Aria's POV A kiss when he was supposed to have an emergency wasn't something I was expecting at all. I thought he was done when he pulled away from me but I was wrong. He pulled me and gave me another kiss again before reluctantly letting go. This made me question if things were okay with him or not. He just got an emergency from home which I haven't even had the opportunity to ask him about and now he's kissing me instead of going to address this. That's a bit crazy and weird. He smiled, "I know you're thinking I'm crazy, but there's nothing to be worried about. I'm not. This is just a goodbye kiss for now."I looked at him in shock, he even knows what I'm thinking about but that's not the main issue here. The main issue is the fact that there's an emergency and I feel like he's trying to hide this away from me and stop me from knowing what is going on. "What happened? Are you going back to the pack? What does a goodbye kiss mean? You're going to leave me here?" I asked all at t
Xeros's POV "What do you mean she's gone?" I couldn't believe what I was listening to on my phone. I only got back not too long ago and I'm still trying to figure out what is going on with my brother's and now I'm getting news that Aria is nowhere to be found? How could she began when the place is heavily guarded and is supposed to be a strong source of protection for her. There is no way anyone would easily go into that place to hurt her and no one actually knows we have a property like that, so what is going on?"We don't know what is happening Alpha. We tried to check the security footage but we can't see things clearly. However is it show that she sneaked out by herself." The head of security explained. "You're not explaining things clearly! You all are useless and you better find her in the next few hours or I'm going to have your heads!" I threatened and cut off the call. How is it even possible that she sneak out by herself? I clearly told her to wait for me there and she
Aria's POV โAria! Is that really you?โ I heard the familiar voice ask me. Iโm shocked to see that the Alphas could find me so fast before I could even get to them. How did they manage to find me easily when Iโve been hiding myself from them so I can sneak into the pack? This is so overwhelming and I donโt want to think too much about it. They moved closer towards me and they looked like they were also worried about me. In fact, Iโm kinda confused about this situation because arenโt they supposed to let me suffer so I can learn a lesson? Iโve been walking around the woods in fear even though Iโve been consoling myself that I would get there soon and I didnโt have to worry about whatever was going to happen. But I was more worried that I could get caught by Lucas and his evil men before I got there. I donโt mind being captured by people who donโt know who I am. Iโd rather die than go back there to be their hunting game. I thought it was them coming towards me since I was around thei
Aria's POV Did I just hear the voice of my wolf or was that my subconscious mind congratulating me and I thought it was my wolf? Maybe I should stop thinking too much and try communicating with her. โIs that actually you?โ I tried to talk to her from inside but I couldn't hear anything. Maybe I was hallucinating and I'm the one congratulating myself for finally breaking free from the chains of victimizing myself. Everyone looked at me like I was weird. "Are you really insulting me like that?" I finally heard the voice of the bastard who made an entrance like he was the main character. This is the future leader of the pack? I feel sorry for all the people whose lives are about to be ruined by him. Someone like him deserves to be their Alpha? I seriously don't get what people want in their leaders anymore. "Making an entrance like the idiot that you are." I replied him and he got shocked.Alexander and his brothers laughed at what I said but quickly stopped when I looked at them.
Xeros's POVI couldn't stop thinking about what happened between Aria and Lucas yesterday. It was as if she became a different person when she confronted him. Lots of people have been so mean to her and not giving her an opportunity to say the truth about what is going on.My brother's also have been avoiding her since yesterday as if they don't even want her to scold them at all. This is an unexpected changing her in just a few days that I didn't expect but I'm glad she's finally becoming strong and protecting herself. โWho would have thought that she actually was wronged after all? I can't believe that bastard got the opportunity to be her first mate.โ Carlo complained as he came into the room. Alexander followed him with a frown. โI don't know if the moon goddess is trying to play twigs on us by making us share our mate with that idiot. But it's a good thing he rejected her.โI nodded, โHe rejected someone as good as her and he thinks she's going to come back to lick his feet? I
Aria's POV I was relieved that I had convinced the brothers to let me be part of their investigation. It wasnโt easy, but I refused to back down. This wasnโt just about proving myselfโit was personal. Too many things werenโt adding up, and I couldnโt ignore the signs anymore. The way the attacks were happening, the timing of everything, it all pointed to something deeper. I had a strong feeling my twin sister, Sage, had something to do with this. It wouldnโt be the first time she tried to destroy me, and I doubted it would be the last.Then there was Edgar. The mere thought of his name sent chills down my spine. He had vanished after his escape, but a man like him didnโt just disappear without a reason. Could he be behind all this? If he was, I needed to find out before it was too late.Shaking my thoughts away, I decided to go back to work at the hospital. I needed something to keep me busy while we figured this all out. Besides, working as a doctor had always given me a sense of pu
AVIA'S POVThe people who were so sure that I had hurt the child couldnโt say anything else after hearing that I already saved that child but Iโm not going to sit and watch them not apologize for what they did. Itโs enough for them to criticize me but doubting me is just another thing I canโt easily forgive even if I try to forget it. They thought they could make me give them the credit for something I did just because they want to bully me for being a criminal. Well, this is something Iโm never going to accept. Iโve been too quiet for too long and everyone insults my integrity now. Maybe they might not even like me at all anymore and I donโt care. I was trying to be nice and patient just to curry favor with them before but not anymore. โAre you people just going to look at me without saying anything? You should apologize for everything that youโve done to me! I expect an apology from you or nothing less!โ I demanded continuously. A nurse finally came forward with her head down, โI
Xeros's POV I watched from the window of my study as Aria arrived. She looked more lively than ever and I'm guessing it's because of what happened with her. I never thought she would be so happy about defending herself at the hospital. I saw everything with Alexander. We only wanted to check on her at the hospital because we thought she might be having a hard time. Everything that happened before wasn't fully settled with the nurses and doctors, we wanted to make sure there was no injustice. But by the time we arrived, there was already so much going on and I wanted to intervene. Alexander stopped me from doing anything and called for Doctor Harper to come out from where he had been working at the warrior's camp nearby. "Are you sure we shouldn't go there and help her? You better not be doing this out of your own selfishness. If something happens to her, will you take responsibility?" I questioned him as he kept stopping me. "She's doing so fine by herself. I already called Harpe
Ariaโs POVThe past few days at the hospital have been better than I ever expected.I donโt know how to describe the feeling, but itโs peaceful. For the first time in a long while, Iโm walking through these halls without hearing rude comments or seeing annoyed faces. The nurses now greet me. The doctors nod when I pass. Some even smile. It feels strangeโฆ but in a good way.Maybe itโs because of what happened last week when I stood up for myself. Or maybe they finally realized Iโm not someone they can just mistreat. Either way, Iโm glad. It makes my work easier.Today I was helping a young girl with a deep wound on her shoulder. She kept thanking me, even though I told her to rest. โYouโre kind,โ she said softly. โNot like the others.โ That sentence stayed with me.Itโs nice to feel appreciated. To be treated like I belong here.And when I go home, I talk with the brothers like everything is normal. Even though I can tell theyโre all busy and stressed out, they still try to act like th
Carloโs POVKissing her felt like the best thing I had done in a long time.I didnโt even care that it was a short kiss. It still meant something to me. Aria didnโt push me away, and that was all I needed. Her lips were soft, and the way she blushed right after made my heart twist in the best way. I couldnโt stop smiling the whole time I walked her back to her room.She looked happy too, and I held her hand until we got to the door. She didnโt say much, just gave me a shy smile before going inside. That smile stayed in my head even after I left. I kept thinking about how warm her hand felt in mine.Iโve been trying to get her to see me differently, not just as one of the three brothers sheโs tied to. I wanted her to look at me and see someone she could trust, someone she could laugh with, kiss, love. I didnโt want to push too hard, but I also didnโt want to stay back and watch her get taken away by my brothers either.I made my way down the hallway to check on Xeros. He wasnโt in his
Ariaโs POV The sunlight peeked through the long curtains and fell softly on my face. I opened my eyes slowly and blinked a few times. For a second, I forgot where I was. Then I rememberedโฆ I was in Xerosโs room. His scent was still strong in the room, that familiar mix of clean soap and something dark that always made me feel strange inside.I turned quickly to the side. His bed was empty. I sat up straight. The sheets were cold, meaning he had left for a while. I ran my fingers through my hair and got out of bed. I was still in the same clothes from yesterday. Everything that happened kept playing in my headโSage, my grandmother, Alexander, Lucasโฆ and Xeros saving us.Where did he go so early?I left the room, thinking Iโd check outside, maybe the training field. On my way back down the hallway, I bumped into someone. I stumbled a little and looked up.โCarlo?โHe gave a small smirk and crossed his arms. โWell, you look surprised to see me.โโI didnโt expect you here.โHe tilted his
Ariaโs POVI turned around an indeed my guess was right. It was Xeros who came to rescue us. He looked powerful, standing tall in his dark clothes, his eyes glowing like fire. But I noticed somethingโhis arm was bleeding. He was holding his side tightly. He was hurt. Badly hurt. But he didnโt show it on his face.My heart jumped in my chest the moment I saw him. โXerosโฆโHe looked at me and gave a small smile, even though I could see the pain behind it. How did he even manage to find us and how did he get hurt again? Lucas stepped back in shock. โYouโฆ youโre supposed to be dead.โXeros smirked. โYouโll have to try harder next time.โI saw the way Lucas looked at him. His face twisted in confusion and fear. He didnโt expect Xeros to survive. He looked like he had just seen a ghost.Xeros slowly walked forward, the wolves surrounding us like a protective wall. โYou tried to kill me,โ he said, his voice low and dangerous. โBut now Iโm aliveโฆ and I promise, Lucas, you will pay for it.
Ariaโs POVI stared straight at Sage.She was sitting on the floor, tied up and weak, but when I said those words, her eyes widened like sheโd seen a ghost.โWhy did you try to kill Xeros?โ I asked again, slowly this time.For a moment, she didnโt say anything. Just kept blinking like she couldnโt believe Iโd asked her that. Then her mouth opened.โWhat?โ Her voice was high and sharp. โYou think I tried to kill him? Are you out of your mind?!โI didnโt answer. I just kept looking at her. Her face looked pale, but her eyes had that usual fire. The fire she always used to cover up her lies.She started shaking her head fast. โNo! No! That wasnโt me! I didnโtโ I would neverโโBut I wasnโt sure I believed her. Maybe she was telling the truth. Maybe she was just scared, and it really wasnโt her.But my heartโฆ it wasnโt ready to trust her. Not after everything.I took a deep breath and looked down. My hands were shaking a little, but I clenched them. โYou knew he was getting close to the tr
Ariaโs POVI followed Alexander quietly, staying close enough to not lose him, and also so he wouldn't lose me. My heart was beating so fast in my chest. I didnโt know what exactly I would find, but something inside me kept warning me that I was going to see something painful.The night air was cold. I felt a lot of Goosebumps trying to walk around. My feet made soft sounds as I stepped on dry leaves, but I didnโt stop moving. I just needed to know what was going on. I needed to see it with my own eyes.We passed through some bushes and took a sharp turn. That was when I saw it. This wasn't where we're supposed to stopped but what am I looking at?My legs froze on the spot. My breath stopped.There, in the middle of the quiet garden behind the old houseโฆ was my grandmother. She was lying down on a wooden bench with a thin cloth over her. She wasnโt moving. Her skin looked pale and dry. Her lips were cracked.And standing beside herโฆ was Sage.My heart burned with so much anger that I
Aria's POV I knew Alexander was up to something, but I didnโt quite know what he wanted to do. I was trying to figure it out, so I pretended to have gone back to my room. I knew he was watching me, and the only way he could be sure was if I was settled down in my room. Now, I needed to follow him to find out. I know they asked me to sit down and stop being nosy, but I just canโt stop myself. If heโs going to put himself in danger because of me, I donโt think Iโll be able to sleep at all.And just like I thought, he was going out of the pack without anyone. More like he was sneaking out because he didnโt want the guards to see him or follow him, because he might attract attention, which is something heโs probably trying to hide from me. Letโs say this is something he and Xeros planned.I carefully followed him out, and I saw he was going in the direction of my pack. I was so scared and didnโt know what to do because I was too worried to go into that place alone. And most importantly,
Alexanderโs POVI walked quietly into Xerosโs room, the door clicking shut behind me. He was sitting up now, the covers pulled to his waist, a glass of water in his hand. The pale sunlight spilling from the window made him look even more fragile than I remembered. His body was still weak, but his eyes were sharpโtoo sharp for someone who just survived poison.Aria was sitting beside him, holding his hand and whispering something I couldnโt hear. When she noticed me standing at the door, she turned to look at me with a faint smile.โIโll give you both some space,โ she said softly and stood up.โNo,โ I said quickly. โI actually need to speak with my brother. Alone.โHer eyes narrowed slightly. She hesitated, like she didnโt want to leave, but she gave Xeros a gentle pat on the shoulder and left the room without saying another word. I waited until the door clicked shut behind her. I even walked over to make sure she wasnโt standing behind it like last time.Xeros raised an eyebrow. โYouโ
Xeros's POVThe soft glow of morning light streamed through the curtains, touching my face with warmth. It was gentle, yet it made my eyes flutter open slowly. My whole body felt heavy like I had been carrying a mountain through my dreams. But the weight on my chestโฆ it wasnโt just pain. It was the memory of everything that happened.The arrow. The poison. The argument with Edgar. The darkness I fell into.I blinked a few times and turned my head. Sitting by my bed was someone I didnโt expect right awayโCarlo. His arms were crossed, and he looked tired, like he hadnโt slept much. But when he saw me move, his eyes widened and he leaned forward.โHeyโฆ Xeros?โ His voice sounded cautious, like he wasnโt sure if I was fully awake or just imagining things.I cleared my throat. โYeahโฆ Iโm awake.โCarlo let out a shaky breath and ran his hand through his hair. โYou scared the hell out of all of us. I thought we were going to lose you.โI tried to sit up, but pain stabbed through my side, maki