LEGACY OF THE SILVER WOLF

The Luna's Trap

Aria's POV

The garden was eerily quiet at midnight, shadows dancing between the roses in the moonlight. My bare feet made no sound on the stone path as I made my way to the center where a fountain bubbled softly. Every instinct screamed at me to turn back, but I had to know what Elena meant about the "truth."

I didn't have to wait long.

"So you came," Elena's voice cut through the darkness like a knife. She stepped out from behind a large oak tree, no longer the elegant Luna from dinner. Her beautiful face was twisted with hatred, her green eyes glowing with malice.

"You said you had something to tell me," I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the fear crawling up my spine.

Elena laughed, but it was a cold, empty sound. "Oh, I do. But first, I want you to understand something very clearly." She circled me like a predator. "You don't belong here, little reject. This is my pack, my territory, my husband."

"I never asked to come here," I whispered. "I didn't choose any of this."

"No, but you certainly didn't refuse Damien's attention, did you?" Elena snarled. "I've seen the way you look at him. The way he looks at you."

My cheeks burned. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't you?" Elena stopped directly in front of me, her face inches from mine. "Let me tell you a little story, Aria. About a prophecy that's been whispered in royal circles for centuries."

A chill ran down my spine. "What prophecy?"

"The prophecy of the Silver Wolf," Elena said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "A wolf with fur like moonlight and eyes like sapphires, who would be born with the power to either save or destroy the werewolf world. A wolf who would be rejected by her first mate, only to find her true destiny with a royal bloodline."

My blood turned to ice. My wolf Luna had silver-white fur and bright blue eyes. The description fit me perfectly.

"That's impossible," I breathed. "I'm nobody. I'm just an omega."

"Are you?" Elena smiled cruelly. "Tell me, Aria, have you ever wondered why your parents were really killed? Why rogues specifically target them when you are just thirteen?"

Tears filled my eyes at the mention of my parents. "They died protecting the pack borders. It was random.."

"Nothing about your family was random," Elena cut me off. "Your parents died because someone wanted to keep you hidden, wanted to keep you weak and unaware of what you really are."

I shook my head violently. "You're lying. You're just trying to hurt me."

"Am I?" Elena pulled a small silver dagger from her dress. "Then explain this, why can you understand ancient werewolf languages without being taught? Why do electronics malfunction around you when you're emotional? Why did every rogue who touched you during your captivity get mysteriously sick afterwards?"

My mind reeled. She was right about all of those things. I'd noticed the strange occurrences but never thought they meant anything.

"You're the Silver Wolf of prophecy," Elena continued. "And my husband knows it. That's why he 'rescued' you. That's why he looks at you like you're made of starlight. He wants to claim you, to use your power to strengthen his own rule."

"No," I sobbed. "Damien isn't like that. He's kind, he's.."

"He's an Alpha who craves power above all else," Elena snapped. "And you're the key to unlimited power. Do you really think his kindness is genuine? Do you think anyone could actually love a broken, rejected little omega like you?"

Her words hit me like physical blows. Deep down, I'd wondered the same thing. It had seemed too good to be true, someone as powerful and handsome as Damien showing interest in me.

"But there's a problem," Elena said, raising the silver dagger. "The prophecy says the Silver Wolf must choose her mate willingly. She must give her power freely. And I'll be damned if I let that happen."

Understanding crashed over me like a cold wave. "You're going to kill me."

"Oh no, darling," Elena smiled wickedly. "Death would be too merciful. I'm going to break you so completely that you'll never be able to access your power. I'm going to make you wish you'd died in that rogue camp."

She lunged at me with the dagger, but years of survival instinct kicked in. I dodged to the side, the blade catching my arm instead of my heart. Silver burned through my flesh, and I screamed.

"Help!" I cried out desperately. "Someone help me!"

"Scream all you want," Elena panted, advancing on me again. "I've made sure we won't be disturbed. The guards think you're safely asleep in your room."

I stumbled backward, blood running down my arm. "Elena, please. I never wanted to take anything from you. I'll leave, I promise.."

"Too late for that," she snarled. "You should have stayed hidden, little wolf. Should have remained the pathetic reject you were meant to be."

She slashed at me again, and this time I wasn't fast enough. The dagger caught my shoulder, sending fresh agony through my body. I fell to my knees beside the fountain, gasping for breath.

"Look at you," Elena laughed cruelly. "Some prophesied savior. You can't even defend yourself against one Luna with a knife."

She raised the dagger high above her head, aiming for my heart this time. I closed my eyes, waiting for the killing blow.

It never came.

A roar of pure fury echoed through the garden, and suddenly Elena was flying through the air. She hit the oak tree with a sickening c***k and crumpled to the ground.

I opened my eyes to see Damien standing over me, his chest heaving with rage. His eyes were glowing golden, his canines extended. He looked like an avenging angel in the moonlight.

"Aria," he breathed, dropping to his knees beside me. "My God, what has she done to you?"

"I'm okay," I whispered, though blood was pooling beneath me from the silver wounds.

"You're not okay," he said fiercely, gathering me in his arms. "You're hurt, and it's my fault. I should have protected you better."

"Damien," Elena's voice was weak but venomous from where she lay against the tree. "You don't understand. She's dangerous. The prophecy.."

"I know about the prophecy," Damien said quietly, not taking his eyes off me. "I've always known."

My heart shattered. Elena had been right. He'd known what I was from the beginning.

"So it's true," I whispered, tears streaming down my face. "You only saved me because of what I am, not who I am."

"Aria, no.." Damien started, but I pushed away from him.

"How long have you known?" I demanded, struggling to my feet despite the pain. "How long have you been lying to me?"

"Since the moment I saw you," he admitted, and the honesty in his voice hurt worse than Elena's blade. "But that's not why I.."

"Get away from me," I sobbed, backing toward the garden entrance. "All of you just stay away from me."

"Aria, please, let me explain…"

"No!" I screamed, and something inside me snapped. Power exploded out from my body like a shockwave. The fountain cracked. Windows in the packhouse shattered. Both Damien and Elena were knocked backward by an invisible force.

For a moment, the entire world went silent.

Then I ran.

I ran through the packhouse, past startled guards and confused servants who were emerging to investigate the strange power surge. I ran out the front gates, into the forest beyond, my silver blood leaving a trail behind me.

Behind me, I could hear Damien shouting my name, I could hear the sound of pursuit. But I didn't stop. I couldn't. Everyone who'd ever claimed to care about me had been lying. Using me.

I was truly alone.

I'd been running for maybe an hour when I collapsed beside a stream, gasping for breath. The silver wounds were getting infected, and I could feel fever starting to set in. I was dying, and maybe that was for the best.

That's when I heard the footsteps.

"Well, well," a familiar voice said from the darkness. "Look what we have here. The little Silver Wolf, all alone and bleeding in my territory."

My blood turned to ice as a figure emerged from the shadows. It was impossible. I'd seen him die.

But somehow, Marcus was standing there, very much alive, with a cruel smile on his scarred face.

"Miss me, pet?" he asked, cracking his knuckles. "Because I have so much more to teach you about pain.”