DANTE'S POVThe old man swallowed nervously, shaking his head. “No, Alpha Dante, I… I didn’t mean any harm. If I had known…”I just stared at him, not sure what to do anymore because I was tired—tired of this night, tired of the lingering tension that had been simmering since the moment Aria walked in. I just wanted this night to end.It was the same old story, a pathetic excuse. The old man was drunk on his own arrogance, now terrified because he realized he had crossed the line. It would be easy to deal with him, to make him leave and forget this whole thing."Fine," I said, my tone flat. "Just go. You've caused more than enough trouble.”But Finn wasn’t ready to let it go. He was vibrating with anger, his eyes locked on the man. His voice came out sharp, cutting through the hum of the room.“He insulted Aria. You don’t just walk away from that.”I could see the rage boiling in Finn, the same sense of protectiveness that had sparked the fight in the first place. His loyalty to Aria
ARIA'S POVThe night air felt thick as I stepped out of the banquet hall.I didn’t look back. I couldn’t.The tension in my shoulders was so intense, and I felt like if I turned around and met Dante’s eyes, everything I had been holding in would come rushing out.I just wanted to be anywhere but here, far away from all the judging eyes and whispered gossip.At that moment, I heard Finn’s footsteps behind me, quicker and more purposeful than mine. “Aria,” he called softly, concern evident in his voice. “Please, wait up.”I slowed down, but I didn’t stop, the heels of my shoes clicking sharply on the pavement. He reached my side in seconds, his hand lightly touching my arm, gentle, but firm enough to let me know he wasn’t going to let me walk away without talking to him.“Are you okay?” he asked, his breath a little ragged, as if he had been running after me.I let out a deep breath, feeling the tightness in my chest start to release, just a little bit. “You've been asking me that quest
ARIA'S POVI flinched at the sound of Dante's voice, raw with frustration and something darker—something I hadn’t heard from him in a long time.I knew that tone. It was the one he used when he was close to losing control, the one he used when his patience had finally run out.Before I could say anything, before I could even process the tension spilling out between the two brothers, Finn turned to the driver. “Start the car,” he ordered, his voice low but firm.The driver hesitated, glancing between us in the rearview mirror. He looked unsure, clearly caught between the brewing storm outside and the quiet command inside the car.“Now!” Finn’s voice cracked like a whip, leaving no room for argument.The driver jerked forward in response, and in an instant, the car surged ahead, pulling away from Dante and the chaos of the banquet.My eyes instinctively flew to the rearview mirror, and for a second, I saw Dante standing there in the middle of the road, his fists clenched at his sides, h
ARIA'S POVMy breath hitched, and I felt myself stiffen under his gaze. The car suddenly felt smaller, the air heavier.I wasn’t sure what was happening, but something was shifting between us, something I hadn’t expected. I could feel it, and I knew Finn could feel it too.He shifted slightly in his seat, turning more towards me, his eyes still locked on mine.I wanted to break the silence, to say something to shake off the strange tension that was hanging between us, but the words wouldn’t come. My throat felt tight, like something had lodged itself there, refusing to budge.And then, slowly, Finn leaned closer.My heart skipped a beat. He didn’t speak, didn’t say a word. His eyes flicked down, lingering on my lips, and my breath caught in my chest. My mind seemed to short-circuit as I watched him, frozen in place, not sure of what to do or say.This wasn’t supposed to happen. Not with Finn. Not right now.But there he was, inches away, his eyes dark and focused. I could feel the hea
FINN’S POVAs Aria's words trailed off, I realized that she was terrified. Not of me, but of whatever had just happened between us.The weight of that moment—the way I had leaned in, the way I almost crossed a line neither of us were ready for—it was too much for her. And I didn’t blame her. Hell, I wanted out of my own head.What the hell was I even thinking?The clarity struck me fast, like a cold bucket of water thrown over my head. I shook off the stupid, reckless thoughts that had been swirling in my mind, the ones that had nearly driven me to kiss her.“I’m sorry,” I said quickly, the words tumbling out in a rush. I didn’t even wait for her to respond. I turned on my heel and got back into the car, slamming the door shut behind me.My heart was pounding, my thoughts racing as I sat there, trying to get a grip on myself.The car started up again, the hum of the engine filling the tense silence. I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees, my head buried in my hands, trying so
ARIA'S POVAs soon as I stepped into the house, all thoughts of Finn and the… the kiss disappeared from my mind, replaced by the heavy tension in the air.Adam was sitting on the sofa, his posture rigid, his face tight with an expression I rarely saw on him. And seeing him like this made my stomach twist with uneasiness.“Hey,” I greeted softly, trying to keep my voice steady as I dropped my keys on the small table by the door. “What’s going on?”Adam’s eyes flicked up to meet mine, and for a moment, he said nothing. Just stared, like he was trying to figure out how to break whatever news was sitting on his shoulders.My pulse quickened, and a million thoughts rushed through my mind. Was something wrong with the pack? Had something happened to Father?Then Adam cleared his throat, the sound sharp in the quiet room. “Aria,” he began slowly, his voice low, careful. “We’ve got a problem. A big one.”My heart skipped. A problem? I took a step closer to him, my fingers fidgeting with the s
ARIA'S POVAfter pacing back and forth in my room for what felt like hours, I finally made my decision.I couldn’t do this alone. Going to see that rogue by myself was nothing short of suicide.My hands trembled as I ran them through my hair, trying to calm my racing thoughts.I had to tell Adam. He would know what to do—he always did.I took a deep breath and made my way downstairs, trying to mask the anxiety that was building up inside me.When I reached the bottom of the stairs, I saw Adam sitting on the sofa, looking utterly exhausted. His eyes were heavy, his body slouched in a way that told me he hadn’t slept at all.I knew he had been working nonstop, calling for help, reaching out to every connection he had, trying to track down the rogue. And it was all for my sake.The guilt hit me like a wave. He was doing all of this to protect me, and yet here I was, about to burden him again.I paused, and as I watched him my heart ached. I really didn’t want to add to his burden, I shou
ARIA'S POVThe streets were empty—eerily quiet for this time of the night. Not a single soul was in sight. The street lights dimmed and flickered as if they were on their last breath.The further I drove, the more empty it became, the darkness swallowing the road ahead of me like a black hole. The silence in the car felt deafening, broken only by the soft hum of the engine.It reminded me of a haunted graveyard, the kind you see in horror movies, where nothing good ever happens.I swear I could literally hear my instincts screaming at me to turn around, to head back home where it was safe, but I shook the feeling off. I couldn’t let fear paralyze me now.Suddenly, the car jolted, hitting something hard on the road. I gasped, my heart leaping into my throat as I slammed on the brakes. The car screeched to a stop, the sound cutting through the night air like a scream.I gripped the steering wheel, my breath coming in short, panicked gasps as I stared out into the darkness. For a moment,
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