ARIA'S POVThe next day, I thought Evelyn might have forgotten all about the idea of a launch. After all, she had a habit of getting overly excited about things and then moving on to her next big idea. But when we met up, I quickly realized I was wrong.Evelyn greeted me with an energy that could light up a room. “Aria, I’ve been thinking about it all night,” she said, sitting down across from me.“Thinking about what?” I asked cautiously, though I already had a sinking feeling.“The launch, of course!” she exclaimed, her smile widening. “It was all I could think about. We have to do this, Aria. It’s going to be incredible!”I sighed. “Evelyn, I thought you were just throwing the idea out there yesterday. I didn’t think you were serious.”“Aria, you can’t keep a piece like ‘Tears of the Mermaid’ hidden.”And just like that, I found myself cornered, her eagerness too overwhelming to ignore. “I really don’t know if I can do this,” I said, fiddling nervously with the edge of my notebook
ARIA'S POV My day started with Evelyn arriving at my house. She barely let me finish my morning coffee before dragging me out the door.“Aria, we have two days until your big launch, and we have to find you the perfect outfit. Something bold, something unforgettable.”I rolled my eyes but let her pull me along. “Evelyn, it’s just a launch. I don’t need anything too extravagant.”“Just a launch?” She stopped in her tracks and turned to glare at me. “Aria, this isn’t just a launch. It’s your debut! Everyone will be looking at you. You need to look like the star you are.”Evelyn took me to D.M., the most luxurious boutique in the city. Even from the outside, the store screamed luxury. The glass doors sparkled, and the golden lettering of its name shone in the sunlight.“Evelyn,” I said hesitantly, “this place is... a bit much.”“Exactly,” she replied with a grin, grabbing my arm and pulling me inside.The moment we stepped in, staff members greeted us with warm smiles and excellent mann
ARIA'S POV The boutique’s atmosphere suddenly felt suffocating, the air too thick to breathe. My hands clutched the fabric of the dress I was wearing, and my mind raced. The last time I had seen Linda and Dante was months ago, and back then, everything between us had been sharp edges and unspoken resentment. So why now, as they stood just a few feet away, did Linda smile warmly as if nothing had ever happened?I couldn’t move. My feet felt like they were glued to the floor as I stared at them. Time went by, and I suddenly realized that I must have been standing still for longer than I thought because, to my surprise, Linda was the one who came up to me."Aria, are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost," Linda's voice was cheerful, her smile wide. “It’s been such a long time!”I blinked, trying to process what was actually happening. Was I imagining things? Friendly? Warm? Linda? The woman who once made it clear that she couldn’t stand me? The same Linda who was always ready
DANTE'S POVThe moment Aria left, her image stayed with me, as if burned into my mind. She had looked so elegant in that green dress, the satin flowing around her like ripples on a calm lake. Her skin had seemed even more radiant against the fabric, smooth and untouched by the world’s harshness. I clenched my fists at my sides, silently cursing myself. Months had passed since I last saw her, and not once had I tried to talk to her, not even to explain. What kind of man was I? I was always so… dumb.“Dante! Dante!”Linda’s voice cut through my thoughts, sharp and urgent. I turned to see her staring at me, and for a brief moment, I thought I saw something fierce in her eyes—a flash of anger or jealousy. But it disappeared just as quickly, making me wonder if I had imagined it.“Are you even listening to me?” she asked, her voice laced with annoyance.“Sorry,” I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck. “What did you say?”“I said,” Linda began, her tone cold, “we need to find a suit fo
ARIA'S POVThe day of the launch had finally come. My heart raced as I stood in the waiting area, taking deep breaths to calm myself. Evelyn had already gone ahead to the venue full of energy as she prepared to impress the guests. I told her I would follow shortly. This was my first public appearance, and I needed a moment alone to gather myself.I adjusted the green satin dress Evelyn had chosen for me, its fabric cool against my skin. I felt a strange mix of excitement and fear. What if they don’t like my work? What if I mess up? My thoughts spiraled, but I shook my head. “No, Aria, you’ve worked too hard for this. You belong here,” I whispered to myself.As I smoothed my dress and prepared to walk into the venue, my phone buzzed in my clutch. For a moment, I considered ignoring it, thinking it might be Evelyn or some last minute update about the launch. But when I glanced at the screen, I saw “Mother” flashing, and my heart softened.I swiped to answer, holding the phone to my
ARIA'S POV Standing on the stage, with the lights shining down on me, I could feel the weight of every pair of eyes in the room. The air was filled with whispers, astonishment spreading through the crowd like a wave.“Wait, is that really Aria?” one woman gasped, her voice loud enough to carry across the hall.“It can’t be,” another muttered. “The same Aria? The former Luna without a wolf? Alpha Dante's ex-wife?”A man beside them leaned in, his tone filled with disbelief. “She designed this jewelry? This masterpiece?”I held my head high, feeling my heart race in my chest as I looked out at the crowd. I didn’t need to see Linda to know she was somewhere in the crowd, her lips likely pressed into a tight line as she tried to keep her composure. The memory of her mockery earlier hurt, but now it only fueled my determination.In the midst of the whispers, I lifted the microphone, and the room slowly fell quiet, except for the occasional hushed remark.“Good evening, everyone,” I began
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
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 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