Bound by Moonfire

CHAPTER1-THE WARNING

The warning

ARIA'S POV

“Try again Arry… you are not focusing enough that's what caused this…. Try harder” I could still hear my father's voice

“Father I'm trying…” I could feel my voice breaking as I tried desperately to find my wolf. Putting all my strength into the moonstone.

“You can chant all I thought you” my father whisper came again.

My stomach sank further, I glanced up, I can still remember how disappointed and scared he looked when I couldn't shift.

“I'm sorry father…”

“Arry…!” A voice jolted me back into reality.

“Hmm…” I cleared my throat embarrassingly, forcing a quick smile to my fiance, Kael, today is supposed to be a day I make my father proud after several disappointment. I can't be bothered by my past.

“What are you thinking..” he asked, I opened my mouth to dismiss it but I realized I couldn't, he was ready to hear what I was thinking.

“I was… I was just thinking about tonight that's all” I chuckled, forcing a big smile. His smile went from curious to teasing.

“Oh you naughty girl…. I don't know you are as ready as I am…” he whispered, pulling my cheeks, “Don't worry, I will be gentle okay?” He winked.

I forced another smile, nodding slowly, although I was very uncomfortable with the way his hands grab my thighs every moment. It only got worse with my stupid confession.

Oh moon goddess I just want to enter the ground.

“Ohh I can see you two getting along.” My father called from the other side of the table, wriggling his brows teasingly at me. I finally found a genuine smile.

“Dad it's not like that.” I said shyly, trying as much as possible to mask the sadness.

“Don't worry, your childhood sweetheart will be all yours tonight.” Another elder added, everyone bust out laughing, except my mum.

She is the only one that knows about the whole story. My childhood crush wasn't Kael, he was someone I met long time ago and I didn't bother asking his name, the little misconception decades ago now is determining my life for the next few years.

“Stop teasing her, my bride is shy” Kael said, obviously enjoying the moment.

“Careful there son, she is not yours until tonight.” My father said frowning. Everyone laughed again.

After several minutes passed, I finally took break to use the bathroom.

The hallway outside the dining room felt cooler, quieter, like the whole pack knew to give me space the moment I stepped away from the table. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

Moon Goddess, get me through today. I prayed silently for what felt like the hundredth time today.

I pushed open the bathroom door and shut it behind me, pressing my back against the wood for a second before I let myself look in the mirror.

I almost didn't recognize the girl staring back.

My hair was pinned back the way my mother liked it, soft raven waves falling loose at the sides. My silver-blue eyes looked tired in a way even makeup couldn't quite hide. I looked like a bride. I looked like someone ready for the life everyone else had chosen for her.

But the sad truth is it's not really a life they chose for me, it's simply the last thread I need to hold onto so as to not be a total failure and disappointment.

I gripped the edge of the sink, steadying myself.

"You can do this," I whispered to my reflection. "It's just tonight. It's just a ceremony."

It's a ceremony where you will get married to someone that loves you so much that it feels creepy and scary in ways I can't complain about. The more I think of everything, something in my chest keeps twisting, that same hollow ache that had lived there since I was sixteen. For the first time I stood before the pack and my wolf refused to answer.

Tonight wasn't just an engagement ceremony. Tonight was supposed to prove I was still worth something to this pack, even without a wolf that would come when called.

A knock at the door startled me.

"Aria?" My mother's voice, soft and careful, the way she always sounded when she thought I might break.

"Coming," I called, wiping under my eyes even though there was nothing to wipe.

I opened the door to find her waiting, arms crossed loosely, studying me carefully like she knew something was wrong, like she was trying to read something I hadn't said out loud.

"You looked pale at the table," she said.

"I'm fine, Mom." I said making way for her to enter, avoiding her gaze.

She didn't look convinced. Her eyes lingered on me a moment, and something flickered behind them worry, maybe, or something closer to guilt. She reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, the way she used to when I was small. Even when I failed her.

"Whatever happens tonight," she said quietly, "remember that you are allowed to want more than what's been decided for you."

The words landed strange in my chest, heavier than they should have.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

But before she could answer, one of the elders called from down the hall something about the ceremony preparations, about time slipping away,and my mother's expression shuttered as quickly as it had opened.

"Come on," she said, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Your father's waiting."

I followed her back down the hallway, her strange words echoing louder in my mind than anything Kael or my father had said all afternoon. She must have a reason to mention that, I am aware that she knows that I don't want to get married to Kael but her words sounds like it's more than just the marriage.

Whatever happens tonight.

I didn't know why, but for the first time all day, the unease sitting in my stomach didn't feel like it was only about the ceremony.

It felt like a warning.