Her Rise From The Ashes

CH3

ARIA’S POV

My heart pounded as I yanked at the chains. The cuffs didn’t budge, but the wall hook—maybe.

I scanned the floor, searching desperately, and spotted a loose brick near the baseboard. I kicked at it, once, twice, until it came free. Snatching it up, I began pounding at the rusted hook, each strike echoing painfully in my ears. Over and over until my arms screamed with effort and my palms stung.

Finally, with a sharp snap, the hook gave way, and I stumbled backward onto the cold stone floor. I was free from the wall, though the heavy cuffs still bound my wrists and the short length of chain rattled against the ground as I moved.

Not enough—but better than before.

I spotted a steel pipe lying in the corner and grabbed it, clenching it tight.

The sound of footsteps met my ears.

My breath hitched and I ducked behind the door, crouching low, the pipe raised, my heart pounding loud enough I swore whoever was coming could hear it.

The door slammed open seconds later. Heavy boots hit the floor as someone stepped inside, scanning the dark room.

Now.

I lunged from my hiding place and swung the pipe with every ounce of strength I had.

But before the strike could land, a strong hand shot up and caught it mid-swing. The weapon was ripped from my grasp, and in a blur, I was slammed against the wall, his forearm pressing firmly across my chest.

“Easy,” a deep, commanding voice growled, vibrating through me. “It’s just me.”

I froze, my eyes widening.

Him.

The man from the woods. The one whose presence carried the same dominance now burning in his gaze.

“You again?” I spat, narrowing my eyes. “Why are you everywhere? Are you following me?”

“More like saving your stubborn ass.” he shot back, irritation flashing across his face. “Do you think I wanted to storm into this mess? If I wanted Alpha Rowan dead, I’d do it myself. I didn’t send you for that job.”

Confusion hit me first, then realization dawned slowly.

“You’re Alpha Dante,” I whispered, then glared. “You’re the one who dragged me into this. And now you’re attacking my pack?”

His jaw ticked. “I didn’t attack your pack,” he snapped. His arm pressed a fraction harder, not enough to hurt but enough to remind me how easily he could. “I created enough chaos to get you out. Though honestly, you’re not even worth the trouble.”

“And I’m supposed to believe that?” I hissed.

“Really?!” he barked, his tone low but filled with exasperation. “I came all the way here to pull your reckless ass out because you begged for help. And this is the thanks I get?”

“Get off me,” I shoved against him, but he didn’t budge. “I didn’t ask you to come. I don’t even know you. And I’m not going anywhere with you.”

He groaned, dragging a hand down his face as if he’d run out of patience with me. “I don’t have time for this, Aria. We’re leaving. Now.”

I raised my chin defiantly. “I’m not following a stranger barking orders at me.”

His eyes darkened, and his voice dipped to a low growl. “Must you always be this stubborn?”

“And must you always be this arrogant?” I snapped back. “Go back to wherever you came from, Alpha Dante. I’m not leaving with you.”

Something flickered in his eyes, frustration, yes, but something else I couldn’t name. “Fine,” he bit out. “Stay here and die with your stubbornness. Your choice.”

“Maybe I will.”

His lips parted like he wanted to retort, but I shoved past him and strode out the door.

“Damn it, Aria!” he shouted after me, but I was already gone.

The hallway beyond was chaos—wolves half-shifted, smoke curling through the air, the clang of steel and growls. My chain rattled loudly against the stone as I ran, but I didn’t care. I had one goal.

My mother’s necklace.

The only piece of her I still had. I’d left it in Jared’s chambers. Risking everything to retrieve it was stupid, but also necessary.

I sprinted through the chaos, praying Jared would be elsewhere. That I could slip in and out unseen.

But fate was cruel.

I pushed his door open and froze at the sight that met me.

Amber was draped naked in his bed, tangled in his sheets, her skin flush against his. His arm curled possessively around her waist, his face buried in her hair like it belonged there.

The air left my lungs. My world cracked.

She glanced up lazily. She didn't even look ashamed, or startled. A smug smile curved her lips as if she’d been waiting for me.

Jared sat up, calmly pulling the sheets around his waist. His eyes were colder than ice. “Who let you out?”

His voice was detached, cold—like I was a stranger.

“You were supposed to stay in the dungeon,” he continued, swinging his legs off the bed and reaching for his pants. “Until I decided your punishment for your betrayal.”

I steadied my voice, even as my chest screamed with pain. “Is this why you believed her so quickly, Jared? Because you never stopped loving her?”

His lips twisted into a cruel smirk. “You’re right. I never stopped loving Amber.” He stood, fastening his pants slowly as if he had all the time in the world to do so. Then he added, “In fact, I never stopped being with her, Aria. She was always mine. You were just… convenient.”

I flinched.

“And since you’re so desperate for truth,” he went on, stepping closer, “let me enlighten you.” His eyes gleamed with malice. “Amber and I planned everything. My father was obsessed with you, Aria. He wanted me to mate his precious warrior girl. He thought you were perfect. But you? You were never what I wanted. And my father was standing in my way. So we fixed both problems at once.”

My blood turned to ice.

“We killed him,” Jared said plainly, like he was telling me the weather. “Amber and I. One stone, two birds. His death gave me the Alpha seat, and a better shot at the throne as an alpha. And of course, framing you with those letters ensured everyone believed it was you. You’re the traitor. Not us. And when I’m sworn in, no one will ever question it.”

“You murdered your own father?” I whispered in shock. I know he wanted the throne, but never once have I thought he would go this far for it. King Desmond, the current alpha King had no heir, and because of this, alphas from packs all over the world were counting down the days to his death so they could have a shot at the throne. And now Jared had murdered his father because of this.

“He was weak,” Jared spat. “And he was foolish. Choosing you over Amber, trying to force me into a bond I never wanted. I had bigger plans. The throne of Alpha King, Aria. King Desmond won’t live forever, and when he dies, I’ll be ready to claim it. And Amber—Amber will be the one at my side. My Luna. My Queen.”

Every word sliced through me like a knife.

“You…” I whispered, bile rising in my throat. “You dated me. Lied to me. Pretended—just because your father wanted it?”

"Oh, Jared, go easy on her, would you? I think she's gonna cry," Amber's sickeningly sweet voice met my ears. I cleanched my teeth, but I didn't bother replying to her. She wasn't worth it.

Jared's lips widened into a cruel and satisfied smirk. “Exactly. It was all because of my father. He promised to help me secure the throne if I went along with him. Mate you. Pretend to love you. But in truth, every time I touched you, every time I looked at you, it was a lie. I was always with Amber. Always.”

I felt like I should be crying at this point, but for some reason, the tears won't come.

“You’re a monster,” I breathed.

“And you’re a fool,” Jared shot back, his voice sharp. “A fool who actually believed she mattered. A fool who actually believed she was anything more than a daughter of a rogue. But now my father’s gone, and so are you. I win. Amber wins. And you? You’ll rot.”

I wanted to slap him. To scream. To rip that smug look from his face. But instead, my gaze darted to the desk. Relief flooded me when I saw it—my mother’s necklace, laying there safe.

“You’re going back to the dungeon,” Jared said coldly. “After the burial and my swearing-in, maybe I’ll decide what’s left of you. Maybe I’ll kill you myself. Or maybe I'll just leave you there to rot for the rest of your weak, pathetic life.”

Before I could respond, the door burst open. A guard stumbled in, panting heavily. “Alpha! Blood Moon warriors breached the eastern border!”

Jared’s head whipped around, his alpha instincts flaring.

That was my chance.

I darted for the desk, snatched my necklace, and bolted out of the room.

“Aria!” Jared’s roar shook the room. “Guards! Stop her!”

But I was already gone.

I raced through the corridors, out the pack house, into the open air. My lungs burned as I sprinted toward the woods, clutching the necklace tight against my chest.

Almost there.

Then a hand yanked me sideways, dragging me into the shadows.

I gasped, but a hand clamped over my mouth before I could scream. Heavy footsteps thundered past—guards chasing the sound of my escape. My captor held me still, silent, until the danger passed.

I twisted sharply, breaking free, ready to fight—until I saw him.

Alpha Dante.

His eyes burned into mine. “You’re unbelievable,” he growled. “Reckless. Stubborn. You know what? Fine. If you want to die so badly, go ahead. Coming here was a waste of my time. I’m done saving a woman with a death wish.”

He turned to leave.

“Alpha Dante!” I called, surprising even myself.

He stopped, glanced over his shoulder, his eyes hard. “What?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I’m coming with you.”

For a moment, he just stared, the look in his eyes unreadable. Then he turned and walked away.

I hesitated, glancing back at the direction of the pack house—at everything I’d known. Jared. Amber. My home. All of it… gone.

But I had my mother’s necklace. I had the truth. And I had notthing left to tie me here anymore.

So I followed him.