Aria's POV โAria! Is that really you?โ I heard the familiar voice ask me. Iโm shocked to see that the Alphas could find me so fast before I could even get to them. How did they manage to find me easily when Iโve been hiding myself from them so I can sneak into the pack? This is so overwhelming and I donโt want to think too much about it. They moved closer towards me and they looked like they were also worried about me. In fact, Iโm kinda confused about this situation because arenโt they supposed to let me suffer so I can learn a lesson? Iโve been walking around the woods in fear even though Iโve been consoling myself that I would get there soon and I didnโt have to worry about whatever was going to happen. But I was more worried that I could get caught by Lucas and his evil men before I got there. I donโt mind being captured by people who donโt know who I am. Iโd rather die than go back there to be their hunting game. I thought it was them coming towards me since I was around thei
Aria's POV Did I just hear the voice of my wolf or was that my subconscious mind congratulating me and I thought it was my wolf? Maybe I should stop thinking too much and try communicating with her. โIs that actually you?โ I tried to talk to her from inside but I couldn't hear anything. Maybe I was hallucinating and I'm the one congratulating myself for finally breaking free from the chains of victimizing myself. Everyone looked at me like I was weird. "Are you really insulting me like that?" I finally heard the voice of the bastard who made an entrance like he was the main character. This is the future leader of the pack? I feel sorry for all the people whose lives are about to be ruined by him. Someone like him deserves to be their Alpha? I seriously don't get what people want in their leaders anymore. "Making an entrance like the idiot that you are." I replied him and he got shocked.Alexander and his brothers laughed at what I said but quickly stopped when I looked at them.
Xeros's POVI couldn't stop thinking about what happened between Aria and Lucas yesterday. It was as if she became a different person when she confronted him. Lots of people have been so mean to her and not giving her an opportunity to say the truth about what is going on.My brother's also have been avoiding her since yesterday as if they don't even want her to scold them at all. This is an unexpected changing her in just a few days that I didn't expect but I'm glad she's finally becoming strong and protecting herself. โWho would have thought that she actually was wronged after all? I can't believe that bastard got the opportunity to be her first mate.โ Carlo complained as he came into the room. Alexander followed him with a frown. โI don't know if the moon goddess is trying to play twigs on us by making us share our mate with that idiot. But it's a good thing he rejected her.โI nodded, โHe rejected someone as good as her and he thinks she's going to come back to lick his feet? I
Aria's POV I was relieved that I had convinced the brothers to let me be part of their investigation. It wasnโt easy, but I refused to back down. This wasnโt just about proving myselfโit was personal. Too many things werenโt adding up, and I couldnโt ignore the signs anymore. The way the attacks were happening, the timing of everything, it all pointed to something deeper. I had a strong feeling my twin sister, Sage, had something to do with this. It wouldnโt be the first time she tried to destroy me, and I doubted it would be the last.Then there was Edgar. The mere thought of his name sent chills down my spine. He had vanished after his escape, but a man like him didnโt just disappear without a reason. Could he be behind all this? If he was, I needed to find out before it was too late.Shaking my thoughts away, I decided to go back to work at the hospital. I needed something to keep me busy while we figured this all out. Besides, working as a doctor had always given me a sense of pu
AVIA'S POVThe people who were so sure that I had hurt the child couldnโt say anything else after hearing that I already saved that child but Iโm not going to sit and watch them not apologize for what they did. Itโs enough for them to criticize me but doubting me is just another thing I canโt easily forgive even if I try to forget it. They thought they could make me give them the credit for something I did just because they want to bully me for being a criminal. Well, this is something Iโm never going to accept. Iโve been too quiet for too long and everyone insults my integrity now. Maybe they might not even like me at all anymore and I donโt care. I was trying to be nice and patient just to curry favor with them before but not anymore. โAre you people just going to look at me without saying anything? You should apologize for everything that youโve done to me! I expect an apology from you or nothing less!โ I demanded continuously. A nurse finally came forward with her head down, โI
Xeros's POV I watched from the window of my study as Aria arrived. She looked more lively than ever and I'm guessing it's because of what happened with her. I never thought she would be so happy about defending herself at the hospital. I saw everything with Alexander. We only wanted to check on her at the hospital because we thought she might be having a hard time. Everything that happened before wasn't fully settled with the nurses and doctors, we wanted to make sure there was no injustice. But by the time we arrived, there was already so much going on and I wanted to intervene. Alexander stopped me from doing anything and called for Doctor Harper to come out from where he had been working at the warrior's camp nearby. "Are you sure we shouldn't go there and help her? You better not be doing this out of your own selfishness. If something happens to her, will you take responsibility?" I questioned him as he kept stopping me. "She's doing so fine by herself. I already called Harpe
Aria's POVI couldnโt stop thinking about the kiss. My cheeks still felt warm even though it happened hours ago. Every time I remembered how he pulled me onto his lap and whispered in my ear, I felt something strange deep in my chest. Xeros wasnโt usually the one to show emotions, but last night... he was different.He said he wanted to take things further with me, but part of me still wonderedโwas he serious or just playing around? He could easily be teasing me, right? But no... he said he was going to pursue me officially. Those were his exact words.I sat on the edge of my bed and sighed, holding my face in my hands. If he really meant what he said, then what about the other two? Alexander and Carlo. They're his brothers, and theyโre also my mates. I didnโt ask for any of this to happen, but now Iโm in the middle of them, and itโs only getting more complicated.โWhy do they all act like they own me?โ I mumbled under my breath. โWhy canโt one of them just say what they really want i
Ariaโs POVI stared at the door even after Alexander walked in. My heart was still beating so fast. I couldnโt believe what just happened. Edgarโฆ he was really here. In my room. He had grabbed me from behind and warned me not to say anything. Even now, I was still shaking from the fear and confusion. Why did he come back? Why now?Alexander looked around the room and then back at me. He was frowning."What's going on here? I thought I heard something. Are you okay?" he asked, stepping closer to me.I blinked quickly, trying to get rid of the fear in my eyes before he noticed. I had to say something fast. I couldnโt let him know the truth. Edgarโs warning still rang in my ears. If I said anything, he might hurt everyoneโฆ and it would be my fault."I-I'm fine," I said quickly, forcing a small smile. "I just tripped over something. It's nothing."He raised an eyebrow, not looking convinced. โYou tripped?โโYes,โ I nodded too fast. โYou scared me a little, thatโs all.โAlexanderโs eyes na
Aria's POV I couldn't sleep the entire night because I couldn't stop thinking of what happened to me yesterday. I kept turning around the bed. It was a bit embarrassing to see how I kept acting like a child and crying my eyes out because I got hurt. But maybe it worked?Xeros casually told me he loved me which was something I didn't expect. Maybe I'm just too stupid to see the signs around me. They started to care more about me than they usually would. Carlo even changed from his usual ways because of me and we've been having nothing but a slow burned romance. Now that Diane is here, things wouldn't be so easy for me. I think it's time for me to take matters into my own hands. I dressed up, ready to go to the hospital early. But looking at myself in the mirror, I realized why Diane might also be looking down on me. Maybe because I also didn't take myself seriously. I went to the door to open it, only to find Xeros waiting for me at the door. Memories of how we acted yesterday floo
Ariaโs POVI stayed in the room without moving for hours. The silence felt heavy. My body was tired, but my mind was louder than ever. Everything that happened kept playing over and over again. Diane falling, her fake tears, her fake pain, her fake voice when she said I pushed her. And Xerosโฆ the look in his eyes when he asked if it was true. That question hurt more than anything else.Why did he ask? Why did he need to ask? Didnโt he know me? Didnโt he trust me?I pulled the blanket around me tighter. My chest felt sore from crying, and my eyes were heavy. But sleep wouldnโt come. Not when my heart still ached this much.At least Carlo believed me. At least someone did.When I finally got the words out, when I told him everything, he didnโt question me. โShe said I pushed her,โ I mumbled into his chest. โBut she was the one who pushed me. She just missed. And nowโฆ now it looks like I did it.โCarlo didnโt move. โDid Xeros believe her?โI didnโt answer.That silence was enough for hi
Ariaโs POVI never expected her to actually try it.One moment I was walking back to my room, still groggy from sleep and hoping to get a glass of water, and the next moment Diane was standing right in front of me at the top of the stairsโeyes wild, voice sharp, body full of bitter anger like she had been waiting just for me.What is she even doing home? I thought she was supposed to be at the hospital.I blinked at her, too tired to process anything right away. I didnโt even say anything at first. I just moved aside slightly, hoping to avoid any drama. I was still half-asleep, and my head was pounding from everything that happened the day before. But of course, Diane didnโt care about that.I was trying so hard to avoid her but she's not one to give up easily. No matter how I tried to push her away, she always continued to bother me. Telling me to pack my bags like she owned the place. Instead of staying at the hospital to help at a time like this, she chose to come home to exhibit
Dianeโs POVI was still fuming from earlier. The way Alexander spoke to meโฆ like I was just some extra they could send on errands while their precious Aria got to rest at home like a queen. It was ridiculous.I'm their cousin! I'm supposed to be the family they've known for a long time and they're defending that bitch over me?They defended her like their lives depended on it, like she hadnโt done anything wrong. She came into the picture unwanted! And now, I was the one being sent to the hospital.Why me?Even if I studied abroad to be a doctor, I still didn't think my precious skills should be used on a bunch of peasants.The moment I walked through the front door of the pack hospital, I wanted to turn around and go home. The place reeked of sickness and sweat. Nurses were running up and down, patients were groaning, coughing, wheezing. Some even looked half-dead. It was disgusting.I covered my nose with a silk handkerchief and walked fast through the hallway, keeping my eyes stra
Alexanderโs POVThe moment we saw her, I could feel my heart settle for the first time all night.But it didnโt last.She looked too calm. Like nothing happened. Like she hadnโt just disappeared without telling anyone where she went. Like we hadnโt spent the whole night tearing through Edgarโs pack, worried she had been hurt or taken.โWhat were you thinking?โ I snapped before I could stop myself.Xeros stepped forward too, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. โDo you have any idea how worried we were?โCarlo didnโt even say anything at first. He just looked at her, like he couldnโt decide whether to yell or hug her.Aria stood there, blinking fast, as if she was trying to process all three of us coming at her at once. โIโฆ I was going to come back,โ she said quietly.Xeros laughed, but it wasnโt funny. โYeah? do you know I almost completely lost my mind after we couldn't find you anywhere?โโI didnโt mean to fall asleep,โ she said quickly, stepping back a little. โI finished chec
Ariaโs POVThe drive to Edgarโs pack was quiet.I sat in the front seat, staring out the window, arms crossed, and mind filled with thoughts. The road was mostly empty, and the silence between us grew heavier with every passing mile.I shouldnโt have come.That thought kept repeating in my head. Not because I didnโt want to help the sickโbut because being around Edgar again made everything feel strange. Wrong. Complicated.But when we finally entered his pack land, I forgot all about my awkward feelings.Because what I saw shocked me.There were people everywhereโsick, coughing, lying on stretchers, some even placed in tents outside what looked like a crowded clinic. The air smelled like strong herbs and sweat. People moved around in a rush, doctors calling out instructions, nurses trying to calm crying children.It was like walking into a battlefield.โThis is worse than I imagined,โ I whispered under my breath.Edgar parked and got out quickly. I followed him, keeping my coat tight
Ariaโs POVI didnโt know what to feel in that moment. Should I be scared or should I be relieved since he didn't hurt me the last time we were together?I'm supposed to trust someone like him who goes in and out of this pack like it belongs to him. I don't even know what he's planning in his mind or what is going on in his head. Let's not forget the fact that he almost tried to hurt Xeros. I mean, he would have done something if Lucas didn't. โYou shouldnโt be here,โ I said finally, standing up slowly. โI told you never to come back. We told you. All of us.โHis eyes didnโt shift. He looked the sameโmaybe a little more tired, but still him. That quiet, unreadable calm.โI know,โ he said softly. โBut I had to see you.โMy brows pulled together. โDo you have any idea what could happen if Alexander sees you? He might actually kill you this time. And honestly, I wonโt stop him.โEdgar looked down for a second, then stepped closer.โIโm not here to fight anyone,โ he said. โIโm here becau
Ariaโs POVI shouldnโt have spoken to them like that.As soon as I walked into the surgery room and closed the door behind me, my chest felt heavy with regret. I leaned against the wall, letting out a long, tired sigh.Xeros and Carlo had come to see me earlier. I could still see the look on Xerosโs face when I told him to leave me alone. I could still hear Carlo calling after me with that worried tone in his voice.They didnโt deserve that. I was just angry, hurt and frustrated. But not at them.It was Diane. She only came not too long ago and she already made sure that she almost made my life a living hell. And I was so mad that I let her words push me to act like she was the one meant to be with them.But she wasnโt.They were mine. The Moon Goddess chose them for me. Not her. And yet I let her get under my skin again.I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I would apologize when I got home. I would explain everything. No more misunderstandings. No more pushing them away.I would
Xerosโs POVThe sun was high above our heads as Carlo and I walked around the pack. The heat stuck to my skin, and the dust from the ground clung to my boots.We had been hearing a lot of news lately. Strange news. About a sickness spreading through the pack these past few days.It wasnโt normal.Werewolves didnโt get sick like this. Even if we caught something, our bodies healed fast. Faster than humans could even imagine.But now?Now even the strongest wolves were lying in bed, sweating and coughing, looking weak like theyโd been poisoned.Carlo pulled his shirt over his nose as we passed by another house where someone was sick.โThis is getting worse,โ he said quietly to me.I nodded, feeling a knot in my chest. โYeah. Itโs spreading faster than anything Iโve seen before.โWe checked every house. Listened to every family.Most of them were scared. Some of them were hiding it, pretending they were fine, but we could see the fear in their eyes.โWeโll find a solution,โ I said to one