Her Rise From The Ashes

CH5

ARIA'S POV.

The cars rolled smoothly through the forest road, their headlights cutting through the thick darkness of the night. I sat silently in the back seat beside alpha Dante, my forehead resting against the cold glass window. The low sound of the engine and the tires against the road were the only sounds in the quiet.

Dante hadn’t spoken a word since we left Night Fang territory. I didn’t dare break the silence. Not this time. This time, I would much rather be left alone with my own thoughts.

The trees finally began to thin, and my breath caught when I saw where we were heading.

Ahead stood tall iron gates, black and gleaming as if they had been polished to perfection. They slowly pulled open as we neard.

Beyond the gates was a vast expanse of land, roads curving toward a sprawling estate that looked like something from another world.

The pack house came into view, and I almost forgot to breathe.

It wasn’t just a house. It was a fortress and a palace all in one. The towers and high stone walls glowed in the moonlight, and the windows were bright with warm light. The grounds around it were manicured with wide gardens with fountains sparkling even in the dark. Compared to Night Fang, this place was overwhelming. Night Fang had been home, but it looked small and simple beside this kind of wealth and power. I suddenly felt intimidated, mentally asking myself what I was doing here.

Even the air here felt different. It carried a weight of authority, like every breath reminded me I had stepped into a kingdom, not just another pack’s land.

My chest tightened. What could an alpha who ruled a place like this possibly want with Night Fang in the first place? Surely there had to be a reason why Jared and Amber chose him, out of everyone else, to be used in their plans. He must have done something in the past to make it easy for Jared and Amber to convince the whole pack that he was involved in this too.

The cars slowed as we reached the wide staircase leading up to the main doors. Men stood waiting at the entrance. They didn’t just look like guards—they looked like soldiers ready for war.

I kept staring at the glowing mansion, lost in thought. I didn’t hear the car door open. I didn’t even notice Dante move, not until I heard a voice speak beside me.

“Miss.”

I blinked, startled, and looked toward the voice. A man stood at my door, holding it open for me. His posture was straight, but his eyes were curious.

Confused, I turned quickly to the seat beside me, only to find it empty. I frowned, turning back to the man by the door.

“Where’s your alpha?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.

“He already left, miss. He’s gone inside,” the man answered calmly.

I stared back at the space where Dante had been sitting only moments ago, shock spreading through me. He’d left without a word. Not even a glance. Like my presence didn’t matter at all.

The guard cleared his throat softly, drawing my eyes back to him. “If you’re ready, I’ll escort you inside.”

I frowned, unsure I had heard right. “Escort me?”

“Yes,” he said, dipping his head. “Alpha Dante asked me to help you settle in.”

Settle in. The words twisted in my gut. I wasn’t here to settle. I wasn’t here by choice. I was just passing through because I had nowhere else to go after what happened. I had no intention of settling down in an enemy pack.

Still, I nodded, pushing myself forward. The chains around my wrists rattled loudly as I stepped out of the car. The metal dragged against the ground with every move. It was beyond humiliating.

Eyes followed me instantly. Men who had been talking nearby paused, their gazes sliding over the chains, then up to my face. I could feel their curiosity, their judgment.

I forced myself to keep my chin high, ignoring them. I wouldn’t let them see how small I felt.

The guard led me forward toward the towering stairs. My chains scraped the stone path behind me, the sound echoing in the otherwise perfect silence.

As we climbed, I finally looked up at the massive doors of the pack house. They were carved wood, easily taller than three men standing on top of each other, with the crest of Blood Moon carved deep into their surface, two identical gold wolves standing proudly under a red moon, howling up at it. I noticed there were words carved beneath the crest, and I stepped closer, reading them out in a low voice.

“Born of the night, Bound by blood.”

The words sent a slight shiver through me.

The guard stepped forward, swinging the door open, and I stepped inside.

The interior was breathtaking.

The entrance hall was wide and tall, the ceiling arched high above with golden chandeliers. A grand staircase curved upward, the railings carved with intricate designs. Rich carpets lay across the floor, and paintings of alphas from generations past lined the walls.

Blood Moon was not just wealthy. It was history, power, and dominance woven into every stone.

Night Fang suddenly seemed so small in my memory—plain hallways, simple rooms, wooden floors....

The guard glanced back at me. “This way, miss.”

I followed him down the hall, the sound of my chains dragging across the shining floor making me feel out of place in such perfection. Servants moved quietly around us, some carrying trays, others arranging flowers or cleaning. Every one of them glanced at me, and though none of them spoke, their eyes said enough. I didn’t belong here.

The guard must have noticed my unease because he slowed slightly. “Do not worry, miss,” he said simply. “You will be given a room. You’ll be safe here.”

Safe. The word felt strange. Was this really safety—or just another kind of cage?

I finally asked, “Where exactly are you taking me?”

He looked straight ahead. “The alpha’s orders were to help you settle in. That's what I'm trying to do, Miss. After that he will speak with you.”

I sighed at his words. Speak with me? Really? Dante hadn’t even spared me a glance when he left the car. Why would he suddenly want to talk later? He might as well just leave me alone and continue pretending I didn’t exist. It’s not like I was dying to speak to him either.

We reached another hall, this one narrower but just as luxurious. It was lined with tall windows that overlooked the gardens outside.

Finally, the guard stopped at a door. He opened it, stepping aside. “This will be where you sleep for the night.”

I hesitated on the threshold. The room beyond was large. A wide bed with velvet covers stood in the center, soft rugs covered the floor, and a fireplace glowed warmly. Curtains the color of blood and gold framed the windows, and a dresser sat neatly in the corner.

I stepped inside slowly, my chains clinking. The contrast between my rattling cuffs and the luxury of the room almost made me laugh.

The guard cleared his throat again. “If you need anything, you may step out and ask anyone you find.”

I nodded numbly, still staring at the room. “And Alpha Dante? When will he come?”

He paused. “The alpha will see you when he’s ready.”

With that, he gave me a nod and stepped back, closing the door behind him.

The silence that followed almost made me tear up. All this time, I thought I knew what loneliness was, but it turns out I never really did. This right here was the true feeling of loneliness. And it didn't feel good. I didn’t like it.

I let out a shaky breath and walked farther into the room, dragging the chains behind me. My hands were sore, my wrists raw, but I barely felt it now. My mind was too tangled.

I moved toward the window and looked outside. The gardens stretched endlessly, glowing silver under the moonlight. Everything was beautiful here, perfect and powerful. And I was standing in the middle of it, a stranger bound in chains. A girl who had been betrayed and framed for murder on the night of her mating.

I wrapped my arms around myself and tried to make sense of it all.

I thought of Night Fang—of the betrayal and the pain I had left behind. I thought of Amber’s smug face, of Jared’s cold confession and rejection.

And now here I was, in Blood Moon—the territory of an enemy alpha—where anyone could do whatever they wanted with me, and there would be no one to ask questions.

But even in all of this, I was still asking the same question.

What could an alpha like Dante possibly want with our pack? Something just isn’t adding up.