FINN'S POV"Linda," I muttered through gritted my teeth as I looked around the empty cabin. My fists clenched, my frustration building. "I swear, you will regret betraying my family."Just then, I heard footsteps approaching behind me. It was Carl, the Beta known for his remarkable sense of smell. His expression was troubled, his brow furrowed as he stopped just inside the doorway.“Carl,” I snapped, eyeing him impatiently. “Is there a problem?”Carl hesitated, glancing around the room before he spoke. “I don’t know, Finn. Something’s not right here. My senses—they are telling me he’s here. Ralph is here.”I frowned, my frustration boiling over. “What do you mean? The cabin is empty, Carl. We’ve searched every inch of it. There’s no one here.”He shook his head, looking around as if he could see something the rest of us couldn’t. “I can’t explain it, Finn. But I’m telling you, the rogue wolf—he’s close. My senses have never been wrong.”I exhaled sharply, trying to hold back the impat
ARIA'S POVThe drive to the location dragged on far too slowly for my nerves. I tapped my foot impatiently against the floor of Adam’s car, and every now and then, I glanced over at him, silently urging him to press harder on the gas.Adam remained calm, his eyes fixed on the road, his hands steady on the wheel.“Adam, can’t you go any faster?” I asked, my voice barely masking my frustration. “Every second counts. You know what that rogue is capable of. You've seen him fight, he's really good.”He briefly looked at me, a reassuring but calm look that only frustrated me more. “Aria, take a breath,” he said, his voice steady, maddeningly patient. “I get it. But if we go rushing in, it could make things worse.”“Worse? If we’re too late, Adam, what then?” I clenched my fists, trying to keep my voice from shaking. “What if he’s already hurt someone, or… or worse?”“Aria, trust me,” he said, keeping his voice soft. “We’re doing this the smart way. Besides, Finn is already there, and he’s n
ARIA'S POVI watched Adam bravely charge into the fight, his shoulders squared and his expression serious.As much as I wanted to stay out of sight, to avoid becoming a distraction, I couldn't tear my eyes away from the fight.Ralph stood proudly, his dark eyes filled with anger. But Adam and Finn were equally determined, moving with so much strength, their eyes burning with an intense seriousness.For a moment, fear and hope collided in my chest because Ralph was a monster, and I knew what he was capable of. But Adam and Finn were no strangers to battle–they were built for it.I found myself gripping the edge of the car door, silently willing them to end it quickly.Thankfully, it didn't take long for them to gain the upper hand. With every calculated strike, every brutal blow, they pushed Ralph back, overwhelming him, until finally, he dropped to the ground, restrained by Finn's warriors, his face twisted with fury."Get your filthy hands off me!" Ralph growled, his voice filled wit
FINN'S POVI stepped through the heavy door and into the dim light of the silver cell. The air was heavy with the smell of cold metal, mixed with the lingering scents of sweat and fear.Ralph was seated against the wall, his wrists chained above his head, his arms stretched out tight, his body marked with fresh red welts that cut across his skin like dark, angry lines.The two warriors I had ordered to get him talking stood by, looking like they had just come from a fight themselves, their eyes hard but hesitant.One of them stepped forward, his voice low. “He refused to speak, Boss. Not a word, no matter how much we tried.”I nodded. “Leave us,” I ordered. They glanced at each other, then gave a quick bow before slipping out, shutting the door with a dull clang that echoed in the silence.Now, only Ralph and I remained in the cell.I took a step closer, letting the weight of my presence settle on him. He lifted his head slowly, and for a brief second, I saw a hint of defiance flashin
FINN'S POVThe grand hall sparkled with the kind of beauty and elegance that masked the dark purpose lurking beneath the surface that evening.I had arranged every detail carefully, from the golden chandeliers casting soft light over the tables, to the flowing drapes framing the room in deep shades of royal blue and emerald.The guests began to arrive slowly, each dressed in their finest, each carrying the same hesitant expression. After all, it wasn’t every day you celebrated a man’s recovery by gathering half the pack’s inner circle.Dante had given me a sceptical look when I first suggested it. “Are you sure, Finn? It seems… unnecessary.”But I only smiled, giving him a pat on the shoulder. “Trust me, Brother. Tonight's not just about celebrating your recovery. I have a little announcement planned. You’ll see.”That kept him quiet, though I could tell he wasn’t thrilled. Dante didn’t love being the centre of attention, and as Alpha, he rarely had the luxury to be. Yet, despite his
ARIA'S POVFinn’s voice rang out across the hall, loud and clear, cutting through the low hum of conversations and gasps that followed the gruesome video.The sight of Ralph—bloodied, battered, barely recognizable—lingered in my mind, his pain etched in every laboured breath, every ugly bruise.It didn’t make sense. Finn was ruthless, yes, but not reckless. And beating someone within an inch of their life? That wasn’t like him.I turned to Adam, leaning close so no one else could hear me. “Finn is setting a trap,” I whispered, keeping my gaze fixed on the screen where Ralph’s battered form still flickered. “He wants Linda to slip up, to implicate herself.”Adam raised an eyebrow, a small, amused smile spreading over his face. “Well, well, looks like my little sister has got some brains in that head of hers.”I rolled my eyes, nudging him sharply in the ribs. “Not little, thank you very much.” My tone was playful, but the tension was twisting in my gut. Something felt wrong.Adam chuck
ARIA'S POVI watched from the shadows as Linda confidently walked right into the silver cell, barely a flicker of hesitation in her steps.The guards hadn’t so much as glanced at her. Of course, being the ‘supposed’ future Luna had its perks.For a moment, I thought about following her inside. But the plan in my head fell apart as fast as it formed—Linda would see me in an instant, and even if she didn’t, the guards would. And then…well, that wasn’t exactly the way I wanted to die.I lingered just out of sight, wrestling with my options, trying to decide if I should risk it. I was just about to turn back when I felt a presence behind me.I immediately turned around, and a sharp gasp escaped me before a strong hand clamped over my mouth.Panic shot through me, and my heart hammered wildly against my ribs. But then I saw who it was.Finn’s gaze met mine, a glint of urgency in his eyes as he held a finger to his lips, signaling me to keep quiet.My pulse slowed, though only slightly, as
ARIA'S POVI swallowed nervously as I turned back to the screen.Linda was helping Ralph up now, her arm slipping around his shoulders, her movements steady, gentle. It was almost unsettling, seeing her this way.After everything that had just happened, the way she had looked ready to strangle him, here she was—guiding him carefully as if she genuinely cared.“Is she really going to just… walk him out?” I whispered, glancing over at Finn.Finn only shook his head slightly, his gaze unreadable, as if he were trying to solve a puzzle I couldn’t see. “Let’s just keep watching,” he muttered.I returned my focus back to the screen, heart pounding, my eyes glued to Linda and Ralph as they moved towards the door. Ralph had a hint of relief in his eyes as he leaned on Linda, trusting her to lead him to freedom.Then, just as they reached the cell door, Linda’s expression changed. It was a barely visible change, the kind of look only someone who knew her well would notice—a flash of something
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
ARIA'S POVA few minutes after Alpha Ezra’s warning, the room was still buzzing with tension as reporters continued to talk over one another. At that moment, I felt overwhelmed. Just as I was about to speak again, Dante finally took action. He raised his hand, and his commanding presence alone seemed to quiet the room.“Enough,” he said, his voice firm but calm. “This is not the time or place for such personal interrogations.”The murmurs died down a bit, but a few persistent reporters persisted.“Alpha Dante,” one said, stepping forward, “don’t you think the public deserves to know more about Aria’s personal life?”Dante’s gaze hardened, and he gestured towards me. “This event is about Aria’s work, her accomplishments, and her talent. I suggest we keep our focus where it belongs.”There was a moment of hesitation, the reporters glancing at one another. Finally, a few nodded, seemingly moved by his words.“I think we can all agree,” Dante continued, his tone softening, “that Aria ha
ARIA'S POV My heart was pounding so much, but I tried to keep my expression calm, even as I noticed Linda stepping forward. She was smiling, a look of smug confidence plastered across her face.Linda reached for Dante’s arm and linked hers with his as if to solidify her claim. Her eyes darted towards me, a glint of satisfaction in them. “Dante and Aria are already a thing of the past,” she said loudly, her voice carrying over the murmurs of the crowd. “Their relationship ended long ago.” She turned her head slightly, her expression softening into something almost sweet. “I am going to marry Dante, and you are all welcome to attend the wedding.”Her words hung in the air like a heavy curtain, causing a stir among the crowd. Cameras flashed continuously, capturing every angle of Linda’s victorious pose.I saw Dante’s jaw tighten slightly as if he wasn’t entirely comfortable with her words. He avoided my gaze, his eyes instead fixed on the floor.“Linda,” I said calmly, stepping forward
ARIA'S POV Just when I thought that I was done answering unexpected questions, someone else suddenly stood up, his pen ready over his notepad. “Ms. Aria,” he began, “you mentioned your identity as the Griffith princess earlier. Why did you keep your identity hidden for so long?”The whispers started again, but I took a deep breath. “My identity wasn’t something I intentionally hid,” I replied. “It was just not relevant to my work. I wanted to build a career based on my talent, not my name.”The whispers grew louder, and another reporter quickly followed up. “Did your family know about this? Were they supportive of your decision to stay under the radar?”I hesitated for a moment before answering. “My family has always supported me in their own way. They understood that I needed to find my path independently.”A woman in the crowd raised her hand, her tone sharp. “Does that mean the Griffith Alpha approved of you working as a designer instead of taking on more... traditional duties as