ARIA'S POVWhen Adam had told me that I could finally see Dante, a wave of relief and excitement washed over me. I had been waiting for what felt like an eternity, and every second that passed only added to my anxiety.I could hardly get out of that hospital bed fast enough, throwing on a comfortable pair of jeans and a sweater, wanting to look decent without overthinking it.As soon as I was ready, I followed Adam through the hospital hallways, my pulse pounding with each step.Adam walked hurriedly beside me, his face serious, glancing back at me every now and then to make sure I was keeping up. And after about a few minutes, we finally turned the corner to Dante’s room.My heart skipped a beat when I saw the room number Finn had told Adam about."Here we are," Adam mumbled, giving me a small nod. I barely gave myself a chance to hesitate before I opened the door and stepped inside.The first thing I saw was Linda. She was sitting beside Dante’s bed, staring at her phone with a smil
ARIA'S POVThe sharp, piercing voice echoed through the room like a blade, almost deafening me. It was more terrifying than Linda's anger, filled with an authority and anger that made my heart skip a beat."You wretched woman!" The words felt like venom, laced with pure hatred. "You nearly got my son killed, and yet you have the audacity to come here? Do you want to kill him?"Before I could even process the words, Luna Agatha stormed forward, her face twisted with rage. I stumbled back, but she was faster, grabbing my arm in an iron grip, her nails digging into my skin so sharply that I felt a warm trickle of blood."Let me go!" I gasped, my voice weak, the pain shooting up my arm. But her grip only tightened, her eyes blazing as she leaned in closer."I warned you, didn't I?" she spat, her face inches from mine. "I warned you that if you ever brought harm to him, there would be consequences. Do you think you're untouchable just because he cared for you?" Her nails dug deeper, and I
DANTE'S POVThe first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was the white ceiling of the hospital room.Blinking against the harsh brightness, I felt a strange, disoriented fog clouding my mind. It was as though I had been asleep for a long time, so long that the silence around me seemed almost unnatural, like an endless ringing in my ears.Was this… the afterlife? Was I… dead?A sense of unease crept over me, and as my senses slowly returned, I started to realize that I was very much alive.The quiet in my head gradually faded, and I began to hear voices coming from outside the door, as though a crowd was gathered.I couldn’t catch every word, but there was one voice that stood out among the rest, sharper and louder than the others.It was my mother's.As the memory hit me, I flinched, and the sudden movement sent a ripple of pain through my body. I groaned, barely able to lift my head, but slowly, I turned to look around the room.The bed beside me was empty, and the room was also empty
DANTE'S POVI rushed forward, ignoring the sharp, tearing pain that flared through my chest with every step.My body protested, reminding me of every injury, every burn, and every scrape. But I couldn’t stop. Not when I saw the way Aria’s face had turned pale. She looked so small, so tired, caught in a storm she didn’t deserve.As soon as I reached her side, I wrapped my arms around her shoulders and pulled her close to shield her from the guards and the tense atmosphere.The pain hit me in waves, and I winced, clenching my teeth to keep myself from bending over. But when I looked down at her, nothing else mattered.“Aria,” I whispered, my voice barely steady, my hands trembling as I held her close. “Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere? Do you feel sick?”Aria’s wide, surprised eyes met mine, and for a second, it was as if time stood still. She blinked, her lips parting slightly as she whispered my name, almost like she was saying it for the first time. “Dante? You’re… you’re awake?”
DANTE'S POVThe silence that settled over the hallway was heavy as my question hung in the air, lingering between Adam and me.All eyes were on us, waiting, as though they too wanted to know what his answer would be.But he didn’t say anything.Adam’s eyes met mine, and there was something in his expression that I couldn’t quite understand. A flash of something like guilt, or maybe it was frustration—I just couldn’t tell.He looked down, his jaw clenched, and it was as though he was wrestling with something inside himself, something he couldn’t, or wouldn’t want to say.My mother, who had been shouting just moments ago, was now standing quietly, looking at Adam with a suspicious gleam in her eye. Linda,on the other hand, was restless, her gaze flickering between Adam and me.And as for me? I felt a cold, creeping doubt slowly spread into my chest as I stood there, staring at the man who, apparently, had saved my life.Suddenly, my mind began to wander, piecing together every piece of
DANTE'S POVThe command was still ringing in the air when my mother opened her mouth to say something, her expression fierce and ready to argue. But before she could get a word out, I turned to her, giving her a look that I knew left no room for discussion.A low growl escaped my mouth, and I saw her flinch, her shoulders dropping just enough for me to know that I had gotten through to her. She lowered her head, though her face was tight with a barely hidden frown.I let out a scoff, feeling the frustration building up inside me. Shaking my head, I turned away from everyone and began walking back to my room.Every step I took felt heavier than the last. My chest was tight, my mind racing with a mess of emotions I couldn’t sort out—anger, hurt, confusion. I couldn’t even bring myself to look back at Aria. I didn’t want her to see me like this, to see my weakness or see that I was jealous.As I reached my room, I gave one final order to the guards stationed outside.“No one is allowed
ARIA'S POVBy the time Adam brought me back to my hospital room, I felt like I was walking through a fog.Everything that had happened today seemed to cling to me like a heavy burden—the shock of seeing Dante awake, the accusations from his mother, Linda’s mocking words.I could barely even process any of it; it was as if the ground had shifted beneath my feet, leaving me feeling off-balance, lost.As I sat down on the small couch in the corner of the room, Adam placed a glass of water in front of me. With shaky hands, I reached for it, hoping that a sip might help clear the weight pressing on my chest.Adam took the seat across from me, leaning back with that familiar, confident look, though this time there was an edge of sarcasm in his expression. “So,” he began, an eyebrow raised. “Are you still planning on going back to see him? I mean, since you’re so… love struck?”I met his gaze, feeling my face flush at his mocking tone. His eyes were searching, waiting, as if he knew exactly
FINN'S POVDante’s eyes narrowed even more, his gaze never leaving mine. “Don’t play coy with me, Finn. You’ve been acting strange. Ever since I woke up, there’s been this… tension. Something isn’t right, and I can feel it. You’re not telling me everything.”I swallowed, feeling the walls I had built around my secrets start to crack. “Dante, you just woke up,” I said, choosing my words carefully, buying myself time. “Maybe it’s all… it’s overwhelming. Maybe that’s why things feel off.”He didn’t buy it. “Maybe,” he said, though his voice held no conviction. “Or maybe you’re just trying to avoid telling me the truth. The real truth.” His gaze hardened, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous tone. “So why don’t you tell me what’s really going on, Finn?”The air in the room suddenly became thick with tension as Dante looked at me, waiting for answers I wasn’t sure I could give."Dante," I began carefully, choosing my words slowly. "Honestly, a lot happened while you were out, and honestl
ARIA'S POV A day later, the verdict for Linda was announced, quick and final. Exile. The word echoed in my mind as I stood by the open window of my room, watching the morning sun rising through the clouds. Linda’s punishment felt like the closing of a chapter, one filled with betrayal, pain, and chaos. Her exile was the beginning of a new order.I had heard the details from Adam earlier that morning. His voice had been calm but firm as he explained it.“Her and her family have been stripped of her title and banished permanently," Adam said, pacing in front of me. His broad shoulders seemed even broader with the weight of leadership on them. "Her pack is no more. It is now part of the Blood Moon Pack, under the Griffith Alpha.”I nodded, taking in his words, though I felt a flicker of sadness. Not for Linda, but for what could have been. She had ruined her own life, blinded by ambition and greed.“Did she say anything?” I asked softly, curious despite myself.Adam stopped pacing an
DANTE'S POV Standing in the middle of the room, my mouth fell open, and I froze. My entire body went stiff as I stared in shock.Outside the window, the sky changed like a living painting, its colours swirling and intensifying. It was mesmerizing and terrifying all at once. The pale blue of daytime changed into shades of red and gold, enveloping the hospital room in an eerie crimson light.“What… what’s happening?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.A loud, bone-chilling howl cut through the silence, making the hair on my arms stand on end. My eyes quickly snapped back to Aria.She wasn’t just lying in bed anymore. No. Her body was changing. Her limbs stretched, her frame twisted, and a silvery light surrounded her like a shield. My heart pounded in my chest as I watched in awe and fear.“Aria…” I breathed, taking a hesitant step forward.Her body shook violently, her skin glowing faintly under the changing light. Then, with one final shudder, she transformed. Where Aria had b
DANTE'S POV Before I could answer Adam's question, Aria’s soft voice broke the silence in the hospital room. It wasn’t loud, but it pierced through the stillness like a sharp blade.“Everything that happened, it's all because of you,” she said.Her words hit me harder than I expected. My chest tightened, and for a moment, I couldn’t even breathe. The air in the room grew heavy, suffocating, and I felt the weight of her accusation settling deep in my gut. She wasn’t wrong. It was truly my fault, no matter how much I tried to explain or justify it to myself.I looked at her, but she didn’t turn away or soften. Her eyes, even in her weakened state, held anger. Hurt. Maybe even fear.“I know,” I said quietly. My voice sounded strange in my own ears, low and heavy with guilt. I didn’t even try to argue because I knew it wouldn’t matter. Words wouldn’t undo what had happened. I had let this happen to her. I nodded, lowering my gaze. “I know, Aria.”It suddenly felt like my throat was mad
DANTE'S POV The drive to the hospital was a blur. My hands were holding the steering wheel so tightly that my knuckles turned white. I glanced over at Aria again and again. She was silent, curled up in the passenger seat, staring ahead with a blank expression. Her face was pale, and her body shook with every bump in the road."Aria," I said softly, my voice breaking. "Are you okay? Please, say something. Anything at all."She didn’t respond, only closing her eyes tightly as if she were trying to block out the world. My chest tightened, guilt suffocating me. This was my fault. Every tear, every tremble, it was all because of me.When we finally reached the hospital, I didn’t waste a second. I jumped out of the car, ran to her side, and lifted her into my arms. She didn’t resist but held onto me weakly. I burst through the hospital doors, my voice loud."I need help! Someone help her now!"A nurse rushed forward, her eyes wide. "What happened?""She’s been through… something terrib
ARIA'S POVThe three men had their filthy hands all over me, laughing as though they had just won a lottery.“Look at her,” one of them sneered, his eyes scanning me like I was some kind of prize. “This one is going to make us famous. Just wait till the camera gets this.”Another man chuckled as he adjusted the camera on the tripod. “Don’t rush, man. We’ve got all night. Let’s make this a show they’ll never forget.”My heart pounded as I struggled to move, to do anything, but my body wouldn’t cooperate. “Please,” I whimpered, tears streaming down my face. “Please, don’t do this. I’ll give you money, houses, cars. Anything. Just let me go. My family is rich.”“Money?” the tallest one scoffed, kneeling beside me. “What’s the fun in that? Nah, sweetheart, we’re here for something better.” He leaned closer, his disgusting breath hot against my face. “And you? You’re… so perfect and beautiful. I just can't wait to see what you got down there.”The third man smirked, crossing his arms as he
ARIA'S POV One of them smirked, his gaze raking over me like I was a piece of meat. “She’s pretty enough,” he said, his voice rough and cold. “We could have some fun with her.”My blood ran cold. My breath hitched as I stared at Linda, disbelief and terror washing over me. “Linda, no,” I whispered, my voice shaking. “Please, don’t do this.”She looked at me, her smile sharp and venomous. “Why not? You’ve ruined my life. Why shouldn’t I ruin yours?”Tears streamed down my face now, and I couldn’t stop them. “Linda, please. I didn’t do anything. I swear. Just let me go.”She squatted again, her face inches from mine. “You don’t get it, do you?” she said softly. “This isn’t just about today. This is about everything. Every time you smiled at him, every time he talked about you, every time I had to wonder if he was thinking about you instead of me. You took him from me, Aria. And now, I’m taking everything from you.”Her words cut deeper than any knife. I wanted to scream, to fight back,
ARIA'S POV I woke up to the sound of my phone buzzing. Over and over, it wouldn’t stop. At first, I thought it was just my alarm, but when I opened my eyes, it wasn’t the usual beep. It was vibrating like crazy on the nightstand.Rubbing my eyes, I reached for it, still half-asleep. Messages lit up the screen. Missed calls too. I squinted, trying to focus. The first message I saw was from Adam: "Are you with Dante?"My heart jumped a little. Why would Adam ask me that? And why on earth would I be with Dante?I typed back slowly, still confused: "No, I’m at home sleeping. Why?"I hadn’t even hit send when Finn’s name popped up on the screen. He was calling. I swiped to answer, still lying in bed.“Finn?” My voice cracked.“Aria!” Finn’s voice was sharp, loud, and panicked. “Dante is gone! He ran away from the wedding!”“What?” I sat up so fast my blanket fell off me. “What do you mean he ran away? Where would he go?”“That’s what I’m asking you!” Finn snapped. “Are you with him? Di
LINDA'S POV The entire mansion was filled with a lot of activity. My mother, friends, and even the servants were all around me, moving around quickly like moths drawn to a warm light.The air smelled of lavender and sage, and the faint sound of chants could be heard from the ceremonial grounds outside. It was finally my wedding day, the moment I had waited for my entire life, and I couldn’t stop smiling.I was marrying the man I had always loved. Dante.“Hold still, Linda,” my mother said sharply, adjusting my veil for the hundredth time. “You don’t want to look like a mess walking down the aisle, do you?”I rolled my eyes but stayed still. “I’m fine, Mother. It’s perfect.”She stepped back and looked at me with a rare softness in her eyes. “You’ve finally gotten what you wanted,” she said, her voice quiet, almost emotional. “You’re about to marry the man you love. I hope you’re happy.”“I am, Mother,” I said, my voice steady but full of excitement. “I couldn’t be happier.”Her lips
ARIA'S POV I tried so much to look calm, though my heart felt uneasy. Dante hesitated, his eyes scanning the room before landing back on me. To my surprise, he asked softly, “Can we go outside? Maybe to the balcony?”I glanced at him, skeptical. Part of me wanted to say no and walk away, but his tone wasn’t demanding. It felt... vulnerable. After a moment of hesitation, I nodded and followed him.The balcony was quiet, with only the faint hum of voices from the banquet hall in the background. The night air was cool, and the moon hung low, creating a soft light over everything. Dante leaned on the railing, looking down at his hands as if trying to find the right words.For a moment, he didn’t say anything.I tilted my head, waiting for him to speak. When he finally did, his words caught me off guard.“Aria... do you still like the colour blue?”I blinked, not sure how to respond. “Blue?” I repeated, raising an eyebrow.He nodded quickly, almost nervously. “Yeah, blue. It used to be