Betrayal at Twentieth birthday

Aria’s P.O.V

Blackwood mansion

I stared at my reflection above the mirror's sink. A sense of thrill and anticipation washed over me as I rinsed my hands in the water. My eyes sparkling like a child on a Christmas day waiting to unwrap their presents.

It was my twentieth birthday. A day I anticipated, causing me sleepless nights, and countless daydreams.

One day I'll finally be bound to my fated mate, Ryder Darkhaven of Blackwood pack.

After drying my hands with a rag, I sighed deeply without breaking eye contact with my reflection, then my eyes travelled to the necklace below my shoulder bones.

I wore a flowery off shoulder blue dress, and the diamond necklace situated around my neck. I remember clearly how Ryder had worn it on me, I smiled at the thought. The dress and necklace was bought by Ryder course, he said he wanted me to look very beautiful and the colour of the blue dress matches my irises beautifully. Not only that, he said he had a surprise for me.

Of course I didn't know what it was but I bet I'd love it, like I love him.

“Aren't you leaving? They're people waiting for you outside” Rachel, a close friend of my sister, spoke as she entered the bathroom with me. She gave me an irritated look while staring at my dress but pretended not to notice.

Her interruption had startled me but I soon gained momentum and smiled gently at her but she didn't revert back. Rachel brushed past me and I felt the jealousy radiating from her but who wouldn't be. I am the girlfriend of the Alphas' son and the future Luna of Blackwood pack.

“Okay. It's time to go” I said to myself and I made my way to the door. Leaving the bathroom, I followed a narrow long hallway.

As I continued walking down the hallway, I spotted a particular picture.

“Why haven't I seen this picture? And who is this?” I asked myself as I stopped to glance at the picture. It was a huge frame that hung at the centre of the wall.

It was the first time I'd seen it, in my two years of visiting Ryder's home.

“He looks attractive too” I muttered before turning to go back to the event that was held at the compound. Ryder was the one that suggested the party to be held in his home. At first I declined because I hate to draw attention but he said it would be a blast, who am I to oppose?

My steps quickened as I began walking the everlasting hallway. Just as I was about to descend the stairs, I heard moans coming from a room.

I stopped on my track and turned to the door. “stop teasing me . Just put it in” the lady said in between moans. At her words, my heart dropped to my stomach and I took a step forward. “I know that voice” I mumbled as I began walking slowly to the door, soon after I reached the handle.

My mind contemplates on whether I should open it.

“No. It's not my life. She can do whatever she wants to do with anyone. She's old enough” I said to myself, releasing my hands from the handle and turned back to the stairs.

“ Oh Ryder. You have no idea how long I've waited to have you wrapped around my thighs while you suck me dry” The female voice said moan breathlessly, this time more audible as if she wanted me to hear it.

I stopped again, my eyes widening in disbelief as I heard The name Ryder.

“I don't think I heard right,” I pondered. “Maybe it's someone else” I came to an ultimatum before making my way out, however my mind kept reeling back to the voice and the name.

I couldn't stop thinking about the familiarity of the voice, even as I tried shaking my head off it. Then I acted on impulse.

With a Swift turn, I made my way back to the door, expecting resistance but fortunately, it swung open effortlessly, allowing me to enter unnoticed“Don't let it be what I'm thinking” I let out, trying to convince my intuition but I had a very strong intuition .... Immediately I came in sight of what was in the room, my heart dropped to the floor. The moans in the room were very loud and I felt a sense of dread washing over me with each sound she made.

My eyes scanned the room until it fell on the bed where I was met with it. A sight that made my blood run cold, my skin crawl and a nagging sensation building up in my stomach.

There, on the bed was Lena, my sister, her legs wrapped around Ryder's neck while his face was buried in her thighs. They were so caught up in the moment of ecstasy that they didn't acknowledge me standing behind them. Suddenly, a stream of tears rolled down my face as I kept watching them.

Lena finally tucked her and brought it forward, then she noticed me. Instead of surprise, a sly smile then spread across her face as if she had been expecting me.

Ryder was still oblivious to my presence and continued the act but Lena was staring deep into my soul with that wicked smile.

“Ryder?” I breathed out as tears clouded my vision. The lump in my throat makes it difficult for me to utter any word.

“Why?” hoarse in a cracked whisper as it is, I made sure he heard it.

“Why are you doing this?” I yelled at them and they both turned to me. Lena's expression unyielding and meaning while Ryder stood with an unreadable expression.

“I hate.. you” I screamed, my voice shattering like a fragile glass.

I turned to flee, but the image of their betrayal, seard itself in my head. I felt my heart shattering into a million pieces as I turned and ran out of the room, the image forever etched in my mind

“Why Lena? Why would you choose to do this to me? You know how much I love him” I muttered while dashing down the hallway.

“I hate you. Just die!!” I cursed out, my vision blurred with my tears preventing me from seeing the obstacles ahead. Suddenly, I unknowingly collided with something hard making me fall down on my sore butt to the marble fall.

“Ow” I winced, rubbing my butt before getting up to apologise for my mistake but before I could utter a word, the stranger had already turned to leave. He was really tall with broad shoulders, and that was what I could make of him. And as how body touched for a milliseconds, I felt something sparked up inside of me - a jolt of electricity that left my senses tingling.

“That was rude” I muttered “And what was that weird feeling?” I trailed before dusting off dirt from my clothes.

“Oh there you are Aria” I heard my mother's voice from behind and I turned abruptly to her. He hands pulling me in an embrace immediately.

“Mom, what's wrong?” I asked, confused , still embracing her.

She pulled apart and stared at me.

“I am so proud of you Aria. Soon you'll take us away from that wretched neighbourhood onto a luxury place. I knew you would always “ she said while cupping my face into her hands.

I release myself from her and stepped backwards holding her hands.

“I told you I'd do it for you. We'll soon get out of that rat hole” I said smiling through the pain in my heart.

Mom reverted the smile before saying “what exactly are you doing here? Everyone has been looking for you. Especially Lena” she said.

My irises wildenn and my heart thumped in my chest at the sound of that name “Lena? But why?” I was confused.

“Apparently she has an announcement to make on behalf of you. I really don't know what,” mom raised her shoulder in a shrug.

“What? I don't understand. Didn't I just see her having sex with Ryder? How come she is looking for me now? What announcement does she want to make?” I pondered further as my mind conjured up the worst case scenarios.

“Are you okay Aria? You look dazed” mom said, her voice laced with concern, as she waved her hands in my face to get my attention.

I snapped back to reality , my eyes widened In horror . “It can't be” I whispered, my mind racing with the consequences of the truth.

“What? What are you talking about?” Mom asked, still concerned but I ignored her. My legs carrying me on autopilot to the hall where the party was being thrown.

Immediately I bursted through the door, blinding lights, assaulted my eyes and I shield my face from it.

The. I heard Lena's voice filled with Malice “Oh there she is. My Wonderful sister.. Aria” I heard Lena's voice booming through the speakers.

I lowered my hands, and squinted my gaze through the lights “What are you doing Lena? Don't do this?” I whispered to myself as all eyes were on me. My whole body suddenly went into panic mode, my heart raced like it was in a marathon. My legs tremble like spaghetti on a spoon and sweat drops from my head.

“You promised Lena. Don't do this” I pleaded silently, tears already welling up in my eyes.

“I know you might be wondering what I have to say. I have a crucial secret to tell you. And it's about your future Luna, Aria” Lena said and everyone began murmuring to themselves.

I tore my eyes from her and scanned for Ryder and I spotted him in a seat, casually sipping a bottle of wine.

I stood confused about the whole situation. “I don't understand all these. What is really happening here?”

Lena's voice cut through the air like a razor, snapping me back to reality as she spoke “Aria here holds a deep secret. A dark secret that could tear this whole pack apart and drag us into a pit of no return…”