"You better stick to the plan, Nicholas!" Natasha warned.Love enters his lofty foundation, which he believed couldn't. Nicholas convinced himself a million times that it was only the bond that drew his attention to the woman, but deep down, he knew he was wrong, and it was much worse when his wolf confirmed it. Yet, as the leader, he would not allow people to perceive his flaws. He had to be steady and act as though Aria were nothing more than an instrument for their vengeance."I know what I'm doing, Natasha."Natasha partially holds him at her fingertips, using their plan as blackmail for her scheme to work. She is also the reason Aria frequently becomes irritated, turns a cold shoulder, or flirts with Matthew in response. He puffed a cloud of smoke as he looked through the glass pane. A familiar figure snatched his attention, following through every movement she did, not until a man came. A wave of anger filled him when he saw how happy the woman looked with Matthew. "What are

Aria's POV"What kind of training is this?" I complained.The happy hormones I had earlier when he said he would train me died down when he brought me to a construction site. I don't intend to be a laborer. But the shameless Nicholas made me lift concrete blocks and helped the omegas construct the incomplete building. I didn't fucking sign for this."The training is already a breeze for you. I don't need to teach you anything but this," he said.My forehead, nose, and face were all covered in sweat. Nicholas even had me wear a head protection that was too loose for me, covering my eyes each time, which was irritating. And despite wearing gloves, I could still feel the block's roughness in my palm because the ghoul Nicholas forced me to carry the rough one even though there was a smooth variant.I wanted to cry."Aria, this isn't too hard."I forcibly carried two blocks at a time while rolling my eyes at him. I wonder if this is his retribution for my lack of attention to him last nigh

Aria's POVEach pack was present in the House of Justice during Crescentius' trial. I never anticipated arriving at this hellhole that no pack has dreamed of. Those who commit crimes are dealt with in the house of justice. Fortunately, I came here as a spectator rather than a guilty party."I haven't seen them yet; weren't they meant to arrive early?" I asked Nicholas.Only a few empty seats were available in the spacious area, which was about to be filled, but Mysha and Luke were not yet visible. The central spot is still vacant, and no sign of them in the vicinity. I would rather not think adversely. In light of the fact that not going to this preliminary would mean they're blameworthy."Let's wait for the elders, who are also not on their designated thrones." He responded. "Maybe they're just around the corner."Nicholas was right; a few minutes after the elders came, Mysha and Luke arrived, as did a specific man who had a chain around his wrist and was standing in front of the eld

Aria's POVMy head hurts so badly that I think it's splitting open. Despite the heavy eyelids, I awoke. I can't recall what occurred last night. The only thing I remember is Nicholas and I had a heart-to-heart talk about some not-so-important issues."Good morning," Nicholas spoke as he kissed my lips.My brow furrowed after realizing I hadn't washed my teeth yet and prolly had bad breath. However, what surprised me the most wasn't the kiss. It was the fact that I was nude. Did we?I pulled the blanket tightly around my body, subconsciously biting the brim, trying to remember how we got here and how I became naked. My head was barren of ideas, and even recalling how I became intoxicated was like a camel passing through a needle hole."Why am I not dressed?"Things are confusing me. If something had happened to us. I would have felt an uncomfortable sensation between my thighs, but nothing. Besides, Nicholas would never seize an opportunity. He's better than that."You don't remember?

Aria's POVThe Ancestral Hall, where the ritual is held, is what I can see out of the window. The dated building has been transformed into an excellent one with a grandiose design. The entrance was embellished with vines, butterflies, and a motif that resembled a portal on the door. It exceeded my expectations.Everyone who entered would get the illusion that they were traveling through a separate dimension, even if they weren't. During the pre-planning, I made sure to point out these particulars to the organizer, and they both concurred. I informed them that the cotton-white theme would be applied inside the Hall and the forest-themed ones would be outside. While the interior was delicate and graceful, the exterior was aggressive and organic. It was how I imagined the afterlife to be.The rituals haven't started yet, but the tension in my chest is mounting. And my nerves were amplified as the loud music began to play, signaling that the ceremony was about to start.I sighed, turned