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
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 POVI ran through the foggy forest, feeling my heart pound in my chest. The damp leaves crunched under my feet as I pushed forward, desperate to put as much distance as possible between myself and the life I was leaving behind.Behind me, I could hear bone-chilling howls that made my blood run cold. Two gray wolves were on my tail, their large forms barely visible in the fog. I could hear their heavy breathing and the sound of their footsteps as they got closed in on me."Stop running, bitch!" one of the werewolves yelled, his voice harsh and threatening.I felt sick to my stomach, but I had to keep going. “Leave me alone!" I shouted back, my voice hoarse and breathless.The other let out a cruel laugh. "Leave you alone?? Dante, the man you claim to be your husband, he killed our parents, our family. And because of him, we were forced to become rogues. Now, we will make him pay by killing you!”My mind reeled. Alpha Dante, the Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack and my husband of t
ARIA'S POVAdam helped me out of the forest, his arm wrapped around me protectively as we made our way to his sleek black car.The drive to the hospital was a blur of streetlights and worried glances. I couldn't shake the feeling that my world had been turned upside down, again.We pulled up to the emergency entrance, and before I knew it, I was being whisked away in a wheelchair. Adam's voice boomed through the halls, demanding the best care, the top doctors.Soon after, I was in a comfortable bed in what looked more like a luxury hotel suite than a hospital room. Doctors and nurses bustled around me, checking my vitals and asking questions I could barely focus on answering."Adam," I whispered, reaching for his hand. "You really don't need to go through all this trouble. I'm fine."He squeezed my fingers gently. "Shh, little sister. Just let them take care of you."The head doctor, a kind-faced woman with salt-and-pepper hair, came over with a clipboard. "Well, you've been through q
ARIA'S POVThe phone slipped out of my fingers and landed on the bed. Dante's words echoed in my head, each one feeling like a knife twisting in my stomach.“...you are not allowed to get pregnant with my child. If you are, you better get rid of it. Immediately.”I sat there, numb, staring at nothing. How could he? How could he be so heartless?"Breathe, Aria," I whispered to myself, but the air felt thick, choking me.Minutes crawled by. Or was it hours? I couldn't tell.Suddenly, a loud buzz cut through the quiet.My phone.I glanced at it, feeling a mix of hope and dread. Maybe Dante had…With a shaky hand, I reached for the device. "Unknown number," the screen read.I let out a frustrated sigh. "Great. Just what I need. Some telemarketer trying to sell me crap I don't want."I almost tossed it aside, but something made me hesitate. Call it a woman's instinct or just plain curiosity, but I found myself opening the message.Just then, I gasped and quickly covered my mouth with my ha
ARIA'S POVHah! Happy? Dante was happy? While my world was crumbling around me, he was happy.I pressed myself against the wall, trying to make myself invisible. My heart was pounding so loud I was sure they could hear it."Linda," Dante's voice was gentle. "I promise you, I will do everything in my power to care for this child. I'll make sure that the little one grows up safe and loved. I will not let you both down.”He will not let them down? He was supposed to be making those promises to me, and not to Linda. What the hell was wrong with him?The room started to spin, and I felt like I might be sick right there in the hallway.I couldn't hold back the sob that escaped my lips. Quickly, I clapped a hand over my mouth, but it was too late."Did you hear something?" Linda asked.I heard footsteps approaching the door and panic surged through me. I couldn't let them see me like this - broken, pathetic, with tears streaming down my face. I was Aria, the princess of the Blood Moon Kingdo
ARIA'S POVI stood there, feeling my heart race, as I looked from Dante to Linda, then to Agatha, and finally back to Dante.The words were burning on the tip of my tongue, begging to be unleashed. I wanted so badly to scream. But as I opened my mouth, ready to let it all out, I saw Agatha's face.There was worry obvious in her expression, and the way she leaned on Linda for support. It was like a bucket of cold water had been dumped over me. The fight drained out of me in an instant.What good would it do to cause a scene? Especially with the servants hovering nearby, their curious eyes darting between us. I already felt humiliated enough, and I could see the way they looked at me as they walked by."I... I just needed some time alone," I said at last, the lie tasting bitter in my mouth. "I should have let you know. I'm sorry."Agatha's eyes narrowed slightly. "You needed some time alone?" she repeated, her voice laced with doubt. She shook her head, sighing heavily. "I don't have th
ARIA'S POVI stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down my plain blue dress. It wasn't fancy, but it was the nicest thing I owned.Three days had passed since Dante last spoke to me, and now here I was, getting ready for his mother's birthday celebration."It will only be for a few hours," I whispered to my reflection. "Just remember to smile and be polite."The moment I stepped into the grand hall of the Crescent Moon Pack's mansion, I felt out of place.Werewolves in designer clothes chatted and moved around, their laughter echoing off the high ceilings. I clutched my carefully wrapped gift tighter, searching the crowd for a familiar face.Out of nowhere, someone forcefully bumped into me. I stumbled, nearly dropping the gift."Watch where you're going!" a sharp voice snapped. I looked up to see a tall woman in a white dress glaring at me. "The help should know better than to get in the way."My cheeks burned. "I'm not-""Oh, let her be, Vivian," another woman cut in. "She's proba
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