FATED TO THE OLDER ALPHA

Chapter6

A New Beginning

~Aria’s POV~

The days after Evelyn's return, it felt like drowning in an endless ocean of pain. Every breath hurt, every moment was a fight.

My heart wandered in restlessness as the loud giggles of Caden and Evelyn continually plunged pain in me. A constant reminder that I wasn't worthy enough!

My mind whirled in despair. I missed my pack and my parents, and I wondered what they'd have endured after I ran off without a goodbye hug or word.

All Caden cared about was his returned wife. I felt like a stranger in a home that was supposed to be my peace. I would have known better not to feel vulnerable with an older Alpha. I should have protected and held my guard against his soothing caressing.

For days, the maids and servants had brought different prepared meals, but I hadn't thought of eating as the thought of anguish overwhelmed me.

Suddenly, I heard a knock on the door. At first, I thought it was the servants with their usual plea for me to eat, but when the knock persisted, I knew it was someone else.

Could it be Caden? What could he be doing in my abode when Evelyn has returned?

"Aria." The voice that called out wasn't the deep aura I both longed for and feared. Instead, it was lighter, with a hint of warmth I hadn't expected. "It's me, Damon."

I sat up slowly, bewilderment cutting through my pale face. Damon? Caden's younger brother?

I blinked my eyelids, confusion etched on my face. I didn't understand what he could possibly be looking for in my space.

I covered my nude boobs while peeling my face across the window to steal a few glances at him.

While he didn't look much different from his older brother. His voice was definitely softer, his demeanor wrapped with concern and care.

“Oh, look at who we have here. "I was beginning to think you'd never let fresh air penetrate your room,” he softly teased.

I didn't utter a word; I was still wondering what his mission was and why he cared to check up on me.

After a few moments of awkward silence between us, he broke the muteness. “Aria… you have been through a lot. I feel bad my older brother had to treat you less.”

"Thanks for stating the obvious," I replied, throwing my arms around myself. "Did you come all this way just to point that out?"

His grin eased. "To be honest, I came because I was anxious. You've been shut up here for days–"

He was still giving a speech when I abruptly cut him off. “You shouldn't have bothered. "I'm…fine… I'll be fine,” the lie was evident in my ears.

He retorted without hesitation. “Come on! Please, you're not, and it isn't bad to admit that.”

Well, he was right; I wasn't anything close to being ‘fine’, but I didn't want to be pitied!

My throat dried up, I hadn't had enough water for days! The way he was looking at me, and the obvious acceptance of them. I blinked back more tears as I turned away.

"My brother," Damon added, his tone becoming sharper, “is being a fool. An inconsiderate, blind fool.”

I gave a sarcastic laugh. “He's simply returning to the previous state of affairs. Evelyn had returned.”

"Is that what you think?" Damon stepped forward, strangely at ease. "That you were just some placeholder until she came back?"

I winced because the words were too personal. "Wasn't I?"

"No," he firmly said. “You also know that in your heart." You definitely are more than that, even if my older brother is blind to realize that. He simply cannot see what is in front of him because he is too preoccupied with the past.”

My chest began to burn with rage as I turned to confront him. “So why hasn't he visited me? Why doesn't he inquire about his growing child in my belly anymore?”

Damon's cheeks flushed. "Because of his ignorance. And believe me, he will regret every second he wasted when realization hits him hard."

"If," I quietly corrected. "If he comes to his senses."

"Then that would be his biggest loss," Damon said, reaching out and gently placing a hand on my shoulder after a brief pause. “Because you are worth fighting for, Aria.”

I stared at him, my eyes narrowed. His words were too good to be true. Coming from the Blackthorn family, it was very suspicious.

“You’re so kind to me. "Why the unexpected gesture?” I had to ask; my feet pinned against the ground.

A concerned sigh parted from his lips. “Because I've always had a soft spot for you but couldn't say a word about it because of my older brother's involvement.”

He finally let the cat out of the bag!

My eyes widened in disbelief. I didn't see that coming. Is Caden's younger brother crushing on me? Huh?

Was he here to have a piece of my body and continue from where his older brother stopped a while ago before Evelyn returned?

The way he was looking at me without shifting his gaze struck me as somehow beautiful; there's something about Damon that I haven't yet figured out.

Nevertheless, I couldn't help but smile back. It was faint and tiny, yet it existed.

"There she is," remarked Damon quietly. "I was wondering where that heartwarming smile had gone." He teased one more.

What I had known since the day I called off my union with Liam had been nothing but anguish—perhaps a glimmer of optimism or warmth wouldn't be such a bad idea.

I muttered, "Thank you," with more meaning than he could possibly understand.

He let out a beautiful smile and engaged me again. “Just promise me something?”

I raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"Assure me that you will no longer hide. Make me a promise that you will fight for yourself, not for Caden or anybody else. Because Aria, you are deserving of happiness. Whether or not it's with my brother, who is a complete idiot."

I inhaled deeply as I sensed a change within. Perhaps it was motivation, maybe it was the first hints of power coming back. It seemed good, whatever it was. "I promise."

I went to the window to watch the sunset over the pack fields as Damon departed. I made the decision to leave these walls soon. I will begin to live again tomorrow.

Not for Caden, not for anybody else, but for myself, my child, and the future.

Because Damon was right, and I didn't deserve to live in the background of someone else's romantic tale.

The first day of my new beginning would begin without hesitation.

As promised, I spent the following day outdoors. After days of self-imposed isolation, the fresh air felt odd on my skin but, in some ways, rejuvenating.

Despite the insulting remarks that followed me, I carried myself with pride as I walked through the packed ground; let them speak; I don't care anymore!

Unexpectedly, while outdoors, a voice crept from behind:

“Aria?” The voice was so familiar that I wouldn't forget it.

“I wasn't expecting you outside. "I heard you had locked yourself up for days,” Liam's words breathed out.

"Aria." His tone was gentle. "I can't believe you're really here."

Unwilling to display any weakness, I maintained a serious face. “What the hell are you doing here?”

Within seconds, he briskly walked closer to me to maintain a visible proximity. “I had been trying to get across to you. I really need to explain–”

"Explain what?" I cut him off, my voice sharp. "Was it how you were professing your love for me while screwing my younger sister behind my back? Or how you made me feel like I wasn't enough?"

His face flashed with pain. “I made a dreadful mistake.”

I chuckled, but it wasn't enjoyable. "And you think coming here now changes anything?"

“Well, newsflash! I'm pregnant now. Well, not like it's any of your business who I sleep with.”

He was about to breathe out more words, but I instantly cut him off. I knew he was about to ask who was responsible.

His odd brain should have told him whose hard strokes had gotten me pregnant.

"Stop. "You forfeited the right to ask about my life when you went behind to thrust my kid sister's honeypot."

"Please," he stepped closer, despair in his eyes. "I know I messed up." I know I hurt you. But I've changed. I want another chance."

For a moment, I remembered the girl I used to be - the one who would have given anything to hear those words. But that girl was gone.

"No," I said strongly. "I don't need your chances, Liam. I don't need you."

I walked away, feeling stronger with each step. The old Aria might have broken, might have taken him back. However, I was no longer her.

***

A few hours later in the evening, I stepped out again into the woods to think aloud.

But something strange was stuck in the atmosphere. I could feel it as my blood flow tingled with uneasiness.

The hair on the back of my neck stood up before I heard them - footsteps, too many to be friendly. I turned slowly, my heart beating as five forms emerged from the trees.

What I feared most! Rogues! Their eyes were wrapped with menace and malice.

Trouble was banging on the door and I could feel every ooze of it.

One of the rogues blurted a disdainful giggle. “Hmm! Who the hell do we have right here? The Alpha's little mate?”

I backed up slowly, my mind racing. I was alone, pregnant, and overpowered. Fighting wasn't a choice - not without risking my baby.

“Don't move closer, stay right where you're,” with a fading strength, I managed to spill.

They giggled so hard at the sound of my faint warning. “What would you do if we didn't leave? You'd run? Don't be a dummy; no one will save you from us!”

I glanced around frantically, looking for a getaway route. The cliff behind me left no room to escape. I was stuck.

"She's carrying a pup," another person noticed, his eyes shining. "The Alpha's son, perhaps? This is becoming more interesting."

In a desperate attempt to keep our child safe, my inner wolf came out. Changes during pregnancy, however, is risky because it could affect the unborn child.

One of the rogues lunged against me, but I managed to pull myself backwards before he grabbed my arm.

"Let her go!"

Like an explosion, the voice sliced through the woods. With his eyes blazing with rage, he ran towards me. He wasn't alone, though.

Liam was directly behind him, his angry face visible enough. They moved with deadly accuracy as they threw themselves at the rogues.

I managed to escape the mayhem, but as I attempted to go, I felt hands snatch me from behind. I staggered toward the edge of the cliff from the intensity of it.

Time seemed to slow down. Shock etched on Damon's demeanor as he feared I could be badly injured.

Liam was fending off two renegades who were attempting to approach me. However, they were too far away.

The pull from the rogues was so brutal that I lost my foot and started falling off.

Damon roared a terrified cry, "ARIA!" And that was the last sound I heard.