Chapter 3: You’re marrying Alpha Draven?

*** Ariana’s POV

The tires of my Audi S3 strained against the sharp turns as I pushed the car faster, desperate to put more distance between me and Stormveil. My knuckles were white against the steering wheel, and the empty highway stretched endlessly in front of me. It was just me, the winding road, and the dark forest pressing in on both sides.

I tried to control my breathing, whispering the words over and over to myself. "You’re safe now. Just keep going." But the pounding in my chest told me I wasn’t safe—not yet. “Everything happens for a reason,” I repeated, clinging to my mother’s words. “Everything happens for a reason.”

“What am I going to do?” I whispered to the road ahead, my voice cracking. My mind raced with questions: Where could I go? Who could I trust? What pack would take me in now?

I didn’t have answers, but I couldn’t stop driving.

Then it happened.

An ear-splitting crash. Metal smashed against metal, and the car lurched violently to the side.

A sharp gasp tore from my throat as the car spun out, tires screeching. My head slammed into the airbag, my vision blurring. The Audi skidded off the road, grinding against the pavement before coming to a shuddering stop.

I barely had a moment to catch my breath when the driver’s side door groaned under a massive weight. A rogue wolf, fully shifted, was tearing into the car, its claws scraping at the glass.

“No, no, no!” I screamed, fumbling with the seatbelt. Panic seized me as the wolf snarled, its claws shredding through the door’s frame.

The sound of metal bending filled my ears, and I pushed myself back as far as I could, my heart hammering.

Then, just as suddenly as it had attacked, the rogue was ripped away.

Through the shattered window, I saw them—three wolves, larger than any I’d ever seen, tearing into the rogue with savage precision. Within seconds, it was over. The rogue’s lifeless body hit the ground, blood pooling beneath it.

One of the wolves shifted back into human form, striding toward me. His dark hair was damp with sweat, his sharp features calm despite the chaos.

“Hell of a stunt that thing pulled,” he said, his voice low but steady. “You alright?”

I nodded shakily, finally managing to unbuckle my seatbelt and sit upright. “I—I don’t know. My pack… we were attacked.”

His expression darkened. “Anyone left?”

I shook my head, the words catching in my throat. “If they got to the Alpha family that fast, then... no. There’s no one left.” My voice cracked.

He glanced at the rogue’s body, his jaw tightening. “We’ve seen signs of rogues for miles. You’re lucky we were close by.” He paused, then added, “I’m Clark Eberson, Gamma of Hollow Ridge Pack. We’re heading to the Black Moon Pack, but…” He hesitated, studying me. “That might not be the best place for you. We can drop you off somewhere along the way.”

“The Black Moon Pack?” I repeated, my stomach twisting. Everyone knew their reputation, especially their Alpha King, Draven Nyxborne.

Clark’s expression softened. “We’ll put out feelers to other packs. Someone will take you in.” He gave me a small smile. “Come on. We’ll figure it out.”

He led me to one of the large SUVs parked nearby. A young woman stepped out as we approached, offering me a kind but wary smile.

“Come,” she said softly, holding out her hand.

I climbed into the SUV, my hands still trembling. My heart raced, but for the first time since I’d fled, I allowed myself to breathe.

The woman reached into a bag at her feet and pulled out a pair of jeans and a light blouse. “Here,” she said gently.

I accepted the clothes and quickly changed in the back seat. “Thank you,” I murmured, my voice still shaky.

She nodded, her expression distant. “I’m Miria,” she said, glancing out the window as the SUV began to move. “We’re heading to Black Moon for my wedding.”

I frowned, the name sparking recognition. “Loomstone?” I asked. The whispers of an arranged marriage came flooding back. “You’re marrying Alpha King Draven?”

Her face tightened, and she nodded. “My parents sold me to him… to settle their debts.”

I stared at her, my heart sinking. “I’ve heard the rumors,” I said softly. “About his… brides.”

Miria gave a bitter laugh. “Yes, the rumors. Let’s hope they’re worse than the truth.” She sighed, her fingers knotting in her lap. “I don’t have a choice. I have to go through with it.”

We sat in silence, the weight of her words pressing down on us. I felt a strange connection to her. Her betrayal wasn’t the same as mine, but it still hurt just as much.

As the hours passed, we shared more. Miria spoke of her pack, her family, and how they had loved her but still sold her.

“I’ve accepted my fate,” she said quietly. “But I still hope… maybe I can make a difference before…” She trailed off, leaving the thought unfinished.

“I used to think I could make a difference too,” I whispered. “As Luna. But now… I don’t know.”

By the time we stopped at a gas station near another pack’s territory, exhaustion weighed heavy on both of us. Clark stepped out to check on the convoy while Miria leaned against the window, lost in thought.

“I’m going to the bathroom,” I muttered, stepping out of the SUV. The small, single-stall bathroom was on the outside of the building. I locked the door behind me, the silence a brief relief.

I wasn’t inside long before growling shattered the quiet.

Shouts followed. Then a scream.

My blood ran cold.

I cracked the door open, peeking outside. My breath caught in my throat as I saw Miria’s lifeless body being dragged into the woods by a rogue, its jaws locked around her neck.

Panic surged through me, and I slammed the door shut, locking it.

The silence didn’t last. Something heavy slammed into the door, and a low voice taunted, “I can smell your fear.”

I backed away, my heart racing. The door shook again, bending inward. Before it could break, new sounds erupted—growls, snarls, and the unmistakable chaos of a fight.

Then, silence.

The doorknob turned, and a deep, husky voice called out, “Miria…”

I hesitated, trembling. But rogues wouldn’t know her name.

With shaking hands, I unlocked the door.

“Oh Goddess,” I breathed as the door opened.

A man stood before me, taller and broader than anyone I’d ever seen. His dirty blond hair was tousled, his black eyes intense. Power radiated off him like a storm.

His gaze pinned me in place. I couldn’t look away. Around his neck, I saw it—the insignia of the Alpha King.

A low growl escaped his chest.

“Alpha,” I whispered shakily, baring my neck in submission.

Silence stretched until another voice broke it. “There’s a trail leading into the woods,” the newcomer said. “Too much blood, Alpha.”

I straightened, my stomach twisting. The words confirmed what I already feared—Miria was dead.

Alpha Draven’s expression didn’t change, but his voice was low and regretful. “We have what we came for,” he said, though his eyes burned into me.

The newcomer stepped forward, offering me his hand. “Miria,” he said, beckoning me.

I hesitated, but then took it. I didn’t bother to correct him.