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 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 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 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 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“Let's go, Aria,” Adam said suddenly, reaching out his hand to me.I forced a small smile and nodded, taking his hand as we made our way out.Thank the Goddess for bringing me out of this mess.As we walked out, the hallway outside the banquet hall was dimly lit.Adam’s hand was tight around my wrist as he pulled me along, with Finn following closely behind us. My chest felt tight, my mind racing with everything that had just happened.“We need to get you out of here as soon as possible,” Adam said sharply, his voice low but commanding.Finn glanced back towards the hall, his expression tense. “That stunt you pulled back there won’t go unnoticed for long,” he added. “Mason is going to come after us.”I nodded, but my feet slowed as we moved farther down the corridor. Something tugged at me, holding me back.“Wait,” I said, stopping in my tracks.Adam turned to face me, his brow furrowed. “Aria, we don’t have time for this. We need to leave. Now.”“I can’t.”“What do you me
ARIA'S POV The tension in the hallway was heavy as Adam reluctantly agreed to help. His expression was a mix of frustration and worry as he crossed his arms and stared at me.“Fine,” he said, his voice firm. “But let me make one thing clear—any sign of trouble, and I’m dragging you out of here. I don’t care what promises you’ve made.”I nodded quickly, relief washing over me. “Thank you, Adam,” I said softly.His jaw tightened, and he looked away, muttering, “Don’t thank me yet.”He turned to the guard, his posture strong and commanding. “Take us to this supporter of yours,” he ordered.The guard nodded, relief evident on his face. “Thank you, Alpha Adam. Please follow me.”The guard led us down a series of dark, twisting corridors. The torches on the walls created flickering shadows, making the path feel eerie and endless. Finn stayed close behind me, his eyes constantly scanning our surroundings. Adam walked beside me, his hand hovering near my arm as if ready to pull me back at a
ARIA'S POV The air in the room felt heavy as the soldiers disguised as servants walked in, carrying the boxes of jewels. They wore plain clothes, looking down to avoid drawing attention.I could actually feel my heart pounding in my chest with every step they took. Finn stood next to me, his jaw clenched tight, and Adam remained calm and composed in front of us.The soldiers set the boxes down, their movement careful. Adam waved a hand, signaling for them to leave. “That’s enough. You can go now.”But just as the soldiers turned to leave, Alpha Mason’s voice cut through the room like a blade. “Hold on,” he said sharply.My breath hitched, and I unconsciously grabbed Finn’s arm. Mason walked slowly to the front of the boxes, his sharp eyes scanning each one. The sound of his footsteps echoed in the silent hall.He opened one of the boxes, his fingers brushing over the glittering jewels inside. The gems sparkled under the light, their beauty unmatched. Mason then opened another box, h
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