CHAPTER 3

ARIA

Four days. 

I’ve spent four long days stuck in this dungeon, feeling unsure and scared. Despite the fact that the Alpha King hasn’t visited me since the last time, there were times when I feel like he’s near. There were also times I could have sworn that I caught a whiff of his heavenly and manly scent nearby. 

Everytime I hear the sound of the dungeon door open, my heart beats rapidly in anticipation and eagerness but at the end of the day, it would be guards bringing food for all prisoners. Laila has also been restless since then. She kept demanding for her mate’s presence. Not like I wasn’t in the same shoes as hers but there was nothing I could do about it. It was clear he didn't want us. 

Another rejection – yet again.

Just as I was thinking of my despair, the door to my cell creaked open. I snapped my head so fast I almost got a whiplash but just like every other time, I got disappointed. It seemed like an endless cycle of anticipation and letdown. 

A young timid girl around my age came in with her head bowed down and announced that the Alpha King requested my presence. At the mention of the Alpha King, my breath caught in my throat. I sat upright from my position and stared at her widely. I couldn’t believe my ears.

“ The Alpha King? ” I asked, my voice hoarse from days of unuse. I wanted to be sure my ears were not malfunctioning.  

“ Yes. ” she replied, her voice barely audible. “ You have to come with me now. ” 

My heart pounded with a mixture of hope and apprehension as I followed behind her. As we got to the Alpha King’s home, the girl escorted me to a room where I had my bath. I took my time washing off all the dirt on my body. I was provided with a change of decent clothes. She also gave me proper food to eat which I devoured hungrily. I felt a sense of gratitude towards her. 

I was led to the Alpha King's study. Laila yipped excitedly, looking forward to seeing him. As I entered the room, my eyes met those of the Alpha King's. He looked a little bit different from the last time I saw. More sexy and handsome if I’m asked. Beside him stood another man, tall and imposing but had a warm gaze. He must be the Beta.

A friendly smile graced the man’s lips and I felt a sense of reassurance wash over me. I smiled back at him. However, my smile retreated when I felt the Alpha King glaring at me. My eyes widened in fear and I quickly bowed my head, playing with my fingers nervously. 

“ What is your name? ” I heard the Alpha King asked.

“ Aria Wilson, Your Majesty. ” I replied.

“ Aria. ” He repeated as if trying to taste my name on his tongue. 

The baritone sound of his voice pronouncing my name sent a shiver down my spine. It carried a tender sweetness that melted me like warm honey. He asked me other questions as well like my age,previous pack and why I was being chased by rogues. I answered all truthfully, my voice steady despite the tumult of emotions swirling within me.

At the mention of my past rejection, he growled low and I heard a creaky sound, like he was gripping the table in front of him hard. I raised my head and stared at him. A glint of possessiveness shone through his eyes as they darkened dangerously.

After what seemed like an eternity, he released his grip and finally broke the silence. He told me he had an offer for me. He was willing to accept me into his pack only if I kept the mate-bond between us a secret. 

Tears swelled up in my eyes but I prevented them from falling down. I didn’t want to show any weakness in his presence. The tension in the room thickened as the Alpha King’s piercing gaze bore into mine, as if waiting for my response.

What was I expecting in the first place? That someone like him would accept me as his mate?  I took a deep breath and gathered my thoughts together. If keeping the mate-bond a secret was what he wanted, then maybe I should agree to it. After all, I’ve been rejected once. 

With a heavy heart, I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded. “ Okay. I’ll keep it a secret. ” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

It wasn’t anyone’s fault I’m cursed with an ill-fated life. My father wasn’t wrong then – I’m definitely bad luck and good for nothing. With a curt nod, the Alpha King dismissed me. The young girl was already waiting for me outside his study. I learnt that her name is Maya.

She led me to the previous room and told me that it will be my room now. Normally there should be a pack house where new members can stay which left me to wonder. Why did the Alpha King give me a room in his home? Was he scared that I’ll spill the beans to someone? I shook my head and decided to take everything off my mind. 

****

In a short period of time, I found myself slowly adapting to my new surroundings. I was introduced to the pack members as a new member. Maya became a trustworthy friend and always told me everything I needed to know about the pack. She was also an outcast in the pack which made us get closer than ever. She reminds me of my old self in my previous pack.

The Beta, whose name I learned was Ethan, also treats me nicely. He never says much though — just small talk here and there — but I get the feeling like he was keeping an eye on me. Protecting me discreetly. He must know about the mate, but nerves mention it. 

Despite the Alpha King's attempts to keep his distance, the pull of the mate bond between us was getting stronger each passing day. The fact that I was living under his roof made it quite impossible not to feel the bond intensely because our paths continued to intersect.

There were moments when I caught him stealing glances in my direction whenever he thought I wasn’t looking. It almost felt like he wanted me far away from him yet closer to him. And though he may have tried to hide it, I could see the tenderness in his eyes whenever he looked at me.

Tonight, as I lay down on the soft bed, I suddenly felt a searing heat envelop my whole body. It was as if I was being consumed by flames, my skin burning with an intensity that left me gasping for air. Confusion and panic surged through me, my mind racing to understand what was happening.

Then, like a whisper in the depths of my consciousness, Laila spoke to me. "It's your heat," she said, " As a werewolf, it's perfectly normal, especially since our mate is so near and hasn't rejected us yet. It's a signal for us to seal the bond between us."

Realization dawned on me as a silvery light shone through the window. It’s a full moon and also the time when our senses and emotions are heightened. A time when the bond between mates was at its strongest. I rolled from the bed to the cold floor because I wanted some relief but it was of no use. I curled up and whimpered in pain as the waves of heat washed over me. 

As I laid on the cold floor trembling with fever and desire, the door to my room suddenly swung open with a loud thud, startling me out of my mind. And there he stood, the Alpha King, his presence commanding the room with an aura of authority that left me breathless and rubbing my thighs in desire.

But one thing stood out the most – his eyes. They are normally a bright emerald green but now they shone like lanterns in the dark, glowing with a fierce amber light. And this only means one thing…..

His wolf is out and ready to claim what is rightfully his.