CHAPTER SIXTEEN: ARIA

The rest of the day passed in a haze of uncomfortable conversations and pointed looks.

It seemed like everyone in both packs had an opinion about my dramatic collapse and Alpha Kael's subsequent attention.

Some were merely curious, others openly disapproving.

A few of the older women from Crescent Pack looked at me with something that might have been pity, which was somehow worse than outright hostility.

By evening, I was emotionally drained and desperately craving solitude.

I'd managed to avoid seeing Alpha Kael all day, which was probably for the best.

The last thing I needed was to make whatever gossip was already circulating even worse.

I was heading back to my room after a supposed dinner with my family—during which Reena had made several cutting remarks about "attention-seeking behavior" Mom had barely spoken to me, well except if her yelling profanities at me was speaking and Dad well, he just growled everytime I exhaled.

I was thinking about how lucky I was because I didn't get smacked in the face tonight when I literally ran into someone coming around the corner.

Strong hands caught my shoulders as I stumbled backward, and I found myself looking up into concerned hazel eyes that belonged to a man I didn't recognize.

He was probably in his mid-thirties, with dark hair and the kind of rugged features that suggested he spent a lot of time outdoors.

His scent marked him as Crescent Pack, but there was something else underneath it—something that made my newly sensitive senses prickle with awareness.

"Whoa there," he said with a easy smile, steadying me. "You okay?"

"I'm fine," I said quickly, stepping back from his grip. "Sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going."

"No harm done." He studied my face with an intensity that made me uncomfortable.

"You must be Aria. I'm Marcus Webb, assistant head tracker for Crescent Pack. Just got back from an assignment."

One of the officials Chloe had mentioned.

I forced a polite smile. "Nice to meet you."

"Likewise. I've heard quite a bit about you." His smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "Interesting how you managed to trigger the memorial boards. Not many people can do that."

There was something in his tone that made my skin crawl, but I couldn't put my finger on what exactly.

"I don't really understand what happened myself."

"No, I don't suppose you would." He tilted his head slightly, still studying me with that unsettling intensity.

"Tell me, have you been experiencing any... unusual symptoms since then? Dreams, perhaps? Or strange sensations?"

Every instinct I had was screaming at me not to answer that question truthfully.

"I'm fine," I repeated. "Just tired."

"Of course." His smile widened, but it felt predatory now. "Well, if you do notice anything unusual, please don't hesitate to let me know. I have quite a bit of experience with magical... complications."

He brushed past me then, continuing down the hallway, but I could feel his eyes on me long after he'd disappeared around the corner.

Something about that encounter had left me deeply unsettled, though I couldn't articulate why.

The buzzing sensation under my skin was worse now, almost painful in its intensity.

It felt like a billion ants were crawling all over me beneath my skin, biting into it trying to get out.

My vision blurred so I leaned on the wall close to me.

My breathing came out in gasps as my heart rate picked up.

I slid down the wall and tried to control my breathing.

What is wrong with me?

Deep breaths Aria, deep breaths.

After a couple of minutes my breathing returned to almost normal.

My head was pounding again and I could swear I heard whispers at the edge of my consciousness—voices speaking in that same ancient language I'd read on the memorial boards. 'Sigillum rumpere. Vitam dare.'

The words echoed in my mind as I finally made it back to my room and locked the door behind me.

Whatever was happening to me, whatever those boards had done, it was getting stronger and judging by Marcus' reaction, I wasn't the only one who'd noticed.

I changed my clothes to a more comfortable pair and tied my hair in a messy bun.

As I got ready for bed, I found myself thinking about Alpha Kael's warning about contacting him if I experienced any unusual symptoms.

Part of me wanted to reach out, to tell someone about the voices and the buzzing and the way my skin felt like it was trying to contain something too big for my body.

Then I remembered the gossip, the speculation about my motives, the upcoming return of the woman everyone expected to be Luna.

It's not even like I want to be Luna, I've never even thought about that.

The concept of having a mate has mostly repulsed me. Although I've seen some mates with flourishing lives but I don't think I need someone in my space at all.

Especially since most people have looked at me differently my whole life and the differently not being a good one.

The last thing I needed was to give people more ammunition to use against me so I just kept my mouth shut, swallowed two aspirin for my headache and tried to ignore the way my reflection in the mirror seemed to flicker around the edges, like I was looking at someone else entirely.

Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new whispers, and apparently the return of Lyra Stone.

I could only hope I'd find a way to navigate it all without making an even bigger fool of myself than I already had.

As I finally drifted off to sleep, the last thought in my mind was of piercing blue eyes and a deep voice calling my name.

And despite everything—the gossip, the complications, the impossible nature of it all—I couldn't quite bring myself to regret whatever was happening between Alpha Kael and me.

Even if it was destined to break my heart.