Chapter 2

Ariana’s POV

I noticed my dad struggling to speak, his oxygen mask slipping from his face. I quickly helped him adjust it, my heart aching with worry.

“Dad, don’t try to talk. You need to rest,” I whispered, trying to soothe him.

But he weakly shook his head, eyes fierce even through the pain. “Ariana… listen. You need to be careful. You’re about to face… a lot of challenges ahead.”

I frowned. “What do you mean, Dad? What challenges?” Confusion knotted inside me.

He dragged in a labored breath, voice barely there. “When I… die… you mustn’t cry. You mustn’t tell anyone. Go straight to my room… get the deeds of the club.”

A cold shiver raced down my spine. “Why, Dad? What’s going on?”

He suddenly grasped my hand, grip weak but desperate. “Listen to me, Ariana. You have to trust no one… except yourself.”

A lump burned in my throat. “Dad, you ain’t leaving me, right?”

He tried to smile; it was faint, broken.

“No,” I shook my head, tears already falling. “Please don’t leave me, Dad!”

I hastily pulled him close, but right at that moment he went limp in my arms.

“Dad?” I called, voice cracking, praying he’d answer. Nothing.

He’s not dead, is he?

“No, Dad! No! Please don’t go!” I screamed, the sound ripping out of me like claws.

The door burst open. Club doctors rushed in, leather cuts flapping, and my cries turned feral.

“What’s happening?” one snapped, worry carved deep.

I couldn’t speak. Sobs tore me apart.

The oldest doctor pressed fingers to Dad’s neck, then looked at me with shattered eyes. “I’m so sorry, Ariana. The President… your father is gone.”

“No!” I tore free when they tried to pull me back, clinging to him, rocking the man who raised me, who taught me how to ride and how to shift under the same moon. Tears soaked his shirt as I held on like I could drag his soul back into his body.

They tried to comfort me, but I was beyond it. My whole world had shattered in one heartbeat.

Somehow I forced myself to get a grip. I didn’t alert the whole club; I just stumbled out of the hospital ward, past brothers staring at me, past the smell of blood and antiseptic, and roared back to the compound on my bike with tears freezing on my cheeks.

I locked myself in Dad’s room; the one place that still smelled like him. Leather, gun oil, and the wild scent of our pack. Hands shaking, I went straight to the hidden safe behind the framed picture of Mom.

I opened it.

Empty.

Nothing. Not a single deed, not one bank paper.

I stood there staring, sniffing back snot and grief. “But he told me…” I whispered, closing it again like that would make the papers magically appear.

Why would Dad send me on a wild goose chase?

As I left my father’s room, the whole clubhouse was already packed. Words travel faster than bikes in our world. The air was thick with sorrow and the low growl of wolves mourning their alpha.

When I saw the club elders waiting for me, I knew it was time. Time for me to ascend the throne, to take my rightful place as the club’s President. And with that came the knowledge that I would soon choose my Vice, my right-hand, to stand by my side and help me rule.

The weight of responsibility settled upon me, a crushing burden that threatened to consume me. But I stood tall, squaring my shoulders and preparing myself for the challenges ahead. I was the President’s only daughter. I would not let my father’s legacy fade; I would honor him by leading this club with strength and power.

The club elders approached me, their eyes filled with a mix of sadness and determination.

“Ariana,” the oldest said, voice low and solemn, “it’s time. And you know,”

“To choose a President to stand at my side,” I cut in, sharper than I meant to. They all started. I hadn’t meant to snap, but everything felt too fast, too soon.

“I’m sorry,” I dragged in a breath. “I’ll make my choice and let the council know.”

I walked away before they could argue, boots echoing on the concrete floor.

Outside the clubhouse doors, Liam stood at the entrance,waiting. Tall, leather cut open, blond hair messy from riding without a helmet like always. My boyfriend. My rock. Or at least that’s what I’d thought until tonight.

The second I saw him, everything broke again.

“Liam!” I sobbed, crashing into his arms.

“Hey, hey, it’s okay,” he murmured, holding me so tight I could barely breathe. “I’m here for you, Ari. I’m so sorry about your dad.”

I cried uncontrollably, feeling a sense of relief at finally being able to release my emotions.

My stepmom and stepsister, Elena, joined us at that moment, offering comfort and support. My stepmom’s arms went around me from the side, stroking my hair.

“Oh, Ariana, sweetheart,” Victoire  said, voice thick. “Don’t cry, baby. I’m here for you, you know that, right?”

She was never really my mom, but we never hated each other either. Tonight her touch felt like the only soft thing left.

“Thank you,” I choked out. “I don’t know what I’d do without you guys.”

“We love you,” Elena added, flashing that bright smile she always had. “Have you forgotten President Valenti was my stepdad too?”

I just nodded and hid in Liam’s chest again. He pulled back just enough to look into my eyes.

“We’ll get through this, okay? Together. We’ll make sure your dad’s legacy lives on.”

I believed him. With Liam, Victoire , and Elena beside me, I almost believed I could survive this.

The burial came fast; the club doesn’t wait when the President falls. We laid him to rest under a full moon that felt like it was mocking me.

I stayed at his grave all night, sitting in the dirt, I lost track of time. 

Suddenly, I felt someone close by and I knew I wasn’t alone, but I was too disoriented to even care until the stranger appeared beside me.

I didn’t turn but I felt him; cold, wild, dangerous. Power rolled off him in waves that made my wolf sit up and whine.

Then his arms were around me, huge and warm despite the night chill, and I leaned into him without thinking. I couldn’t see his face in the dark, but his scent; pine, motor oil, and something dark and electric slammed into me.

The mate bond hit me so hard my knees buckled.

A spark exploded behind my eyes, every nerve screaming MINE.

I jerked away like I’d been burned, stumbling back, heart hammering.

I couldn’t see him, only the glint of a moonflower pendant hanging at his throat, but I felt his stare burning into me.

Guilt clawed my throat. Liam was waiting for me. I couldn’t cheat on him. I wouldn’t break his heart. 

I felt the burning eyes of the stranger lingering on me as I finally ran out of the graveyard…