Bound By Shadow Forged By Fate

Chapter 4: Fake Engagement

Aria’s POV

I became more immersed in pack life than I had imagined as the days went by. I began by helping with minor duties like tending to the injured and assisting with herbal remedies, but before long, I was asked to assist in settling disputes between pack members.

With a hint of admiration in his eyes, one of the elders said, "Aria, you have a natural way with them."

The speed with which the pack members trusted me a human in their world of wolves surprised me. With the child developing inside of me, I wanted to gain their respect. It was important to me that they perceived me as more than an outsider.

After a long day, Luca visited my cabin one evening. He appeared tired, with a hint of doubt mixed in with his normal assurance.

His voice was quiet as he remarked, "You've been fantastic with the pack." "They respect you and listen to you."

My cheeks flushed warmly as I looked down. "I simply want to assist. They are worthy of a caring person.

He stepped forward, his eyes fixed on mine. Aria, you are more than that. This pack is starting to include you. They observe it. And I do as well.

My heart skipped a beat at the warmth in his eyes, but I quickly averted my gaze to maintain my vigilance. It was so simple to feel secure in his presence, but I had to resist the urge to lose myself in it. Not quite yet.

I said, taking a small step back, "Thank you, Luca." "However, I don't want to complicate our relationship."

He nodded as though he understood and groaned. "You're correct. You're not alone in this, though, and I want you to know that.

Luca presented me with an idea a few days later that totally took me by surprise.

He continued in a serious tone, "We need to throw them off to keep you safe, Aria."

"Get rid of them?" Confused, I repeated.

Luca nodded, staring intently. "Spies are out there. They will stop at nothing to get the truth about your pregnancy, Victor's pack. They will not stop until they get you because they believe you are carrying a future alpha.

I felt cold. "What do you propose?"

Uneasy about what he was going to say, he inhaled deeply. "A cover tale is necessary. They might think the child isn't mine if they think you're married to someone else. Although it is dangerous, it might protect you.

"Married? To whom?

Luca pointed at the door. "I made arrangements for assistance. He is a devoted friend from a different pack. Markus is his name.

A tall, unflappable man entered the room. He nodded to me, his face unreadable.

Luca reassured me, "Ariana, this is just a cover." Marcus is going to pretend to be your fiancé. Only as a formality, he will move in with you.

As I looked at Markus, I was overcome with emotion. "And he doesn't mind this?"

Markus nodded slightly. "I'll keep you safe, Aria. I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe, even though this arrangement isn't ideal.

With my heart racing, I turned to face Luca again. Everything happened so quickly. "And you believe this will be successful?"

He nodded, but his eyes were hesitant, as I could tell. Aria, we must try. Our child's safety and your safety come first.

Life in the Scarlet Moon pack became strained once Markus moved in. We avoided Luca's lingering glances and tried our best to act the role, showing up together at pack events.

Outside of our small community, however, tensions were increasing. Attacks by Victor's pack had started to occur on the boundaries of Scarlet Moon territory. Every assault became more audacious, and the strain was beginning to manifest.

As we assembled in the big hall of the pack one evening, an elder rose to his feet, his voice faltering with rage.

"This is ridiculous! How can we allow this kind of fear from Victor's pack?

Luca's expression was composed yet nervous as he glanced around. "We're taking every precaution to keep our borders safe. Victor, though, is desperate. He seeks an excuse to launch a frontal assault on us.

"What are they seeking?" Another elder made a demand.

Luca glanced in my direction, then hastily averted his eyes. They believe that there is something valuable here. We must remain unified and defend one another.

When I learned what he was keeping from them the truth about the baby my heart began to race. I wanted to voice my concerns and provide consolation, but I knew that doing so would only make matters worse.

Luca caught me in the hallway after the meeting. "Are you okay?"

I nodded while attempting to conceal my concern. I simply detest lying to them. They should be aware of the true situation.

With a sigh, he briefly touched me with his hand. "I understand. However, you are safer if fewer people are aware of it.

After a little period of holding hands, he withdrew, and the gap between us seemed to widen.

I was taken aback when a stranger showed up at the pack's boundaries the following morning. The other wolves were frightened of him because he was tall, had piercing blue eyes, and exuded authority.

When Luca spotted the stranger, his jaw tensed. "Julian."

I sensed a long-simmering tension between them as I gazed between them.

Julian crossed his arms and grinned. "Little brother." It has been a long time.

"Not long enough," Luca said in a chilly tone.

A glimmer of interest appeared in Julian's eyes as they darted toward me. "And who is this?"

"This is Aria," Luca said, putting himself between us out of protection. "She's... vital to the pack."

“Is she important?” I felt nervous when Julian's eyes lingered on me. "So, this should add some interest to the situation."

Luca's body tensed as he balled his fists. "Julan, why are you here?"

Julian's smile vanished, and his face became gravely serious. "Luca, I'm here to challenge you. for the Scarlet Moon pack's leadership.

As Julian's remarks reverberated across the room, my heart fell. His challenge weighed heavily on me, and I could feel the threat hanging over us like a storm.

"You can't be serious," Luca replied in an irate tone.

Julian smiled back and said, "Oh, I'm dead serious." And we'll battle to the end to resolve this, as we always do. Upcoming full moon.

His eyes were odd when he glanced at me again. "Little brother, you had better keep her close." A mess is going to break out.

He turned and left us in startled quiet after saying that.

I felt a wave of perplexity and terror as I stared at Luca. "What does this mean, Luca?"

With a determined yet pallid expression, he looked directly into my eyes. "Ariana, it indicates we're in greater danger than before. And all our hard-won victories will be lost if Julian prevails.