Chapter 3

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Aria's POV

“You might not smell like a wolf, but you still have a little bit of it in you. It shows in your eyes and your fangs,” Bale said to me.

It's the third time I'm coming to his place since the man I called my dad decided to sell me off to him in exchange for favours.

I can still vividly remember the first night it happened. I fought with him tooth and nail, but he seemed to be getting off on the fact that I wasn't compliant. I can't even recognise myself anymore. I still live with my dad in his den, but whenever the Alpha requests me, I immediately go over to the Alpha's den. I'm tired of the degradation. The only friend I have has been banned from coming to see me. I miss Rita, but most especially, I miss my mum.

The Alpha's breath brushed over my face as he thrust deep within me. This is not how I thought I'd experience mating.

“You smell of honey, and you taste the same, which is something I can bear with,” he said with a grunt just as he emptied himself inside me.

He stood up and pointed at the potion that was by the side of the bed.

“Here, drink this.”

I quickly sat up and drank it.

At least he's sensible enough not to knock me up.

“Can I go now?” I asked, speaking up for the first time since I arrived that night.

“You can. I don't want anyone seeing you leave my place. Go through the back. I'm expecting visitors,” he said with a frown.

I hurriedly stood up, wore my clothes, and left through the back of his den.

It's going to be another full moon soon, and I really need to find a spot so that I can try to shift again. I'm mentally stressed and physically drained. The only chance I have to escape all this torment and torture is if I can shift. I need to shift, and I need to do so very soon. No pack can accept a stray who's not certain whether she's human or a werewolf. I know I can shift, and I need to do so as soon as possible.

I walked for a while in the opposite direction the pack used to shift. I saw a clearing that was just enough for me. I sat down and waited for midnight.

I could feel the nervousness seeping through my pores. I've never been this nervous in my life. What if I get caught? What if I still don't change? Can I continue living this life?

Once I noticed the moon was in its full bloom, I stood up and shed my clothes. Then I started straining my bones. I strained and strained, but nothing happened. I bent and strained most of the bones in my body, but only my claws and fangs appeared. Out of nowhere, I saw a wolf walk up to where I was. It stood there, looking at me.

I quickly donned my clothes. Just as I was about to take off back to my den, the wolf shifted back to his human form.

“Wait, please!” he called out.

I paused and slowly turned towards him.

“Please don't hurt me. I was just trying to shift in solitude,” I pleaded to the man, or should I say boy? He looked a bit young, as young as I am.

“Have you gotten to the age?”

Quietly, I nodded my head.

“Well, if you've not been able to shift, it's not bad. There are late bloomers. You might be one of them, and those who are late bloomers tend to be very strong. Just check out my brother, the Alpha of my pack,” he said in a rush.

“Your brother? Who are you, and which pack are you from?” I asked him.

“I’m Rio, and I'm from Bloodmoon Pack,” he said with a smile.

“Are you serious?” I asked, trying to mask my shock.

“Yes, I am. Do you mind telling me your name?” Rio asked.

“That won't be necessary,” I quickly said. “I have to be on my way now, though. My dad would be waiting for me,” I said as I turned around and started heading home.

He didn't say anything, and he didn't try to stop me. I ran all the way home, dreading the fact that my dad could still be up.

“Where did you go?” my dad asked immediately I entered the den.

“Nowhere.”

“What do you mean by nowhere? The Alpha would not have spent the night with you because tonight is the full moon, and it's his duty to be present when there is a shift in the pack,” my dad said.

“Sorry, I lost my way.”

The next thing I felt was a sharp sting on my face. My dad had just slapped me.

“Young lady, I suggest you think twice before you lie to me next time, you filthy whore. You'd better get out of my sight before I deal with you.”

I hurriedly walked to my room. I still couldn't believe that my dad had hit me.

Trying not to allow the tears to fall seemed futile. Within minutes, I was a mess, with tears streaming down my face. I couldn't help but cry profusely. I miss when things were still easy. I can't believe he's the one calling me a whore when he traded me for cheap favours.

After I managed to calm down enough to sleep, it was barely morning when the clacking sound on my window pane woke me up. Looking out the window, I saw Rita standing there. I quickly rushed outside, where I pulled her into a hug. She hugged me stiffly.

“What's going on, Rita? What are you doing here?” I asked.

“Can't I come and see my friend again?”

“Of course you can. It's just that you know how my dad has been recently, and I don't want you to get into any trouble,” I quickly blurted out.

“Hmmm… that's okay. I came because there's something I want to discuss with you.”

“Ohhh… it must be serious, considering you're out here this early. Do you want to come inside?” I asked her.

“No, no. Outside here is fine. I won't take much of your time.”

“Okay then, what is it?” I asked.

“I'll be getting married, Aria,” she said without a smile on her face.

“What…? So soon? And why don't you look happy?” I asked.

“I'm happy.”

“You don't look happy. Who are you getting married to?” I couldn't help but ask.

“You really don't want to know who I'm getting married to. It's not of great necessity,” she retorted.

“Did you meet your mate? Or are you in love with anyone recently?” I asked.

“Speak up, Rita. Why are you looking like that? You look scared, and I don't understand what's going on,” I said, trying to hold her hand, but she kept moving back.

“I'm getting married to Bale,” she informed me.

“What? Which Bale? Is there another Bale I don't know about?”

“Alpha Bale. I'm getting married to the Alpha,” she said while looking away from me.

I couldn't hide my shock-stricken expression.

“Why? Why Bale?” I couldn't help but ask.

She rolled her eyes at me as she said, “Because I love him! One more thing, Aria.”

I looked up at her, shock written all over my face.

“Can you please stay away from my man?”