Her Rise From The Ashes

ARIA'S POV. I could feel the wind in my fur as I ran in my wolf form. Behind me, I could hear Jared’s wolf getting closer with that teasing energy I knew too well. "Come on, Aria!" he called through the mind link in a playful tone, pushing himself to catch up. "I think I've had enough now, show some mercy?" "Quit being lazy, Jared! I'm just getting warmed up!" I called back to him. My wolf, Lia, felt the thrill too. "Faster, Aria! Let’s see if he can keep up!" With that I darted between two trees, Jared lunged, but I dodged and kept going. The tree where we’d hidden our clothes was just ahead. "Almost there!" Lia cheered. I reached it first and come to a stop. I shifted back to my human form, shivering from the night cold. I quickly dressed and stepped from behind the tree. Jared shifted back too. His hair was messy from the run as he smiled. “You love running from me, don’t you?” he chuckled as he pulled on his shirt. “Especially tonight. You could try being nice to your soon-to-be mate, Aria.” I smiled “Or you could try catching me once.” Jared grinned. He stepped close, and wrapped his arms around me. “Oh, is that a challenge?” Before I could answer, he placed his lips on mine. I laughed and pushed against his chest. “Stop,” I said. “We're outside, Jared." “So?” he murmured, resting his forehead against mine. “In a few hours, you’ll be mine in front of everyone, Aria. I can't wait to call you my mate." “I thought I was already yours,” I said, titling my head. “And don't ever forget that.” he teased. But then his smile faded. “Aria," he said. " There’s something I need to tell you,” I frowned at the worry on his face. “What is it, Jared?” “This morning, Night Fang Pack got another threat from Blood Moon. That’s three this month. Alpha Dante’s pushing harder by the day, Aria. I don’t want them ruining our mating ceremony tonight.” “What did they say this time?” I asked. “That he’s done waiting. He wants land, men, and territory.” Jared’s eyes darkened. “I’m not really worried for tonight, I'm sure my father has everything under control. But I need you to know, just in case.” I nodded, hoping alpha Rowan really has everything under control. Though there was something about this issue that has always confused me. Blood Moon wasn't a small pack by any standard. As a matter of fact, Blood Moon was one of the largest and most powerful pack you could find, even in the history of our kind. It doesn't make sense that they would want anything from any other pack out there, even Night Fang. Not unless alpha Dante just enjoys being a bully. I touched Jared's arm. “We’ll get through it, Jared. I know we will.” Before he could reply, a voice called, “Jared!” We turned to see Amber, my step sister and alpha Rowan's beta standing with her arms crossed. Her eyes shifted to Jared’s arms that was still around me. Then slowly, her cold stare shifted from him to me. “The elders want to speak with you," she said flatly. "They said it's urgent." “Oh, right,” Jared said, pulling back. He brushed my cheek. “I’ll see them now. I think it's about tonight's ceremony.” He kissed my forehead softly, then walked toward the packhouse. But Amber stayed where she was, her eyes locked on me. We were supposed to be sisters. Her father, alpha Rowan's former beta, had mated my mother after Amber’s mom died. But we’d never been close. Especially after Jared. She’d dated him years ago before ending things herself. That was long before Jared asked me out. But Amber never forgave me for saying yes. She believes I stole him from her. “Is something wrong, Amber?” I asked. She smiled coldy. “You’re good at taking things that isn't yours. Aren’t you, Aria?" She asked. "Guess it runs in the family.” My fists tightened. I knew that was jab at my mother, but I kept my voice calm. “Leave my mother out of this, Amber. She's not responsible for your problem.” When I tried to leave, she blocked my way. Grabbing my arm, she spoke . “I hope you had your fun, Aria. Nothing lasts forever. You'll be surprised at how fast things can change.” Lia growled in my head. "What's her problem?!" I grabbed Amber’s wrist calmly, taking her hand off and dropping it beside her. “Goodnight, Amber” I said calmly, then walked off. I took the longer route back to the pack house. It was darker here due to the position of the trees. But at least I wouldn’t have to endure Amber’s voice for another step. "She’s so annoying," Lia grumbled. "Let her be." I said simply. My mating ceremony was tonight. As I walked towards the pack house, I thought of Jared choosing me over two years ago, how shocked I’d been when he first spoke to me. He’d seen me, not just Amber’s stepsister. And tonight, Jared would choose me in front of everyone too. No matter what Amber thought, nothing would change that. Lost in thoughts I didn’t notice the figure in front of me until I crashed into his chest. My head hit his chest and I stumbled, but a hand grabbed my arm before I could fall. “Sorry,” I said, my eyes moving up. There was a man in front of me wearing a dark hoodie. The hood was pulled low over his face so I couldn't see much. But there was something about the way he carried himself. It was like the air around him bent to his will. He had the kind of presence that made you feel like he could walk into any room and own it without even saying a word. He let go of my arm and took the hood off, exposing his face. I froze for a moment, my lips parting. His hair was long and messy but still managed to look perfect. His face.... But it wasn’t just his looks. It was the power coming from him that confused me. He had that aura of dominance and confidence that made it impossible to ignore him. I had no idea who he was, but part of me couldn't help being curious. I pulled myself together and stepped back. “I wasn’t looking. Sorry again.” I started to walk past him, but before I’d gone more than two steps, a strong hand closed around my wrist, stoping me. Startled, I turned and found him studying me with an intensity that confused me, while also sniffing the air. "What?" I asked. “Aria?” he asked. I frowned. “Yes…? That's me. ” A few seconds passed and he didn't speak, just stood there staring at me with what looked like a mix of shock and confusion. "You're Aria?" He asked again, his wide eyes taking me in, confusing me even more. My frown deepened in confusion even as I nodded slowly in response. "Yes. My name is Aria. I just told you that, didn't I? Why? Is there a problem?" He went silent again for a moment, then he muttered under his breath, so low I almost didn't catch it. "So it's you. You've been the one sending those letters." I blinked. "I'm sorry?" Before I could really ask what he meant by that, he added, “Come on. Let’s go, there’s no time.” He turned and started down the path, fully expecting me to follow. I didn’t. I stayed where I was, staring after him in confusion. “Excuse me?” He stopped and turned back with a look of impatience and irritation. “I don't have time for this, Aria. I had to take time out of my busy schedule to come here and get you after your last letter. Even though you didn’t exactly ask nicely for help, I still showed up. Now let's go before someone finds out I'm here, and this turns into something that would take even more of my time.” I blinked at him. “Go where? And what letter are you talking about?” His jaw tightened. “What is the meaning of this? What are you playing at?” “I’m not playing anything,” I shot back at him. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I don't even know you.” His voice grew cold, anger flashing in his eyes. “You’ve been sending me information for months, despite the fact that I keep telling you to back off. Then you send me one this morning asking for help to get out of Night Fang, and in spite of myself, I showed up anyway. Even if I still have no idea what you're playing at. And now you’re standing here acting like you have no idea what I'm talking about?” “Because I have no idea what you're talking about” I shot back. His eyes narrowed, and I couldn’t tell if he was more annoyed or more suspicious. “You’re stubborn, you know that? I picked up on that fact when you won't stop sending those letters even after I told you to stop. It's obvious you never listen. And not knowing when to stop, it gets you killed faster than you can blink, Aria.” My mouth dropped open. Who is this man to speak to me like that? Whoever he was, he clearly thought he knew me, but it's obvious he's got some screw loose upstairs. And I didn't want to be part of it. I didn’t bother replying. Instead, I turned on my heel and started walking away. I could feel his gaze burning into my back, but I didn’t look over my shoulder. I didn’t know him, I didn’t trust him, and I wasn’t about to follow some stranger into the shadows no matter what he said.