing off the blow like it was nothing. “I like that.”

“Stay away from her!” Liam roared, surging to his feet. His wolf’s growl surged through the room, reverberating in Aria’s chest. He launched himself at Klaus, his claws extended, his strength fueled by fury and something else—something primal.

The two clashed again, their movements so fast that Aria could barely track them. The sound of claws scraping against flesh and growls filled the room, a brutal symphony of violence.

Ethan joined the fray, his wolf breaking through. His transformation was swift, and within seconds, his massive, midnight-black wolf towered over Klaus. He lunged, his jaws snapping dangerously close to Klaus’s throat.

But Klaus was prepared. He twisted out of the way, shoving Ethan back with unnatural strength. “Two against one,” he said with a wicked grin, his voice almost purring. “You Alphas never fight fair.”

From the corner of her eye, Aria saw the Moon’s light shift, its silvery glow intensifying. A warmth spread through her chest, filling her veins like liquid fire. The sensation was otherworldly, and she gasped, her knees buckling as the room seemed to tilt.

“Aria!” Liam’s voice broke through the haze, panic threading his tone.

She barely heard him. Her vision blurred, the edges of the room darkening until all she could see was the Moon outside the shattered window. Its glow pulsed, brighter and brighter, as if it were trying to speak to her.

Then she heard it—a voice, soft and melodic, yet powerful enough to send shivers down her spine.

“You are more than they see, my child. Rise.”

Aria Awakens

A sudden surge of energy coursed through her, bringing her back to the moment. The fear that had paralyzed her was gone, replaced by something fierce and unyielding.

Klaus turned toward her, his emerald eyes narrowing as he noticed the change. “Well, well,” he murmured. “It seems the Moon Goddess has chosen to bless us with a little show.”

Aria stood, her legs steady beneath her, the warmth in her chest spreading outward until it seemed to wrap around her like a protective cloak. She didn’t understand what was happening, but she didn’t need to. Instinct took over, guiding her steps as she moved toward Klaus.

“Aria, no!” Ethan’s voice was sharp, filled with equal parts warning and desperation.

But she ignored him. For the first time, she wasn’t afraid.

Klaus tilted his head, watching her approach with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. “And what exactly do you plan to do, little wolf?”

She stopped just a few feet away from him, meeting his gaze head-on. The power surging within her felt wild and untamed, but she let it flow, trusting it.

“You don’t scare me,” she said, her voice steady.

Klaus’s smirk faltered for a fraction of a second, replaced by something darker. “Is that so?”

Before he could move, a blast of light erupted from Aria’s chest, the energy surging outward like a tidal wave. It knocked Klaus off his feet, slamming him into the far wall with enough force to crack the stone.

The entire room went silent.

Ethan and Liam stared at her, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief. Klaus groaned, pushing himself to his feet, his emerald eyes blazing with rage.

“This isn’t over,” he spat, his voice low and venomous. With a growl, he turned and leapt through the broken window, disappearing into the night.

The energy in the room faded, leaving Aria feeling hollow and unsteady. She swayed on her feet, her vision dimming.

“Aria!” Liam was at her side in an instant, catching her before she could collapse. His arms were strong and steady, grounding her as the world spun around her.

Ethan approached, his wolf still brimming beneath the surface. His eyes searched hers, his expression unreadable.

“What just happened?” he demanded, his voice tight.

Aria opened her mouth to answer, but no words came out. The warmth that had filled her was gone, leaving only a lingering whisper in the back of her mind.

“This is only the beginning.”

And then, everything went black.

To be continued….