MasukThey worked together by the river. Aria gathered stones, smoothing their surfaces with her palms. Her mother’s hands guided hers, showing how to crush fragments, how to fuse them with star ash until a faint radiance pulsed from within.Step by step, they polished the glass. It gleamed like frozen starlight. With a shard of obsidian, her mother etched the sigil; they were precise strokes forming the seven-pointed star, crescent curling protectively around it.“Now,” her mother whispered, pricking Aria’s finger lightly. A drop of blood fell onto the sigil, seeping into the grooves. The glass flared briefly to her surprise, as if recognizing its owner.“It is yours,” her mother said. “And with it, your power will never be stolen completely. You will always find a way to recover it even if something happens.”Aria held it close, its weight cool and firm in her palm. “I’ll keep it safe. I promise.”“More than safe,” her mother corrected softly. “Keep it close. Keep it always. For it will n
Damien finally slept off, and Aria left his chambers after tucking him under the thick wool blanket. She caught herself smirking, smiling, and blushing as she paced her room to sort one thing or another before sitting down to read the book that had been piquing her interest.“That brat knows how to flirt endlessly,” she coughed suddenly as the memories of him teasing her came backHer hand flew to her mouth to cover the laughter that almost dropped, and she quickly swallowed it before the maids would question her sanity.Lyra’s laughter echoed like wind chimes in a breeze. She suddenly popped out of Aria’s mind after a while of going silent, arms folded, watching the girl bustle about with an odd energy of fluffing pillows, refolding already neat blankets, and pacing as if her thoughts were too loud to sit still.“So…” Lyra tilted her head, a teasing glint in her eyes. “No plans to run away this time?”Aria froze, caught mid-stride as she reached out for the cup of water she left at a
The soft glow of dawn spilled through the heavy curtains, channeling the golden color of the rising sun across the chamber. For days the room had been dim, silent but for the hushed footsteps of the healers and Aria’s anxious remarks. Damien stirred awake, conscious of the movements around him, but his color was glowing, rather than the fog of fever.His lashes fluttered open, and though his body felt as though healing had settled into his bones, his mind was clear and bright. The air carried a faint herbal tang, which was the lingering trace of poultices and potions used to treat him, but beneath it, he caught a gentler scent, which was lavender, the scent Aria carried with her everywhere.He turned his head slightly, and there she was staring at him with a small smile.Aria sat perched on the edge of the bed, her posture straight but her shoulders betraying exhaustion. Loose strands of hair framed her face; her eyes were darkened from the several sleepless nights she had in the past
The mansion had fallen into a tense hush since the Alpha’s sudden return from the brink of death. The servants scurried in silence, their faces pale with worry, and their voices hushed as they whispered amongst themselves. Orion prowled through the corridors like a wolf on guard, his sharp eyes catching every little movement.It was his duty as beta not just to protect Damien but to ensure the estate itself held steady in this time of unrest. The Alpha’s word might command loyalty, but it was discipline that kept a household running.He began his morning in the kitchens, where the head cook wrung her hands nervously as she reported shortages of venison. “The hunting parties have been delayed, my lord. There has been too much unrest on the outer grounds since the execution attempt. The men are hesitant.”“Then double the guards and send them anyway,” Orion replied curtly. “The Alpha’s recovery requires strength, and he will not be served scraps.”From there, he moved to the armory, wher
The first thing Damien noticed when his eyes fluttered open was her familiar warmth. Aria was curled against him, tucked close as though she were glued to the bed, her cheek resting over the steady rise and fall of his chest. Strands of her hair tickled his chin, and instead of stiffening or shifting away, he let himself lie still.He lifted a hand, fingers brushing lightly through her tangled locks. Silky strands slid across his calloused touch, and the smallest sound escaped her lips, which was a soft hum, content even in sleep.The sleep continued for a while before she suddenly sneezed. His eyes slammed shut in the unexpected situation before he slowly opened them again, trying to contain his laugh, but his chest betrayed him and beat faster, making her stir.When her lashes fluttered open, their gazes collided. The instant she realized where she was, she jolted upright, but only halfway, because the next second she folded back into him, arms clinging desperately around his torso.
I couldn’t stop crying.The chamber was thick with the smell of blood and herbs, the metallic tang of iron filling every breath I took. The healers worked frantically around him, their hands red, their voices sharp and urgent. I stayed pressed against his side, gripping his hand so tightly my knuckles burned white.“Hang on, please,” I whispered, my tears falling onto his arm. “Please… just hang on for me. You can’t leave me now. Not after everything we’ve been through together.”One of the healers snapped, “Lady Aria, you must step back—”“No!” My voice cracked, but I refused to let go. “I won’t leave him. Do what you must, but I’m not leaving him!”They exchanged glances, muttering, but none of them had the strength to drag me away.His chest rose unevenly, each breath a battle. Every time it hitched, my heart stopped with it. His skin was burning hot one moment and ice-cold the next. I stroked his hair, my tears soaking into the pillow beneath his head.“Alpha…” I whispered against
|Aria|The choking smell of herbs slowly filled my nostrils and it didn’t clear up no matter how much I tried to breathe it away. My hands and legs felt numb and heavy. A thick, musky haze clung to the air like a damp woolen cloak. The scent of crushed sage and smoldering juniper clung to my nose.
|Damien|A lot of time had passed, and I turned the entire pack upside down with my men but she was nowhere to be found. All my clothes were soaked with sweat. I had extended my smell gland to capture a wide range of smells to the point it got strained, but there was nothing like her scent. The sce
The fume coming from the turned bowl filled the air, and my body shook tremendously. My knees buckled as I inhaled the substance, and I knew what it was instantly. He had just poisoned my body and my wolf.My weak body couldn’t take it further. Blood trickled down my nose as I tried hard not to vom
She stood there with a terrified look on her face. Lupus, my wolf, threatened to jump out due to the immense anger, but I fought back to keep him intact. At least, not in front of the terrified little girl.Her limbs and fingers shook simultaneously as she contemplated moving closer to be with her







