CHAPTER 1 : Death and Rebirth ARIA POV "You’ll die before the next moonrise."The words reverberated in my head, icy and definitive. His golden eyes, which had before been warm, pierced through the fog of anguish that obscured my vision and took on a ruthless, cutting look. The blood pooling under me while I lay on the chilly ground served as a sobering reminder of his treachery."Darius." I could hardly raise my head and croaked.With no remorse in his voice, he replied, "You brought this on yourself, Aria." Under the faint moonlight, the sword in his palm shone, its edge still slippery from my blood.Around me, the world became darker, and as my power diminished, I could see just the outlines of what was there. Even though I could feel death's cold grasp pulling at my spirit, I clung to my hatred and rage.With my dying breath, I cursed him.The Moon Goddess was cursed by me.Then—nothing.I gasped as oxygen flooded my lungs like fire as I opened my eyes again. Expecting to see t
Chapter 2: A Promise to HerselfARIA POV I said, "I will not be a pawn again," to the empty room.Fragile yet determined, the pledge lingered in the air. With trembling hands, I packed a tiny suitcase with the necessities: clothing, a concealed cash hoard in my drawer, and the silver blade I had taken from the armory years before. It was for rogue protection back then. It was for defense against the mate bond now.I was a fool five years ago, thinking that a mate's relationship was unshakable. I was weak and blinded by it. However, it was before I realized how quickly love might turn into treachery.Never again.The Golden Claw Pack was the group I had to quit.I walked around the room, going over my strategy. The packhouse will be busy tonight as the Moonshine Pack had their welcoming feast. It would be simple to go away undetected as everyone would be preoccupied. I would go east, away from him and the packs.I felt sick to my stomach at the idea of Darius. My anger had been rekind
Chapter 3: Enter KillianARIA POV "You don't look like someone who's supposed to be here," said a deep, gravelly voice behind me.My breath caught in my throat and I paused in mid-step. Tonight, it was intended that the forest that surrounded the Golden Claw Pack's boundary would be empty. I gently turned, holding the silver blade that was concealed in my jacket so that I could fight myself if needed.Although he may as well have been a rogue, the guy in front of me wasn't. He was big, broad-shouldered, and had sharp, angular features that made him just as dangerous as the dark forests themselves. His eyes, which were a piercing storm-gray, cold, and calculating, were what held me in place, even though his raven-black hair tumbled in free waves over his face.Draven Killian.The Moonshine Pack's Alpha.and difficulties.Killian stepped up and said, "I didn't know the Golden Claw Pack permitted its members to wander so near neutral territory."I said, clutching the blade more tightly,
Chapter 4: A Dream of WarningARIA POV Reluctantly, I fell asleep that night. Like a smothering blanket, the burden of the day—a contract with Killian, the impending danger of Darius, and the complicated web of my second chance—pressed down on me. But finally my tiredness prevailed.As I reopened my eyes, a silvery glow illuminated the room. Even though I found myself in a forest, it was unlike any I had encountered before. Beneath an almost incomprehensibly vast moon, the trees shimmered with a celestial radiance, their leaves sparkling like cut diamonds. There was an electric energy in the atmosphere that caused my skin to tingle, an influence I couldn't fully identify. “Isn’t it lovely?” Even though the voice was quiet—almost melodic—it made me shiver. With a sudden turn, I saw her.The Goddess of the Moon.Her presence was uncanny but eerily recognizable. Her hair, which was long and flowing, seemed to change color from silver to midnight black. Her grin was calm and eerie, an
Chapter 5: Shadows of BetrayalARIA POV I entered the courtyard in the brisk morning air, still troubled by the Moon Goddess's enigmatic warnings. I became acutely aware of the faces surrounding me as every whispered word stuck to me like a second skin. "Trust your gut," she had said. Those closest to you should be avoided.From the training grounds came a faint murmur of voices, urgent yet subdued. My intuition became more acute, and I slipped into the barracks' shade and off the main route.It wasn't meant to go that far, I assure you.The voice was deep and strange, bearing the weight of an unimaginable entity."You believe I'm unaware of that?" Another, harsher, angrier voice answered. However, the Alpha issued the directive. We took the necessary action.My veins became icy with frigid blood. As they spoke, I came in closer, leaning my back against the hard stone wall.The first voice said, "She didn't deserve it." "The girl... she believed in us.""She posed a danger," the seco
Chapter 6: Playing the RoleARIA POV Killian said, "Smile, Aria," so softly that only I could hear. As he led me into the packed hall of Moonshine Pack's meeting, his hand was resting possessively on the small of my back. "They're observing."The pressure of having thousands of eyes on me almost choked me as I attempted a tight-lipped grin. My natural reaction was to resist his touch, but the inquisitive looks and murmuring voices made me realize that now was no time to hesitate.There was bustle in the main hall. With a mixture of curiosity and mistrust, the room was crowded with warriors, pack elders, and visiting allies. News of our "bond" had gone viral, and tonight was the first time the farce Killian and I had decided upon was put to the test.As he waved to a number of pack leaders, Killian's hand moved from my back to my waist, drawing me in. His touch was measured, purposeful. I clenched my jaw, resisting the want to push him away.He said, "Calm down," as his lips touched m
Chapter 7: Darius’s MemoriesARIA POV Except for the sound of the wind rustling the leaves, the darkened woods were eerily quiet. The agony of the rogue's strike caused my head to spin, making everything around me unclear and confusing. I was having trouble staying aware, and my chest was heaving and my breath was raspy.I had to maintain my concentration. I needed to recall my purpose for being here.But before I could get my bearings again, I sensed a familiar but ominous presence.A voice, low and pained with something I couldn't quite name, said, "Aria."My pulse quickened as I froze. I slowly raised my head, noting Darius Blackthorn's angular features in the moonlight.There was something in his golden eyes that made me shiver, something that had before seemed chilly and distant. I'm sorry."Why are you in this place?" I was able to croak, but it was just a broken whisper. I should have been upset, perhaps enraged. Even though my whole existence was screaming for me to leave, th
Chapter 8: The Revealed CurseARIA POV Except for the gentle rustling of pages as I flipped them, the library was silent. In front of me, rows of old books extended indefinitely, and the air was heavy with the smell of old parchment. I had been here for hours, reading materials on the history, mythology, and curses of werewolves. My stomach churned more and more as I dug deeper.The relationship between mates. It was a gift from the Moon Goddess herself and had been venerated for ages. However, it had a darker side that was little discussed. As I read the same phrase a third time, my fingers shook and the words burned into my brain:"The soul is severed when the relationship is severed. Those who reject the cord of fate will either go insane or die.The chair creaked under me as I leaned back. As like it had read the incriminating words too, the small mate mark on my neck blazed.Death or madness.Had Darius been affected by that? Had he been driven to the verge of madness by my reje
Chapter 200: A New DawnAria’s POVThe woodland was filled with the aroma of wildflowers and pine as the wind blew through the trees. The Golden Claw pack's domain was illuminated by silver light from the brilliant moon overhead. Even though I had always turned to the moon for direction, something seemed different today. Or maybe it was me that had changed.I felt whole for the first time in my life—not because of a connection, a title, or other people's expectations, but because I had created my own identity. I had reconstructed a universe from the ashes of the past, fought gods, and disobeyed old customs. I had come to this point because of every scar, decision, and sacrifice.Looking out over the peaceful landscape that extended to the horizon, I stood at the edge of the clearing. This was my heritage, my people, and my home. More than that, however, it was a blank canvas—a future that only I could influence.---Freedom's Weightliberty.I had struggled, bled, and clung to that wo
Chapter 199: The Leader I’ve Become Aria’s POV The dawn broke over the camp, painting the horizon in hues of gold and crimson. I stood at the edge of the clearing, staring into the woods that had become both my refuge and my battlefield. The past few days had been relentless—a swirl of revelations, battles, and choices that had irrevocably shaped me into someone I barely recognized. And yet, I felt stronger than I ever had before. The mate bond was gone, and with it, the tether that had once dictated my choices and emotions. It was a strange kind of freedom, one that I still wasn’t entirely sure how to wield. But as I looked around at the camp bustling with activity, I knew one thing for certain: I was no longer just a survivor. I was a leader. The packs were scattered, but not broken. They were looking to me now, not as a savior or some mythical figure, but as a symbol of what we could become—a society built on choice, trust, and unity rather than ancient, unyielding traditions.
Chapter 198: Parting Words Killian’s POV The camp was quiet in the early morning, the stillness heavy with the aftermath of the latest revelation. The glowing fissure, the figure cloaked in shadow—it was a warning that none of us could ignore. Yet, as the chaos settled into a wary calm, I knew my time here was coming to an end. I watched from a distance as Aria stood at the center of the camp, her presence commanding despite her exhaustion. She gave orders with a steady voice, her pack looking to her for guidance. She’d grown into a leader far beyond what anyone could have imagined—certainly more than I had ever expected. It was why I couldn’t stay. I turned away, heading toward the edge of the camp where my warriors waited. They were restless, eager to return to the Moonshine Pack’s territory and rebuild what we’d lost. But there was something else simmering beneath their surface: doubt. The mate bond’s dissolution had left a void, one that no amount of speeches or alliances cou
Chapter 197: Whispers of Tomorrow Aria's POV The sun had fully risen by the time I returned to the main camp. The celebration from the night before had left the field littered with remnants of shared meals and extinguished fires. Wolves were already moving about, cleaning and preparing to return to their packs. Yet, despite the bustle, an air of unease lingered, as if the earth itself remembered the tremors I’d felt in the forest. I brushed off my sleepless night as I moved through the camp, nodding to warriors and pack leaders. Their gratitude warmed me, but it was clear that the weight of leadership—and of what came next—was not solely mine to bear. “Aria.” I turned at the sound of my name. Darius stood a few feet away, his gaze steady. He was dressed simply, but the way he carried himself spoke volumes of the warrior he was. He gestured toward the forest. “Walk with me?” I hesitated, glancing at the chaos of the camp. But the look in his eyes was sincere, not demanding. “Alrig
Chapter 196: The Weight of Victory Aria’s POV The night sky was alight with celebration. Bonfires crackled and danced, illuminating the open field where wolves from every pack gathered, their voices raised in song and laughter. Victory had united them, if only temporarily, and for the first time in what felt like forever, hope seemed within reach. I should have been happy. I should have been standing among them, sharing in their joy. Instead, I found myself on the outskirts of the gathering, leaning against a gnarled tree as the noise of the celebration faded into the background. The relics were destroyed, and the rogue faction was defeated. Yet the voice from the temple—the cryptic warnings of the “shattered moon”—lingered in my mind like a dark cloud. “Why aren’t you celebrating?” Selena’s voice broke through my thoughts. I turned to see her approaching, her dark hair glowing softly in the firelight. She carried a plate of food in one hand and a goblet in the other. “I could a
Chapter 195: Breaking the Chains Aria’s POV The night was unnervingly quiet, a stillness that felt heavy, foreboding. It was the kind of silence that carried the weight of something unseen, a predator’s pause before the pounce. I stood on the ridge overlooking the rogue faction’s encampment, my heart steady, my purpose clear. Beside me, Killian and Darius waited, their expressions a mix of tension and resolve. It wasn’t the first time we had stood side by side against a common enemy, but this time felt different. This wasn’t just a battle for survival—it was a battle for the future. “I’ll go in alone,” I said, my voice firm. Killian’s brow furrowed. “Aria, that’s reckless. You don’t even know how strong their defenses are.” “That’s exactly why I have to go,” I countered. “This isn’t just about brute force. It’s about dismantling the very thing that gives them power. And I’m the only one who can do that.” Darius stepped closer, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. “We’re stronger
Chapter 194: The Serpent’s Shadow Veyron’s POV Darkness. It had been my companion long before I embraced its power, and now, even in death, it clung to me like an eternal cloak. This wasn’t oblivion—I had escaped that fate by sheer will and cunning. No, I existed in the in-between, where shadows whispered and time bent like warped glass. The rogue leader knelt before me, his head bowed low, his body trembling with the weight of my presence. His name was Silas, a name that once held no meaning. But now, he was my tool, a carefully placed pawn in the grand design. “You’ve failed,” I said, my voice cold and echoing, a sharp blade cutting through the still air. Silas flinched but did not dare look up. “The packs were stronger than expected, my lord. Aria—she—” I slammed my hand onto the obsidian table before me, the ripple of power making the shadows dance around the room. “Do not speak her name so lightly. She may be the key, but she is not your concern. Your concern is doing what I
Chapter 193: Bonds Forged in Fire Darius's POV The battlefield was chaos. Screams of rage and pain tore through the air, mingling with the clash of steel and the snarls of wolves in their primal form. Blood slicked the earth beneath my boots, and the coppery scent of it burned my nostrils. But amidst the carnage, my focus was unshakable: Aria. She stood at the center of it all, a beacon of strength and defiance. Her golden blade caught the light of the setting sun, each swing carving a path through the shadowed beasts that Silas had unleashed. She fought like she had been born for this moment, her movements fluid and unrelenting. Killian was to her left, his powerful frame a blur as he shifted between his wolf and human forms, tearing through the rogue forces. His fighting style was brutal but precise, a testament to years of training and instinct. And I was at her right, guarding her flank, ensuring no threat got close enough to harm her. We didn’t need words to coordinate; every
Chapter 192: The Rising Flame Aria's POV The shadows pressed in from all sides, their cold tendrils coiling around me like a living vice. Silas's laughter echoed through the darkness, a haunting melody of triumph. For a fleeting moment, doubt crept into my heart. Was this it? Was I truly out of my depth? But then, a warmth began to stir within me, faint but steady. It was the same energy I had felt in the ancient temple—the power that had surged through me when the mate bond system broke. The Moon Goddess’s rival might have sought to manipulate that moment, but the strength that pulsed in my veins now was entirely my own. I closed my eyes, blocking out Silas’s voice and the suffocating weight of the darkness. Instead, I focused inward, drawing on the fire that burned in my core. It grew hotter and brighter until it was no longer something I controlled but something I unleashed. With a cry, I released the energy, and the shadows around me exploded into shards of light. I fell to on