LUNA HIDDEN FURY

Aria’s POV I have always found great delight in the woodland. Its aged trees and gentle winds somehow calm me down. Maybe this is because I developed beneath the gentle embrace of the Silver Ridge Pack here. Born here is where I am. Alternatively, it could be related to the secret magic I have always felt tied to hum in the air. The evening sun warms the forest as I move toward the clearing where the pack gathers. Getting ready for the ceremony tonight, the dirt ground and pine fragrances ground me. I am formally named as Kael Thorne's mate and future Luna of the pack here. My heart rebels with both excitement and anxiety. Here we pass years of waiting, hoping, and preparing. I peep in a small stream at my reflection. Hope fills my brilliant green eyes; my long, dark hair falls across my shoulders. Like the evening sky, I am sporting a flowing silver and blue robe. Respected seniors, my parents have always supported me; tonight their pride in me is clear-cut. Everything seems good until I spot Kael's sister Lyra Thorne peering back from behind a tree. Her eyes are chilly and her lips tightening into a narrow, disapproving line. I try to ignore the pain engulfing me. Lyra has always seemed to make me feel inadequate and create mental doubts. I have never exactly known why. I have never done anything to her; my complete focus has always been on my love for Kael and my responsibilities. But right now her attitude toward me makes me shudder. As I head toward the area, the members of the gathering pack begin to fix their attention on me. Their whispers mix curiosity and excitement, and sometimes I glimpse a nodding or smiling acceptance. Kael falls in the middle; his immense presence calls for respect. His brown hair is brushed back, and tonight his often warm and sympathetic eyes seem far away. I will force myself to smile even as a knot of worry turns my stomach. Beside him sits Reginald Thorne, Kael's father. Reginald's austere approach and strong presence just heighten the suspense in the room. He has always been a great leader, hence even if I have tried to earn his favor, it has not been an easy road. Though tonight is supposed to be a celebration, something seems unusual. The feeling that something terrible is about to happen is not one I can shake. Kael asks, "Aria," his voice serene but devoid of its usual warmth, "are you ready?" I nod, my heart hammering in my chest very obviously. Exactly, Kael. He holds my hand and his touch makes me feel the same ancient comfort. The ceremony opens with traditional rites; my focus is on elegantly and respectfully finishing every stage. The pack watches us bind our fate together and complete the rites. But things start to change as the last custom approaches. Kael's face gets harder as his grip on my hand gets tighter. I glance around and find Lyra and Reginald staring anxiously at one another. Anxiety forces my stomach to turn as I sense the air changing. "Kela?" I murmur, but he says nothing. His face shows anguish mixed with rage while his eyes are locked on a place in the throng. Knowing anything is quite wrong makes my heart sink. "Kelo, what's happening??" My voice quivering, I beg. Kels steps back suddenly, his features set in a frown. The whispers of the throng get louder, and doubt travels like wildfire. I look at Reginald, but his face is blank. Lyra's eyes flare with strange pleasure. Kels says, cold and firm: "I'm sorry, Aria." I cannot carry this out. I am nowhere at your side. The words feel to me like a bodily blow. I wobble back, tears filling my eyes blurring my eyesight. The group stumbles together, their horror matching mine. Kael's rejection slams over me like a smothering agent. "What are you implying?" I am able to choke out. "I have to reject you," Kael says, his voice almost shaking. "The accusations directed against you are really harsh. I trust nothing in you. inquiries? Charges: I rarely find it possible to think rationally. Inside me I combine incredulity with panic. I see Lyra, whose eyes gleam with terrible success. Reginald puts up a steely determined front. I sigh, "You're making a mistake," and probe. Please, Kael, kindly not do this. Kael's decision seems clear-cut, though. Looking toward the pack, he speaks sharply. " Starting right now, Aria Blackwood is no friend of mine. I shall be partnered by another person who will help the pack even more. Every one of the words cuts across me like a blade to my heart. Kael glances away from the audience and the calm silence whispers astonishment. Lyra moves on, her attitude arrogant as she reaches Keal. Beside him, the new Luna of the pack—a woman I hardly know—stands wearing a mask of icy pleasure. I feel a hand on my shoulder and turn to find my parents, their features marked with loss and powerlessness. The words seize in my throat as I try to talk. The earth whirl about me and I sense myself falling into a dark, black hole. Quietly whispering, "We have to go," my mother says, "Aria." Numbly nodding, I let my parents lead me off the clearing. The whispers of the pack lose resonance as we walk across the forest. I turn around; the picture of Kael standing with his new Luna breaks my heart and irreversibly alters the fate of the pack. Now the usual woodland trees seem foreign and threatening. My parents drive me to a far-off place free of inquisitive passersby. My brain works to combine the events before this spark. The charges, the denial—none of it makes sense. One thing occurs to me only: the baby growing inside me stands for the love that has been so ruthlessly severed from me. My father talks with a quiet voice. "We will sort this out, Aria. We'll find a way. Still, I can't get rid of the feeling that everything I know and loved has been irreversibly ruined. Once a magical and protective haven, the forest now seems to be a cage and I find myself imprisoned inside its lines without any direction ahead. My thoughts full of unresolved questions and a huge, gnawing uneasiness, I fix myself into the darkness. I know the road forward will be difficult and dangerously limited. The pack turned against me; Kael turned from me; my future is unsure. Clearly, though, I would fight for the truth, for my child, and for the future I had wanted to share with Kael. When the stars show themselves in the evening heavens, I silently pledge myself. I will find the truth behind the accusations and rebuild my lost life. The woodland seems dark and evil, but I won't let its shadows control me. My road is only starting; I won't stop till I receive justice and answers. Having a heavy heart and great will directing me, I enter the evening ready to face the challenges ahead. I will not give up even if the journey can be hazardous. My story is far from done; I will struggle with every last ounce of will to reclaim my future.