Chapter four
Aria's Pov"Deal," I whispered, taking his hands."That's good for you." And with that, he brought out his cell phone to make a call.It wasn't up to five minutes when a Honda Civic pulled up."Get in." He said while I admired the car.The exterior was polished to a mirror-like finish, and the chrome accents sparkled like diamonds.I walked around and sat beside the driver's seat as he opened the door and sat.The interior was just as impressive as the exterior, with plush, buttery-soft leather seats that were a perfect match for the gleaming chrome accents. The car was fully loaded with the latest technology, including a state-of-the-art sound system and a touchscreen dashboard that displayed all the car's vital stats.He started the engine and I couldn't help but smile at the purring sound that emanated from beneath the hood.The road was lined with towering trees that created a picturesque canopy overhead, and we passed by quaint cottages and fields of wildflowers that looked like something out of a fairy tale.As we drove further along the scenic route, I noticed that we were passing by things that I had never seen before.We drove past a sparkling lake with swans gracefully gliding on the surface, and then we passed by a charming village with cobbled streets and colorful flower boxes hanging from the windows.I surprisingly found myself smiling and forgetting all about the earlier tension between Ethan and me. The drive was cute and enchanting, and I felt like I was in a dream.Finally, we pulled up to the grand entrance of a stunning hotel called "The Royalties". The building was an architectural masterpiece, with marble columns and a grand sweeping staircase leading up to the entrance. The lobby was just as grand, with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and a fountain in the center.I felt uneasy as I entered the dining room. The place was filled with unfamiliar faces, and I couldn't help but feel out of place."Who are all these people?" I whispered to Ethan, hoping he had an answer."My business partners," he replied with a smirk."Don't worry, just act like you belong here."Making our way to the table, I noticed several people standing up to greet us. They were all dressed in designer clothes and expensive jewelry, and I couldn't help but feel underdressed in my uniform."You're welcome, Alpha," A hot guy said as we sat down. I was confused. Alpha? Was that his nickname?"Maybe he's an Alpha… It's time to mingle girl." Eva chirped."Can you just let me be?""What's going on? What exactly are you here for?" I asked him, hoping for some explanation."A business meeting?""What! And you let me come in a uniform?"He was yet to reply when a lady, probably in her 50's walked over."What a nice choice." She said as I blushed."You have a good eye, but you never told me your mate is a student, why did she have to come in her uniform?""The meeting was sudden, I had to go pick her up from school." He said as I shuddered, feeling embarrassed. What will happen when they discover I'm just a substitute?"He has pride. I don't like him." I said to Eva."Eeww, you didn't see Ethan who has pride? Please." She spat as I gave a small smile.Different people came to greet him and they all gave me a funny stare, making me feel out of place. Everyone was dressed in their formal business attire, looking somber and serious.I looked down at my uniform and wished I could be wearing something more professional."You made it man." A voice said behind me.I turned around to see a tall, well-dressed man, my heart skipping at his sight.He was the definition of cute and hot, from his perfectly styled hair to his polished shoes. I couldn't help but admire him from head to toe.He walked up to us and hugged Orion, who was sitting next to me."Hey man, how's it going?" he said, his voice deep and smooth."It's going great." It's been a while." Orion replied, grinning from ear to ear.I couldn't help but notice how he kept throwing glances at me as he sat down beside Orion. My heart fluttered as I tried to maintain my composure."So who's this beauty beside you?" He asked as I felt my cheek get hot."This is my mate." Orion introduced me as his face went sour."Are.. are you sure?" He stuttered, staring at me."Ah, is there a problem with that? Or don't you think I'll be able to find one?""No, I'm just surprised. She's pretty by the way." He added."I'll leave you two to yourselves. It's nice meeting you Aria.'' and with that, he walked out and I felt uncomfortable."What's wrong with him?""Maybe he has a crush on you, after I find my mate, he can have you." He said as I gulped nothing. I've put myself in a very difficult situation."What if I find my mate? What should I do?" I asked as he just stared at me."You're mine now. Think it through girl, there's time to leave now and pay for my car, because, once you sign, it remains a deal."Sign, I'll have to sign?""Yes… Oh yes you will, I wouldn't want you to run, and yes, you will also satisfy my urges." He said, making me shudder."So are you ready?" He questioned as I nodded."Fine." And with that, he made a call."You can bring it in." He said.I turned to the entrance as a lady dressed gorgeously walked towards us with a file."Alpha, I prepared it the moment you asked." She said,"Okay. Aria, meet my assistant." He said as I turned to her."Hi."I went through the papers and without a thought signed them. I was still wondering if I made a good move when the MC's voice brought me to reality."And here they are, our guest of honor. Let's welcome young Alpha Ethan and his mate." The name rang in my head and I immediately turned around to look at the people who walked in.And to my dismay, it was Ethan and Olivia walking towards their table, they looked at each other with so much admiration as my heart sank.Then it dawned on me, I've been used all this while. Eva was right.I felt a lump form in my throat as I ran out of the room, I couldn't take it anymore.Chapter fiveAria's PovI stood up abruptly, knocking my chair back with a loud thud. All eyes turned to me, scanning me with quizzical expressions. My heart was pounding so hard against my chest that I thought it would burst out at any moment. My birthday was supposed to be a day of celebration, happiness, and joy. But it had turned into a mess, thanks to Ethan. "Aria, what's wrong?' Orion asked as I turned swiftly from him. "Like you care." I ran out of the hall. I couldn't bear to be in that suffocating atmosphere for a second longer. Tears were blinding my eyes, making it hard for me to see where I was going. But I didn't care. All I wanted was to escape, to get away from everything and everyone. As I burst out into the cool night air, I felt a wave of pure pain wash over me. How could Ethan do that to me? How could he ruin my birthday like this? I trusted him and loved him with all my heart and yet, he had betrayed me, shattering my world into a million pieces. Was Olivia
Chapter sixAria's Pov I blinked my eyes open, squinting against the harsh sunlight that filtered through the curtains as I groaned, feeling like a truck had hit me overnight.And as I shifted on the bed, its creaking sound echoed in the room, and I rubbed my eyes, attempting to clear the fog in my mind.With a weary sigh, I pushed aside the soft duvet that had enveloped me throughout the night, as if coaxing me to face the day ahead."Why on earth did I drink so much last night?" I mumbled to myself, sensing the lingering effects of a brutal hangover.As I surveyed the unfamiliar surroundings, my mind raced to piece together the events that led me here. Then, my horrified gaze landed on the mirror, and I gasped in utter disbelief."Oh no, no, no!" I shrieked, my naked reflection sending shockwaves through me.Panic coursed through my veins, and I hurriedly tried to cover myself, my hands trembling as I struggled to recall the happenings of the previous night."What happened? How did
Chapter sevenAria's Pov "Taxi," I called out for the fifth time, standing outside the "royalties" hotel as they all sped past me.I wasn't with my phone to even call my dad. What should I do? I pondered, playing with my hair. "Why don't we go in and wait for Orion as the receptionist said?" My wolf Eva advised."To hell with your advice, Eva. I can't look at the face of that rapist," I replied, my head pounding like a drum being beaten mercilessly inside my skull."Don't forget who you're referring to," Eva warned."And he isn't a rapist. You all wanted the same thing," she added.Eva was a white and meek wolf, there was nothing special about her, she was just beautiful and had flawless skin, but she was as weak as the least human.I hardly shifted, because letting her take control was another tiring journey, I was the one who protected her and not the other way around.The throbbing intensified with each passing second, causing a wave of nausea to wash over me. I squeezed my eyes
Chapter eight Colton's PovMy wolf, Ash, roared in pain when she said she had been marked. It felt as though a silver blade had pierced my heart, leaving me speechless."And he isn't my mate," she added as my anger began to boil inside me as I turned to her."Who isn't your mate, Aria?" I asked, feeling the threat of Ash's presence rising, ready to take control."Orion," she said, and suddenly the world around me fell into silence."I am just a substitute for his mate." She whispered as I felt hurt and insulted."I knew it," I said. It was as if a switch had been flipped, and I was no longer in control."Why are you acting this way?" she whimpered, and I gave her a hard stare, realizing she didn't know the truth.Despair washed over me. The person I thought was meant for me, the one I was destined to be with, was now out of reach. "You're my mate Aria," I said as she just stared at me.It felt as though the universe was conspiring against me, mocking me with what I could never have
Chapter nine Orion's PovMy hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as I drove back to the hotel, fear coursing through my veins and my heart pounding in my chest.The weight of responsibility pressed down on me. Thoughts raced through my mind. "What trouble has she gotten herself into?" I wondered, speeding towards the hotel.I had to leave a meeting to come back here when it wasn't even 1 pm."Cursed lunar tether," I muttered under my breath, frustration evident in my voice. "Why did she have to let me mark her? Now I'm bound to protect her, whether I like it or not."I couldn't face her. It wasn't part of the agreement. A night of passion had led to her begging me to mark her."Jeez, Lion, this is all your fault," I spat at my wolf who remained quiet, feeling guilty for what he had done.I could feel her fear. Something was wrong. The lunar tether tend to make me feel and sense her fear, and if she was in danger, I would lose my powers and worse, my life. She was more or less m
Chapter tenAria's PovMy heart broke into a thousand pieces when I realized who Colton was and why I had been feeling weird and drawn to him.Why hadn't I recognized him earlier as my mate? And here he was talking about how powerful the lunar tether was.I saw the pain and hurt in his eyes, making me feel guilty and I immediately felt a deep hatred against his brother Orion.If only he didn't give me the offer if only he knew I was under the influence of alcohol. I whimpered, wondering what would be going on in Colton's mind I looked at his eyes which had a glowing brown color and wondered if he was about to shift? as It all felt weird to me."Get out." He said to me, his voice laced with hatred.I knew he needed to be calm, cause if he leaves in this situation, he might hurt someone but was shocked when he aggressively pushed me, and I staggered backward, landing on my butt. I looked at him in fear and could see pain evident in his eyes, he hadn't done it on purpose.Just yesterda
Chapter ElevenAria's PovI froze as the sound of gunshots echoed through the woods, the birds flying in fright.My heart skipped a beat, and a cold sweat broke out on my forehead, muttering a silent prayer under my breath, I hoped that none of the brothers, especially Colton, was shot.I hesitated for a moment before opening my eyes, and to my dismay, it was exactly what I had been avoiding—the security team of the Crescent territory, the CFI."What's going on, Alphas?" a lady said, looking around the scene."We got a report from the inhabitants of the slums that there was a loose, legendary wild wolf rampaging the woods.""And I wasn't expecting to see you two here," she added."A wild wolf? Come on, there's no such thing," Orion immediately said. I turned to Colton, who had a jacket over his waist but no pants on.He must have probably shifted back to his human form, not wanting to be seen in his wolf form.No Alpha would want to be seen in this situation."Alpha Colton? oh my God.
Chapter Twelve Aria's Pov I turned around in shock as I heard his voice behind me. Anger surged through me."How dare you show your face here?" I asked as he just stared at me, his eyes filled with anger also. "Are you planning to defy my dad's order and leave with her?" He said, referring to my mum, making me give them a quizzical look."What's he talking about mum?" I asked as he turned to me."And you, are you ready to apologize?" But I didn't respond and rather shot him a piercing stare."I see you still haven't gotten over me," he mocked, looking around the house as I folded my fist."And who said I haven't?" I spat."Seems you don't want your parents to live," he whispered as I gave a small laugh, wondering where I got the boldness."Do you think I cheated on you? I wasn't even dating you, you were dating yourself." he suddenly said as I gave him a questioning stare."And, I'm not sorry to say this, but it was all part of the plan, the birthday surprise at the cafe, the video