DANTE'S POV The hallway outside the ICU was a war zone of words. Finn stood firmly in front of me, his voice sharp and unwavering as he defended me.“Cynthia,” Finn snapped, his tone laced with frustration, “you’re acting like Dante pushed Linda out of that window himself. He didn’t make her jump, and he sure as hell didn’t make her lose that baby!”“Don’t you dare speak to me like that!” Cynthia spat, her voice raw with anger and tears. “My daughter is lying in there because of him! Everything that’s happened—her pain, her suffering—is on him! And you’re defending this… this…”“Enough!” Finn interrupted, his patience wearing thin. “Linda did this to herself, and you know it! She’s been lying and manipulating everyone around her, and now you’re trying to make Dante your scapegoat? That’s not going to happen.”“How dare you!” Cynthia shrieked, her face twisted in fury. “You’re nothing but a troublemaker! You think you can just waltz in here and cover up for him? My daughter wouldn’t b
DANTE'S POV Finn's question lingered in the air, and I could feel his eyes on me, waiting for an answer. But what could I say?Did I really want Aria to be with Finn? Did I even have the right to want anything when it came to her?I fell silent, staring at the floor as my thoughts spun out of control. Of course, I still loved Aria. I always would. But I had ruined everything—our love, our future, all of it. Linda was lying in a hospital bed, and her family would never stop blaming me for what had happened. Even if Linda woke up, this mess wouldn’t magically disappear.Just then, as I closed my eyes, Arias' face appeared in my mind. The softness of her smile, the fire in her eyes, the way she used to say my name like it meant something—like I meant something. My heart twisted painfully as the memories rushed in, unrelenting.I remembered the first time I saw her, the way she lit up a room without even trying. I remembered the way she believed in me when no one else did, how her laugh
ARIA'S POV The truck rumbled over the bumpy dirt road, its tires kicking up a cloud of dust that hung in the hot air. I stared out the window, watching the endless expanse of sand and scrub roll by. The sun beat down mercilessly, and for what felt like an eternity, there was no sign of civilization—just the wide, empty desert stretching to the horizon.Finally, after almost an hour and a half of driving, something came into view. At first, I thought they were more rocks or ruins, but as we got closer, I realized they were rows of small wooden cabins. They looked old and weathered, like they had been standing there for decades, barely holding up against the harsh desert winds.“Are those… the homes of people?” I asked, squinting at the cabins.Kieran glanced at me, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Yep. Pretty basic, huh? This is the border of the Astral Pack’s territory.”I frowned, looking out at the makeshift community. “Living in wooden cabins in the desert must
ARIA'S POV The first night in the Astral Pack’s territory was restless. My mind spun with everything I had seen so far—the exiles living in those wooden cabins, the peeling paint on my so-called “hotel,” and Kieran’s warnings about staying inside after dark. Anxiety and curiosity twisted together, keeping sleep at bay. But eventually, exhaustion won, and I drifted off, dreaming of endless deserts and shadowy figures watching me from afar.When I finally woke up, the sunlight streaming through my window caught me by surprise. It was so bright, flooding the small room with a golden glow that made the peeling paint and creaky furniture look almost charming. I stretched, letting the warmth on my skin chase away the lingering unease from the previous day. The desert might be harsh, but it had its own kind of beauty.The bright sunshine lifted my spirits a little. It had been so long since I had seen a day this clear, and for a moment, I let myself believe that things would be okay.Just
ARIA'S POV The cave loomed before me, dark and eerie, like a yawning mouth ready to swallow me whole. This wasn’t just any cave. This was the only place that held the sapphire—the crowning jewel for my mermaid tear necklace. Without it, the design would lose its magic, its purpose.This was my comeback, my first design after years of silence. I had to make an impression, and that sapphire was the key.“I’m sure I want to go in,” I said firmly, shaking my head at Kieran’s suggestion to reconsider.He tilted his head, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You say that now, but you know caves can collapse, right? Maybe you should really think this through.”“I’ve already thought it through,” I replied. “I have to do this. And I can go in by myself. You can stay out here.”Kieran raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. “What kind of guide would I be if I just let you wander in there alone? No way.”“I’m serious,” I said, adjusting my safety gear. “I’ll be fine.”“And I’m serious,” he countered, gr
DANTE'S POVThe room smelled like antiseptic and despair. It was small and cramped, with white walls that made everything feel colder. Linda lay still on the bed, her face pale against the hospital sheets. For days, we had been here, waiting, hoping. Her parents, Cynthia and Alpha Gregory of the Red Moon pack, hadn’t left her side. My mother, her eyes hollow from lack of sleep, stood behind them. The tension in the room was a living thing, heavy and suffocating.I leaned against the wall, arms crossed, trying to calm my racing thoughts. Finn paced near the door, his boots scraping the floor. None of us spoke much. What could we say? Linda had been in this strange state since the fall and none of us understood what was happening.Just then, Linda stirred. It was barely a twitch at first—a flutter of her fingers. Cynthia gasped, clutching Gregory’s arm so hard he winced. My mother straightened, her hand flying to the silver pendant she always wore.“Linda?” Cynthia whispered, her v
DANTE'S POV The room was still tense, even after the doctor left. Cynthia had asked the question we were all thinking, her voice sharp and full of disbelief: “Are you serious?” And Dr. Hayes had looked at her with that calm, clinical expression he always wore and said, “Yes. Memory loss is common in cases like this. Give her time. With the right care and support, she’ll probably get better.”But even as he said it, I could see the doubt in his eyes. We had taken Linda back to her room after that, her movements slow and her face blank, as if she wasn’t entirely there with us. She didn’t speak much, just stared at the walls while her parents fussed over her, trying to make her comfortable.I stayed in the corner, silent. What was I supposed to do? Finn was gone, off handling pack business, and it left me standing awkwardly in the shadows, watching this whole mess unravel.It was later that evening when the tension boiled over. Moss, one of the pack's senior healers, knocked softly o
ARIA'S POV The cave was eerily quiet, and for the first time in hours, we weren’t moving. As I leaned against the damp rock wall, I was grateful for the chance to rest. My legs were on fire from all the crawling, and I didn’t realize how badly I needed a break until we stopped.“This is nice,” I mumbled, more to myself than to Kieran, who stood near the entrance of the passage. He was watching the path we had just crawled out from, scanning the shadows with his sharp gaze.“Don’t get too comfortable,” he replied, his tone serious. “We can’t stay here for long.”“Why not? It’s quiet,” I said, pulling my knees to my chest. “And my legs might actually fall off if I move right now.”Kieran sighed and turned towards me. “Aria, we don’t know what’s out here. This cave might feel safe, but it’s not. We need to find the sapphire and get out of this cursed place as soon as possible.”I groaned, resting my head on my knees. “Fine. Just five more minutes. Pretty please?”“You said that ten min
ARIA'S POV The sudden voice echoed through the hall, silencing the witches and stopping their chanting in the middle of a verse.My breath caught in my throat as I slowly turned to see who had interrupted.Standing there, tall and commanding, was Adam. His piercing eyes scanned the room, and his presence was like a beacon of hope in the midst of my despair. Behind him stood Finn and a dozen elite soldiers, their expressions hard and ready for a fight.In that moment, my legs moved before I could think. I managed to break free from Mason’s grip, my heart racing as I ran towards Adam. “Adam!” I cried, my voice cracking. “You’re here!”Adam caught me, his strong arms wrapping around me protectively. “Aria,” he said softly, his voice filled with concern. He pulled back slightly to look at me, his eyes scanning my face as if checking for injuries. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”I shook my head quickly, tears brimming in my eyes. “No, I’m fine. I’m just so glad you’re here. I thought…”
ARIA'S POV At that moment, the guards surrounding us suddenly shifted into their wolf forms too, their eyes glowing with anger, teeth bared and ready to attack. My heart sank as I realized we were completely trapped. Meanwhile Kieran didn't back down. His wolf form stood tall and powerful, his fur standing on end as he snarled back at them. I really thought he might stand a chance.He attacked the first wolf, his claws cutting through the air. The wolf yelped as Kieran struck and tumbled backward.The other wolves didn't hesitate. They leapt at him all at once, their jaws snapping and claws tearing into him."You are going to kill him!" I screamed, struggling against the guards holding me.Kieran's powerful jaws clamped down on one wolf's neck and tossed it aside like it weighed nothing. But for every wolf he took down, another quickly took its place.Suddenly , the designer and I were grabbed from behind, our arms restrained. I struggled, but it was no use.“Kieran!” I cried, wa
ARIA'S POV My heart was racing as I stood still. I gripped Kieran’s sleeve so tightly that my fingers hurt, trying to come up with the right answer to Alpha Mason's question.“I…I guess…it is,” I stuttered, feeling overwhelmed with fear.“Well, then,” Alpha Mason said, his voice calm. “Why don't we put an end to this nonsense, huh?” His eyes glinted with smug satisfaction as he spoke. “Come on, Princess. Don’t struggle needlessly. I'll take you just as you wish, so let’s go.” Mason’s words sent a shiver down my spine. I knew I had told him to take me, but I just thought that maybe he would call my bluff. Just maybe.I was terrified. Very terrified.He spoke as if he had already won, as if there was no point in resisting him. My mind screamed at me to fight, to say something, but the words caught in my throat.I glanced at Kieran, my heart pounding. His jaw was tight, his body coiled like a spring ready to snap. I could feel the barely contained anger simmering just beneath the surf
ARIA'S POV I really couldn't believe that we were completely surrounded. I was hoping that, maybe I was just imagining things.But I wasn't.The soldiers continued to walk closer with their weapons drawn, their eyes cold and unflinching. Kieran stood in front of me, his body tense and defensive, his gun pointed at the soldier in the front.I could feel the fear in my chest, but I couldn't let it take over.The leading soldier stepped closer, his weapon raised. The glint of the blade in the evening light sent a chill down my spine."Stay back!" Kieran barked, his voice strong and sharp. He didn't lower his gun. "Don't come any closer."The soldier didn't stop. Instead, he just kept walking toward us as if Kieran hadn't said a word."I said, stop!" Kieran yelled again.The designer, Elena, stood beside him, her voice filled with panic. "You need to back off! Don't you dare come any closer!"But it was like the soldiers were deaf. They ignored every word, their steps slow but deliberate
ARIA'S POV The tension in the room was thick, and my heart raced in my chest. Every sound, every breath felt louder, as if the very air in the room was pressing down on me.The designer didn't say anything to Kieran's question. Instead, she walked over to the door and locked it, the click of the lock sounding too loud in the quiet room. My heart raced as she turned to face us, a smirk playing on her lips.“What… what the hell are you doing?” I asked, my voice trembling.Kieran adjusted himself in front of me, his eyes narrowing at the woman. “You should stay back,” he warned, his voice firm.The designer didn’t answer right away. Instead, she took a cautious step forward, holding the gun at her side. Kieran and I took a step back, unconsciously mirroring her movement. My palms were sweaty, and my mind raced with questions.Then, out of nowhere, she spoke.“Your Highness,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “Don’t you recognize me?”I froze, blinking in shock. “What?” I managed
ARIA'S POV The room was quiet, but not the kind of peaceful quiet. It was the heavy, suffocating kind, filled with fear and uncertainty. I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the door, my heart racing. Every minute that passed brought me closer to the wedding I didn’t want.Kieran paced back and forth near the window, his face tight with concentration. He had been trying to come up with a plan for hours, but nothing seemed to work. “What if we create a distraction?” I asked, breaking the silence. My voice was shaky, but I tried to sound calm. “Something to draw the guards away, even for a few minutes?”Kieran stopped pacing and looked at me, his brows furrowed. “And what would the distraction be, Aria?”I hesitated, wringing my hands. “I… I don’t know. Maybe something with fire or smoke?”He shook his head. “Too risky. The guards would panic, and the entire place would go into lockdown. It would only make things worse.”I let out a frustrated sigh, burying my face in my hands. “
ADAM'S POV The airport was buzzing with activity when I arrived. The bright lights reflected off the polished floors, and the noise of people rushing to catch their flights was overwhelming. I adjusted my bag on my shoulder and glanced around, looking for Finn. A dozen bodyguards surrounded me, their presence heavy and serious, as if we were preparing for war.Just then, I saw Finn leaning against a pillar near the private jet terminal. He looked up as I approached, his expression unreadable.“You’re here,” he said simply, pushing off the pillar and walking towards me.“Of course I’m here,” I replied, my voice tight. “We don’t have time to waste.”Finn glanced at the group of bodyguards behind me and raised an eyebrow. “You really think you need all of them?”I gave him a sharp look. “I’m not taking any chances, Finn. If something’s happened to Aria, we might need them.”He didn’t argue, but his expression said enough. He thought I was being overly cautious, maybe even paranoid. But
ADAM'S POVI was sitting at my desk when the news hit me like a punch to the stomach. The words on the screen didn’t make sense at first, and I had to read them again. “Alpha Mason of the Astral Pack to marry Aria, the Griffith princess of the Blood Moon Pack tomorrow.”The Griffith princess? Aria? My sister?My heartbeat thundered in my ears as the weight of those words sank in. Aria was getting married? To Alpha Mason? “No way,” I muttered, leaning forward, my hands gripping the edge of the desk. My thoughts were racing so fast that I could barely keep up. Why would she agree to a marriage like this?I grabbed my phone and quickly searched for more information. There were already articles popping up, but they all said the same thing: Aria Griffith is set to marry Alpha Mason in the Astral Pack.“No,” I whispered under my breath, shaking my head. This couldn’t be right. I didn’t waste another second. My fingers flew over my phone as I tried to call her. I pressed her name, held
KIERAN'S POV The wedding was set for tomorrow. Tomorrow!The word echoed in my mind like a warning bell. I didn’t have more time. If I waited even a moment longer, it would be too late. Aria would be trapped forever tied to that monster of an Alpha. I couldn’t let that happen. I wouldn’t let that happen.My plan was dangerous and messy, but it was all I had. Sitting outside the palace in the shadows, I watched carefully, observing everything—the guards, the maids, their routines.It was just after sunset when I spotted her. A young maid walking towards the side door of the palace. She was alone, carrying a tray. Perfect.I moved quickly, staying low, my steps silent. When she turned the corner, I was already behind her. Before she could scream, I grabbed her from behind, one arm around her mouth, the other holding her firmly in place. “Shh!” I hissed. “I don’t want to hurt you.”She kicked and squirmed, her tray clattering to the ground, but I tightened my grip. “Stop and liste