A New Aunt
1262 Words
I turned my head and saw a middle-aged woman standing behind me. She had curly brown hair and wore a long, elegant purple dress. A glass of wine rested lightly in her hand as she smiled at me warmly.
“Yes… I’m Aria,” I replied carefully. “May I ask who you are?”
I was puzzled. I had no memory of this woman at all, and no matter how hard I searched my mind, I couldn’t recall ever seeing her before.
“Oh, little Aria,” she said gently. “You don’t recognize me now. That’s understandable. Your father and I were cousins, and we haven’t seen each other in many years. How is your father?”
Her words made my chest tighten.
“I think you may be disappointed to hear this,” I said softly, lowering my head. “My father passed away three years ago.”
If he hadn’t chosen to save me that day, he would still be alive strong and respected.
“My goodness!” she gasped. “I can’t believe no one told me. Little Aria, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up something painful.”
She reached out, her voice full of regret. “My name is Suzanne. You can call me Mrs. Suzanne… or Auntie.”
Before I could react, she pulled me into a hug.
The sudden appearance of an aunt overwhelmed me. My father was gone, and this reminder only made the emptiness clearer.
Even my mother, Clara Vale, had grown distant from me since marrying Marcus. But I understood why.
She was Marcus’s wife now. Allowing me to live under his roof was already his greatest mercy. If she showed me too much affection, it would only draw the hostility of Marcus’s pack toward me. Her distance was the only thing keeping me safe.
“Thank you for your concern,” I said quietly, returning the hug. “I’m fine, Mrs. Suzanne.”
She smiled, though there was sadness in her eyes.
“I thought you’d call me Auntie, but it’s alright. I understand. Aria, I’m glad you’re enrolling in the academy today.”
Even though I hated admitting it, she was right. I was here as the heir to a small pack.
Suzanne immediately took me around the Harrington estate. I quickly realized it was far larger and more luxurious than I had imagined. The villa wasn’t just a mansion it looked like a private campus.
Even the patterns carved into the wine glasses and porcelain plates were works of art I had never seen before.
Suzanne explained that today wasn’t the real event.
“All the people arriving today are here to build connections with the Harrington family,” she said. “The actual gala the one for the students starts tomorrow.”
By the time night fell, my legs ached so badly I could barely stand.
When I finally returned home, it was already late.
My mother was sitting in the living room, quietly eating a snack. When she saw me, she only smiled faintly, said nothing, cleared the table, and went back to her room.
I knew she had been waiting for me.
When I reached my bedroom, I saw several missed messages on my phone from my best friend, Arielle.
Oh my goodness, you disappeared all day. Were you abducted by aliens?
Arin, if you don’t reply by tonight, I’m calling the police.
I couldn’t help smiling.
I’m fine. I went to a terrible party today, and it exhausted me. Worse, I have to go again tomorrow.
Not long after, my phone rang. I answered immediately.
“Thank the moon you’re alive!” Arielle shouted. “And you can still text!”
“I forgot my phone when I went out,” I said helplessly. “I can’t bring it tomorrow either. I’ll tell you everything after it’s over.”
Suzanne had warned me that I would have to wear the academy’s elite uniform and remain discreet during the Apex Dominion Academy event, so phones were strictly forbidden.
“Well, that’s just great,” Arielle complained. “I have school tomorrow anyway. That place is boring as hell.”
Despite being one of the top students, she hated school with a passion.
After chatting for a while and worried about disturbing my mother and Marcus I hung up.
The next morning, I returned to the Harrington family’s private academy estate.
After changing into my uniform, I stood at the entrance.
“This position will be easier on you,” Suzanne said. “You’ll assist with guest reception. It’s a light duty.”
Soon, people began arriving one after another.
The first to enter was a petite girl following a tall man in a tailored suit. She smiled brightly as she walked inside.
She had light brown curly hair with a red bow clipped neatly to the side. Her layered designer dress shimmered under the lights, and her fair skin made her look like a princess straight out of a fairy tale.
They were from the Northern Crimson Pack Alpha Calder Redwyn and his daughter, Diana Redwyn.
Diana was only fifteen and hadn’t yet reached her coming-of-age ceremony. Alpha Redwyn was clearly doting and protective of her.
Just like my father had been with me once.
The two young men who entered next were close friends of Leo Harrington. They wore dark blue suits and greeted everyone warmly, smiling as if they owned the place.
They were Ryan Wolfe and Jasper Wolfe of the Gamma Consortium Pack known for their gentle appearances but formidable strength.
After them came Elliot Fitzgerald and his mate, Nyla.
Elliot had just completed his coming-of-age ceremony and successfully bonded with Nyla, a graceful and elegant girl many people envied.
Then everything changed.
The final person entered the hall.
Leo Harrington.
The moment he appeared, the entire room went silent.
Leo was tall, his silver-blonde wolf-cut hair clean and simple, his features sharp and flawless. The sunlight pouring through the tall windows seemed to wrap around him, as if he were a god descending from above.
His gaze swept across the hall, cold and commanding. His overwhelming alpha aura announced his dominance without a single word.
When his eyes briefly met mine, my hands trembled so badly I almost dropped the pass I was holding.
He frowned slightly.
Then, as if he had seen something unpleasant, he looked away.
I felt an unexpected ache in my chest, though I didn’t understand why.
Only after Leo entered did the guests begin moving inside.
The Academy Gala officially began.
And I could only stand quietly at the edge, watching them laugh, talk, and dine belonging to a world I was never meant to touch.
Suddenly, Suzanne appeared beside me.
“Honey,” she said softly, “come with me.”
She led me into a small room where more than a dozen academy assistants and student aides in matching formal uniforms were gathered.
At the center of the room stood a delicate cake, candles already lit.
“Happy coming-of-age ceremony, my little Aria.”
She closed the door and hugged me tightly.
“But… we shouldn’t be celebrating,” I whispered nervously. “If Leo finds out—”
“Oh no,” Suzanne said gently. “After today, your coming-of-age is complete. I don’t want you to have regrets. Make a wish.”
She guided me toward the cake.
As I closed my eyes, a snow-white shadow flashed through my mind.
Then, a familiar voice echoed softly—
“Aria."
- Writer
