CHAPTER NINE: ARIA

The next morning, Ryder and Chloe tumbled into my room. Doctor Will, yes I found out his name this morning. He checked my vitals and I was discharged.

I couldn't say goodbye and thank Molly for yesterday because she was at college for a morning lecturer but I promised myself I would come back to see her, that is when I figure my way around the pack.

As I stepped out of the pack hospital, the warm sunlight on my skin felt so good. How long had it been since I was outside? Oh well.. Ryder and Chloe flanked me, their faces etched with smiles.

I was about asking how far the pack houses were from the pack hospital when Ryder stopped in front of a sleek, black SUV, its tinted windows reflecting the trees. He opened the passenger door and held it for me.

"Ready to head home?" He asked, his eyes sparkling with warmth.

I nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. We piled into the SUV, A young man driving while Ryder sat beside him. I sat in the backseat with Chloe, gazing out the window as we wound through the pack.

As we approached the inner part of Crescent pack's territory, the landscape shifted a bit. Trees grew taller, and the air filled with the scent of pine. We turned a corner, and the pack house came into view.

The Crescent Pack house was a black and white blended marvel of modern architecture natural intricacies. The exterior walls were a combination of tall glass windows that reflected the trees and sky on the first, second and third floors accompanied with wooden beams leaving the ground floor a beautiful work of white stone. The roof was a gentle slope, covered in lush greenery, making it almost invisible among the foliage.

The house sprawled across a vast area, with multiple levels and wings, each one seeming to flow into the next. I could see glimpses of a courtyard, filled with plants and a small pond, a large deck, where pack members probably lounged, soaking up the sun. The atmosphere looked serene and inviting.

We continued down the road, passing the pack house, and turned into a quieter street. The houses here were still beautiful, but more subdued, blending into the surroundings. We pulled up to a stunning modern home, surrounded by trees and a small garden.

"Welcome home, Aria," Ryder said softly,  as he opened the car door for me and Chloe.

I stepped out, taking in the sight of our new home. It was big and beautiful, with large windows and a wooden exterior that seemed to glow in the sunlight. I felt a sense of calm, knowing this was where my family would start anew.

Chloe went home to get ready for the meeting we'd have with Alpha Kael this evening. Her house was not far away from ours since her dad was the gamma of our old pack and mine was the beta, we got the house closest to the crescent Pack house.

Ryder and I got into our new house and there was silence. I guess Mom, Dad and Reena weren't at home. The house wasn't so different from our old house but this was much bigger. The, cream walls, open plan kitchen, cute chandeliers, wooden panels and large glass windows gave it a modern yet cozy feel.

He showed me my room which was upstairs just like in Slateville but this one was bigger and more beautiful. The walls were painted beige and emerald green with golden highlights giving off a soft luxurious vibe. The queen sized bed with beige coloured sheets that had green leaf designs matching the walls, was in the middle of the room flanked by two side drawers.

Two doors by the right led to the bathroom and closet. The left side had a sliding glass door that led to the balcony, Oh my goodness the natural view was amazing. I could see part of the pack house from here, the fairy lights and flowers at the side look so tiny and cute from up here. I can't imagine what it'd look like at night. This room was perfect and it was mine?

I turned to Ryder who'd been smiling at me as I looked around the room. "This is mine?" I whispered and he nodded.

"Wow" I breathed.

"Yeah wow" he chuckled. "I'll see you in a bit, you can rest and get ready for tonight's meeting."

I couldn't shake off the memory of Kael's wolf standing outside my hospital room balcony, his piercing blue eyes locking onto mine, the faint gold flecks bouncing around. The way he whimpered when I ran my hand through his thick black fur still lingered in my mind, the way his eyes hardened when I withdrew my hand and his sudden disappearance felt so real.

I wonder if I was hallucinating, if the medication or stress had gotten to me. But the sensation of Kael's fur and the sound of his whimper felt so real. Why did it affect me so deeply? The fever and rogue attack has really gotten into my brain. I'm definitely going crazy.

I sat on my bed. This was it. We're really at Crescent Pack. I hope everything gets better from here on. I don't want to believe that Reena and my parents purposely never came to see how I was doing neither did they ask about me from Ryder but I couldn't help it. They seemed unchanged, their cold demeanor a stark contrast to the warmth of the Crescent Pack.

I sighed inwardly, knowing that some things wouldn't change overnight. But with Ryder and Chloe by my side, I felt a sense of hope and belonging. Maybe this new chapter would bring more than just a fresh start – maybe it would bring healing and growth for me, for all of us.

As I settled into my bed for a quick nap, I knew I had to keep the encounter with Kael's wolf to myself, unsure why I felt the need to keep it a secret. Perhaps it was the intimate nature of the moment or the fact that I sounded crazy telling anyone about something like that, something that probably didn't even happen.