Image with her face, intimate with my mate

I stood frozen in the doorway of the archive room. 

It was just a usual day where I couldn’t sleep, and the pull from the band led me here.

And the sight I behold is one I have never seen before. The image that had been there just seconds ago? The one whose face kept changing—from Nyra to Aria, to Gladys and back again? 

Gone!  Just like a dream that fades away as soon as you wake up.

I sank to the floor, my heart racing. Was I losing it? Was the bond flaring up again? Was Nyra messing with my head?

No matter how I tried to twist it around in my mind, no matter how I tried to understand it. One cold, sharp truth settled in:

“Someone I trust is lying to me.”

–––

I’m not sure how long I stayed there before I heard a familiar voice through the silence.

“May!”

I looked up. Aether was standing in the doorway, his shirt untucked and worry etched on his face. “I felt something… off. Are you hurt?”

I didn’t answer right away.  Instead, I let him come closer.

He knelt beside me, his right hand resting gently on my knee, bringing warmth that felt steady and patient.

“What did you see?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” I whispered. “It was…  a female-like image. Someone was there. Someone I thought I could trust.”

He tensed. “Who?”

I hesitated. “I—I saw Nyra. But then it looked like… Aria, and then Gladys.”

His brow furrowed. “But it couldn’t have been,” he added quickly. “Aria wouldn’t—she’s been with me this whole time, way before I was even made Alpha. She’s my confidant, more like a godmother.”

“May,” he said softly, “you don’t have to explain it. You’ve been carrying the weight of the Moon and everyone else’s secrets too.” What’s in your head is much, and your worries look unexplainable. 

I looked at him, taking in the steadiness and safety in his face.

“I don’t want to be suspicious,” I whispered. “I just want to breathe again, just be me and do me.”

Aether reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Then let me be the one to help you do that. Let me be your safe space, where your worries are gone and your childlike behavior resurfaces”

And for once, I let him.

He held my hand and walked me to his room and let me lie down, he tucked me into his blanket, which smelled just like him. Ever since we mated this is the first time I’m lying in his private bedroom. It used to be either his chambers or his cabin. 

He sat close to me, staring at me quietly for a while, his arm on my shoulders.

“You know,” Aether murmured, “you don’t always have to choose strength.”

“What do you mean?” 

“I mean… no one blames the stars for getting tired. They still shine anyway, and that's how I define you. A shining star that shines, but sometimes let yourself rest, and puts your mind away from all worries.

I blinked hard. Damn him and his soft words.

“I hate how well you get me,” I said, managing a smile that quivered.

“I love that I do,” he whispered.

And then he kissed me, not rushed, not wild but calm, Real and sweet. His lips were soft and salty and those eyes full of love and desire. 

Slowly it got intense. At first, I wanted him to stop, so I could catch my breath but something in me didn’t let me. Instead, I grabbed him. 

He kissed me down to my neck and beyond. Then he raised his head, looking into my eyes he asked;

“Should I stop?” 

I gave no reply. I just closed my eyes. This was the first time I’ve ever been intimate with a man. My body yearns for him but I was shy or maybe scared. 

“Don’t worry I will go slow, I won’t hurt you” he assured me as if he read my mind, and I nodded in affirmation. 

He went slow and steady— like something we’d been building for lifetimes without even knowing it. He kissed me again and then went down to my breasts, fondling and caressing them. My body felt hot and I began trembling. 

Between my legs got wet, and I felt like I would pee, but then I didn’t want to pee but I couldn’t explain how I felt. I just knew that I enjoyed everything he did to me. 

His hands, his lips, and his tongue all worked on my body. This time I was breathing heavily, like I was going to pass out.

“I want you” I managed to say. 

“Are you sure you want this? If I start there’s no going back.”

“I haven’t done it before,” I whispered.

“Are you serious?” His eyes widened slightly. 

“Yes” I replied “But it doesn’t matter, I want you now.”

“I’m sorry May, but you need time to decide if you do want this now. I didn’t know you were a virgin and now I know I don’t think I’m ready to disvirgin you yet” he complained.

“But I want it,” I yelled. “You don’t intend to leave me like this do you?” I said frowning.

“I… I’m just trying to be sure…” he stuttered and before he could finish talking, I grabbed him and kissed him again. 

And this time, when our lips finally met it was as if I had unleashed the dragon in him. 

Aether was fierce, hot, and had so much energy. 

He moaned so loudly, calling my name and saying he loved me. It was a bittersweet experience and in that moment I bled.

I felt it. The pull. The bond was complete. My heart palpitated and I had a sudden surge of rekindled energy. 

Though I was in pain, within me I felt better. Relieved, like my strength increased and most importantly I felt like a woman. 

Aether wasn’t just my mate anymore. He was my partner now, and the days that followed he treated me like a princess. Doing everything and anything I wanted. 

Times like this made me thankful for the life I have now, the old me in BlueCrest pack can’t relate lol… 

–––

 I summoned Elira again this evening through the bracelet. It’s been three days already and my life seemed perfect, but my curiosity, or more like my instinct was perturbed. I wanted to know what’s been happening.

She appeared in a shimmer beside my bed, sitting cross-legged, her eyes haunted.

“I saw the image that day,” I told her. “And someone was there. Someone who wasn’t who they claimed to be.”

Elira nodded slowly. “The Hollowed are closer than we thought.”

I swallowed hard. “Is it Aria?”

“I don’t know,” she said softly. “The Hollowed are masters of mimicry. They take the shape of familiarity, of comfort. That’s how they survive.”

“So… how do I tell who’s real?”

“You don’t,” she replied sadly. “Not until it’s too late.”

She stood up, and just before fading away, she added:

“Trust your heart, May. And watch who avoids your light.”

–––

Morning came too quickly.

Aria met me in the courtyard, just like usual, holding two mugs of steaming tea.

“Can’t sleep?” she asked.

I just nodded, taking a sip from my drink.

And then I watched her. The way she blinked, her fingers curling around the cup, that smile lighting up her eyes.

Everything seemed perfectly normal. But honestly? That’s what freaked me out the most.

Later that day, while training with Laziel, I wandered over to the reflection pool by the temple steps.

I leaned down to look at the water… And suddenly froze.

The reflection staring back was mine. But the eyes? Not silver like mine, they were red.

And right behind me—only in the reflection— Aria was there, holding a blade.

I whipped around and saw nothing behind me. No Aria, no sword, just Laziel in the distance, calling my name.

But deep down, I already knew…Something was wearing her face, and it wanted to get close enough to kill me.