THIRD PERSON'S POV Aria found herself partly excited and partly cautious. Brielle was supposed to be pained for her father, yet she was able to be excited for a night out with her. There was something she was missing.Lucas had come with her. He had been so sweet and attentive to her that she felt seen. "Do you think you'll be able to go out? I don't want you to do anything you don't want to do." He was saying to her now."Don't worry, Lucas. I'm going to be fine. I'm trying to demystify today, right?""Still, if you do not feel like going out, we can stay home and watch something on TV. We can even watch that horrible series you like so much." She laughed. Aria had been trying to get him to watch Twilight with her for a while now. Unsuccessfully. He staunchly refused to watch something that had so grossly misrepresented their kind. It shows how much he cared for her well-being."Honestly, I'm okay." She stopped in front of him. He was perched on the edge of their bed as he watched
THIRD PERSON'S POV“We have to hit her in a way she won't be able to recover from. Remove her permanently and take over.“ Maria said.“It has to be a clean job. Done in a way that she can't go back and he can't come for her.““Let's do that.“ They talked deep into the night and deliberated back and forth on their plans.“I'll forever be in your debt if we're able to pull this through.“ Kane said. He meant it, too. He didn't let himself owe people often. He hated being in anyone's debt. However, this was a special case. Not only did Maria solve his council situation, but she also indirectly delivered to him fresh blood that was enough to calm his wolf down. To cap it all, she was going to deliver Aria to him on a golden platter. “We are going to be even, Alpha. Because of your collaboration, my long-time dream will be coming true. You're fulfilling my dreams for me.““I'm happy we can help each other out.“ He was even more impressed with her outlook. It was rare to find a woman who wa
THIRD PERSON'S POVThe next evening, Alpha Kane and Maria shared a glass of wine in his garden. He marveled at how well-kept the flowers were. He couldn't remember the last time he was there.“I could spend the rest of my life in here.“ She said, breaking the silence.“Except we can't.“ He chuckled. “You have responsibilities. You're going to be their savior, remember?““You're right.“ She sipped her wine and admired the flowers. He took that time to admire her. Her beauty was not something you could take in at once. Why anyone would choose Aria over her was still something he couldn't yet comprehend. Maybe Aria truly had them under a spell. He laughed. Aria was incapable of doing anything. It had to be that the Alpha was just st*pid.He glanced away before his staring would become obvious or uncomfortable. In another life, she was the type of woman he would have pursued. She had the same qualities that had drawn him to Lori. Lori was smart and ambitious. Same as Maria. The only diffe
LUCAS' POVA loud banging on the front door woke me up, and I scowled. Who the hell would interrupt my sleep? I looked around, and it was already morning. Aria had high desire last night and who was I to deny my woman of anything?I looked at her as she stirred briefly. I would kill someone if she wakes up. Thankfully, she settled back on her side and slept off again.The banging was louder now, and it finally kicked me into action. No one would dare to interrupt me if it wasn't an emergency. I didn't step out of the house all day yesterday, and there was no call for me.I threw on my discarded jeans and rushed downstairs. It was Victor, Aria's personal bodyguard. I would be worried about her if she weren't upstairs, sleeping soundly.“Good morning, Alpha.““What's going on, Victor?“ It better be something very important.“The Beta said to get you now.““What the hell? What is he doing in the pack house at this time of the morning?““He was woken up too.““By whom?““A guard, Alpha. I
ARIA'S POV I woke up slowly. Last night came slowly to me in a rush, and my lips stretched in a satisfied smile. My body was pleasantly sore in all the right places. I stretched my hand to find the other side of the bed cold. He had to be downstairs. I brushed my teeth and put on my robe before going downstairs. I stopped when I found Brielle lounging on my couch. "Luna, you're up.""Yes, I am. Am I dreaming, or are we in an alternate universe where we're married?"She threw her head back in laughter. "I would like that very much.""I felt you might." I laughed too. "But seriously, what's going on?""The Alpha had to go to the pack house. There was something urgent going on.""Oh?" My curiosity was piqued. "Do you know what?""I don't know either. Someone came to get Cole. He left me in bed before he told me to come stay with you. I think it's something serious. There are like a dozen guards outside right now.""Are you serious?""Dead serious.""I must have been more exhausted than
LUCAS' POV Aria has refused to leave the house. She won't be persuaded. On the second day, I had told her that her security details would multiply. She simply looked at me like I was insane."I'm not walking around with ten men.""I just want you to continue with your normal life. Don't you think the pack members are going to suspect that something is going on when you refuse to make an appearance?""Who knows? They might not even notice." She brushed me off and went into the bathroom."Not notice? Are you kidding me?" I had followed her into the bathroom, where I found her just staring in the mirror, tears in her eyes."Baby, I'm sorry I raised my voice.""No, it's not you. I just don't feel safe outside. I feel like I'm being hunted. I don't want to feel like this anymore. I hate that he can still make me feel this way." Her outburst had been expected, and in a way, I welcomed it because then I knew what she was really feeling."Come here," I had rocked her to sleep. She had drifte
ARIA'S POV The last thing I remember was sitting in the kitchen trying to fix myself something. The next thing that happened was still elusive. Brielle had offered to stay the night, and I had refused her. "My husband takes up Cole's day, so he's unable to see his wife. I can't do that to him tonight too." She had laughed but had agreed with me. She knew I was right. It was important for all couples to have some alone time together at the end of each day."If you say so. Just promise me you'll be okay. Cole told me something earlier about Gamma Lane finding a lead.""I guess he'll tell me about it when he comes back.""I can stay with you till then.""No. Go fix yourself something to eat. Your husband's got to be tired after a long day at work chasing leads.""You're right." She got to her feet and gathered all the card games she had brought with her. "I should go cook for my husband. I'll see you tomorrow, Luna.""Thank you for your help.""You know I'm down to hang out with you a
THIRD PERSON'S POV Alpha Lucas stood still for a moment, trying to make sense of everything. His wolf was threatening to come out and destroy everything in sight, but he stood still and let the anger wash over him. He was going to freaking end everyone who had a hand in this. First, he walked mechanically through the house as if he were a stranger. He was looking at it like he wanted to pick out every piece of detail. His wife's scent was still in here. There was a second and third scent. The second scent was a completely foreign one, while the third one was so faint that he thought he was imagining it. But he was not. Maria had been in here, that b*tch! He stopped when he got to the kitchen. She had been cooking! Everything was laid out in perfect order except for the water that had boiled over and the soggy pasta. He froze at the sight and again forced his wolf to stay put. She had been cooking for him, and she had been taken. The only thing that would save Maria from his wrath w
ARIA'S POV The next day is the scheduled day for Maria's execution. Lucas is laying on top of me, holding all his weight on his forearm so he doesn't crush me, trying to convince me not to go to the execution."Baby, why would you want to see that woman? I want you to forget all about her, okay?" He says softly as he presses hot open mouthed kisses to my face."I don't think I can ever forget about her but if I see this for myself, then I'll know that she's gone forever. That would make me feel safe. You want me to be safe, don't you?" I take his face in my hand so I can angle his lips to mine but he continues to kiss all over my face and leaves out my lips.I shift underneath him so he's resting in between my legs. My nightgown is lost between us so his briefs are the only barrier between my hot throbbing core and his length. I try to grind over his length but his weight keeps me from moving."Lucas," I whine. "I'll give you what you want if you agree not to go to the pack square t
LUCAS' POV I moved Aria back to our home very early the next morning. I didn't want her to get swamped with the people waiting for her to get out. Even as I backed the car away from the parking spot, they swarmed and tried to get a glimpse of her."Can't I just wave to them or something? I honestly feel bad for ignoring them like this.""They know you need to get your strength together." "You're just being mean on purpose." She pouted, and I ignored her. Trying to argue with her was like arguing with a mule."No, baby. I'm just trying to protect you." "Sure." Thankfully, she closed her eyes and rested her eyes till we got to our home."Here we are, baby." I help her down from the SUV. Her eyes glisten with tears as she takes in the first view of our house for the first time in two weeks. It seems that it's been longer than that."I missed this so much. You know I was cooking. I wanted to apologize to you for making you feel like you couldn't protect me." She says softly, and my wo
ARIA'S POVSilence. Darkness. Everything is still. Deathly still. Not a tree or leaf is moving. For a moment, I don't know where I am. My eyes open even though my eyes were opened. I'm in the same clearing like the one I was in when I first became Luna. I'm dressed in white, and I seem to be walking in dirt, but my gown remains intact. "What is happening?" I whisper to myself, and I find that I can't speak. I can think, but I can't speak out loud.Suddenly, in the middle of the wandering. I don't know how long I wander for, but I'm suddenly enveloped by a sudden darkness. "Baby," the voice sounds so familiar. It's close yet so far away. It's strangely reassuring and filled with so much pain that I want to hold him close. I want to kiss his pain away but I can't because I can't find him. I fall to the ground and weep in pain. "I'm going to leave you for a few hours. If today's the day you finally decide to wake up, please wait until I'm here. I want to be the first thing you see. I'm
THIRD PERSON'S POV The people of the Red Moon pack were not happy. They have been going through possibly one of the worst periods in their entire existence. The war that was supposed to bring them all the fame and glory that they thought they deserved only did the exact opposite. They had stayed up all night waiting for their warriors to bring them glory and fame. They had gathered at the pack square, telling stories and recalling fond memories about their pack. Strangely, no one mentioned the former Alpha Kane in all these fond memories. They all collectively agreed not to talk about the man."No one ever saw Jon after Lori's incident, right?" One of the girls asked."Please. Would you have stayed on in the pack if something like that happened to your only family and sister?""You're right. I sure hope Jon is happy wherever he is." The other replied. Unknown to the girl, Jon was indeed happy where he was because at the time when they were waiting for their warriors to arrive, he wa
THIRD PERSON'S POV All through the night, Alpha Lucas couldn't sleep. He kept thinking of how close Maria was. She was going to go through so much pain that she wouldn't believe it, yet he wouldn't kill her. He would draw out her pain and suffering for as long as he could. He had trouble falling asleep, and only the lull of Aria's faint pulse finally pulled him into a shallow sleep that was filled with nightmares.The dreams were different yet the same. He was in all of them. Aria was, too. She was sinking, and he couldn't get to her fast enough because Maria was in the way. He couldn't go through her, not if he wanted to stay alive. He woke up in a cold sweat and plagued with such deep fear that only the sight of Aria calmed him down.He would fall asleep again, only for him to experience the same thing over and over again. In one dream, Aria was in a quicksand. In another, she was being tortured. In another, she was in a fire so hot that he couldn't get to her. In all of it, he cou
LUCAS' POV I was brushing her brown hair back when I heard a knock on the door. I scowled immediately. I specifically told the nurses not to let anyone in except, of course, Lane, Cole, and his wife. I doubt why any of them would be here at this time of the night. Aria still hasn't opened her eyes, and it's been eleven days.This morning, I told the doctor to give it to me straight after his routine morning check-up."What's going on, doctor? Do I need to consult another doctor? Is there anything else I should be doing?" I feel so helpless just seeing her lie there day after day. My wolf has been completely withdrawn. I haven't seen the love of my life. She might be laying there, but that's not her. I haven't seen her eyes and her smile in so long."It's not looking good, Alpha." He had said honestly. "There was trauma, but we had quickly treated those. There's no reason why she shouldn't be awake by now.""So what are you going to do?""When I say it's not looking good, I didn't me
THIRD PERSON'S POV Maria's confidence was at an all-time high. She knew how today was going to play out. She was finally going to get her revenge. According to Thomas's unknown source, Aria was still in a coma, and Lucas was absolutely devastated. She didn't doubt the news for a minute. It was to be expected."Don't worry, Lucas. I'm going to blow your mind." She smiled at herself. At some point, she was beginning to question if this was all worth it. She got the same answer all the time. Yes, it was worth it. Lucas was worth it. That afternoon, she stood beside Alpha Thomas as he addressed his warriors. They looked like they would rather be anywhere else than here. It was all she could do to keep herself from snapping at them. Where was that zeal to succeed? Where was their bloodlust? Honestly, she knew these people didn't have any chance against Moonlight's pack elite warriors, but that would only work in her favor."Gentlemen, this is our chance to make history." He had told them
THIRD PERSON'S POVJon returned to the Moonlight pack that night but because it was late already. He went straight to his girlfriend's house. Haley was getting ready to sleep when she heard a knock on her door.She jumped in his arms the moment she saw who was there. "My love." He held her close and breathed her unique scent in."Hi." He grinned tiredly at her. "You look beautiful.""And you look tired." She pulled him in and immediately got to making him as comfortable as possible. She drew him a bath and brought out a microwaved chicken. She always kept something for him in case of impromptu visits like this one.After his bath, he sat down to eat and caught her up on the latest development. Jon had told her every detail of his mission even though he had been severely warned against it by both sides he was working for.Jon had been broken after his only family, the woman who had raised him was humiliated and killed in front of the entire pack. Their extended family had conveniently
THIRD PERSON'S POV A week later, Aria was still in a coma. Lucas had completely shut down and wasn't responding to anything. Beta Cole and Gamma Lane had to take complete control.The last time either of them got any response from the Alpha was on the second day. Beta Cole had gone to inform him about the purchase of the land they had been meaning to buy all this while."I trust you, Cole. Handle this however you like." He had said to him. He wasn't leaving his wife's side, not to eat and certainly not to take care of his appearance. He still had on the shorts he had on from the night of the attack, and he had pulled a sweatshirt over it, but that was all."Have you seen him recently? Do you think I can go see him?" Brielle asked her husband this morning as he got ready to go to work."I was too swamped with work yesterday, and I think Lane saw him yesterday.""I'm going to go by today." She said. Brielle had missed her friend terribly. If there was anything she could do to wake her u