Fate betrayal

CHAPTER 20

Chapter 20: The Threads of Fate

ARIA POV

I ran my fingertips over the spot on my arm, feeling a little heat. I felt the weight of the secrets that each swirl of the complex pattern spoke, but I was unable to comprehend them. I was still plagued by the enigmatic warnings from the Moon Goddess and the vivid memories of the ambush. And now that Veyron's name was involved, I felt as if the strands of fate were drawing me closer to something that I couldn't avoid.

I had been told not to act by Killian. He believed that by keeping me here, under the pack's protection, I would be safe. The uneasiness in my chest, however, told me differently. The visions were demands rather than just cautions. I would lose control of whatever was coming if I did nothing.

I need clarification.

---

I rummaged through the library's shelves while it was strangely silent and smelled of parchment and ancient leather. To me, these messages were a lifeline, but to the majority of the pack, they were relics of a bygone era. I wanted to discover the link between Veyron, the rogues, and the mark I carried somewhere in these pages.

I read book after book for hours on end, becoming more and more frustrated with each dead end. My fingertips hovered over an old book, its spine brittle and broken. I shuddered when I read the title, Luna's Curse and the Forgotten Bonds.

I cautiously opened it, looking over the fragile writing.

"The Mark of the Moon is a connection, not merely a boon. To endure it is to follow the course of fate, intertwined with the destinies of countless.

My breath caught. Too much of the description seemed familiar. I continued reading.

According to legend, Alphas attempted to use the Marked's power for personal benefit. Their avarice caused betrayals, conflicts, and lineages to end in disaster.

The pages told tales of murder and mayhem, all involving people with scars similar to mine. One sentence, however, completely stopped me.

The Marked will be the means by which equilibrium is restored—or ruined—during the worst moments. Those attempting to claim the vessel should be avoided, since they are only shadows motivated by long-standing animosity and ambition.

disguised shadows. My mind instantly turned to Veyron, his calculating violence, and how the rogues had singled me out. Was I this "vessel" in his eyes? And for what, if at all?

---

Lucas's words stunned me while I was still deep in thinking.

"What are you doing here, Aria?"

With remorse on my face, I slammed the book shut. "I'm doing some research."

Lucas folded his arms and leaned against the doorframe. "What are you researching?"

"Veyron."

With a groan, he moved in closer. "I understand. Although you're agitated, Killian made it apparent—

With a stronger tone than I meant, I interrupted, "I don't care what Killian said." "Waiting around isn't beneficial to anybody. Veyron is more than just a power-hungry Alpha, as you and I both know. Whether I like it or not, I'm a part of something bigger that's happening.

Lucas looked at me, his eyes devoid of the humor he usually displays. "Ariana, what are you looking for?"

"Anything that connects him to this mark, to the rogues, or to me." After a moment of hesitation, I said, "And to my parents."

At that, his visage softened, a glimmer of comprehension flickering over it. "You believe he had something to do with their deaths."

My voice was shaking as I responded, "I don't think—I know." "It wasn't a random ambush. Destabilizing the pack and eliminating the Alpha weren't the only goals. It was about me.

Lucas scowled. "Ariana, that's a risky line to tread. It would be suicidal to pursue Veyron alone if he had been preparing this for years.

I looked him in the eye and replied, "That's why I'm not asking you to come with me."

"Are you even planning?"

After a moment of hesitation, I took a folded map out of my pocket. This was discovered in the archives. Despite its age, it depicts a system of tunnels under Veyron's domain. I could discover documents, communications, or anything else that connects him to my parents' or the rogues' experiences if I can enter covertly.

Lucas, obviously conflicted, ran a hand through his hair. "You realize you're crazy?"

With a little grin pulling at my lips, I answered, "Maybe." "But I'm not mistaken."

He sighed after a long time. "Killian will kill me if he discovers that I let you go alone."

I up and grabbed my jacket, saying, "Then don't let him find out."

---

The sun had already set, and everything was in shade by the time I arrived to the forest that abutted Veyron's domain. I could smell the subtle metallic taste of blood behind the heavy smell of moist dirt and pine.

My wolf was stirring in the back of my thoughts as I moved uncomfortably. Something didn't feel right.

As the chart had shown, the tunnel entrance was buried behind a thicket. As I removed the vegetation, I knelt down and felt my pulse racing. Dark and ominous, the tight path loomed before me.

After a brief moment of hesitation, I entered, feeling the chilly air on my skin.

---

The tunnels were a labyrinth, with dimly shimmering moss along the stone-carved walls. Every sound, including the clatter of my boots on the floor and the trickle of water, reverberated menacingly.

I went cautiously, keeping my senses sharp. If Veyron was keeping records, they would be in the central room that the map indicated as my destination.

I heard voices, low and quiet, as I turned a corner. I strained to hear, pressing myself against the wall.

"She will arrive. In a smug tone, a guy said, "It's just a matter of time."

Another voice said, "She doesn't even know what she is." "She is dangerous because of that."

With anger and panic brewing in my veins, I clinched my fists. They were discussing me.

The first guy said, "Veyron doesn't care." "It's over the instant she enters his trap."

I gasped. A snare?

I didn't hear the footsteps until it was too late since I was so preoccupied with what they were saying.

I was jerked back into the darkness as a hand closed over my lips. My wolf roared to the surface as I battled, but my assailant was too powerful.

A recognizable voice growled in my ear, "Aria, stop."

I became cold. Lucas.

"Why in the world are you here?" After he let me go, I muttered angrily.

"Saving your ass," he said, his face glum. "You're stepping right into their trap."

I glared at him and replied, "I can handle it."

"Not this time," he murmured softly. "Veyron is no longer the exclusive focus of this. The strings are being pulled by someone else.

My blood froze. "Who?"

Lucas paused and glanced down the tunnel at the sounds. Then, with his words just audible, he leaned in.

"You're not prepared for the response."

The shouts increased in volume before I could ask for more, and the hallway was illuminated by candles. Lucas put a finger to his lips and pushed me into a little nook.

I got a sight of the faces of the people as they went by, and my stomach fell.

One of them was sporting my parents' pack emblem.

My thoughts were racing as I gazed at Lucas. His face was intense as he took hold of my arm. "You now understand. This is more complex than you may imagine. You must choose whom to trust if you want to live.

My spine tingled at what he said. Because I understood for the first time that the solution may not be that straightforward.