ArianaLeaving the crowd, I encountered a man. Although his skin had darkened significantly, I recognized his face at a glance. He stood before Lucas and me, causing me to involuntarily halt my steps. I don't want to meet him with Lucas at this time."Ariana, it's been a long time," the man said. He smiled, his tone carrying a hint of sadness. "You've grown beautifully confident. I almost didn't recognize you. And congratulations."Familiar yet unfamiliar, Rennes, the person I used to have a secret crush on. He was the son of a friend of my father. In our childhood, we used to play together. Back then, I thought we'd always be together. But later, I found out he had slept with my sister, and my innocent crush came to an abrupt end."Thank you, Rennes. When did you come back?" I looked at him calmly, and the sense of distance in my tone stunned him for a moment."About two years ago. I heard recently that you got married to…""Ariana, who is he?" Lucas interrupted our conversation, st

Ariana’s POVAfter the somewhat embarrassing breakfast encounter with my parents, we had all gathered my father’s study.The morning sunlight streamed through the study's window, casting a warm, golden glow on the room. My father had a solemn expression on his face, and my heart clenched with anticipation as he reached for a small, ornate box placed on the antique desk.With a deep breath, my father opened the box, revealing a breathtaking sight—the Silvermoon Clan Alpha's insignia. It was a piece of remarkable craftsmanship, made of pure silver, intricately designed to showcase the clan's symbol—the moon, with every detail etched with precision and care. The insignia held immense significance within our clan, a symbol of honor, authority, and responsibility.My father looked at me with a mixture of sadness and guilt in his eyes. He had always been a man of few words, and the weight of his emotions seemed to press on his chest. "My dear," he began, his voice trembling slightly, "this

Ariana’s POVLucas's eyes softened as he tried to explain. "The Black Moon Clan is a very dangerous place, and we need to keep you safe. Your mom and I will do everything we can to find the antidote and come back to you. I promise."Elara wasn't convinced. She looked at me, her eyes pleading. "Mommy, can I please go with you?"I knelt down beside her, brushing a strand of her hair away from her face. "Sweetheart," I said softly, "I wish you could come with us, but it's too risky. We don't want anything to happen to you."She looked down, her disappointment palpable. Lucas, not one to give up easily, extended his pinky finger towards her. "How about this?" he suggested with a warm smile. "We make a pinky promise that I'll come back for you, and we'll have a big adventure together."Elara's eyes lit up at the idea of a pinky promise. She wrapped her tiny finger around Lucas's, sealing the pact. "Okay," she said with a small smile, "but you have to come back, okay?"He nodded solemnly. "

Ariana’s POVThe wind howled through the narrow alleyways of the Black Moon Clan's hidden village as I clung to the arm of Lucas. We were both disguised as an ordinary couple, our faces concealed by cloaks and hoods, our steps cautious and calculated. The Black Moon Clan was a place shrouded in darkness, a stark contrast to the shimmering beauty of the Silver Moon Clan where we had grown up.The uneasy atmosphere weighed heavily on my heart as we crept past guard posts, our hearts pounding with each step. The key to our infiltration was Beta Marcus, with connections to a peasant couple within the Black Moon Clan. He had provided us with the information and identities we needed to enter unnoticed.Our destination was a vacant house, one where we would assume the roles of the peasant couple Marcus had arranged for us. We had to be convincing, for any slip-up could lead to our discovery and capture. The stakes were high, but we had no choice. My sister, Seraphina, was somewhere within th

Ariana’s POVLucas quickly worked on picking the lock of her cell, his hands steady despite the urgency of the situation. After what felt like an eternity, the lock clicked open.When Lucas swung open the heavy, creaking door to Seraphina's cell, I couldn't help but gasp. The sight that greeted me was shocking and heart-wrenching. There, before me, stood my once-beautiful sister, Seraphina, her face marred by a gruesome scar that cut across her forehead. The scar was a brutal reminder of the horrors she had endured at the hands of the Black Moon Clan.My breath caught in my throat as I took in the transformation that had overtaken Seraphina. She had always been strong-willed and pride, but now she looked broken and defeated. Her eyes, once filled with light and laughter, were dull and haunted. It was as if the very essence of her being had been drained away.Tears welled up in my eyes as I rushed forward, disregarding the danger of the situation. "Seraphina," I whispered, my voice tre