Callum
I summon Brayden, my trusted Beta, to my office. His face is etched with concern when he arrives, clearly sensing that something is amiss.
"Brayden," I begin, taking a deep breath before explaining everything that has transpired between Aria and me. "Aria has left the pack – for good. I broke our bond and... and she rejected me as her mate."
His eyes widen in disbelief, shock written all over his face. "Callum, why on earth would you do that? You and Aria were perfect for each other. I know you don't love Tamara, not like you loved Aria. She was the love of your life."
My emotions bubble over, a mixture of anger, regret, and frustration. In a fit of rage, I sweep my arm across my desk, sending papers and small objects flying. "I don't need you to tell me that, Brayden!" I yell, my voice cracking. "I already know!"
My Alpha aura flares up, and I fix Brayden with an intense stare, trying to regain control of the situation. "I need you to track Aria down," I demand, my voice tight. "I want to know she's safe. But do not, under any circumstances, let her know I sent you. Do you understand?"
Brayden, stunned by my outburst, bows his head and submits, his voice strained. "Yes, Alpha. I understand."
He hesitates for a moment before turning to leave, clearly struggling to contain his own emotions. As the door closes behind him, I'm left alone in my destroyed office, surrounded by the wreckage of my own making.
As I sink into my chair, the weight of my actions bearing down on me, I meditate on whether I've pushed away the one person who truly mattered to me in a futile attempt to chase power and control. And now, as I send Brayden to track down the woman I still love, I'm left to face the consequences of my choices – whatever they may be.
Doubts and fears gnaw at me as I pace restlessly in my office. I can't shake the feeling that I need to see Aria for myself, to make sure she's safe and well. Eventually, I make up my mind – I have to find her.
I slip out of my office, avoiding the watchful eyes of my pack members, and make my way to the one place I think Aria might have gone – her parents' house. The forest is eerily quiet as I approach, and I'm all too aware of the heavy burden I carry with me.
As I near their home, I catch sight of Aria standing outside, her face tear-streaked as she says her goodbyes. Her family clings to her, their pain and sadness tangible even from a distance.
Crouched behind the trees, hidden from view, I watch as Aria hugs her parents one last time. Her mother's eyes are red and swollen, while her father holds her tightly, his face a mask of stoicism, but I can see the grief in his eyes.
With a final wave, Aria turns and walks away from her family, her shoulders hunched as if carrying an immense weight. She pauses for a moment, glancing around as if sensing my presence, but she doesn't see me hidden behind the trees. My heart aches as I see the pain in her eyes, and I wonder if she can ever forgive me for what I've done.
Despite my resolve to let Aria go, I decide to follow her. The urge to speak to her one last time is too strong to resist. As I catch up to her, I call out her name, my voice barely more than a whisper.
"Aria."
She stops in her tracks and turns her head, her eyes meeting mine with a mixture of anger and pain.
"What else do you want from me, Callum? Haven't you humiliated me enough?"
I struggle to find the right words, my heart aching at the sight of her tears. "You don't need to leave the pack, Aria. You're still a part of it. The people love you."
Her voice rises as she yells at me, her grief and frustration boiling over. "How can you expect me to stay here when every time I see you, you'll be a reminder of your betrayal and the pain you've caused me?"
Desperate to help her in some small way, I reach into my pocket and pull out an envelope filled with money. "At least take this," I say, holding it out to her. "It's to make sure you have resources to support yourself."
Aria stares at the envelope for a moment before her face twists with anger. She snatches it from my hand and hurls it back at me, the bills scattering in the wind.
"I don't want your money, Callum. I don't want anything from you. I hate you! More than you can ever imagine."
Her words feel like a dagger to my heart, but I know I deserve them. I stand there, silent and unmoving, as Aria turns away from me and continues her journey. I watch her disappear out of view, each step taking her further away from me and the life we once shared.
Brayden approaches me, his eyes filled with concern and confusion. "Callum, what are you doing here? Why aren't you chasing after Aria? You still have a chance to make things right with her."
I stand my ground, my face impassive, refusing to let my emotions show. "Aria is history, Brayden. She's left the pack, and I don't want her name mentioned again."
Brayden looks at me in disbelief, shaking his head. "You can't be serious, Callum. You know Aria is your true mate. You can't just replace her with Tamara like this."
"I'm looking toward the future now, and my new Luna will be Tamara," I state coldly, my voice devoid of emotion. "That's what she wants, and that's what she'll get."
"Tamara is a cunning she-wolf who only wants to become Luna for her gain," Brayden warns, his voice tense. "She doesn't care about you or the pack like Aria did. Can't you see that?"
"I don't care anymore, Brayden," I reply, my words cutting through the air like a blade. "If that's what she wants, that's what she'll get."
"The elders will never agree to this nonsense, Callum," he says, his frustration evident. "They know Aria was your true mate, and they won't stand for you throwing her away for someone like Tamara."
I fix Brayden with a steely gaze, my Alpha aura asserting itself. "That's not your concern. I am the Alpha, and I will decide what's best for this pack. Now, I suggest you drop this matter and focus on your duties as Beta."
Brayden's jaw clenches, but he bows his head in submission, his voice tight with anger and disappointment. "Yes, Alpha."
As Brayden walks away, I feel the weight of my decisions bearing down on me. I know that I've put myself on a path that will surely lead to more heartache and strife. But I also know that it's a path I've chosen for her… for Aria, and I must now see it through to the end – whatever that may be.
Aria My feet feel heavy as I walk away from the only home I've ever known, leaving behind everything and everyone I once held dear. The forest is quiet except for the sound of snapping twigs beneath my feet, twigs that seem to mimic the cracking of my heart. I have no idea where I'm going or what the future holds for me now. The life I thought I would have has crumbled around me, destroyed by Callum's betrayal. All I know is that I have to get as far away from here as possible, even though each step fills me with pain. As I walk, tears streaming down my cheeks, I pull out my phone with a shaky hand. There's only one person I can think to call, one friend I've known since childhood who might help me in my hour of need - Leah from the Silverfang Pack. She answers after two rings, concern evident in her voice. I break down as I explain everything that's happened between Callum and me. Through broken sobs, I tell her how he shattered my heart and destroyed our bond. "Aria, I am so sor
Callum The silence in my quarters is deafening. I pace back and forth, Aria's face haunting my thoughts. Her beautiful amber eyes, once so full of life and love, now shattered by my betrayal. I should never have let her go. She was everything to me - my fated mate, my Luna, my whole world. And now she's gone, slipped through my fingers like sand. My wolf whines and scratches inside me, aching for our mate. Our true mate. No matter how much I try to justify it, I know Aria and I belonged together. What have I done? I sink down on my bed, head in hands. Doubt gnaws at me, shame burning through my veins. I was the one who pushed her away and destroyed our bond. For what? For power? Prestige? None of it matters without her. I should go after Aria. Fight for our love and bring her home where she belongs. Before it's too late. But it's too late, isn't it? She's fled, far beyond my reach. And now duty binds me here as Alpha - I cannot simply abandon my pack for a woman, no matter how
Aria A piercing howl shatters the silence of the night, jolting me from restless dreams. I bolt upright, heart pounding, the ghostly ache of a severed bond throbbing through me. The howl echoes again, full of longing and sorrow. Trembling, I rise and go to the window, peering out into the darkened woods surrounding Leah's remote home. Moonlight filters through the trees, casting shifting shadows across the forest floor. As my eyes adjust, I spot a lone wolf standing at the tree line, massive form silhouetted in the silvery glow. My breath catches. Even at this distance, I'd recognize that wolf anywhere. Broad shoulders. Jet black fur with a splash of silver across the chest. The white flash of scars on his face, marks of an Alpha who has battled fiercely to protect his pack. Callum. My wolf stirs inside me, whining softly. She aches for our mate, yearns to run to him, and nuzzle into his familiar fur. To pretend, just for a moment, that things are as they were before. But I force
Callum Rage boils through my veins as I pace back and forth across my study. The image of Aria kneeling before that cursed Silverfang Alpha is seared into my mind. Elijah's hands on her shoulders, embracing her. The words of loyalty slipping from her lips. Words that should have been meant for me alone. With an anguished roar, I sweep my arm across the desk, sending papers and books crashing to the floor. It does nothing to the tempest inside me. "Callum, you need to calm down," Brayden urges, watching me warily from across the room. "Losing control won't change anything now." I whirl on him, eyes blazing. "You don't understand! I've lost her, Brayden. Truly lost her this time." My voice cracks on the words. Aria pledged herself to another Alpha tonight. Severed the last fragile bond still tethering us. She is bound to the Silverfangs now in a way I cannot undo. Brayden's green eyes reflect sympathy and regret. "I warned you that casting Aria out would only lead to more pain. Bu
Aria I toss and turn in the unfamiliar bed, the events of the acceptance ceremony replaying in my mind on an endless loop. My wolf paces restlessly beneath my skin, still unsettled from severing our final ties to Moonshadow. To Callum.After hours of this, I can't take it anymore. I need to move, to run, to feel the wind in my fur and the earth under my paws. Shifting forms as quietly as possible so as not to wake Leah, I slip out into the moonlit night.The cool forest air fills my lungs as I break into a loping stride, picking up speed until the trees blur around me. For a moment, I am free, untethered from the pain and confusion weighing me down.But then a scent hits my nose, stopping me dead in my tracks. Earthy and wild with hints of pine and smoke. A scent I would know anywhere, in any form.Callum.My heart clenches painfully in my chest. Some masochistic part of me is tempted to turn tail and flee the other way, putting as much distance as possible between myself and my form
Aria He falls silent, still not meeting my gaze. A heavy beat passes, thick with all the things we can never take back."I loved you," I whisper finally, my heart spasming painfully in my chest as I give voice to the burning truth. "More than I thought it was possible to love someone. You were everything to me - friend, lover, partner, mate. Losing you... it's like losing a vital part of myself. A wound I'll carry with me forever."His eyes snap back to mine, shimmering with unshed tears. In the glistening blue, I see my own grief and desolation reflected back at me. We're both shattered by this, broken pieces that will never fit together again."But I have to find a way to heal now," I push on, voice cracking with emotion. "To pick up those pieces and build something new. And I have to do it without you."A single tear slips down his cheek, glinting silver in the moonlight. "I know," he rasps. "And I hope you find happiness again, Ari. It's all I've ever wanted for you. Even if I'm n
AriaLeah frowns, placing a steadying hand on my shoulder. "You can tell me anything, you know that."I nod, taking a deep breath before forcing the words out in a jumbled rush. "I'm pregnant. It's Callum's."Leah's eyes widen at my confession, shock suffusing her delicate features. For a long moment, she simply stares at me, mouth hanging open."Oh honey," she finally breathes, pulling me into a fierce hug. "That's...that's huge. How are you feeling?""Terrified," I admit, the word muffled against her shoulder. "And so, so lost. I don't know how to do this without him, Leah."She pulls back to cup my face in her palms, green eyes blazing with conviction. "You don't have to. I'm here. The whole pack is here. We'll help you through this every step of the way."Tears sting my eyes at her words, gratitude and relief rushing through me in dizzying waves. I don't know how I would survive this without Leah's steady presence at my side."Thank you," I whisper thickly. "I don't...I can't even
Aria I vaguely recognize her as Soren, one of the unmated females who's been vying for Elijah's attention since long before I arrived. The jealousy radiating from her is almost palpable, envy souring her crisp pine scent. "Excuse me?" I grit out, hackles rising at her antagonistic tone. Soren steps closer, invading my personal space in a blatant challenge. "You heard me. What did you do to convince Elijah to let you stay? Bat your lashes and spread your legs like a good little she-wolf?" Rage ignites in my veins, white-hot and searing. How dare she imply something so crass, so demeaning? As if the only value I could possibly offer is as a sexual plaything. My wolf snarls within me, begging to be let loose on this impudent female. To put her in her place and assert our dominance. But I tamp down on the urge, knowing violence will only escalate the situation. "I earned my place here, just like everyone else," I reply instead, injecting steel into my tone. "Not that it's any of your