LUCAS' POV The moon goddess had blessed me with my mate exactly three weeks ago, and I can count on one hand how many times Aria and I have been alone without it ending in a crying mess for her. Four times. We've been alone four times. Last week dinner was the only time it didn't end in her crying. She came down dressed in a yellow sundress that covered her arms. I knew she only wore it to hide her bruises. She was badly battered, and her fragile skin didn't help matters. At the dinner, she struggled to make eye contact with me once. The rest of the dinner was spent in silence, with the occasional clang of us cutting into our steak. “Thank you,” she said at the end of the dinner, catching me off guard. “You don't have to thank me for anything, little mate!“ I'm probably addicted to the way she blushed prettily when I called her that. My mind briefly wondered if that blush spread to other parts of her body… “No,” she insisted. “You've been so patient with me, and I don't dese
ARIA'S POV This morning, Lucas asks to see me downstairs. As usual, the first thing that pops into my mind is that he wants to tell me off for my behavior at dinner last night. When I told him I didn't have a favorite food, he stared at me like I had suddenly grown two heads. He doesn't say anything after that. Not that we ever talk. We sit in a companionable silence that isn't awkward at all. Maybe he has finally seen the real pathetic me underneath all that silence I've been hiding. I am stunned by how cruel I feel. Alpha Lucas has been nothing but kind to me ever since I got here. He hasn't for once raised his hand or voice at me or anyone so far. If there's anyone that deserves the benefit of doubt, it's Alpha Lucas. I try to keep my nerves under control as I climb down the stairs quietly. I see him immediately. He's the type of person you would spot easily in a crowd. His physique is impressive and his energy is domineering. He makes everyone feel smaller compared to him.
ARIA'S POVWhen I woke up this morning, the first thing that came into my head was if Brielle would cancel out on me. If she does, I know a small part of me will break because I really like her. I don't know if she would have been friends with me if Lucas hadn't introduced us. I try not to overthink it. I was getting really antsy when morning broke properly. Would she finally understand that I wasn't worth her time? I mean, she did admit that she has a bunch of friends. What if one of her important friends decides that they want to go out with her instead?I went down for breakfast in a gloomy mood. To my surprise, I found Alpha Lucas and Beta Cole in there. Somehow, I didn't think they ate breakfast. The thought made me giggle out loud, and they turned to look at me in confusion.“What's so funny, little mate?“ Lucas raises a brow, his soup spoon suspended in midair. That was even enough to send me into another giggling fit.“Nothing,” I giggle, turning back to my food.“You hurt me
LUCAS'S POVBringing Brielle around Aria is a blessing. I'm glad I gave into Cole's suggestion. Having another mated female around would certainly make her lower her guard. Sometimes, though, I think it's a curse because they both go on shopping sprees, which could take up her whole day.I'm not afraid of them spending money at all. I have enough to last a lifetime. What I'm not okay with is not having her presence near me the whole day.I can't complain because I don't want her to think it's not okay to spend my money. Aria has to be spoken to gently.“Something in her has been conditioned to always think that she's doing something wrong.“ Cole had said once after a very awkward dinner. Aria can't stand eating snails, but she didn't say anything because she doesn't want the maid to yell at her. I vowed to myself that no one would even look at her the wrong way until she becomes more confident in herself.After Brielle took her on her first shopping trip and she came back in a beautif
ARIA'S POV There's a significant shift in the air between us the next day at breakfast. Running with his wolf has unlocked something in me. Something in me wants to live. I want to stay alive, thrive, and survive. Most importantly, I want to do it all by Lucas' side. I find myself unable to tear my eyes away from him as he cuts his food. I never noticed his muscles were so prominent. Yesterday, he stepped behind a tree to get dressed, and I turned my back to him.My curiosity had gotten the best of me, and I told myself that I would take just a tiny peek. I was rewarded with the sight of his muscles rippling as he tugged on the short he had brought along with him. I should have kept my word of only looking for a second because he turned and we locked eyes. I had been so embarrassed that I was unable to say anything until we got back to the packhouse. Even then, I had run straight into my room and didn't come out.This morning, I had debated whether I could get away with not coming d
ARIA'S POV I have now been in the pack for almost three months. Two months since we had our first date. That first date still makes me sigh with delight every time I remember it.We first went to the movies, where we watched “Titanic”. It was a pretty sad movie, but my badass decided that he was too important to cry over a silly movie, at least that's how he described it.“It happened in real life.“ I had argued as he used a corner of his jacket to wipe my tears.“Of course it did, baby. I'm just not sure if it was that sad. He did the right thing by giving up the door, I agree, but they did have to make him look like a hero for something he's supposed to do.““Would you do that for me?“ I had meant it for the question to be teasing, but I hadn't anticipated how quickly he turned serious.“Aria,” he gazed into my eyes, and I found myself unable to look away. “There's no question in if I would die for you or not. I would do it without a second thought. You own my life. Ever since I la
LUCAS' POV Leaving Aria in her heat was making me feral. It must be very painful for her as it was her first time. The first day, I had been barely unable to resist her, but I regained my senses in the last minute. Goddess, that had to be the hardest thing I've done in my entire life.All I want to do is give her relief, but I know she's not ready. This is only her first time after all. What if she regrets it after she snaps out it? She's only going to end up hating me for taking advantage of her. “Why aren't you with her?“ Cole had asked. I know the question only came through him. It was Brielle that truly wanted to know. "It's her first time,” I told him simply. “I should have spoken to her about it, but I didn't realize that she doesn't know anything about it.““I understand. She's still going to be angry when she snaps out of it. Insecure, mostly.““I'm going to explain to her when she wakes up. You know I would have relieved her, but she won't even talk about wherever she was
ARIA'S POVI was barely seeing Lucas around. After the effects of the heat were long gone, there was a period of awkwardness between us. It was obvious that we needed to talk, but neither of us wanted to bring it up. To be fair, he was so busy these days that anyone barely saw him. Cole was around, though.He came late to dinner last night, and I was already halfway through it. I felt guilty for not waiting for him. He looked very tired, all I wanted to do was give him a foot rub. My foot rubs and back rubs were the best, but I lacked the courage to sit in his lap and give him a good massage, so we stuck to our routine questions.“What has he been doing to make him look that tired every night?“ I asked Beta Cole this morning. Lucas was not down at breakfast yet, so this was my only chance.He gave me a panicked look before he quickly covered it up. “What are you talking about, Luna?““You know what? He comes back every night tired and irritable. I can't remember the last time he spoke
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