Chapter 1
1239 Words
ARIA’S POV
The sound of clashing steel echoed from the training grounds. The sound of it sounded like a song I once knew by heart. I heard everything – the sound of steel, the sound of fists punching each other, the grunts and groans of the warriors. It was all so familiar to me.
My breath caught in my throat, and before I could stop it, a memory came to my mind.
Two years ago.
The battlefield had reeked of blood and sweat. I remember the way the enemy’s eyes widened with fear when I stepped into the battlefield. Aria, the Alpha’s daughter, the most formidable warrior in the country. My feet had moved like the wind. Before I even reached the leader of the opposing team, he was basically frozen in fear.
Men had trembled at the mere sight of me. Warriors twice my size had dropped their weapons. Not because I was ruthless, but because I was relentless. Because they had heard of me. I had a reputation.
I fought with the rage and passion. I loved every bit of it. Back then, I was my own.
Now…
The flashback faded.
Now I stood still, dressed, no- imprisoned, in a silk dress. The dress was so tight that it suffocated me. It flattered my curves, just the way Mario liked it. The dress was exposed just enough to tease, but not enough to breathe. It wasn’t me. It would never be me.
I hated it.
I missed the thrill of the fight. I missed the feeling of my blades strapped to my back. Now I was Luna Aria, Mario’s perfect doll. His carefully curated fantasy of what a Luna should be—silent, graceful, obedient. He told me that in order to marry him, I had to give up my warrior status.
Fighting was the only thing I lived for. But my love for Mario was stronger. So, I did it. I gave up the one thing that made me feel alive for the man I loved.
"Keep your voice sweet, your smile sweeter," he’d always say. "A Luna doesn’t fight. She stands beside her Alpha, not in front."
I watched the sparring match continue before me. Two warriors clashed their swords with fast movements, their eyes never leaving each other. I could see everything—the weaker one’s trembling wrist. His stance was too open and his left side was exposed. I could take them both down in a heartbeat.
"Shift your weight. Duck. Kick out his leg. Now," I whispered under my breath.
He lunged instead. Wrong move.
The stronger opponent spun and knocked him flat with a kick.
I bit the inside of my cheek. My hands were trembling.
I could’ve stopped that.
I could feel myself sweating. I wasn’t sweating because of the heat. I was sweating because I was restraining myself. I wanted to jump in. I wanted to scream. I wanted to move. Every muscle in my body itched with the desire to break free. But I couldn’t. I wasn’t Aria the warrior anymore.
I was Mario’s Luna.
A hand touched mine, bringing me out of my thoughts. It was Tara, my best friend.
“Aria?” Tara’s voice was soft and concerned. “You alright?”
I looked into her eyes and forced a smile.
“Yeah,” I lied. “Just tired.”
“You sure?” she asked, gently squeezing my hand.
I nodded. “Positive.”
But the lie tasted bitter in my mouth.
I stood there a minute longer. Watching the next round start.
I turned and walked away. I didn’t say a word.
As I made my way down the hall, the sounds of steel grew quieter behind me. As I passed a mirror in the hallway, I saw my reflection. I had perfect posture and poise. I was a good Luna. But all I saw was a prisoner.
Then I saw her. Lira.
A kitchen maid. She was young and pretty. She was also curvy in the way Mario liked.
She was heading up the east wing stairs… toward Mario’s quarters.
I stopped.
Her eyes met mine for a split second, widened slightly, then she dipped her head and ran faster up the steps with a tray in her hand. Probably some excuse about bringing wine or food or—
I let out a deep breath. Don’t do this, Aria.
This wasn’t the first time I’d seen a servant walking into Mario’s chambers at odd hours. Sometimes two at a time. Sometimes dressed more provocatively than usual. Sometimes with marks on their necks the next morning that no one talked about.
I had told myself it was nothing. Just rumors. Or maybe even testing my loyalty.
I had loved him once. Enough to blind myself. Enough to look the other way. But now?
Now I just felt… tired.
I kept walking.
By the time I reached my room, my shoulders were heavy. My fingers trembled slightly as I went to lock the door, to finally be alone and think—when the door burst open.
“Aria!” Tara exclaimed, breathless.
I blinked. “Tara. What the hell?”
“You have to hear this!” she said. She practically vibrated with excitement.
I gave her a look. “Can it wait?”
“No! No way. You need this.” She stepped in, closed the door, and pulled a bundle of clothes from behind her cloak. “The triplet Alphas from the Obsidian Fang pack are visiting this district. Triplets, Aria. And hot as sin, like carved-by-gods hot. One’s broody, one’s cocky, one’s quiet—but they’re all tall, gorgeous, and they are so f*****g gorgeous. When I heard it, I nearly fainted.”
I rolled my eyes playfully. “That’s nice.”
Tara stopped and squinted at me. “You’re not even listening.”
I dropped onto my bed. “Sorry.”
She stared at me for a moment. Then a grin spread across her face like wildfire. “You need a distraction.”
“What?”
“You heard me.” She dumped the clothes on the bed. “You, my friend, are going out tonight.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What are you talking about?”
“Disguise,” she said “Cloak, wig, glasses. No one will recognize you. You’ll blend right in with the crowd outside the castle. There’s a festival in town. There will be music, drinks. Real people.”
“Tara, I can’t—”
“Mario’s busy. Probably with pack matters. You’re not sneaking out of duty. You’re sneaking out of survival.” Her voice softened. “You’ve been drowning in this place, Aria. Let’s breathe for a night.”
I looked at the cloak. Then at her.
My heart pounded in my chest.
Maybe it was reckless. Maybe it was wrong.
But maybe…
Maybe it was the first choice I’d get to make for myself in a very, very long time.
I nodded.
Tara squealed. “I knew it.”
I changed quickly. I put on a wig, glasses and cloak. I barely recognized myself in the mirror. And for once, that wasn’t a bad thing.
Tara opened the window and winked. “After you, Luna.”
I climbed out. My heart was pounding with excitement and fear.
But for the first time in a long time…
I felt alive.
- Writer
