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Chapter 2- The weakling arrives

ผู้เขียน: Olivia Keith
last update ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2024-10-03 22:17:26

His words chilled me to the bone, and I could barely breathe. My mother’s death… my father’s disappearance… what did he know? What was he keeping from me? 

“But…” My voice was barely audible, trembling with fear and desperation. “Please… just tell me…”

He straightened, the cruel smile still playing on his lips. “No. I think I’ve said enough.” He turned away, dismissing me without another word.

I stood there, frozen, as the last remnants of hope shattered inside me. The weight of his threats crushed what little strength I had left. There was no way out. Not anymore.

Tears welled up again, but I held them back. I couldn’t cry in front of him, couldn’t let him see me break. I turned on my heel and left the room. 

As I reached my room, I collapsed onto the bed, sobbing into the pillow. The happiness I’d felt earlier was a distant memory now, replaced by an overwhelming emptiness.

I lay on the bed, numb, staring at the ceiling as tears rolled silently down my cheeks. This was supposed to be the happiest day of my life—the day I would be recognized as the Luna of the pack, the partner to the Alpha. But instead, everything was crumbling before my eyes. I felt so small, so insignificant in a world that kept tearing me apart.

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. “Aria?”

Cora’s soft voice called out, filled with concern. She always knew when I was breaking inside.

I didn’t answer, but she entered anyway, her eyes immediately widening with sympathy when she saw the state I was in—my makeup smeared, my dress crumpled, and my spirit crushed. Without hesitation, she rushed to my side and wrapped me in a warm embrace. Cora was the only person who ever truly cared about me. She was more than just a maid; she was my only family.

“Oh, Aria…” she whispered, her voice heavy with sorrow. “I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine how much this hurts.”

My sobs broke free, the anguish spilling out in desperate gasps. “Why, Cora? Why does everyone I trust betray me? Why am I never enough? First, I lost my parents, and now Luca… I thought he cared about me. I thought he was different, but it was all a lie.”

Cora pulled back slightly, her eyes filled with warmth as she held my tear-streaked face in her hands. “Listen to me, Aria. You are more than enough. Don’t let them break you. You’re stronger than you think, even if you can’t feel it right now.”

Her words were meant to comfort me, but all I could feel was emptiness. My heart was empty and no amount of reassurance could fill the void. “How can I be strong when everything keeps falling apart?” I whispered, my voice trembling with hopelessness.

Cora sighed softly, wiping away my tears with gentle fingers.  Her hands moved skillfully, fixing my makeup, smoothing my hair, and adjusting my dress until I looked perfect again. But inside, I was far from it.

I stared into the mirror, seeing a girl who looked put together on the outside, but her eyes told a different story—one of heartbreak and despair. My reflection was a mockery of the joy I was supposed to feel on this day. 

A sharp knock echoed through the room, causing me to flinch. “Aria!” Luca’s cold, impatient voice called out from the other side. “It’s time to leave.”

Cora squeezed my hand before stepping away, giving me one last look of encouragement. With a shaky breath, I opened the door, my heart thudding in my chest. Cora scurried out of the room. 

Luca stood there, every bit the powerful Alpha, but his eyes held nothing but disdain. The man I thought I knew was gone, replaced by someone who seemed to take pleasure in my pain.

Beside him, Indie clung to his arm with a smirk on her face. My breath caught in my throat as I took in their matching outfits—deep blue and silver, perfectly coordinated as if they were the ones being celebrated tonight. It was like a twisted joke, and my mind darted to the sight of them fucking. 

Luca’s eyes narrowed as he looked me up and down. “You will stand there, smile when necessary, and keep your mouth shut. You’re here to play a role, Aria—nothing more. Don’t embarrass me.” 

His words sliced through me like a blade, leaving wounds that I couldn’t heal. I nodded, barely able to hold back the tears threatening to spill over again. I felt so pathetic, so weak. 

Indie’s voice was laced with cruel amusement as she chipped in, “You’re just here to fulfill duties, Aria. Luca doesn’t want you—he never did. I’m the one he loves. You’re nothing but a placeholder.”

Their degrading words crushed what little strength I had left. I wanted to scream, to shout at them for the way they were treating me, but I couldn’t. My voice was trapped in my throat, smothered by the weight of my shame and sorrow. All I could do was stand there, trembling, as they both looked at me with irritation.

Luca’s eyes hardened and then he turned to Indie, his expression softening as he smirked at her. “Let’s go, love. We don’t want to keep the guests waiting.”

I watched helplessly as they walked away together, arm in arm, as if they were the perfect couple. My heart shattered all over again. I was the one who was supposed to be by his side tonight, but instead, I was being discarded like trash.

When we reached the entrance, my chest tightened with disbelief. A separate car waited for me—a clear, undeniable message that I didn’t belong with them. Luca and Indie climbed into the main car, laughing and whispering to each other, not even sparing me a glance.

One of the guards opened the door to the car meant for me and grunted, “Get in.”

I hesitated, my heart screaming at me to run, to escape this nightmare. But what choice did I have? I was nothing more than a pawn, and they had made sure I knew it. With trembling hands, I climbed into the car, my tears falling freely now as the door closed behind me.

As the car drove away, the laughter of Luca and Indie echoed in my mind, taunting me, reminding me of how utterly alone I was. I closed my eyes, wishing with all my heart that I could disappear, that I could wake up from this nightmare and be anywhere but here.

As the car rolled to a stop, I took a deep breath and quickly wiped away the tears that had stained my cheeks. My heart was heavy, my spirit broken, but I forced a warm, fake smile onto my face. I had to at least pretend that I was okay, even if every step felt like walking into my own doom.

The driver opened the door for me, and I stepped out, feeling the cool evening breeze against my skin. The hall loomed before me, grand and imposing, but it did nothing to ease the anxiety gnawing at my chest. I straightened my dress, smoothing out the fabric as if it could somehow calm the storm raging inside me.

At the entrance, I saw them—Luca and Indie, standing together, perfectly matched like a king and queen. They were the image of power and elegance, with their arms linked as they waited for me. My stomach twisted in knots at the sight, but I held my fake smile in place, trying not to let my emotions show.

As I approached, Luca’s eyes met mine, and for a brief moment, I saw nothing but coldness and contempt. Indie, on the other hand, wore a smug grin, her eyes filled with mockery as she looked me up and down. They looked perfect. 

“Finally, the weakling arrives,” Indie sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Took you long enough, Aria. We were starting to think you’d run away like the coward you are.”

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  • Bound By The Shackles Of Fate   Chapter 3- She is mine

    Indie’s laughter rang out, high-pitched and mocking. “Oh, poor Aria. Did you really think this was your night? Don’t kid yourself. You’re just here to fill a space, nothing more.” Before I could respond, Luca tightened his grip on both our hands, pulling us forward. The three of us walked toward the entrance, with me on one side like an unwanted accessory, while Luca and Indie walked with pride and confidence. I felt small, like a shadow beside them, completely overshadowed by their presence. As we stepped into the hall, the whispers started immediately, a low murmur that quickly spread through the crowd. I could hear bits and pieces of what they were saying. “Isn’t she the one with the tragic family history?” “They say her mother’s death was… suspicious.” “I heard her father ran away after it happened. What a disgrace.” My heart ached with every word, each whisper like a dagger slicing through my already fragile composure. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from crying, clin

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2024-10-03
  • Bound By The Shackles Of Fate   Chapter 4- Me or Him?

    Gasps echoed through the hall, but I didn’t care. All that mattered was the girl in front of me, staring at me with a mixture of shock and disbelief.Luca’s eyes blazed with fury as he stepped closer, his chest puffing out like he could intimidate me. “You can’t just barge in here and—”Before he could finish, I grabbed him by the collar and yanked him toward me, showing him exactly who held the power. “I don’t ask,” I snarled, my voice dropping to a deadly whisper. “She’s mine by fate, and nothing you say or do will change that.”I released him with a shove, watching with satisfaction as he stumbled back, fury and frustration visible in his expression. A girl with matching outfits clung to his arm, her face pale as she glanced between us.But my focus wasn’t on them anymore. It was on Aria. I was waiting for the signs, the trembling knees, the uncontrollable urge to get closer but none of them showed on her. It was strange. The mate bond should’ve consumed her like it does for every

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2024-10-03
  • Bound By The Shackles Of Fate   Chapter 5- Don't make me ask again

    His words sent a chill down my spine, and I realized with horrifying clarity that this was my new reality. I had no choice—Kael had decided, and there was no turning back. Even Luca knew he couldn’t stand against him. But despite everything, I couldn’t stop the ache in my chest when I thought of Luca. He was a liar and a cheat, but he was the one I thought I could depend on. How did it all end up like this?Why does it feel as if I'm cursed? As I got into the car, I felt trapped. The dark secret I’d been hiding—the real reason I was willing to marry Luca, even after everything—would have to stay buried, at least for now. Kael couldn’t know, or it would destroy everything. But the danger that secret carried felt distant compared to the nightmare I was being dragged into now. Even if Luca was a coward, at least I knew what to expect from him. Kael? He was a whole different beast, a force that could shatter everything I had left.The car sped away from the chaotic hall, and I couldn’t h

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2024-10-03
  • Bound By The Shackles Of Fate   Chapter 6- Kael steals Luca's mate!

    ~KAEL~I woke up to the sound of my phone buzzing nonstop. I grabbed it, already feeling the weight of the notifications before even looking at them. The headlines flooding the screen were worse than I expected:*Kael claims an unknown mate—who is Aria?* *Kael steals Luca’s fated mate! Has he gone too far?* *With Eliara by his side, why would Kael choose this nobody?*I stared at the screen, feeling the anger rise in my chest.The comments were relentless, picking apart every decision I had made. Aria wasn’t supposed to be in this mess. She was Luca’s fated mate, promised to him. And I had taken her. Stolen her right out from under him. It didn’t help that Eliara, my top concubine, was still in the picture, and everyone was wondering why I didn’t just make her my Luna.*Eliara’s been loyal for years. Why pick some weak girl?* The anger was boiling over now. They didn’t know her, didn’t know me. They thought I’d gone mad, like I’d just thrown my entire future away for nothing. I

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2024-10-25
  • Bound By The Shackles Of Fate   Chapter 7— I'd go back to Luca

    ~ARIA~I turned my neck and saw Kael looking at us with so much venom in his eyes. I couldn't tell if he was mad at them or even me. The lady who was about to slap me dropped her hand immediately she realized that Kael was in the lounge. Her face had turned so pale that I feared she would pass out in a matter of seconds. Without warning, Kael strode up to us. His voice was low, barely more than a rumble, but it held a sharp warning. “If any of you touches her,” he warned, “you’ll answer to me. Understood?”They nodded quickly. Kael didn’t wait for them to respond further; he turned, coming back to my side. His face was unreadable, his expression back to its usual, cold self, as though nothing had happened.But I felt humiliated. Of all things, this show of control only made me feel smaller. Knowing he thought I couldn’t handle myself was worse than any insult he could have thrown my way. Actually, I knew I would have allowed the lady to slap me, do anything worse than that. I wanted

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2024-11-01
  • Bound By The Shackles Of Fate   Chapter 8— I don't need your protection

    ~ARIA~Kael moved towards the door and opened the door, and I froze. The man standing outside looked almost exactly like Luca. My heart skipped a beat as I stared, trying to make sense of it. His features were so strikingly similar—sharp jawline, high cheekbones, and that same intense, piercing gaze that I’d thought only Luca possessed. The only real differences were his eyes, darker and colder, and a broader, more muscular build. He had an aura of authority, and it sent a wave of unease through me.“Alpha Kael,” the man said, his voice steady and confident. He seemed focused solely on Kael, barely glancing at me. “We should get going. The pack is ready, and Silver Moon is waiting.”Silver Moon Pack. The words hit me like a splash of cold water. Kael’s territory, far larger than Nightshade, and much less familiar. I’d grown up here, no matter how difficult life had been. The thought of leaving my hometown felt like stepping off a cliff into an abyss. I was terrified. The stories I’d

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2024-11-01
  • Bound By The Shackles Of Fate   Chapter 9—Aria's leaving with him

    ~LUCA~ The sound of her voice irritates me. I took a slow breath, willing myself to calm down, but the anger only built up inside me. When I finally swung the door open, I fixed her with a cold, disdainful glare. “From now on, you don’t call me by my name,” I said, each word laced with venom. “It’s Alpha Luca to you. Got that?” Indie’s eyes narrowed, but she managed a smug smile, as if my words didn’t faze her. “Fine. Alpha Luca,” she replied, her tone laced with mockery. The nerve of her. Standing there with that look on her face, as if she hadn’t ruined everything. I barely held back the urge to shove her back out the door. “What do you want?” I asked sharply. Her eyes flickered with something like satisfaction. “My father’s men saw them,” she said, her voice level but laced with a hint of triumph. “Kael’s suitcases are being loaded into the car. They’re leaving, Luca.” She paused, letting her words sink in. “Aria’s leaving with him.” My stomach twisted, a sharp pain drivin

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2024-11-03
  • Bound By The Shackles Of Fate   Chapter 10— I've marked her

    ~ARIA~Kael barked, his voice breaking through my thoughts. I snapped my gaze to him, surprised by his tone. “I was just…” My voice trailed. “Let’s move,” he interrupted, his impatience evident. Kael walked ahead, and I followed closely behind. I pushed behind all thoughts of escaping. There was no way I could escape now. As we stepped outside, the bright light hit my face like a slap. I squinted against the light and tried to focus on what lay ahead. I noticed Damon already in one of the convoy of cars, watching us with a neutral expression. He gave Kael a brief nod before turning away, ready to lead the way out.Kael’s eyes darted to the convoy, then back to his phone as it buzzed in his hand. With a slight frown, he answered it, his voice turning gruff as he spoke. I could tell it was something urgent, though he didn’t share any details.The call seemed to delay us, and I took the opportunity to glance around, gathering myself, reminding myself that I would survive this, no mat

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2024-11-04

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  • Bound By The Shackles Of Fate   Chapter 36— #daria

    ~DAMON~ I couldn’t stop the smile from creeping across my face as I left Aria. The guards were keeping watch as usual, and I quickly gave them some instructions to ensure everything was in order. I trusted them to handle things, but there was always a part of me that remained vigilant. I entered into my car and drove away from Kael’s estate. The day had been... well, unexpected. I’d figured Aria might enjoy a change of pace, something simple to distract her from everything that had happened recently. But I hadn’t anticipated just how much fun it would be. Watching her interact with the kids at the orphanage, seeing the way she effortlessly connected with them, was a sight to see. She had a kind of warmth about her that radiated. It was easy to see why they took to her so quickly. And Dahlia—seeing her bond with Aria had been its own thing. The way Dahlia’s face lit up when Aria spoke to her. I had to admit it: Aria would make a fantastic mother someday. I shook my head as if tryin

  • Bound By The Shackles Of Fate   Chapter 35— Trouble in Paradise

    ~ARIA~Just as we were about to leave, I turned to Damon “Hey, before we head out, do you think I should change my outfit?” I said, glancing down at my clothes.Damon raised an eyebrow at me, “You look just fine, Aria. No need to change" The way he said my name tickled me and I almost smiled before I caught myself. What the fuck! Focus Aria.I blinked hard, “But..""No buts" Damon interrupted gently. "You look good and more importantly you look comfortable.”“Okay, okay, I guess you're right.” I raised my hands as a way to surrender.Damon nodded, “You're perfect just the way you are."I paused. I wasn't expecting those words from Damon. I was about to say something but then he started moving towards the door. I followed him without saying another word. He led me outside to one of the cars. He opened the back door for me, and I smiled, thanking him. But then, to my surprise, I reached for the front seat instead.Damon’s voice floated in my ears. "You're not supposed to sit in the fr

  • Bound By The Shackles Of Fate   Chapter 34— An Alpha without a Luna is incomplete

    ~KAEL~ I couldn't stop thinking in my room in Red Haven Pack, with so much frustration. Ever since my father’s death and I became Alpha of Silver Moon Pack, my mother had stopped living there. Instead, she traveled the world seeking distractions from grief, popping in occasionally to offer advice—or more often, to pester me about settling down and taking a Luna. “Kael, it’s time for a strong she-wolf by your side,” she’d say. “An Alpha without a Luna is incomplete.” Her visits were rare, and I’d tolerated her constant absence. But now, she was collapsing from stress, worn out by her relentless tourism. She wasn’t young anymore. Traveling like she was still a youthful wolf wasn’t good for her health. I had to convince her to stay in Silver Moon Pack. It wouldn't be easy, but I needed to convince her that home was where she belonged, not gallivanting across borders. No more unnecessary trips. I rubbed my temples, considering how to approach it. The sharp ring of my phone c

  • Bound By The Shackles Of Fate   Chapter 33— I'm moving into Kael's mansion

    ~ARIA~ I guess I would have to apologize later to Damon for my overreaction. I went into my room. I did my simple skincare routine. I stood by the mirror, debating if makeup was necessary. My pale skin still showed hints of redness from the heated exchange with Damon earlier, and my lips were slightly swollen from biting them in frustration. “No makeup today" I muttered. Then I stood in front of my closet and decided to keep things simple. I chose a comfortable outfit: a fitted white t-shirt tucked into a pair of high waisted jeans. I paired it with simple sandals and pulled my hair into a loose ponytail, a few stray strands framing my face. Light makeup was still tempting, but I shook my head and decided against it. Satisfied, I took a deep breath before stepping out of my room. My footsteps echoed softly as I made my way to the dining room. But instead of heading straight to the dining room, an idea sparked in my mind—I’d cook something since Kael wasn't around. Back in N

  • Bound By The Shackles Of Fate   Chapter 32— Aria, I'll be back

    ~ARIA~ The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, and I blinked against the brightness. My head throbbed slightly as memories of the previous night came rushing down to my mind. Luca’s stupid face and words, Kael’s interference, the near kiss we almost shared—it all played on a loop in my mind. Then came Damon’s sudden interruption, his voice carrying the devastating news about Kael’s mother, Lady Seraphine, collapsing. The tension in Kael's face visible at first but it suddenly became cold as he left without another word. Damon had spoken to the ball hosts last night, apologizing and explaining that something urgent had come up. The tension between us all was thick as we left, and no one spoke a word during the ride back. My head swirled with different emotions. I kept sneaking glances at Kael, but his face remained cold, as though he felt nothing. I hated that about him—how easily he shut off his emotions, while mine were a storm I couldn’t control. When we arrive

  • Bound By The Shackles Of Fate   Chapter 31— Don't tell me you're jealous

    ~ARIA~ He was standing there smiling, his lips curving in that familiar way. “You haven't stopped being pathetic Aria. Immediately you saw Kael with Eliara, you ran out. You just realized that you didn't stand a chance” Luca said with that same stupid smile plastered on his stupid face. “What are you doing here?” I asked with visible annoyance. He smirked, his gaze sweeping over me. “I could ask you the same thing again. But I won’t because you look...” He paused, his eyes lingering for a moment. “Beautiful.” My heart betrayed me, fluttering at his words. But I quickly pushed the feeling away. I wasn’t going to let him affect me. Not after everything. I folded my arms and frowned at him. “Save your compliments for someone who cares," I shot back. "Flattery won’t work on me, Luca.” “Oh, I think it does,” he said with a confident grin, stepping closer. “You can deny it all you want, Aria, but I know you’re still in love with me and you know what? The feeling is mutual.”

  • Bound By The Shackles Of Fate   Chapter 30—You always run

    ~ARIA~ I straightened my shoulders, refusing to let her see how her words stung. “And here we have the desperate mistress,” I shot back with a cold smile on my lips. Indie’s eyes widened slightly, clearly caught off guard. She hadn’t expected me to fight back. Her mouth opened to retort, but before she could, Kael gently placed his hand on my waist. “We’re done here. Let’s go,” he said authoritatively, guiding me away before Indie could say another word. For a moment, I was stunned. Kael’s touch was firm but not forceful. I followed him without protest, too surprised to argue. But then again I wanted to argue, to tell him I didn’t need his help, but deep down, I was grateful. Not that I’d ever admit it out loud. “Was that really necessary?” I asked, glancing up at him. Kael’s dark eyes met mine, unbothered. “I don’t waste time on people who don’t matter.” I raised an eyebrow. “So why do you waste time on me?” His lips curved into a small, almost teasing smile. “Who s

  • Bound By The Shackles Of Fate   Chapter 29— The runaway bride in flesh

    ~KAEL~I stared at Damon for a long moment after he broke the news. “Luca is at the hotel,” he said again, his tone almost cautious, like he was gauging my reaction. I didn’t flinch, didn’t let anything show. Instead, I leaned back and folded my arms across my chest, the memory of Aria’s kiss still fresh on my lips. “And?” I said, my voice flat. Damon hesitated, then added, “He brought Indie with him.. At least that can ease your mind.” At that, I couldn’t help the low growl that escaped me. “Ease my mind?” I repeated, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “By flaunting the woman he betrayed Aria with? Does he think that makes me feel better about anything?” Damon sighed, running a hand through his hair. “You don’t need to worry about him. If anything, this works in your favor. It’ll only remind Aria why she doesn’t belong to him.” I clenched my jaw, forcing myself not to nod. He wasn’t wrong, but the thought of Luca being anywhere near Aria still irritated me. If not that t

  • Bound By The Shackles Of Fate   Chapter 28— It's just the mate bond

    ~ARIA~The kiss was fierce, possessive but passionate. His mouth moved against mine with a desperate intensity that stole my breath. His fingers slid to the small of my back, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us. The heat of his body seeped into mine, burning away my resistance.My heart pounded wildly and my lips refused to respond. His lips were relentless, coaxing and claiming, as if he was trying to erase every doubt, every fear. A soft moan escaped me, and he seized it, deepening the kiss. I kissed him back before I realized what I was doing.A warmth I hadn’t known in so long spread through me, washing over the cracks in my heart. His grip tightened, his fingers pressing into my skin like he was afraid I’d disappear.But then reality crashed down on me.What am I doing?I quickly pushed Kael, my breath coming in ragged gasps. The way I was breathing,it was as if I had engaged in a marathon. My lips burned, tingling with the ghost of his kiss. Kael’s eyes b

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