Dealing with the shame
Aria’s pov I left the dining room with a heavy heart. This is not the first time it is happening but this one hit harder. I pushed it back of my mind as I had to leave for work in the flower shop. I got ready and was about to leave, when my sister popped up in my room. “Are you still going to work?” She asked vindictively “Hmm, ya. I get paid to work” i said to her and was about to walk out “You really think you are better than everyone else, don’t you?” She glared at me “No I don’t, Diamond. I just want to get to work” I answered her, trying to pass but once again she blocked my path. “I’m glad Alpha Kael knocked you off your high horse. It was entertaining to see” she chuckled “I’m glad you were entertained. Now if you would excuse me, I would be late for work” I pushed her aside and walked out of the house speedily to avoid any interactions. My house was a little far from the town, so I had to walk for 20 minutes everyday to get to work as I couldn’t afford the transportation to the town. Silver claw pack has been successful under the guidance of Kael, he did everything possible to put us in a comfortable state. I always had dreams of ruling by his side but now that dream was crushed under the heavy boots of fate. I walked quickly into town just so I couldn't be late. Immediately I got to the outskirts of the town, I felt like all eyes were on me. The news about the rejected mate has spread across like wide fire. People look on, some with pity and others with deceit. I pushed through and kept walking to my place of work. I finally got to the flower shop, I brought out the key and opened it up. I began to set things in order, dusting and watering the plants. Every now and then customers would pop into the store to get something but would bluntly refuse to attend to them or they would mock me and call me names. I took every insult and every rejection with a smile on my face. Even when I was on the verge of a breakdown. I couldn’t wait for my shift to be over. After a long shift, I finally clocked out. I went to the nearby cafe to get what to eat and then make my way to the training grounds. I bought a large coffee and some donuts, which I ate to stop the pangs of hunger from growing wider. I saw the stares, the whispers but I ignored it and walked away. In the training area, people were in clicks but I was always a lone wolf. I did not mind it but people began to take it for arrogance. I stood up and began some exercises to pass time as our training supervisor is not yet with us. Two girls passed by and i overheard them talking “Did you hear? Alpha Kael is going to make Selene the beta’s daughter the new Luna” the first girl says “Serious, how did you know that?” Theo other girl asked “My dad is a chamber chief remember and I heard him telling my mum” she replied “I’m so happy for selene, she is so kind and good unlike some people who think they are better than everybody” she said while throwing me a side eye. I ignored them and continued with my training. The training supervisor walked in immediately “ wolves pair up! It’s a one on one combat for today” sergeant Kelvin screams as he blows his whistle to get started People paired up and I turned around to look for someone to pair with. Lily, the meanest girl in the class, walked up to me. “ Looking for a partner?” She asked with a smile. “Hm no thank you” I tried to decline “Oh so you think you are too good for me?” She asked with her arms folded “No I don’t, Lily” I said to her “Who is going first” sergeant Kelvin asked “We would go first sir!” Lily answered “Lily, Aria take the stage. 10 minutes for the combat, first to knock the other out wins” he said and we took our position in the circle. We positioned ourselves in the middle of the circle, people gathered around forming a circle. The fight began, Lily launched at me with speed. I managed to dodged the attack and pulled back “Come everyone let’s see the Luna fight” she says as she throws another attack at me again. I was fast but not fast enough, she kicked me in my abdomen which sent me flying backwards. “You are weak, I’m glad you were rejected. Sliver law doesn’t need a clown as a Luna” she says as she walks towards me. I got up, trying to resist defeat “I’m guessing you still need more beating for you to surrender” she says to me. I spat out blood and looked at her. “I don’t give up easily” i said to her and ran towards her but she was ready for me, she avoided the hit I threw and in turn kicked me in the back, making me lay face flat on the floor. She walked over to me, putting her leg over my head as she presses my face deep down into the dirty, “give up, you are no match for me” she said I struggle to get her off but the more I do the more she presses hard. I was beginning to feel suffocated, then twice on the ground to indicate that I gave up. She did not stop until Kelvin shouted “Lily, get off her now!” He reprimanded her, she removed her legs and I got up trying to catch my breath “Behold your Luna everyone” she said and the training field was full of laughter, my face covered with dirt, people pointing and mocking me. I got up and ran out of the field, my eyes filled with tears. I let them flow as it was long overdue.Aria's povThe day for the ceremony is finally here. I have spent my entire time this week preparing for it.Darius for some unknown reason is distant and it was messing with me mentally.I wore my red dress—it represented the ties I was willing to shed for my freedom.As I stared at myself in the mirror, my best friend, Jane walked into the room.“Hey…..how are you? Are you ready?” she asked with a soothing voice.I looked at her with a weak smile, “I'm fine. Thanks for asking. And yes, I'm ready.”“Good, let's do this.”She held her hand out and I took it. I could feel the support she was indirectly giving to me.We walked down to the clearing where my tie breaking ceremony would be held first and then we would all migrate towards the hall to start the ceremony of the rogue pack becoming a new and legal pack.I looked around, “ this was it. I can do this.” I said to myself.Jane smiled at me, “let's get this over with.” I gave her a slight nod and she returned it with a smile. Sh
Darius POVThe forest was quiet, save for the crunch of leaves under my boots as Ryker and I made our way deeper into the woods. This path was well hidden—a place we used for covert meetings when we didn’t want anyone listening in. The moon filtered through the treetops, casting long shadows on the ground, and I could feel the tension building inside me.Ryker didn’t say anything at first, just handed me a folded piece of parchment. I opened it and quickly scanned the contents.“This is a list of Alpha’s she’s been contacting?” I asked.He nodded grimly. “Yes. Five, to be exact. She’s been promising them something from their land resources if they back her during the ceremony.”My grip tightened on the parchment. Diamond wasn’t just scheming—she was preparing for war.“She’s bold,” I muttered. “Trying to take power during a sacred ceremony takes more than confidence. It takes madness.”Ryker crossed his arms. “Or desperation. She knows her window of opportunity is closing.”My though
Darius PovWe were back to our pack. The trip to the silverclaw pack has been nothing but disastrous.Kael and Diamond wanted Aria back in their pack and I just found out that Diamond is planning something bad.I heard a knock on the door, “Come in.”The door was pushed open and Ryker walked into the office.“What is the update?” I asked him without waiting for his input.“Hmmm….a lot is going on but the two ceremonies would be held side by side. So Aria can renounce her rights to the pack and the celebration for being a new pack can commence.” Ryker told me the details.“Why was the ceremony not held in the Silverclaw pack?”I stood up from my chair and walked to the big window, “I don't trust them not to pull any other stunt to try and keep Aria there.”Ryker walked to the window, “You seem to really like her.”I paused for a while, “I do, a lot”“Then why don't you let her know?” Ryemker turned to me.“I…I…don't know. Aria has been through so much, from her family, her sister, her
Aria’s POVThe wind rushed past me as Darius drove through the darkened roads, the headlights illuminating the path ahead as we headed back to the pack I now call home.The weight in my chest was lighter now, but the sting of my parents' words still lingered.I had expected cruelty, but hearing them confirm that I was never wanted, never loved—it was a wound that wouldn’t heal overnight.Darius remained silent beside me, his hands gripping the wheel firmly. The air in the car was tense, but not uncomfortable. It was a silence that spoke volumes—a silence of understanding.“Are you sure you’re okay?” he finally asked, his deep voice cutting through the quiet.I turned my gaze to him, my heart warming at the concern in his expression. Darius was not the type to show emotions openly, but I had come to recognize the subtle ways he cared.“I’m fine,” I said, offering a small smile. “I just needed to hear it for myself. Now, I have no regrets.”He nodded, his eyes focused on the road. “You
Aria’s POVI hade decided that before I would cut ties with this pack forever, I must see the people who made me the way I am today.My parents.The journey back to my parents’ home was longer than I remembered, each step dragging as if the universe itself was warning me to turn around but I needed to do this.I needed to face them one last time before severing every tie to this wretched pack.By the time I arrived at the grand estate which they live in after Diamond's coronation, the sun had begun to set, casting long shadows over the familiar stone walls.Nothing had changed, the same suffocating coldness that had once made this place feel more like a prison than a home.I inhaled sharply before pushing the doors open, stepping inside the lavish foyer. The air was thick with the scent of burning wood from the fireplace, but there was no warmth here.Voices drifted from the sitting room, the sound of laughter and clinking glasses making my stomach twist.They were celebrating.The th
Diamond’s POV The grand chamber’s doors slammed shut behind Aria, and I remained frozen in place, my nails digging into my palms. The council’s verdict rang in my ears like a cruel joke. She was leaving……..For good this time. No longer bound by the Silver Claw Pack. No longer tied to Kael. No longer within my reach. I should be happy but I am not. I have always hated my sister and I would do anything to make sure is not happy. I clenched my jaw as I turned to Kael, who still sat in his chair, his golden eyes fixed on the spot where Aria had stood. His expression was unreadable, but I knew him well enough to sense the tension in his shoulders, the way his fingers drummed against the armrest—a telltale sign of his frustration. “She’s actually getting away with this?” I spat, my voice sharp with disbelief. Kael exhaled slowly, standing up from his seat. “She won’t be our problem anymore.” I let out a bitter laugh. “That’s exactly the problem, Kael.” I stalked toward him, my fis