Aria's POV“What's wrong?” Knox asked, looking concerned.“I'm fine,” I replied with a soft smile.He shook his head, stepping closer to me with a small frown. “Something has been bothering you, Aria. You can tell me, and I'll take care of it.” He urged.I hesitated. Cornelius’ words replayed in my mind.‘Do me a favor and keep this between us. Or you could go running to him like the little girl you are.’I knew what Cornelius was trying to do. He was trying to keep me silent, so that I wouldn't tell Knox.“Aria?” Knox called, furrowing his eyebrows in worry when I didn't reply.I released a sigh. “I'm just worried that some of your pack members might not be pleased that an omega like me is coming to be their Luna Queen.” I said vaguely, without mentioning names.He furrowed his eyebrows even further. “What are you talking about? First of all, they are your pack members also—our pack members. Secondly, didn't you see the kind of welcome they gave you? They love you!” he exclaimed.I b
Aria’s POVIn the early hours of the morning, I was awake. I couldn't sleep as so many thoughts raced through my mind at the same time.First, Cornelius’ words and his association with Astrid were worrisome, because I knew it wasn't going to do anything good for me. Telling Knox was out of the question. Cornelius' words echoed in my head, reminding me that I would just seem like a helpless little girl relying on Knox for everything. I needed to gain my respect as the Luna, instead of being feared because of Knox.I wanted to be a respected Luna. So I wasn't reporting it to Knox. I would handle it myself. Even though I didn't know how to handle it myself, I would find a way.However, what was troubling me the most was Knox. Last night was amazing and truly magical, but something had been missing.I thought that because I had finally been introduced as his Luna, that he would mark me last night. It made sense, as there was nothing standing between us, we were already recognized as mates
Aria's POV“Knox,” I mumbled softly, tears welling up in my eyes at his pain.He shook his head, “Please hold on, let me finish.” He pleaded softly.I nodded as I silently waited for him to continue speaking.“But yesterday was so different. You made the effort to get them to approach me, and they were so free with me like never before. It was amazing.” He exclaimed with a slightly brighter look in his eyes.My heart broke for him, and I couldn't help but throw myself at him in a hug.“You don't need to thank me for anything,” I mumbled against his chest, breathing in his familiar intoxicating scent of peppermint and cedar.“I owe you so much already, you have done a lot of things for me, Knox.” I murmured softly.He wrapped his arms around me with a contented sigh.~Knox left an hour later, promising to be soon to take me on a tour as promised. I was not looking forward to that tour. As Knox left, a question that had been nagging me flashed through my mind. Why were we staying in se
Aria's POV~Back to Aria~After Shawn and Lisa left, I plopped down on the bed as I processed everything I now knew about Cornelius.My mind flashed back to the discussion I just had with Shawn and Lisa.~Flashback~We had been talking about the previous night, and we were chatting and joking, when a thought occurred to me.“Hey, Shawn. Who is Cornelius Langley?” I blurted out, furrowing my eyebrows curiously at them.Instantly, the smiles on their faces faded. It was so abrupt that I immediately knew that something was wrong.“Woah, what's going on?” I asked when neither of them said anything. They just keep exchanging glances between themselves.“Shawn? Lisa?” I called again when they didn't say anything.Shawn released a sigh. “Cornelius is an ass.” He started.“But he's also one of the most respected people in this pack. Apparently, he supported Alpha Blackwood when he was taking over the throne.” Shawn added with a small sneer.He obviously did not like Cornelius. Lisa nodded as
Aria’s POVAs Knox and I walked out of my room, I noticed that some of the pack members we passed, murmured greetings, quickly bowed and walked past us with their heads down, while some gave small nervous smiles as they greeted and walked past us.“This is progress, Aria.” Knox murmured discreetly as we walked by another group of people that had given us nervous smiles as they walked off.I turned to him, confused. “Huh?”He grinned. “The pack members,” he replied. “They never smile at me. They mostly avoid my eyes, keep their heads down as they greet and walk past me so fast, as though I would pounce on them if they delay for even a bit.” He admitted with a self-deprecating smile.I placed my hand in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Always remember that, no matter what, your pack loves you. They might fear you, but they love you and with time, they'll come around.” I reassured him with a soft smile.He shrugged. “I know, and it's all thanks to you.”~~“So, this tour will give
Aria’s POVThe man was tall and looked so fierce. He had a scar running across his face from his left eye to the side of his nose.He glared down at me with disdain in his eyes.“So, you're the Alpha King’s new Luna,” he drawled, crossing his arms. “I must fucking admit, I expected... more.” He growled with a scowl on his face.I released a deep breath of frustration as I wondered who he was and where he came from.It was getting exhausting. Every corner I turned, there was always someone questioning my place, my worth, or why Knox had chosen me.“I’m sorry, who are you? And what's your point?” I asked.His scowl deepened. “I am Connor, and my point is that you should go back to whatever fucking shithole you crawled out of, because you are not wanted here, and you never will be.”I pursed my lips as I kept myself from replying. Maybe if I kept silent, he would get tired and leave.“I expected better from the Alpha King. If he wanted to keep his fated mate, that's fine, but to keep her
Knox's POVI had just finished speaking with Hunter on the phone, and was returning to where Aria was waiting for me.“I expected better from the Alpha King. If he wanted to keep his fated mate, that's fine, but to keep her as the fucking Luna Queen, that's not logical.” Connor, a pack member, said, and I realized that he was talking to Aria.‘Mate!’ My wolf, Fenrir, growled in my head with rage in his voice. He immediately tried to take control.‘Let me out, I’ll rip his throat out for this.’I gritted my teeth as rage coursed through me. ‘How dare he? How dare Connor speak to our mate like that?’However, I clenched my fists as I tried to control myself. I didn't want to scare Aria like I did before.“He could keep you as a fuck toy, no one cares, but he should have picked a strong female, as his Luna Queen. What the fuck was he thinking?”The more I tried to control myself, the more I got angrier. All I wanted to do was give Connor a very painful death.As I got closer, I could see
Knox's POVI continued pacing my office, running my hand through my hair.“You are the Luna Queen, Aria!” I continued, “My equal! Do you understand what that means?!” I asked, whirling around with a frown.Aria looked dumbfounded as she stared at me. “Knox–”I raised my hand to cut her off. “No, I don’t think you understand,” I said, shaking my head.I took a step closer to her, “It means that you are second to no one. Not even me.”I took another step closer. “It means that you have the same authority and power that I have”Another step closer. “It means that nobody is allowed to question your authority.”Another step. “It means that anyone that disrespects you, disrespects me.”Her eyes widened at my words, but I wasn't done. She needed to understand just how powerful she was.“The Moon Goddess chose you for me,” I said, my voice softer now, but still firm. “Not because you’re weak, but because you’re exactly what I need—what this pack needs.”“Do you understand?” I asked firmly.Sh
Aria's POVAs I walked down the hallway, I felt eyes watching me. The sensation got so great that I subtly glanced around as I walked to confirm.Sure enough, some healers and some patients were staring at me as I walked out of Healer Felicia's office. It wasn’t the type of unpleasant stares that I normally got. No, for some reason, this one felt different. Just as I was wondering about it, a voice called me from behind.“Luna!” the voice called, and I turned back. It was the man whose pregnant mate had been in pain that Melissa had treated awfully.I gave him a small smile, but my smile immediately faded when I saw tears running down his face as he approached. I instantly feared the worst.“Hey,” I said softly “How is she doing?” I asked, praying that it hadn't been too late.“Oh, Luna!” He cried in reply, falling down to his knees before me.I immediately dropped to my own knees to console him. I couldn't imagine the pain he was feeling at that moment about losing his mate.“I'm so
Aria’s POVFor a moment, silence filled the room. Cornelius’s confident smirk faltered slightly, but his smirk widened again, and he scoffed.“I won’t dare you to do anything, Aria, because I don’t want you to disgrace yourself.” He started, “Because it’s pretty obvious to everyone where you stand with Alpha Blackwood.” He sneered.I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. What was he talking about? Then he smirked. “He hasn’t marked you as his yet, Aria.” He taunted me.His words felt like a blow to me, but I refused to let him see that. I folded my arms, lifting an eyebrow at him.“That’s none of your business,” I replied, keeping my voice steady even though sadness swept over me. “Knox’s decisions are none of your concern, Cornelius.”His smirk deepened. “Oh, but they are, little Luna. They are the concern of the whole pack. This pack needs a real Luna. And without that mark, you’re just....temporary.”Blood rushed to my ears as his words, and I took a deep breath to steady my voice.“H
Aria’s POVSo, let’s go back to business. I heard you were here to see me. What is the matter? Are you here for a medical matter? A check-up?” she asked with a small smile.I shook my head, returning her smile as I tried to shake off my earlier feeling of unworthiness. “No, nothing medical. I’m not here for a check-up either.” I replied.“Oh,” she said with an odd expression on her face. “Then what are you here for?”“I want to help out in the pack’s clinic.” I replied, watching her face carefully as I spoke.She lifted an eyebrow at me skeptically, “Oh, so you want to help out here?”I nodded. “Yes, Honestly, I don’t want to sit idle every day, doing nothing.”When Felicia opened her mouth to say something, I cut her off before she could protest.“I know I don’t have any medical training or experience, so I’m not going to try helping out in those areas.”Felicia was looking torn. She didn’t know what to do. Everyone in the clinic had medical training, no matter how little, even Melis
Aria's POVI followed Healer Felicia into her office, my mind racing as my encounter with Melissa replayed in my mind. I couldn't believe that I had actually slammed her head on the counter. It had to be the most bizarre thing I had ever done in my life.I gave Healer Felicia a slightly suspicious look as I followed her. What was she going to say to me? Was she part of the group of people that didn’t want an omega as a Luna?She opened the door to her office, and walked in, going to stand behind the large desk in the office.“Look, Healer Felicia, I don’t regret what I did to–” I started, because I didn’t want to waste my time with anyone who wasn’t worth it.“Luna, please take a seat.” Hunter Felicia said softly, interrupting me, still standing behind her desk.Her tone was soft. Even though she had interrupted me, her tone didn’t sound disrespectful in any way, and she had called me, Luna. I furrowed my eyebrows slightly, as I lowered myself to one of the chairs in front of the desk
Aria's POVThe man’s shoulders slumped in defeat, and he released a sigh, and led his mate back to the waiting area.I watched the two of them for a moment with anger simmering within me. I didn’t want to cause a scene, but I couldn’t sit by and see injustice. I stepped forward, ready to face the receptionist myself. I glanced at the name tag on her chest. Melissa.She glanced up, and annoyance flickered through her face. “What do you want?” she asked flatly with impatience in her voice.I straightened my posture, keeping my voice calm. “I’m here to see the head healer.” I stated.Melissa sneered at me with disdain. “And who the fuck do you think you are to waltz in and demand to see the head healer?” She spat.I maintained eye contact, watching her with a calm expression on my face. “Tell her Aria, Luna Aria is here to see her.” I replied calmly.Her sneer faltered slightly, but her expression didn’t change. Instead, she smirked. “Luna Aria?” she repeated with a mocking sneer.I igno
Aria's POVI stepped closer to him, “That’s the truth, Knox. I shouldn't have snapped at you earlier when I was trying to say it, but it's still the truth.” I said softly.Knox watched me with an unreadable expression on his face, and he clenched his fists. “Aria, you don’t get it. It’s not about controlling you, it’s about protecting you, keeping you alive. If something happens to you…” He trailed off, clenching his jaw.“And I appreciate that,” I replied gently. “But I’m not a child, Knox. I need to make my own decisions. You can advise me on what you think is best for me, but it's left for me to make the remaining decision myself.”He opened his mouth to argue, but I stepped closer, placing a hand on his chest. “Remember, we're mates, and equals.”Knox clenched his jaw, and he looked down at me with a scowl. “You’re very stubborn, little angel.”I smiled, trying to lighten the mood. “And you’re very overprotective. I guess we balance each other out.”For a moment, Knox just stared
Aria's POVI didn’t know how long I stayed with Fenrir, gently stroking his massive head. He made a low, rumbling sound in his chest of contentment.‘Mate,’ his voice echoed in my head, and a smile spread across my lips.“Yes, Mate.” I replied fondly.The dark shadows that danced around his fur seemed to get calmer as I stroked his head.His crimson eyes that had terrified me a few minutes ago were now watching me with a warm gaze.I didn’t see Fenrir as the bloodthirsty creature Knox had warned me about. He felt… familiar, and he made me feel safe. “You’re not so bad, are you?” I whispered softly with a soft smile.Fenrir rumbled again, his eyes softening.‘Mate,’ his voice echoed in my head again,“Yes, Mate.” I replied with a nod.However, he shook his head.‘Mate,’ he said again.I furrowed my eyebrows. He was trying to tell me something, but I couldn't quite understand because his vocabulary was limited.‘Mate. Mine.’ His voice growled in my head.“Yes, your mate.” I replied slow
Aria's POVUnknown to me, there was a hidden door, right where I had placed my ear to listen. So as I moved to leave, I mistakenly pressed the button that opens the hidden door, and because part of my body was still leaning on the door, immediately the door opened, I fell through it, and into the hidden room.A loud growl resounded through the room, and I froze in fear, too scared to even move to see what it was. The sound of large footsteps coming closer to me, caused me to finally raise my head to see what was coming towards me.I gasped in horror as I stared at the largest wolf I had ever seen in my life. Its fur was as black as midnight, and it looked as if shadows and smoke were wrapped around its body.It took a step closer, growling menacingly at me. I trembled, unable to move or speak. My mind screamed at me to run, but my body betrayed me, paralyzed by fear.This is it, I thought to myself. This is how I die.Oh, please save me, moon goddess. I cannot die like this.~The lar
Aria's POVI ran a hand through my hair in frustration as I stared at the empty hallway. Why did I do that?‘Because it was the right thing to do,’ the dark voice whispered.“Shut up,” I gritted through clenched teeth.‘He’s trying to control you, to make you weak.’“Shut up!” I snapped louder, and my voice echoed in the hallway. My hands clenched into fists, and for once, the voice went silent and retreated.I released a sigh of relief, as I finally felt like I could think clearly. I released a sigh as my mind raced. I needed to speak to Knox and apologize. I shouldn’t have snapped at him. But where was I going to find him? His office, his room, or somewhere else.I ignored my aching muscles as I made my way out of my room to find him. The visit to the pack clinic could wait for now.I decided to go check out his office first. My body hurt as I walked, but I focused on Knox and my regret for snapping at him to get strength to move on.I ignored the weird looks I got from the pack mem