Aria's Pov
I had a life plan.
It wasn't the best nor was it particularly impressive, but it was simple :
Wake up.
Avoid my annoying stepmother.
And exist in peace.
Nowhere on that list did it say : “Get kidnapped by a rogue werewolf and discover he's your mate.”
And yet, here I was — tied to a chair in a dark room in God-knows-where, with a giant, terrifying wolf standing in front of me.
7 hours ago,
I wiped down the counter, beads of sweat forming on my forehead.
“Go wash this in the back.” Lilian tossed a dusty rag on the counter and I nearly snapped.
What the hell!
She threw her blonde hair over her shoulder and narrowed her eyes. “Do you want to say something?”
My face turned red but I didn't dare say anything. I couldn't speak harsh words to the wife of my boss, Justin Holloway, owner of the BlackBear Tavern.
“No,” I say, shaking my head. “Nothing.”
“Good.”
When she walked away, I slammd my fist on the counter and cursed.
Let me tell you about my life.
It. Is. Horrible.
I know, I know.
As the only daughter of the Alpha of the RedBlood Pack, I should have an easier, no, privileged life, right?
Pampering, silk dresses, with suitors lining up at my expensive feet.
No.
That's not how this story goes.
Instead, my life was a tragic soap opera where I play the role of least favourite daughter.
Father treats me like an inconvenience,
My stepmother hate me and
My half-brother — Don't even get me started on that walking disaster.
The cherry on top is that I'm being forced into a political marriage with the Crescent Moon Pack's Alpha, a man famous known for treating women like they were disposable napkins.
I tired to protest. Really, I did.
“You should be greatful, Aria.” My stepmother, Maria, had said to me this morning. “Not many Alpha's will accept a weak little wolf like you.”
She wasn't wrong. I was.
I was pathetically weak for a werewolf. My wolf barely listened to me and I didn't have fighting skills. Let's just say a toddler could probably take me down.
But still.
“Maybe, I should just run away,” I grumbled, pulling back to reality.
Across the room, my best friend, Alianna, walks to the counter. “Run away to where. You wouldn't even survive 5 minutes in the woods without getting lost.”
I rolled my eyes. “Rude.”
“True.”
Well, she had a point. I had the survival skills of the spoiled house cat Lady Maria carries around.
Running away would only mean me being eaten by a wild animal or worse, kidnapped and killed by a rogue.
Alianna kissed her teeth and shook her head. “You need a break, honey?”
“Yeah,” I nearly sob. Alianna is an angel. “Thank you.”
I went to the back of the tavern, enjoying a destitute mug of warm milk and sweet bread.
As I ate slowly, I couldn't help but feel eyes on me.
As I stared at the red pair, I couldn't shake the feeling that something big was about to happen.
The thing is something big was about to happen and it was the way worse than I could've imagined.
5 hours later, my fate was sealed.
Literally.
The wedding was happening in a week. And father, being the absolute ray of sunshine he was, ordered me to stay inside the packhouse to “prepare.”
And me, being the obedient daughter that I was (ha), Immediately snuck out.
I wanted freedom.
Needed freedom.
There was no way I would give up my last moment of freedom before being chained to a man who referred to all women as “females.”
I wasn't planning anything reckless but I saw it as a walk in the woods so much better than getting my fate tied to a cruel man under the full moon.
My escape was going great until —
Rustle.
I froze.
The hairs on the back of my arms stood on their ends.
Someone…
Something was watching me.
“Who… who's there?” I called out, my voice shaky.
Silence spilled into the air.
No answer.
Not even a little whisper.
I brushed it away.
Maybe, it was just a squirrel or the wind or —
A massive, dark figure lunged from the shadows.
I didn't even get the chance to scream before I was yanked into the darkness.
*****
The first thing I realized when I came to was that my wrists were tied.
The second thing was that my body hurt like hell.
“Ouch.” I mumbled, blinking against the dim light.
Where was I?
I tried to sit up only to realize that my ankles were also tied.
Oh.
Oh no.
Kidnapped.
I'd been kidnapped?
A very large, very scary-looking werewolf stood near the entrance of what looked like a tent.
His large arms were crossed over his chest and his face was set inn a scowl.
He looked very … familiar.
He stepped closer and …
No.
No, no. Heavens, no!
This wasn't just any werewolf.
This was HIM!
Xavier BlackWood, Leader of the Rogues and the Alpha of the Blue Moon pack.
No.
Hell no.
This man was a cold-blooded beast. A ruthless killer. The very enemy of literally everyone.
And I was in his camp.
“No.” I struggled against the ropes. “I have to get out of here.”
Xavier just stared at me. “What are you doing?”
“Trying to escape,” I said matter-of-factly.
He stepped forward and my heart nearly stopped.
Was he planning to ransome me?
Torture me?
Feed me to HIS wolves?
Still, no reaction.
Instead, he took a slow step forward.
Something in the air shifted and then —
A scent hit me like a brick wall.
It was warm, addictive and oh-so-familiar.
No way!
There was no way. No freaking way.
My heart nearly stopped for real.
A rough hand grabbed my chin, lifting my gaze to meet his.
His icy-blue eyes locked onto mine, intense and unreadable.
And then, he said the words that ruined my life : “You're my mate.”
Silence.
Pure. Absolute. Silence.
Xavier's pov I adjusted my stance, feeling a surge of determination as I prepared to stand and confront Tristan directly. However, Asher’s firm grip on my arm anchored me in place, his touch surprisingly reassuring amidst the tension. "Xavier, this is their territory," he murmured, his voice low and cautious, tinged with urgency. "Let them handle things in their own way."I shot him a look, my frustration simmering just beneath the surface, but he shook his head solemnly, his eyes conveying a stern warning to keep my composure. Taking a deep breath, I reluctantly settled back into the worn fabric of the couch, my gaze intent and unwavering on Tristan's face, which bore an expression that was hard to read. "I’ll stay for now," I declared, my voice steady and resolute, despite the chaos of emotions swirling within me. "But I came here to offer my condolences, and I expect to be treated with the respect due to a guest.”Tristan's eyes narrowed into icy slits, a cruel sneer curling at t
Tristan povI stood behind the couch, a sly smile creeping across my face as I observed the unfolding scene before me. Aria's delicate hands rested gently against Xavier's muscular chest, her voice calm and soothing, an almost melodic comfort in the charged atmosphere. "Xavier, this is our pack, so please, just calm yourself, okay?" she said, her warm gaze locked onto his troubled eyes, as if attempting to wrestle away his tension through sheer will.My eyes narrowed, the smile fading as my mind whirred with unsettling thoughts. How could she remain so composed and serene, exuding an aura of control, when she was standing in the very heart of my pack—my territory? The protective instincts within me flared, and I took a step forward, my boots creaking softly against the old wooden floor, the sound breaking through the tense silence like a sudden clap of thunder."Enough!" I barked, my voice slicing through the air as I strode toward them, urgency fueling my every move. Aria's eyes dart
Xavier povAs I stepped through the grand doors of the mansion, the opulence of the room took my breath away. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over the polished marble floor, but my attention was instantly drawn to the figure standing gracefully by the window. Aria. She looked absolutely breathtaking in a black dress that hugged her curves flawlessly, accentuating her silhouette. Her hair cascaded in soft waves around her shoulders, and her makeup was artfully applied, enhancing her natural beauty while maintaining an air of sophistication. A rush of emotions surged through me—admiration, love, and a deep, instinctive desire to protect her.I took a hesitant step forward, feeling a magnetic pull toward her, my arms instinctively opening wide, longing to envelop her in a warm embrace. Yet, just as I began to close the distance, a figure emerged from the shadows, severing our connection. Tristan, with his piercing gaze, stood before me, his expression a mix of anger and disdain."Xa
Xavier povAs we drew near to the imposing gates marking the boundary of Alpha Tristan's territory, the carriage gradually came to a halt. The heavy wooden gates loomed before us, flanked by guards who stood like sentinels, their arms crossed defiantly over their chests. A palpable tension hung in the air as one guard stepped forward, his weathered hand resting deliberately on the hilt of his sword, a clear warning. “What brings you to Alpha Tristan's pack?” he growled, his voice low and gravelly.I leaned slightly out of the carriage, allowing my gaze to meet his with a calm resolve. “We come to offer our condolences. The loss of Alpha Tristan is a sorrow that echoes throughout the land,” I replied, my tone smooth and deliberate, like the gentle rippling of silk.Though the guard’s expression remained stoic, I caught a fleeting glimmer of curiosity in his steely eyes, a sign that my words had struck a chord. “You’re the Rogue King,” he stated firmly, yet with an edge of calculation.
Aria povI threw open the heavy wooden door, my heart racing with each hurried step. The tension in the air was palpable as Tristan’s deep voice reverberated through the stone halls, igniting a surge of possessiveness within me. How dare he come here, striding in and demanding to know about Xavier? My feet moved instinctively, carrying me swiftly down the dimly lit corridor, my long hair cascading behind me like a dark river.As I rounded the corner, our eyes locked, and time seemed to freeze. Tristan’s gaze was fierce, a storm of warning and frustration brewing within his deep-set eyes. Still, I refused to flinch or look away; I met his intensity head-on. I took a steadying breath, the weight of the moment pressing down on me, and shouted, "Don’t you dare hurt him!" My voice ricocheted off the cold stone walls, a challenge that hung in the air between us, thick with unspoken tension.He advanced a step toward me, the menace in his low growl sending a shiver racing down my spine. "Ari
Xavier povI stood at the entrance of my building, the crisp morning breeze tousling my long, dark hair as I watched Asher hurry towards me, his urgency palpable against the stillness of the early hour. His footsteps beat a steady rhythm on the pavement, shattering the serene quiet, and when our eyes met, I sensed an intriguing blend of curiosity and caution in his gaze. Clutched tightly in his hand was a folded paper, its edges crisp and pristine, sealed with a deep crimson wax stamp that bore the intricate emblem of the Moonlight Pack—Aria’s pack. The sight of it sent a shiver down my spine, for it meant news from my mate, and with that came a rush of anticipation.Asher extended the paper toward me, his fingers brushing against mine for the briefest moment, igniting an unexpected spark between us. It was a fleeting connection, yet his eyes lingered on mine, a silent question lingering within their depths. I brushed aside the moment, focusing intently on the envelope and the potent