Chapter4
621 Words
The forest was silent except for the crunch of Aria’s boots against the wet earth. The cold morning air held onto her skin as she walked down the familiar path leading to the old training grounds once her sanctuary. Now, it felt like a graveyard of broken dreams.
Lucien hadn’t spoken to her since the ceremony.
His silence echoed louder than any words.
Each time their eyes met, it was like a war raged between them, his burning with confusion and suppressed, longs hers desperate to stay strong even as they threatened to betray her. She wasn’t going to beg..Not again.
Aria stopped at the edge of the clearing, staring at the worn dummies and cracked stepping stones. Her heart ached with memories and laughter with Selene, whispered promises with Lucien, the feeling of belonging,That was before everything shattered.
She took a deep breath, stepping forward.If she was going to survive in this pack, she had to reclaim her strength. The strength they had stripped from her the moment Selene stole her title, her place, and her mate.
“You’re back here?” a voice mock behind her.
Aria turned slowly,to see Selene Dressed in elegant training leathers that hugged her figure tailored by the Moon Goddess herself, Selene walked toward her with that same silly way that Aria used to mistake for a friendly smile.
“I figured you would run back to the human world by now,” Selene said, brushing imaginary dust off her sleeve. “Or maybe you are still holding out hope that Lucien will come crawling back.”
Aria’s jaw tightened, but she didn’t shake. “I don’t need him,” she replied, though the words tasted like ash. “And I don’t need your approval either.”
Selene’s eyes narrowed. “Still got that heartbreaking pride, I see. You were never meant to be Luna, Aria. You’re weak. Fragile and Emotional.”
“I’m more Luna than you’ll ever be,” Aria snapped, her voice rising. “You betrayed me, lied and manipulated your way into everything that was never yours.”
Selene stepped closer, and for the first time, her face cracked. “He was never yours. He just didn’t see it until I opened his eyes.”
Aria’s nails dug into her palms, her wolf howling beneath her skin. Not yet, she told me.
“I may not be strong now,” Aria whispered, “but I will be. And when I rise, I’ll make sure everyone sees the truth, including Lucien.”
Selene laughed brutally. “We’ll see how long that pretty little vow lasts when the pack turns on you.”
Before Aria could respond, a loud howl tore through the air.
Urgent. Alarmed.
Selene’s smile disappeared.
Another howl followed closer, more desperate.
Aria’s instincts took over. She walked toward the sound, Selene’s footsteps following her behind.
They reached the eastern border just in time to see warriors encircling someone. Aria pushed her way to the front, heart racing.
Lying on the ground, barely conscious and bleeding, was a rogue.
not just any rogue.
Her brother.
“No,” Aria whispered, stumbling forward. “Kai?”
He blinked up at her, blood dripping from his mouth. “Aria… run. They’re coming…”
“Who’s coming?” she demanded, but his eyes rolled back.
Lucien appeared beside her, fury in his voice. “What is he doing here? He’s a rogue!”
Aria turned on him. “He’s my brother!”
But Lucien’s eyes weren’t on her anymore. They were on Selene whose face had gone pale, and whose hand was holding something behind her back.
And then Aria saw it.
A bloody dagger.
The one Kai had been stabbed with.
- Writer
