Bond and Betrayal

Chapter 6. The Luna

I woke up late to a knock on my door. Stretching my body, I stumbled toward it, only to be greeted by a stranger. Judging by her maid attire, she must be an Omega.

Unlike the small Willow Pack, which has only around 250 members, Black Moon Pack resembles a medium-sized town with nearly a thousand members. Everything here is structured and organized—workers in every division wear distinct uniforms.

I stared blankly at the nervous girl and bit my lip to suppress a yawn.

“Uhm… Alpha expects you to be at the mansion by lunchtime, Miss White. I’m here to deliver your car key. The car is parked near the nearest exit door on this floor—you have an exclusive parking area with your name painted in yellow—”

I burst out laughing, cutting her off. The sound confused her even more. Grabbing her hand, I gently pulled her inside and gestured for her to sit on a stool by the pantry.

“Did Orion make you say all that nonsense?” I asked, laughing again when she nodded innocently.

At least she didn't cast judgmental glances at my white hair like most people did. I appreciated that—and for the first time, I felt like I could trust someone. We might even become friends.

Extending my hand, I said, “I’m Aria.”

She shook it shyly. “Amara,” she mumbled, still looked nervous.

“I don’t bite, you know?” I teased. “Do you work at the Alpha’s mansion?”

She smiled and nodded.

Curious, I pulled up a seat beside her. “So, is he a good boss, or…?”

She gave me a wary look. “If you’re going to tell him what I say, I won’t answer.”

“Relax, dudette. I’m no snitch,” I assured her.

“Alpha Orion is really nice. Since he became the Alpha, we Omegas have gotten raises and bonuses. He even ensures our families are taken care of—elders, kids, everyone.”

I nodded approvingly. “My parents raised him well.”

“Oh, are you his sister?” Her nervousness had melted away.

“In a way, yes. We’re cousins, but he lived with us instead of his parents.” I stood up. “Had breakfast? I can whip up something quick.”

“It’s 10 a.m., Miss—”

“Aria. Just call me Aria,” I cut her off, glancing at the clock. Dang, I slept like a log.

“Okay, Aria. It’s ten, so maybe prepare to leave for the mansion instead of cooking breakfast,” she suggested with a barely contained chuckle.

I grinned, grabbed two apples from the fridge, and handed her one.

“But Luna Amanda won’t be happy if I call you by name,” she winced.

“Mandy? Outside her house, we’re friends. Call me whatever you want.”

She nodded, biting into her apple.

“She’s always a b***h,” I muttered, making Amara nearly choke. “She’s hated me for as long as I can remember.”

I didn’t wait for her response as I headed to the bathroom. By the time I came back, my room was spotless, and Amara beamed.

“You didn’t have to do that. Thank you!” She doesn't know how happy I am with her little help—being pregnant turned me into lazy bones.

“My pleasure. You’re the nicest person I’ve met in a while. The mansion can be… difficult.” She shrugged.

Minutes later, we hit the road. I didn't bother dressing to Mandy’s standards—opting for my usual hoodie and ripped jeans instead.

“Mandy gives you a hard time, doesn’t she?” I asked at a red light.

“Every time,” Amara sighed. “She loves dancing on people’s suffering.”

“Orion met Mandy at Varsen City when he was in college. The moment I met her, I knew she was jealous. I hoped she’d get over it once she realized I wasn’t competition, but I was wrong. She never stopped.”

The light turned green, and I pressed the gas pedal.

“Spoiled brat problems,” Amara muttered under her breath.

I stopped in front of the big ass house and stepped out of my car with Amara in tow, letting a young male Omega take over to park it somewhere.

“Well, I’ll get back to the kitchen, Aria. Guess I'll see you around,” she said with a smile.

I nodded and waved my hand, only to facepalm a few seconds later, because I forgot to ask for her phone number.

“What are you wearing?”

I turned toward the grand porch and found the she-devil crossed her arms, looking at me up and down judgingly. Her jet-black hair curled perfectly down her back, and she wore a stunning golden-brown designer dress that hugged her toned body and stopped just an inch above her knees. Flawless—as always.

“Do you expect me to wear a bikini?” I answered sweetly.

She pouted, one of her feet tapping the marble floor. “If you plan to live here, dear cousin, you have to learn to dress properly.”

Another day, I will play def and ignore her. Unfortunately, right now I have excess energy from the good-long-sleep. So, I will annoy her.

“Make me,” I said, then winked at her.

The audacity—she has a thin patience but dared to start an argument with me. I'll let her be my guest.

She groaned audibly. “This is my pack, Aria. I am your Luna. My pack, my rules.”

“Oooh, scary! Did you forget that your Luna tone doesn't affect me?”

It's true, the last time I spent a few days here, we had one on one combat in the training ground. Orion forbade her to shift to make it fair, because I don't have my wolf. When she was playing on the ground with me on top of her, ready to punch the s**t out of her, she blew ‘surrender!’ at me—what an ass—but it just left me confused. Orion bursted on laughter and I called it off. I decided to leave from the second hand embarrassment. Poor Mandy never learned, I guess.

“This bratty side if you won't get you anywhere, Aria. Well—except being pregnant at such a young age, and mateless.”

She always knows where to attack me, and I was ready to lunge at her and pull her hair, but she was saved by Orion, who is growled before boomed with his Alpha tone: “Apology!”