CHAPTER SIXTEEN

~Aiden~

Days turned into weeks, and life began to settle into something that almost resembled normal.

Almost.

The castle regained its rhythm, servants bustling, guards patrolling, Father busy with politics.

Jayden disappeared more often into his art studio, busy with art demands.

As for me? I buried myself in the pack’s affairs, trying to silence the echo of Riya’s name in my head by keeping my days too full for memories.

The Darkmoon Pack was thriving again. Wolves migrated in from all corners of the region, drawn by our growing reputation. The land flourished; crops, trade, wealth, everything Father touched seemed to turn to gold.

But I’d learned that gold could still rot underneath.

This afternoon, I stood before Father’s desk with a folder in hand. He glanced up.

“Father, the deal with the Silverling Pack has been closed,” I said. “They’ve agreed to pay for the extended land, former Nightfang northern territory, to cultivate their crops.”

His lips curved into a small smile. “That’s impressive, son. Well done.”

He leaned back in his chair. “I’ll summon the council and the elders. Your brother must be there too. We have an emergency meeting to hold.”

I nodded. “Yes, Father.”

Before I could turn away, the door creaked open. Siarah swept in like she owned the castle, her hands full of glossy shopping bags. Two maids trailed behind her.

“Good afternoon, son,” she purred, flashing me a practiced smile.

“Afternoon,” I replied flatly.

Father’s eyes softened. “My beautiful Luna,” he said, standing to kiss her lips.

I forced myself not to roll my eyes as they kissed like lovebirds in front of me. The sight made my stomach twist. Without another word, I turned on my heel and walked out.

By the time I reached the hallway, I was already loosening my tie. I needed air, preferably away from them. I headed straight to Jayden’s studio, where the faint smell of paint and turpentine greeted me before I even knocked.

“Hey, bro,” I called.

“Hey, bro,” Jayden answered without looking up. He stood before a half-finished canvas, his shirt stained with color, hair tied back.

“How are you?” 

He shrugged. “Alive and busy. You?”

“Good. Father wants to hold a council meeting with all of us.”

“That’s good,” he said, adding a final stroke to his painting. “Go ahead with your meeting. All the best, bro.”

I frowned. “You're coming too. He instructed you must be there.”

He grinned. “Oh! Guess I'll see you there. But bro, this piece is going for two thousand bucks. Your brother’s getting rich.”

I couldn’t help but smirk. “That’s a whole lot of money.”

“Damn right it is.”

“Fine,” I said, stepping back. “I’ll be in my room until the meeting.”

“Go easy on Father,” he called after me. “You’ve been snapping lately.”

I didn’t answer. Maybe because he was right.

****

Back in my room, I changed into something casual, dark trousers and a linen shirt. I sat down and went over some files just to buy time before the meeting.

As I walked down to the hall, Nora appeared, wiping her hands on her apron.

“What would you like for lunch, sire?”

“I’ll eat after the council meeting,” I replied. “Where’s Father?”

“Locked in his chambers, sire.”

I frowned. “Locked in? We’re supposed to meet soon. What about Jayden?”

“He got an emergency call and left,” Nora said quickly. “He told me to tell you he’ll join later.”

“And the council? The elders? Beta Marcus?”

“None have arrived, sire.”

Something wasn’t right. My instincts prickled.

“Has Father canceled the meeting?”

“I…I’m not sure,” she stammered.

I exhaled sharply, anger flaring. “Unbelievable.”

Without another word, I strode down the corridor toward Father’s chambers. The door was slightly ajar, and voices leaked through. At first, I thought it was just conversation until I heard the unmistakable sound of moaning.

My stomach dropped. I crept toward the study just as Jayden and I had done days before when we’d caught them in a similar act.

Siarah straddled my father on the plush velvet chaise, her body moving with a slow, deliberate rhythm that spoke of both control and abandon.

Her robe lay discarded on the floor, revealing the smooth curves of her body, her skin glistening with a sheen of sweat. Father’s hands gripped her hips, guiding her as she rode him, her auburn hair swaying like a curtain with each undulating motion.

His moans filled the room, deep and guttural, his face contorted in pleasure as he surrendered to her. The air was thick with the scent of their desire, a primal heat that made my stomach twist and my pulse quicken despite my revulsion.

No. Not again. Disgust crawled up my throat. I stepped back, ready to leave, anything to erase the image from my mind. But then I heard Siarah’s voice as she got up from him after they climaxed.

“I love the peace of this pack,” she panted. “And I love you, my Alpha. You’re better than that foolish Wintle ever was.”

Wintle? I froze. Her Alpha was stupid?

Father’s deep voice followed, rough and tired. “I’m bothered about Riya,” he said. “She’s my biggest problem now. What if the girl returns?”

“She’ll never return,” Siarah said quickly. “Sending her to Dorian was the best thing to do.”

“What if she works off the debt?”

“She won’t. It’s too much. She’ll never finish it. Relax, our plan is already playing out perfectly.”

Plan? My pulse quickened.

Father sighed. “It still hurts that you had to… bear that girl for him. That stupid Wintle.”

Siarah laughed coldly. “Please. You’re no saint either. You even fucked her; had she borne you twins.”

Father chuckled, low and shameless. “Well, I’m an A in the game.”

“Idiot,” she murmured, but her smile didn’t fade.

I walked away quickly as my heart pounded in my chest and my mind screamed.

Jayden was right. They were both evil.

And Riya… she’d been nothing more than a pawn in their sick game.

My chest burned with a rage I couldn’t contain. My hands shook as I slammed the door to my room shut behind me.

So this is the woman Father wanted us to accept as a mother. This is the man who claimed to lead our pack with honor.

My mother’s voice echoed faintly in my head—soft, calm, haunting. Only you can save this pack, Aiden. Only you.

I clenched my fists until my knuckles turned white.

“What the hell am I supposed to do now?” I muttered, pacing back and forth.

The words came out louder, angrier. “What the hell am I supposed to do!?”

My hand swung before I realized it, knocking a flower vase off the table. It shattered across the floor.

“Easy, easy, bro.”

I spun around. Jayden stood at the door. “What’s wrong?” he asked, stepping closer.

I couldn’t speak at first. The words stuck in my throat, choked by the images burned into my memory. I was still panting.

Jayden gripped my shoulders, steadying me. “Hey. Aiden. Breathe.”

I inhaled sharp

ly, meeting his eyes. And for the first time in a long while, I saw it, the same fury, the same pain. He didn’t even need me to say it. He already knew.