Aria's POVAs I stepped in the room, I couldn't help but awe at what was going to be my room. My breath caught at the sight before me and I couldn't help but laugh incredulously as I immediately became wonderstruck.The moonlight filtered through the draped window, casting a bright gleam on the big bed a few feet away from me. Huge chandeliers hung down from the ceiling like stalactites, a brilliant radiance that made the whole room feel alive. The walls of the room was adorned with different abstract paintings and pictures, all adding to the life that the room had. Different tapestries, all of colors matching the calm tone of the room, hung across the wall at different locations and velvet sheer curtains hung over the large bed. Two plush cushions say neatly at the foot of the bed and a study chair and table, a lit lamp on top, stood at the end of the room, right beside the window."This place is... it's really beautiful," I muttered, more to myself than to Ma Levine as I slowly wal
Aria's POVI shot my eyes open with a loud gasp. The maids that were bathing me were no longer there. "W-where am I?"Cold wind blew against my skin, causing my body to shudder and my lips to quiver. I managed to sit up on the ground, the small rocks beneath me stabbing at my skin as I moved. I felt one dig into my flesh and I winced in pain. I brought my left arm to my face and grunted as I sighted a bead of blood trickling down my elbow. My lips had suddenly become dry and withered and I licked it after feeling a stinging pain on it. It had become so dry that it was starting to break. The cold wind that whipped against me did nothing to soothe the pain and instead worsened it. I wiped the dust particles that had covered my face from the blowing wind. Some got into my eyes and I had to blink multiple times to get them off. When I felt better, I decided to make sense of my surrounding. My heart began to palpitate as I studied where I was. The more I did so, the more it dawned on m
Aria's POV I turned to the voice, my body trembling with fear. From the sound of the voice, I half-expected to see a large creature, fur coated and long fanged with eyes that gleamed ominously with a fiery glow but I was met with something way more different. A large wolf, it's massive form possessing the aura of majestic grace, stood in front of me. His fur shone like silver and his eyes gave out a strong amber glow, one that held wisdom of the ancient and secrets kept for ages. His silver fur danced in the cold breeze, following the rhythm of the wind. His regal posture exuded strength and a tangible force that I knew should never be reckoned with. My eyes quivered as I stared with reverence at the entity in front of me. He looked down upon me and the moment our eyes met, I felt a deep connection almost immediately. At that instant, the realization of who he was dawned upon me even without him saying his name. "Welcome to the spirit world, Luna Aria," the large wolf said as a s
Aria's POVI couldn't breathe...I shot up from the bathtub, my heart racing as oxygen finally began filling my lungs. Water dripped from my soaked hair, down my face and back into the bathtub. I ran my hands over my face, wiping the water that had now momentarily blinded me. How long have I been in there?...I turned around, taking in short raspy breaths as I eyed my environment. I was still in the bathroom and everywhere looked the same. But deep down, I knew something felt off. "The maids," I mumbled to myself as I began recollecting all that had happened. Even though I had just finished looking around, I turned quickly to my side, where I recalled them standing last, but didn't find anyone there. I really was alone."What did they do to me?" I muttered as I relaxed back on the bathtub. I placed my hands on my aching head as I tried remembering all that had happened. I could remember the three girls and the words that they were mumbling to me. Confusion and curiosity came over
Aria's POV "Who... who has come to meet me?" I asked Ma Levine as my brows knotted into a frown. "The guardians," Ma Levine said as her eyes widened, curiosity displayed in her stare. "They gave appeared to you, haven't they?" "Guardians?" I mumbled before shaking my head. "I don't think the maids you sent to me are people that you can describe to be guardians." "Maids? But I didn't send any maids, Luna Aria," Ma Levine said as her lips stretched into a warm smile, glee replacing the look of curiosity in her eyes. "You didn't send in any maid to help me with my washing?" I asked her as I tried to understand what she was saying. Shaking her head, Ma Levine replied, "no, I didn't. Why would I send you maids when you can wash yourself?" "Th-that was what I thought until they told me that it was part of a ritual used to welcome me officially as the Luna of the pack," I said to Ma Levine as my heart rate began increasing. Fear filled my whole being as I began asking myself differe
Aria's POVI finished putting on my nightgown and walked to the mirror hung above the vanity table in front of my bed to get a good look at oh how the dress looked on me. When I looked at the mirror, I was a little bit taken aback by the person staring back at me. It was as if a whole different being stood in my place in the mirror."Whoa," I whispered as I placed my hands on my hips. I looked way different from what I looked like when I first walked into the room. It was as if the bath that I took completely changed me. I winced as I noticed a small slit that ran from the helm of the gown, up to my left thigh. It wasn't long enough to reveal much but I still felt naked in it. I made a mental note to sew the slit after I was done with the Lycan King. "Too tight," I muttered under my breath, releasing a quiet sigh as I turned, my eyes still on my reflection in the mirror. The night gown hugged me tight, revealing a smooth figure that I didn't even know I had. Maybe it wasn't so bad
Ryder's POV"I don't believe I was instructed to always let you know about my movements, Hudson," I said with a small scoff as I sat up straight in my seat and began gathering the papers on my table and stacking them together at a corner. Hudson's eyes narrowed into a frown as he folded his arms across his chest. With a hint of anger in his tone, he retorted, "when it has to do with matters concerning the image of the pack, I think you should let me know.""What does my coming back have to do with the image of the pack?" I asked as I looked up at Hudson, one of my brows raised. "And who told you that I was back?""The same people who told me about the new guest that you managed to sneak into the our home," Hudson asserted as he slammed the door behind him. A frown formed on my face as I immediately stopped what I was doing. I then shifted my attention to him fully, watching as he slowly approached my table. Slamming his hands down on the wooden top, he said, "why didn't you let me kn
Ryder's POVMy breath got caught in my mouth when my eyes landed on Aria. I was taken aback by her new look, one that I never expected of her. My eyes darted to Ma Levine for about half a second before shifting back to Aria. I had caught a knowing look from Ma Levine when I glanced at her. She knew what she was doing. "Aria," I said to her with a small nod after I had composed myself. I tried as much as possible not to look at the nipple outline on her gown as I shifted to the side of the door. "Come in," I said as I gestured for them to enter the room.Aria gave me a small smile before nodding and following Ma Levine as she walked in. After they entered, I closed the door behind them and then made my way to my study table. "Aria," I said to her as I stopped by my seat. Gesturing to my brother, I continued, "I would love for you to meet my step-brother, Hudson."Aria turned to Hudson to greet him but then when her eyes met his, the smile that she had on instantly vanished. She kept
Ryder’s POV“Hudson!!!" I growled as I stood from my hiding place. My voice boomed across the valley, echoing off the cliffs as I emerged from our hiding place, my daughter cradled safely in my arms. "You're fucking doomed." Hudson's expression twisted into a mix of surprise, anger and confusion as he saw me. The reality of what was happening then hit him as he saw my warrior wolves jumping out of the shadows and rushing out towards he and his guards. It took a lot of fighting and the loss of some of my warriors but we were finally able to bring down all of Hudson's wolves and also subdue him. As they chained him too, I walked over to him, holding my daughter close to my chest."Hudson," I said, my voice filled with disappointment as I stared at him. "All the while you showed me evil, I trusted you like a brother. Only to have you betray me by attacking me and kidnapping my daughter." Hudson didn't give me a reply as he glared at me with rage in his eyes. I could see that he had no
Ryder's POV"I.. I actually am happy that you've finally coke back to me," Aria said as she smiled for the first time since our son's adoption. I still marveled at how perfect her teeth were. "And I am happier that you took my back," I replied, extending my hands to her. As I caressed it, I stared into her eyes and smiled. "I really, really am happy." The entire room seemed to be light up as Aria softly laughed. It was a sound I so much missed.Suddenly, her smile dissipated, a slight frown replacing it. I squeezed her hands softly and scooted closer to her. I didn't need anyone to tell me why her mood had changed. "Do not worry, Aria. I would comb the breadth and depth..." I was cut short by a loud knock on the door. Laying kisses on her forehead, I got up from.the bed and walked to the door. "Who is it?" I asked, a hint of frustration in my voice as I placed my hands on the doorknob. "It's Harold, Prince Ryder," came a familiar voice. I grunted and opened the door to see who it w
Desiree's POVI quickly collected the horse from Jason, ignoring the questions he was asking me. Quickly, I mounted the horse and whipped the reins, causing it to sprint out of the compound. I quickly turned my horse down the path that I knew led to the small shed Hudson had gone to. I kept on whipping my horse, not wanting to waste any time. I needed to get there fast if I really wanted my plans to work.It didn't take too long for me as I finally took notice of a familiar row of sunflower along the pathway I rode. It has been planted a year earlier by some servants as instructed by Hudson. It had started drizzling, but the ray of sunshine remained firm and colourful. I recalled the stores told to me when I was little that when such was happening, it meant the moon goddess was punishing a pack for sins that they had committed towards her. I didn't believe sigh anymore. I finally reached the small gate leading to the shed and saw a guard standing by it. He sighted me and quickly wi
Desiree's POVMy heart raced as I rushed through the compound gate. I needed to inform Ryder about my findings.I quickly surveyed the surrounding path, and after seeing no one, I moved towards the palace. I had not notified anyone about me leaving that mansion and I knew if Hudson was to learn about that, he would be suspicious of me. I didn't want to drag any attention to me so I reduced my pace, walking stealthily into the mansion. It wasn't until I overheard a maidservants telling the other that Hudson had ridden to his shed in the woods that I finally relaxed. As I walked, I thought of what would happen once I told Ryder the good news I held for him. I wasn't too concerned about what he would do though. I was much more concerned about what Aria would do. She had promised me that she would pack and leave the moment her stupid child was found and that was what I expected from her. If she did, I'd finally have Ryder to myself. Upon arriving at the palace, I received the referenc
Desiree's POV"We were ambushed and... they kidnapped my daughter," Ryder explained to me, his voice cracking a bit. I could hear from his tone that he was pained and angered by what had happened to he and Aria. Why wasn't he thinking about me? Aria and Ryder had arrived not up to an hour ago and Aria had retreated to her room to cry her eyes out. Ryder had decided to come to his study to think and luckily, I was waiting for him. His conversation though was not one I was expecting to be having with him. "Do you know who took her?" I asked, pretending to be concerned, even though deep down, I was filled with anger. "Was there any clue left behind by the wolves that may lead us to her?" "I... I don't know," Ryder admitted, frustration evident in his voice. He grunted and ran a hand through his hair as he shook his head. He looked down at the drink I had brought for him and I could see in his eyes that he wanted to take it. "But... but I have to find her. I lost Aria once. I can't be
Ryder's POV We had long begun our journey in silence, the only sound filling the air being the sound of our horse's hooves trotting softly against grass and the racket our carriage wheels made as it made it's way through the forest. The children too added to the list as they played and laughed loudly. Apart from all these, the carriage seemed silent. My gaze turned to Aria, a sense of guilt filling up within me as I stared at her. She had turned to the window and was staring at the passing trees. It was obvious that her mind was somewhere else and I wondered what it was that she was thinking about. Was it me? Was she having regrets?I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out. I just didn't know what to say. Taking in a deep breath, I turned from her and began tapping my feet on the floor restlessly, trying my best to muster my courage."What is it?" I heard her say and I quickly turned to her. Her gaze had not left the window."Look, Aria, I'm... I'm really, really sorry," I sa
Ryder's POVThe morning came as quickly as the night went by and the rays of sun did more than wake me up, it also brought back bad memories. Memories of how I had treated Aria when all she had ever done was care for me, memories of how I should have heard her out a bit more, or protected her regardless of not knowing the origin of her pregnancy. I was nothing without her and her leaving ended up being undoubtedly detrimental to me. How did i not see that until now? But then, i probably did and decided on being more in denial. Due to the fact that it was already late yesterday, Alpha Kael had asked that I slept in before leaving with Aria. It wasn't something I wanted as it itched me to take Aria back home but I couldn't say nom He had taken me to my room, insisting that I don't sleep with Aria. I couldn't blame him. He was her father after all.I slowly sat up from bed, my right hand travellimg to my eyes as I began rubbing them to get them free from the haziness that had ensued th
Hudson's POVI walked out of the mansion and turned towards the path that led to the stable at the back. Sure enough, I found Jason there, attending to the horses inside. He was so focused on what he was doing that he didn't notice my presence.I made to enter the stable but then stopped as I sighted a a clump of horse dung at the front. I looked down at the ground and saw that there were a lot surrounding the area. I wasn't sure I wanted to have my shoes get stained with any. Taking a step back from the stable door, I called out to Jason from outside. "Jason," I shouted as I shoved my hands into the pockets of my jean trousers. "Jason," I called out again after seeing that he had not heard my first call.Jason looked up, startled, and turned to the cabin door. He sighted me standing outside and immediately wipes his dirty hands on his jeans before walking slowly to the barn door. "Alpha Hudson," he said as he bowed his head low. "Is there any problem, alpha?" I gave Jason a small n
Aria's POVRyder stared at me for a few moments before rushing towards me. I dropped my kids to the ground in fear, thinking he was going to attack me but, to my greatest surprise, he enveloped me in a tight hug the moment he reached me. I didn't know what to do so I just stood there motionless as he began whispering words of apology. "I'm sorry, Aria," he whispered as he placed his head on my blossom. "I really really am so sorry." I didn't know what to say or do at that moment. What was he sorry about? And what was he even doing here in the first place? I heard the shuffling of feet behind me and turned slightly to see my father stand from his throne and begin to walk towards I and Ryder. He was confused but had not reacted to Ryder's sudden hug. I assumed it was because I wasn't protesting that he kept cool. "What is happening here?" he asked with a frown on his face as he paused at the last step of the podium on which his throne sat. "Prince Ryder," he called out to Ryder and I