"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
Aria's POV"A light will always attract the shadow, but like darkness, you would never know me."That was exactly what the man had said to me before fleeing. It was woven with contradictory terms that were beyond deep for my understanding. The words were straightforward, but the significance behind them threw my brain into a loop.Indeed, if I hadn't been so clumsy, I would have figured out who it was. Yet, the fact that the man ran away, not wanting to be identified by me, made me ponder.Does he know me?"It was a sprained ankle," the pack nurse said as she handed me a gel. "Give it some time to heal."Maybe this is what I'll apply to keep the impacted areas from swelling. Fortunately, it was just a sprained ankle rather than a fracture. Still, it was a case of bad luck. I stumbled at the most crucial point of all. Like destiny is trying to make a fool of me by straining my tolerance."Thanks."Surprisingly, I was still able to balance my gait pretty well. Even though my injured ank
Aria's POVDisappointment.That dominant emotion reigns in my chest after walking away from Nicholas. Much worst when he didn't chase me. Instead, he went inside the office where Natasha was.I even slow down, hoping he'll come after me, apologizing and begging me to forgive him. My expectations were but a faint hope. I have almost forgotten that the man I am mated with is Nicholas Sainthood. His pride is taller than the Eiffel tower, that's for sure."What's with the long face again?"I tilted my head and saw Matthew. This man is really a godsend. He always appeared whenever I was down, when I needed help, and when I needed his presence. If only it was him. Perhaps, things could be better."Just saw something creepy," I said.That sight was gruesomely horrific to an extent. It was more disturbing than seeing Milan or Kairo's ghostly figures. Natasha is a phantom in existence. She freaked the shit out of my life."Where?"I sighed as I stood up from my seat. "In the office, Matthew."
Aria's POV"Aria."Nicholas held my hand before I could even enter my room. I couldn't find Matthew in the lagoon earlier, so Nicholas and I returned to the Pack together. We've trailed the route down for a good amount of time, but only now did he speak."What do you need?"My gaze landed on his hand, which was clutching my wrist, but he refused to let go. He is reluctant yet determined to do what he has supposed to do."Can we talk?"I already have an idea of what we will talk about.I feigned to be uninterested and snatched my arm from his grasp. "If you wish, you may wait for me; I'm just going to shower."He failed to respond as my feet got straight inside my room, not minding whether he was okay to wait or not. Although, I'm not really giving him choices. If he wants to communicate with me or solve our conflict, he'll compromise.I opted to take a cold shower as soon as I entered the bathroom. I had the quickest bath of my entire life—one that lasted no more than 40 minutes—insid
Aria's POV"Mine."Nicholas' growled as his canines ripped effortlessly into my thin flesh as he seized what was rightfully his. I yelled in agony, struggling to withstand his bite, hands on his biceps, holding for support. Nevertheless, my wolf, Kaia, was overjoyed that her mate had finally claimed her as his. After all she has been through, fate has favored her.In contrast to her pleasure was my pain. I tried to push his chest away since the bite was becoming more excruciatingly painful, but he was too powerful. I closed my eyes, hands in a fist, bearing the pain a little longer.After this, our connection would be stronger than it was before, and that's what I am holding on to.Nicholas removed his canines from my neck and licked the blood that oozed out before planting soft kisses on it, sending ripples of pleasure through my body."Did it hurt?" he asked softly, pulling me closer to him. I nodded. "A little."The full moon ceremony has just finished, and everyone is doing a pos
Aria's POVI've been staring in the mirror for a few minutes, trying to figure out how to cover up the mark Nicholas left on my neck. The man left much too many kiss marks, and it looks terrible. To the point that it seems like I have thalassemia."Good morning, love," Nicholas appeared, kissing my temple.I give him a side look, a morose expression on my face. "Look at what you have done! I can't go out looking like this!" I complained.He glanced at my neck with a cheeky smile tinged with pride. He had no regrets. Nicholas really had the guts to laugh at my circumstance rather than apologize. Tsk!"I thought you liked it?"A malicious tone was hidden in his voice. My face heated with embarrassment and tried to look away from him. The memory of last night is like a nightmare that hunts me down. It was something I wouldn't do consciously. I'm just possessed. That's it!"You beg me to—"Nicholas' words were cut off as my blower instantly flew straight toward his direction, which he ev
Aria's POVA week after my pity party, a flood of rumors spread throughout the domain. I wouldn't have cared if Crescentius wasn't involved, but the gossip is about them. I'm unsure where or how it started, but certain pack secrets that even I didn't know about suddenly leaked. Among all, witchcraft is the worst assumption I have ever heard.Was it Rojo La Luna's doing?"I need to see them," I beg.Nicholas does not want me to return there because of the risk. Crescentius was deemed a danger by the higher-ups, and no one was permitted to enter the area. Even if I despise my family, the individuals there are an exception. Crescentians are not rooted in compassion and generosity. But they have a life of their own and deserve to outlast."Haven't you learned yet?"Nicholas's tone sounds off. "You are not welcome there, Aria."I know. He doesn't have to tell me that. Even though I didn't belong there and they threw me out, my conscience compelled me to feel sympathy for them—no matter how