Aria's POVThe earth was covered in a thick white veil, with grey smoke outlining the horizon. The winter snow was in full burst following the hailstorm last night, which consoled me from all the hot turmoil of the day. Amidst the peaceful afternoon, a loud siren blast and resonates over the entire place.It was an attack alarm.The enemy must have crossed the border. And they'll surely be in the packhouse any minute now.Yet, I remained perched on the balcony, watching the male and she-wolves make their way to the northern border, where the alarm was wailing.I leisurely sipped my coffee while witnessing Alpha Luke and some of the officials follow the trails of the previous warrior. They are in a hurry. But I doubt Milan will deal with them. With Calixta inside the pack, disguising herself as a Crescentius member, she'll be the first to carry the plan.'Are you going to help them?' Kaia wondered.I will.The teacup made its way to the glass table, followed by the clicking of bones an
Aria's POV "What if she did?" Horror washed over me upon seeing the newly arrived man. Even my parents' expressions were shocked. Nicholas loomed directly in front of us, like a phantom swiping the frail heart in dread. His aroma was just as strong as it had been, and the pull of energy was also present. Yet the connection was the least of my worries right now, given the circumstances. "Why are you here?" I whispered. My words are like air passing through. He didn't even react, much less answer. His gaze was drawn to my sister, who was cradling Alpha Luke's unconscious body. "What did you do to Luke, Aria?" Mysha inquired once again. It's pointless to deny or fabricate falsehoods. Besides, I think it is not unethical for me to contribute to the resolution of this dilemma using my own style. It was the only way to put an end to the bloodshed. "I didn't do anything to him. Well...I kind of scratched him…that’s all." No need to overreact. He’s not dying. Mysha stares at me, disa
Aria's POV Mysha, I’m sorry.Leaving Crescentius the second time around was harder and more painful than it was the first time. My heart feels heavy and down. Perhaps, it is because I know my exile is solely my fault. This time, my mistake was glaringly obvious, making me totally aware of it.After the crisis, it took me a few hours to understand every poor decision I had made—that addressing an issue alone would take longer than doing it with a companion—that trust and honesty should be valued when facing difficulties. I was wrong to think I could handle the situation against Rojo La Luna. Just look where it takes me.In my attempt to keep everything a secret, the disclosures were too hard to bear, leaving us all in ruins."Let's go, Aria," Nicholas said, tapping my shoulder.I averted my attention from the pack house and heaved a sigh before following Nicholas to his car. It never dawned on me that the time would come when I had to set foot in Red Moon again. After leaving that pla
Aria's POV Mysha has previously advised me that in order for things to work, there must be some level of compromise. The concept was perplexing to me; it seemed to be too muddled to grasp. But now I see. I've even used it. Originally, staying with Nicholas was not something I desired. That wasn't even on my list of options. Yet, with a murky future ahead of me, I had to make some sacrifices. Nicholas was given to me by the moon goddess. Maybe she saw something in us that we didn't notice... that I failed to see. My obstinacy in refusing the bond must have resulted in the karma of exile for the second time. It's as though the moon goddess is convincing me that her will is superior than mine. That disobedience is pointless. Why was I so desperate to break the relationship with Nicholas again? Among the hundred reasons I've listed to justify myself, everything has come down to one: my pride. I don't desire a bossy, controlling, and abusive Alpha. I want the polar opposite of those de
Aria's POV "You killed my husband!"Lumina is yelling, looking like an insane woman, as she chokes me. It gradually got hard to breathe, as if my heart no longer pumped air to my lungs, resulting in a loss of oxygen. Her grip on my neck tightens with each passing second."Get off me!" I struggled to speak.We were talking casually earlier when she suddenly attacked me, ranting and shouting about his husband's death, which I know nothing about. Her calm exterior suddenly turned feral— deceiving me.Lumina was the opposite of what I imagined she would be—kind and good. Her soul is filled with rage and resentment towards the man who murdered her mate, which is not me. But she heaped her anger on me, putting the smile into confusion and peace into outrage."What the heck, Lumina!"I was gasping for oxygen as Nicholas freed me from Lumina's grip. There was no longer a hand on my neck, but I could still feel something on it, perhaps a mark from her nails.I didn't come here to be strangled
Aria's POVLumina's case had me sleepless last night. Life is really full of uncertainties. It made me realize how risky it is to live— to make choices—to drive the wheel of fate.A lot of us made a mistake. Lucky are those who are given a second chance but unfortunate for those who have failed to redeem themselves. I, for example, despite making wrong decisions in the past, fate pardon me of death. A life to change is bestowed on me, and I must make the best of it."What's with the panda eyes?" Matthew noted.I grumbled before sitting on the bench beside the roadside. It was seven o'clock in the morning, and I just had a short jog in the place, trying to re-energize my body. And I happen to run into Matthew."Had some thoughts to ponder last night."I used to just brush everything off, but things had changed. For some odd reason, I felt responsible for the unfortunate ones. There's this zing inside me that wanted to be of use—to be in charge of the ruling. It was an emotion contrary
"Why can't we just kill her parents?" The chief ruler's smoke was interrupted by a brief and pointed query. Their strategy had been meticulously drawn out, with careful consideration given to each step. They can't just kill someone casually while igniting a larger fight bringing the new name of the pack they've been working on for years just to be acknowledged in the domain in vain. The Elders, the werewolf realm's highest rulers, have been exceedingly stringent in allowing all packs to follow a set guideline. Never assault your kind. The Rojo La Luna, an expanded rogue pack that has been exposed to the rest, exists for them. They are their cover, and with them in front, no one will suspect them. Their very existence is enough to justify minor accusations and threats to Crescentius. Once the full moon arrives, he'll claim the woman, and their plot will be nearing completion. Crescentius will be exterminated. But for now, they have to be patient in order not to spoil the plan. "You
Aria's POVThe ticking of the clock quickens the pace of days and weeks.It's been a month since I returned to Red Moon, and everything has gone smoothly. Nicholas, unlike before, had shown control and never laid hands on me again, as he should have. The only issue he had was my platonic friendship with Matthew. He despises it when I communicate with Matt or anything that involves us both. It's a hypothesis for which I couldn't find an explanation.'It's called possessiveness, Aria,' Kaia interrupts. Oh! An unreasonable sort of possessiveness. For fuck sake, Matthew is his brother. He should make an exception for those close to him. It's not as if Matt will steal me from him, not that I'll let that happen, but he should at least be reasonable."Where's Nicholas?"The day has just started, yet seeing Natasha instantly ruins it. This witch came back yesterday from her vacation. Though, it would have been better if she never returned. Because after her arrival, there wasn't a minute tha