86. The Parallel World Its flames burnt bright and blue, flickering and dancing with an otherworldly energy that seemed to be alive with magic.As the limp man was staring into it, it grew bigger and bigger. Approaching close to it, he could feel the intense heat emanating from the fiery sphere, and can see its flames lick and lap at the air around it. It grew large until he could step inside it. The ball shrunk back to its original state and vanished behind him. The limping man prostrated on muddy ground with his face flat. Luckily, the ground was not wet as compared to other times. He was saved from the efforts of cleaning dirt and mud from himself. Getting up again, he walked further. It was a forest blanketed with red light illuminating from a red moon. This was a parallel world where the moon came out red and sun burgundy like an old witch's cracking dark lips. The rivers flew with water as red as blood and leaves on the trees like dried sheets of red pain that is left spilled
87. Bring Aria here Alpha Derwin stared at the fire burning across from him. The heat from his flames reddened his face. He was not amazed that his people from the pack that made out alive with him eighteen years ago were praising Aria. There was not a single crease of exasperation on their faces or hostility in their tones as they responded to Archer's information. That one thing had kept his eyes sparkling with an inner glow that came from listening to the gallant tales of his granddaughter. Aria was a part of him. She was the flesh of his beloved daughter. He had not seen Aria or pictures but from the given description, he could imagine her being as beautiful-- or say, more beautiful than her mother. A desperate feeling clawed at his heart. Suddenly he desired to see Aria. He yearned to look in the eyes of the blooming warrior Aria was becoming. She had the traits of two most powerful wolves. With her father's skills and her mother's beauty and legacy of selflessness, she would
88. Dad's warning "Oh, I am sorry, Dad. I'll get a napkin quickly." Zavier wanted to say it wouldn't be needed but Aria hastily spun around and returned with a cloth. "I'll clean it quickly and get you some more fresh juice." She said as Zavier looked at the glass of juice filled to the rim. Aria was not paying attention. She scrubbed it off the dry table that her father had just cleaned with the tissues. Her eyes ventured past him on the door of the kitchen that overlooked the view of their house's main door. Zavier gaped over his shoulder only to find the door bolt. Everything was as normal about the house as always. However, Aria acted differently. "Are you waiting on someone?" He asked, making Aria flinch and get on an alert mode like he caught her stealing a candy. "No, I am not! Who would I look for?" She sheepishly chuckled and continued to scrub the table unaware that there was nothing to scrub off. Zavier gave her a once over. She was dressed nicely in a gorgeous rose
89. Camping "Different as in how?" "Like..." She hesitated. "Have I changed?" "You did," He smiled. "But if you ask me I don't see much change." Aria turned around to look at him with her own eyes rather than at his reflection, "If we minus your bogus confidence, you're pretty much like the old Aria I've known earlier." "Bogus confidence?" Aria faked a glare. "So you think I fake confidence." "You do, Aria." Jake pinched her nose playfully. "You try to be confident but you're still shy and meek on the inside." "Is it bad?" "For me it's good. I'm glad you didn't change like most of the girls I know did after finding their wolves. And to say, you're a hybrid." His reply froze her. "You really think I am still the same?" "Of course, darling," He turned to face the mirror. "Just look at yourself. Do you see anything different about this lady here?" Aria only stared. Hence, Jake hugged her closer and said in an honest voice, "If there's anything that changed after all t
90. Invasion Aria and her friends Daisy, Christine, June, Tori, and Lora were all excited for their camping trip in the ranch during the beautiful spring season. They arrived at Lora's uncle's ranch when the sun was shining bright, and the birds were chirping. They were greeted by the rancher and her pregnant wife. Without occupying the girls for a long time, Lora's uncle guided them to the small reserved woody area for camping. It was just perfect with tall trees giving the vibe of being in a jungle. No one would believe this was just a small piece of land reserved as the woods by the rancher as a small endeavor towards keeping nature intact, and not tearing apart. "Wow, this place is amazing," exclaimed Daisy, as she looked around at the lush greenery surrounding them."I know, right? I can't wait to explore," replied Tori, already grabbing her hiking boots."Naomi and I come here all the time. You will love every second here." Said the rancher. "Here's some marinated meat for yo
91. Saved By An InchAria put a hand across her eyes to prevent a blow on the face. What hit her was a gust of wind as she heard the creatures' shuddering roar echo around her, shaking the very foundation of courage. It was followed by the sound of something falling on the ground far away after hitting something like a tree or a rock. "Aria," Her eyes flew open and mouth trembled into a relieved smile for Jake was kneeling before her, his hand going to cover the hand on her stomach. His eyes took in her bleeding stomach and anger made his eyes shine tenfold fiercer than she'd seen the silver creature's. He picked her in his arms and dropped her under a tree away from the creatures. "Wait for me here, cupcake. It won't take more than two minutes." He brushed his knuckles on her cheek and smiled between the tightness around his jaw. She beamed weakly, assuring him that she was okay. But her expressive eyes that were like two little globes of emotions gave away her agony. A sinew bel
92. Dealing with the Hunter "Before you accuse me of your daughter's injury, let me inform you Mr. Wright, that it was not caused in my presence." Jake offered confidently, yet his voice held an edge of hesitation. With the first streak of pink erupting in the sky in the morning, they settled into their cars and came back to pack. Aria bid bye to her friends. They laughed about the camping and how memorable it had become with the appearance of the creatures. It was full of adventure. Not to mention they were getting to get back home in one full piece. A few scratches and bruises here and there were okay. Daisy was escorted by Kai to her house. When Jake had turned to Aria once their friends walked away, she tried to take him in confidence that she was good to go alone. Her house was not far away, and by the grace of the moon goddess combined with the kindness of the rancher's wife, her wound was tended to. Although she felt irritated and soft pangs of spasms made her belly turn i
93. Let Me Dirty YouThe night unfolded with more surprising events for Aria. She had not anticipated her father to lay bare with all his secrets. He shared how he felt over the years, treating her worthless; and how he punished himself after giving Aria a hard and atrocious time.She found him kissing her forehead from time to time, and holding her hands to his heart. Zavier shared what she really meant to him. And that he wished to make things normal in their house and live like a happy family. Except his demons and shame had forged a wall of reluctance around him.Zavier was glad Aria gave him another chance. He ordered pizzas and lasagna from the hotel he and Stella used to visit when Aria was not born. He told her how much her mother liked to eat from there, and that majority of times during her pregnancy, she had Zavier buy ice creams and food from there.Aria rejoiced spending time with her father. He was so open with her, so enlivened, that he smiled from ear to ear every seco
119Aria's POVAfter leaving my house and Kai and Daisy in it, I rushed into a dark alley to cry my heart out. I was in pain I couldn't narrate. My heart was hurting from Jake's ignorance while my body vibrated from the after-effects of my mate's force used on me. My life went from bright to dark overnight. I was made to pay for a mistake I didn't even commit. My wolf was howling for respite. We both needed some rest. All these hours we tolerated since the morning has taken a toll on her. However, we refused to relax. Not now. Not when our eyes were blazing with the fire of revenge. Melody and I have vowed to not sit quiet until we settled scores with Noah Rhodes. That bastard caught us off guard. He attacked me when I was not prepared. But now my veins were fueled with aggression, my limbs aching to fight back. My mind was compelling me to use all the tricks I have learned from my father through intense training. I moved in the darkness as I made my way to Noah's house in search
117"How dare you play such a trick on me?" Noah's voice bounced off the walls. He picked up Aria from over the broken bed and clutched her hair tightly, making her wail. He pulled them in a merciless joke as his canines surfaced. His muscles convulsed in fury as he brought his face closer to Aria, "It was Jake's idea, wasn't it? He asked you to do this to trouble me.""Aah!" Aria's body was a huge ball of pain. She tapped on his wrist so he would let go. Alas, enraged like an uncontrollable bull, Noah tossed her across the room again. Aria fell on her weak study table, crushing it under her. She hissed with thick tears streaming out of her eyes as a pointed piece of wood pierce her inner thigh. Noah didn't show any pity as he raised her by her hair again. Her scalp ached as a thousands brightly blinking stars burst across her vision. "I detest Moon goddess for mating me with a gold digging whóre like you. You are despicable and..." His words faded out as Aria's senses spun into
116Aria walked on the quiet road on light feet. She was feeling cold and had to wrap her arms around herself. The winds were piercing into her skin and the dust it carried swirled around her. She shuffled her feet ahead with teary eyes as she wondered where to go.She just returned from the club she heard the girls mention in the library. It turned out that Jake left an hour before she reached there. Then she went to his home, the alpha mansion. Unfortunately, there were a dozen expensive cars lining outside the mansion. The alpha probably had visitors, and thus she couldn't gather up the courage to walk into that house while powerful people occupied it.There could be one, if not all, disliking her father. She was too frightened to appear in front of any such person who could take a dig at her to humiliate the most feared hunter in the pack. That being said, she left without meeting Jake.Now as she started her walk to nowhere, she reminiscenced the times she spent with Jake. He had
115. Truth out in front of Daisy "I hate her for hurting Lana, Kai. I will never forgive her."She banded her hands around his waist stiffly and wailed. "She not only cheated on Jake and my sister but on me too. I trusted and loved her just like Lana. Why did she have to do that? She was very well versed with the fact that Noah was dating my sister. But she still kissed him." Kai chewed the inside of his cheek agitatedly. He wished to tell her about Noah and Aria being each other's mate but he bit it down. It wasn't his place to tell her. But he definitely needed to make her see some sense and not entirely blame Aria for the kiss. "Do you realize this wouldn't have happened if Aria didn't go to the old age home with you?" "What are you insinuating, Kai Sinclair? Do you want to say that I influenced Aria to do that." Daisy's voice hardened ruthlessly. "All I'm saying is that Aria isn't the only one who you should condemn. Noah is equally—" "What's wrong with you, Kai?" Daisy pus
114. No more friends from now on! Aria tried to rein in her breaths after coming to the sports ground. She held onto the railing around the sitting area and pressed her lips together. Her body wasn't helping her. She sat down in the stand and buried her face in her hands. 'Aria, you are making it more difficult for us. Do you know that?' Melody whispered in a heavy voice. As a wolf, things were already messed up for her. Her mate didn't want her. He was dating and making out with another she-wolf in the name of punishing Aria and her. There was Jake to care for them and help them get back at the fucker. But right now he was also mourning for betrayal Aria never meant to commit. It wasn't entirely a betrayal. She was forced to kiss. There were no sparks and most importantly it disgusted them both. "I can't put their words in the back of my mind, Melody. My heart is squeezing. I don't know what to feel." Aria breathed ruggedly. The sky was a deep, foreboding gray, with clouds that
113. He's hurt Aria appraised them closely. Their dresses caught the light in the library, specifying they've never been off the racks of their wardrobes before this. Their hair done flawlessly in parlours and their nails painted and shaped in different ways.One of the three girls, dressed in a yellow dress, scoffed and rolled her eyes, "Aria's finally getting exposed for the trash she is. That photo of her kissing Noah had left me motionless for long minutes. How could she do that?""You're right. I was in the middle of getting my eyebrows done when that photo came. Ugh, that girl's a disgusting, manipulative liar. She thinks she's so perfect with her fake smile and her 'oh, I'm so in love with Jake' act." The second girl on the table who had the longest and pointed nails spoke with contempt. Aria moved back into the shadows behind the shelves after hearing that. She felt a jab of pain in her heart for being called a manipulative liar too. 'Don't, Aria. You just promised me that
112. Craving for Jake Aria was clueless. Her mind was a maze covered with fog and her heart running wildly like an out of control stallion in her chest. She blinked her lashes to clean the mist of tears, except the burn remained. It made the back of her eyes throb while her throat became thick.She was unable to breath, her skin growing hotter and hotter, the rush of adrenaline becoming intense. She tried not to hyperventilate but the event that just transpired, the pushes she tolerated, the malice she detected in her one and only best friend's eyes along with the condemnation she saw in Kai's expressions, it was difficult not to.Aria walked on light feet, too afraid to make a noise. Her heart throbbed everywhere in her body. Her fingers twitched and her toes curled in her shoes. She took small and unnoticeable steps towards the library while she attempted to walk by the wall to avoid curious eyes. She was majorly on the receiving end of hostility at the moment. But her luck gave h
111. Go away, Aria! "K-kai," Aria blinked her teary eyes as relief washed over her.Kai was Jake's best friend. As much as he was faithful to Jake, he respected her. Aria had this feeling that Kai would hold her trembling frame— like the nice guy and good friend that he was— and wipe her tears.Unfortunately, the moment she rushed towards him on her shivery legs, he bared his canines for her to see as his warning."K-kai?" Aria experienced a brief moment of cardiac arrest, watching Kai give her that look.He sized her up with eyes clouded with anger and drawled grimly, "I am ashamed of myself for liking you, Aria. How could you do this?"Aria fought to breathe. Dragging in a series of sharp, gasping breaths as she struggled to maintain eye contact. The world around her has turned to a blank space. She saw nothing. She noticed nothing. She could hear nothing except for Kai's angry heartbeats and his breaths coming out heavily as he struggled to keep his fury in control. "Jake loved y
110. Go back to dirt Aria came back home. She realized that she was all sweaty and jittery the minute she sat down on the couch in the living room. Her face was scorching from Noah's touch, her lips bleeding from too much biting.To say he was her mate, but nothing about the kiss made her stomach drop. It only distressed her. It felt like hot, hot boiling water was poured on her.Getting up, she quickly darted inside the restroom and removed her clothes. She stood under the cold water and put her hands on the wall of tiles as she slumped her head, breathing ruggedly.She felt disgusted. Her lips felt violated. Tremors billowed up her spine as Aria vigorously rubbed her lips to wash the touch of Noah's lips.It felt like she cheated on Jake, and the feeling pressed down on her.Aria came out and put on Jake's tee that he happily gave to her. Like those girlfriends who relished wearing their boyfriend's t-shirts as night dress in novels, Aria wanted to recreate it. Thus she requested