LOGINAria and her friends sat at their usual spot in the royal garden. The air was cool, and the sun remained hidden behind the clouds, giving the atmosphere a strange calmness.It had been a week since the incident with the dead maid happened.The rumors had reduced greatly, though a few people still pointed accusing fingers at Aria. Compared to before, more people supported her now—But that still did not change the fact that she needed to clear her name quickly."How come there are no clues to the incident?" Lynn sighed heavily. "Not even a witness.""The mastermind sure is smart— smart enough to cover up their tracks." Mariella added, biting her lower lip thoughtfully.Aria remained quiet.Her eyes were slightly squinted as she stared int space, absentmindedly tracing the rim of her teacup with her finger."You've always been easygoing and friendly with everyone, so who could possibly bear a grudge against you?" Lynn asked, raking her fingers through her hair in frustration."I can't t
Cain blinked repeatedly in confusion, his gaze moving back and forth between Aria and Beta Thorne until it finally settled on Aria.She tilted her head slightly to the side, her lips pressed into a straight line while her eyes widened a little as if silently asking how he still did not understand."Isn't your brother's name Matteo?" Cain asked.Aria nodded."...Then why is he... you know?" Cain muttered, his brows furrowing deeper as he pointed toward Beta Thorne, who stood quietly with his hands folded behind him."Ahhh, I see why you don't get it." Aria began. "His real name is Matthew, but my brother said he was going to call him Matteo instead because Matthew and Matteo sounded alike.""So because of that, everyone naturally began calling him Matteo." she explained.Cain slowly nodded as an understanding "ohhh" escaped his mouth.Then his gaze shifted toward Beta Thorne through the corner of his eyes, the side of his lips curling upward faintly."When you knew who she was, why did
Xer moved carefully through the Left Wing Pack, his form hidden beneath the uniform of a guard. His posture was relaxed enough not to draw attention, yet every step he took was calculated. His senses were fully alert, searching, tracing, reaching for something familiar.For Aria.He slowed his pace slightly, inhaling deeply, trying again to catch her scent.But there was nothing.Not even a faint trace lingering in the air.A deep frown settled on his face as unease began to build within him."Did something happen to her?" he asked quietly, worry threading through his voice.He paused mid-step, his thoughts racing until realization struck him."She has been marked by her mate." he muttered under his breath.Of courseHer scent would have changed completely.Xer clenched his jaw, frustration flashing across his face."Damn it." he cursed under his breath.There was no point lingering any longer.He turned and began to retrace his steps, heading toward the same secluded path he had used
Lady Mana straightened up after checking Maida one last time, then turned to face everyone in the room."She needs to rest. All of you should leave so she can recover comfortably."No one argued.Aria nodded slowly, wiping the last trace of tears from her face before turning away."Let's go." she mumbled to her friends.Lynn and Mariella followed closely behind her."I will have a quick word with Elder Gavin, then leave shortly." Cain said.Aria paused and looked back at him.Their eyes met.There was something unreadable in his gaze.She gave a small nod before turning again and walking out with her friends and Lady Mana.Elder Zaphi and Elder Namon exchanged brief glances before following after them, leaving the room quieter than before.Now, only Cain and Elder Gavin remained.Silence stretched between them.Heavy and tense.Cain's gaze slowly settled on Elder Gavin.Cold, sharp and dangerously hard."Have you lost your mind, Elder Gavin?" he asked, his voice low but cutting.Elder
Aria paced Maida's room restlessly, her friends standing behind her, watching with worried eyes.Her dress and hands were stained with Maida's blood. Though she was no longer crying uncontrollably, tears still welled in her eyes, threatening to fall at any moment.She didn't say a word.She just kept pacing.Her gaze never left Lady Mana, who was attending to Maida on the bed."Aria, just calm down. She will be fine." Lynn muttered softly."Yes, trust Lady Mana." Mariella added.Aria sniffed. "I know... but... she was poisoned."Lynn bit her lower lip, not knowing what else to say.Mariella pressed her lips into a thin line, her mind racing."What had happened during the time they were both alone?" she thought."Ria."Aria turned sharply at the familiar voice.Cain came rushing in— straight towards her.He looked dishevelled. His shoes were dirty, his clothes slightly rumpled, and even his hair was a mess like he had run all the way without stopping."Cain." Aria cried, her tears fina
The maid soon returned carrying a silver tray with a teapot and two delicate cups balanced carefully on it. She placed it gently on the table between them. As instructed by Aria, she served Maida first. Then, when she was about to pour Aria’s tea, her hands suddenly shook. The cup tilted. Hot tea spilled across the table and splashed lightly on Aria's gown. Aria gasped softly and quickly reached for a handkerchief, dabbing at the fabric. Luckily, it wasn't much. "How dare you?" Maida shouted, rising to her feet. Before anyone could react, her hand came down sharply across the maid's face. The loud slap echoed through the garden. The maid stumbled and dropped to her knees immediately. "Please forgive me, my Luna." she pleaded, her voice trembling. "You still dare to plead for forgiveness?" Maida shouted, fury flashing in her eyes. "Guards—" "It's okay!" Aria cut in sharply. Maida froze. "It spilled on me, not you, so you don't need to get so worked up." Ari
The news spread faster than wildfire.By the time Aria stepped into the inner courtyard, she could feel it—the weight of dozens of gazes, some curious, some impressed, others sharp with expectation. Conversations dipped the moment she passed, only to resume in hushed tones behind her back."She acc
The fire crackled low, its weak glow barely pushing back the darkness of the abandoned clearing which was located outside the walls of New Moon pack.The scarred man sat with his back to a tree, arms folded, eyes closed, ears strained upward, ensuring that no sound went unnoticed by him.Footsteps
Kael walked through the path leading to the right wing, his steps slow, and calculated. Beta Thorne followed beside him, arms crossed, eyes scanning the open space ahead.They had just concluded their meeting and he was heading back to his wing to go about his Alpha duties.Then Thorne slowed. He g
Night swallowed the forest whole– cold and dark. Trees swaying their branches gently in the direction of the wind.There was no moon, no stars. Only darkness– thick and heavy which was illuminated by the flames of the fire touch which flickered slowly in Beta Thorne's hand.As they passed through t







