Awakening of Power

Ariana Valenti POV

Cold was the first thing Ariana felt when she woke.

Not the sharp cold of fear but the deep heavy cold of stone and magic pressing into her bones. The chains around her wrists hummed softly, glowing with the same dark light as the symbols carved into the walls. Every time she moved, the magic tightened just enough to remind her she was not free.

She swallowed and lifted her head.

She was no longer alone.

The chamber doors stood open, and standing at the center of the room was a woman Ariana had never seen before.

She was tall and striking, with long silver hair pulled tightly back and eyes as sharp as broken glass. She wore the colors of Iron Crest, deep red and black, and power clung to her like a crown.

This was not a guard.

This was not a servant.

This was Rowan’s betrothed.

Ariana knew it instantly.

The woman’s gaze dragged slowly over her, taking in the chains, the dirt on her skin, the raw fear she could not fully hide. Her lips curled in disgust.

“So this is her,” the woman said quietly.

Ariana tried to straighten, pain shooting through her arms as the chains pulled tight. “I do not know who you are,” she said, her voice hoarse. “But I did not come here by choice.”

The woman laughed, sharp and bitter. “They always say that.”

She stepped closer, her footsteps sounded loud in the chamber. “My name is Selene. And you are standing where you do not belong.”

Ariana’s heart sank.

Selene stopped directly in front of her. Up close, the anger in her eyes was impossible to miss. This was not just jealousy. This was betrayal.

“I have known Rowan since we were children,” Selene said. “Our fathers built this alliance together. We trained together. We bled together. This pack was always meant to be ours.”

She leaned in. “And then you appeared.”

“I am not trying to take anything from you,” Ariana said quickly. “He kidnapped me.”

Selene’s hand moved so fast Ariana barely saw it.

The slap sounded loud through the chamber.

Pain exploded across Ariana’s face. Her head snapped to the side, her vision blurring.

“Do not lie to me,” Selene hissed. “Rowan does nothing without reason. He does not bring strangers into Iron Crest. He does not chain females unless they matter.”

Ariana tasted blood.

“I do not want him,” she whispered.

Selene grabbed her chin roughly, forcing her to look up. “That makes it worse.”

Her grip tightened. “Do you know what it means when Rowan claims something".

Ariana shook her head weakly.

“It means he will not let go,” Selene said. “And it means I am being replaced.”

Footsteps sounded behind them.

Rowan entered the chamber, his presence filling the space instantly. His eyes flicked to Ariana’s face, then to Selene’s hand gripping her chin.

“Enough,” Rowan said calmly.

Selene released Ariana but did not step back. “You brought her here without telling me.”

Rowan’s gaze was steady. “I did not need permission.”

“I am your future Luna,” Selene snapped. “Or was I supposed to find out by rumor”

Rowan sighed. “This changes nothing between us.”

Selene laughed, the sound strained. “You said the same thing to Damian, did you not”

Rowan’s eyes darkened slightly.

“You promised me,” Selene continued. “You promised our bond would never be threatened.”

“And it is not,” Rowan replied. “Ariana is necessary.”

Necessary.

The word hit Ariana harder than the slap.

“For what” Selene demanded.

“For balance,” Rowan said. “For the future.”

Selene turned slowly toward Ariana, her anger burning hotter now. “Then she is the threat.”

“She is not to be harmed,” Rowan said firmly.

Selene smiled coldly. “You forget who taught me patience.”

Rowan hesitated for just a moment.

That moment was enough.

Rowan turned away, his voice final. “I will speak with you later.”

When he left, the chamber felt smaller and heavier.

Selene did not follow him.

She waited.

The doors closed behind Rowan with a heavy thud.

Silence fell.

Selene turned back to Ariana, her smile gone. What replaced it was something far worse.

Resolve.

“You are weak now,” Selene said softly. “Chained. Alone. No one will hear you scream.”

Ariana’s pulse raced. “Please.”

Selene ignored her. She reached into her cloak and pulled out a small glass vial filled with dark liquid.

“This is rare,” Selene said calmly. “It's Slow, Painful and Hard to trace.”

Ariana’s eyes widened. “Rowan said not to harm me.”

Selene stepped closer. “Rowan is not here.”

She forced the vial to Ariana’s lips.

“No,” Ariana cried, struggling as the chains burned her skin.

Selene tilted the vial.

The liquid slid down Ariana’s throat.

It burned like fire.

Ariana screamed as pain tore through her chest, spreading fast, flooding her veins. Her body convulsed against the chains. The room spun. Her vision darkened at the edges.

Selene stepped back, watching coldly.

“It will not kill you immediately,” she said. “That is the cruel part.”

Ariana gasped, her lungs struggling to draw air. Her heart pounded wildly, then stuttered.

Selene leaned close one last time. “If you survive, you will beg to leave. And if you die, the problem solves itself.”

She turned and walked away.

The doors slammed shut.

Ariana sagged against the chains, trembling violently. The poison burned hotter now, crawling through her body like living fire. Her wolf screamed inside her, weak and despera

te.

Her vision blurred completely.

Somewhere far away, the moonlight shifted.

And for the first time, something ancient stirred in response to her pain.