The Sacred Luna

Chapter 11

(Sanya's POV)

I'm still standing in the hallway when the front door opens. Footsteps echo through the hall—Tyron's footsteps, I recognize them now, heavier than anyone else's, purposeful and commanding in that confident way Alphas carry themselves.

He's home from wherever he disappeared to after our confrontation this morning.

But he's not alone. I can hear a second set of footsteps, lighter, matching his pace.

I turn slowly, dread pooling in my stomach like ice water when I see...

Aaron.

Why is he here? Walking beside my husband like they're old friends?

My breath catches in my throat. I take a step back, my shoulder hitting the wall behind me. The impact barely registers. All I can see is Aaron's face. Those familiar dark eyes that once looked at me with so much love. That gentle smile I used to dream about every night before we were supposed to run away together.

But Aaron is different now. His clothes are different—formal, professional. And the way he carries himself has changed too. The serene, tranquil look is gone, replaced by smooth confidence.

"Everyone," Tyron announces, his voice carrying through the house, summoning the family members who immediately start appearing from various rooms. "This is Jake. My new Beta."

Tyron's hand lands on Aaron's shoulder in a gesture that's almost friendly, and my world tilts sideways.

Jake? JAKE?

What kind of sick game is Aaron playing this time?

My mind struggles to process what I'm hearing. The servants gather around, murmuring their greetings. Tara appears from her bedroom, her sharp eyes assessing the stranger her son has brought home. Mira follows, curiosity written all over her face.

"He saved my life today," Tyron continues, clapping Aaron—Jake—on the shoulder again like they're brothers. "My old Beta failed in his duty. So I fired him. From today, Jake will take his place."

The room spins. I grip the wall harder, my nails digging into the expensive wallpaper.

Aaron saved Tyron's life? How can there be such a coincidence?

I stare at Aaron, willing him to look at me.

But he won't meet my gaze.

He stands there in a stiff posture, expression blank, as distant as the blue sea.

"Jake, was it?" Tara steps forward, extending her hand. "Welcome to our pack. Any man who saves my son's life is family."

Aaron—no, Jake—takes her hand and gives her that same easy smile he used to give me.

"Thank you, Luna Tara. It's an honor to serve Alpha Tyron."

My throat tightens. I can't breathe. It feels as if the walls are closing in on me.

"Tyron," I hear myself say. My voice shakes so badly I barely recognize it. "You can't just hire a stranger. You don't know his background—"

The words tumble out before I can stop them. I know I'm overstepping. I know what's coming. But I can't help it.

I don't want Aaron anywhere near me. And definitely not in my house.

Tyron's head snaps toward me, his eyes narrowing to slits.

"Are you questioning my decision?" His voice is cold. Dangerously cold. The kind of cold that comes right before the storm.

Every servant in the room goes silent. Even Mira stops smiling.

I should back down, apologize, lower my gaze and remember my place.

But I can't. Not with Aaron standing right there.

"No, but—"

"Then keep your mouth shut." Tyron cuts me off, each word sharp as a blade. "I only keep the best. And Jake is the best."

He walks past me without another glance. Aaron—Jake—follows.

As he passes, I catch his scent. Rain-soaked earth and fresh pine. The same scent I used to bury my face in when he held me. The scent I thought I'd never smell again.

Our eyes meet for just a second. Less than a second.

And in that brief moment, I see something flicker across his face. Pain? Regret? Guilt?

Then he's gone, following Tyron down the hallway like an obedient dog.

I stand frozen in place. My legs refuse to move. My brain refusing to process what just happened.

This can't be happening.

Why?

Why is Aaron doing this? Why is he torturing me?

Mira walks past, deliberately bumping my shoulder. "Close your mouth, Sanya. You look like a fish."

I don't respond. I can't.

The servants disperse, going back to their duties. Tara gives me one last disgusted look before returning to the living room.

I'm alone in the hallway now.

My hands are shaking. My whole body is shaking with the terror of what Aaron's presence might spell for me, for my marriage.

No. I have to get him out of this pack. Out of my life.

Before Tyron discovers who he really is.

Because if Tyron finds out that his new Beta is Aaron Knight—the man he calls my first lover—I can't even imagine what he'll do.

I force myself to move. One foot in front of the other. I walk to the kitchen where I'm supposed to help prepare dinner. Where I'm supposed to act like my entire world isn't about to crumble.

I have to talk to Aaron. Alone. I have to find out what he's doing here. Why he's working for my husband.

And then I have to convince him to leave.

Before his appearance destroys my marriage.

The rest of the evening passes in a blur. I go through the motions of my duties, but I'm not really present. My body moves automatically—chopping vegetables, stirring pots, setting the table—while my mind spirals in a thousand different directions.

Aaron is here.

In my house.

Parading around with the fake name Jake.

I keep repeating these facts, trying to understand what he's up to. Because I refuse to believe he didn't come with evil intention.

During dinner, I'm forced to stand to the side as usual. Watching the family eat while my stomach growls. This humiliation used to burn me with shame. Now I barely notice it.

Because Aaron—Jake—is sitting at the table. Right there. Eating with my husband and his family. It's almost as if he belongs here more than I do.

And because of him, Tyron is in an unusually good mood. He keeps praising Jake, telling stories about how Jake threw himself in front of group of rogues to save him. How Jake is exactly the kind of Beta he's always wanted. Strong. Loyal. Fearless.

"Unlike that worthless Greg," Tyron says, his mouth full of food. "Couldn't even protect me from a simple ambush. But Jake here? Jake didn't hesitate. Took down three rogues single-handedly."

I watch Aaron nod humbly. Accepting the praise like it's nothing.

This isn't the Aaron I knew. The Aaron I knew was gentle. Kind. Humble.

He helped his elderly pack members carry their groceries and spent his weekends volunteering at the orphanage.

This man sitting at my husband's table—cold, confident, standoffish—I don't know him at all.