*CHAPTER 5*

I covered my mouth as a yawn escaped me, stretching my whole body. I struggled to stay awake as my eyes were growing heavier by the second. I had no idea the temple was this far. We left right after eating in the morning, we're in the evening now and still on the road.

“Are you feeling sleepy? Do you want to sleep?" Aiden's husky voice asked from my left side.

“No, no. I'm not feeling sleepy.” I immediately sat upright and rubbed my eyes.

“You sure look like you are to me.”

“I said I'm not.”

The right side of his mouth twitched. “We will see about that.”

 What does he mean by that? If he thinks I'll fall asleep while alone with him, then he has got another thing coming.

I clapped my hands together, humming a song so I won't fall asleep. I saw Aiden staring at me like a hawk from the corner of my eyes. 

My words were getting slippery and my eyes were already drifting close. 

Wake up, wake up. You mustn't fall asleep. Prove him wrong.

I shook my head, slapping my cheeks lightly with my hands. But I was in too deep. I couldn't hold it anymore. I didn't when I drift off.

“Hey, hey, we're here.” I felt a light tap on my cheek. 

“Please let me sleep a little bit more.” I murmured. I wrapped my hand around the person's neck, snuggling closer. 

“You will get as much sleep as you want once we've gotten down. But we won't be able to do that if you keep holding me tightly.” He whispered in my ears.

My eyes shot open.

What the hell!!

How did my head end up in his arms and his hand is wrapped around my waist? I can't believe I snuggled closer to him.

I swiftly stood.

“I, Um, I wasn't sleeping. I was just…..” I trailed off. There was no point denying that I slept. I have been caught red handed.

“Right.” He stood up and got down from the carriage. “Here” He offered his hand, helping me get down.

Finally, we're here. It is one hell of a ride. I really need to sleep.

“It's very late already. We can't see the Priestess in the middle of the night.” Damien remarked.

“Yes. I'll propose we all take rest and sleep in the temple rooms. Then we will see the Priestess tomorrow.” Isaac suggested.

Everybody nodded. That was a good idea because I don't think I can stand it anymore. If I don't get to the bed in time, I might fall.

“Come on, let's go. Isaac, I'm staying with you.” I urged everyone, dragging Isaac with me.

“No, you can't stay with him.” Kade objected.

“Why?” I countered.

“Everyone is staying in their different rooms. There are rooms here for both males and females. You can't share a room with a man. It's against the rule of the temple.” Tobias explained as we walked inside the temple.

“Ohh, okay. I didn't know that.” So the temple has such rules. 

They all showed me to my room, before leaving to go to theirs. Immediately they left, I entered the room and fell on the bed. I didn't even bother taking off my shoes or my dress.

My stomach growled, but I didn't care. I just wanted to sleep. 

****************

I woke up to the sound of someone knocking at the door. I opened my eyes.

It's morning already? I haven't even slept well and this morning already?

I sat up on the bed and removed the blanket from my body.

Wait a minute? I didn't pull a blanket over myself. 

And I don't remember one being here. I got down from the bed with a furrowed eyebrows. The floor was cold against my bare feet.

My shoes.

Okay I definitely remembered not putting off my shoes last night. Someone was here.

Who was it?

“Sof, are you awake?” A knock came at the door again.

Right. I forgot.

“Yes. I'm coming.” I walked to the door and opened. Isaac stood outside the door with a toothbrush and small container of tooth powder on one hand, while the other hand contained a hot meal. I could tell from the smoke and the aroma coming from it.

“Come in.” Isaac entered and went to drop what were in his hands down on the table before going to sit at the edge of the bed.

“Are you just waking up” 

“Unfortunately, yes.” 

He laughed. “What? Do you want to keep sleeping?” 

“Yes. I'm still feeling very sleepy.” I took the toothbrush and the powder and went to the bathroom to brush. 

“Sadly, you won't be getting any for now.” Isaac voice rang from outside the bathroom.

"Isaac," I came of of the bathroom when I was done bathing and brushing my teeth. "Were you the one who removed my shoes and pulled a blanket over me?

“No. I didn't.” 

I moved the bedside stool to the where the table was and sat down to eat.

“Why do you ask?” He came to sit beside me. 

“Someone pulled off my shoes and pull the blanket over me. I clearly don't remember doing that.”

“Really!” He raised an eyebrow. “Well it's not possible. No one could have entered. Maybe you did yourself and didn't remember.” 

Did I? I don't remember.

“Sofia,”

“Hmm” I had food stuffed in my mouth so I couldn't reply well.

He took one of my hands in his. His brows draw together, holding a steady gaze. “I want you to no that another matter what the Priestess says, I'm always with you. Okay?”

I nodded and we hugged each other. Sometimes I forgot he's Liam's younger brother. He acted like my elder brother when he was just a few years older than me. But I like it.

Isaac waited for me to be done with eating before we went to met the other outside. Unfortunately we didn't bring a dress along, so I couldn't change my dress. I had to wear the same dress from before.

“Good morning.” I greeted everyone as we got to the entrance of the Temple where they were all stood, waiting.

“Good morning, Sofia.” They all answered, smiling. However, Aiden didn't. “How are you feeling? Have you eaten?” He simply asked.

“I'm okay. And yes I have eaten. Isaac brought food for me.”

“Good.” 

We all entered the temple and walked to where the Priestess was being seated. All the while I held on to Isaac arm. I sighted an old woman the altar of the temple, sitting on the floor.

“Greetings, Priestess. How are you doing?” Aiden greeted, bowing his head as we reached her. We all did the same.

“I'm doing fine my child. To what do I own the pleasure of seeing you all.” She asked.

“We came to seek your insight on something.” Kade talked.

“And what might that be?” 

Damien nudged me to talk. I took a deep breath before talking.

 “I'm the Luna of the Sunlight pack.” I started. “My mate, the Alpha, went out and hasn't been back for four years. My mark is fading and I didn't feel the bond again, untill last week at the Grand Moon festival. And it wasn't my mate the bond led me to, it led me to him.” I pointed to Aiden. “The Alpha of the Midnight Pack." I finished.

Everyone was quiet, even the Priestess didn't talk for sometime before she spoke. “Your mark is fading?” 

“Yes.”

”And the mate bond you felt after all these years led you to him?” she pointed to Aiden.

“Yes, Priestess.”

She sighed deeply. “This hasn't happened in ages. You feeling the mate bond with him only meant he's your new mate. And your former mate is dead. That would explain why your mark is fading. The Moon Goddess decided to bless you with a new mate.”

I stopped breathing.

It felt like my whole world came crumbling in my front. Everything she said felt like she was stabbing me a with knife, digging it deeper into my chest with each words.

“no, no, NO.” I shaked my head. My eyes shimmered with tears. “Liam is not dead. There's no way he would leave me." I screamed. My knees suddenly became weak that I almost fell to the ground.

“Sofia!!" Isaac rushed to catch me just in time. “He promised me he would be back, Isaac" I mumbled through sobbing. “This has to be a mistake. My Liam is not dead. He would never leave me.” I cried out on his chest, holding Isaac tightly. Everybody looked at us with pity in their eyes, but Aiden had an unreadable expression on his face. His clenched his jaw and his hands twisted in balls as he watched me broke down.

“I know Sofia. I know." Isaac face clouded with unshed tears as he comforted me, rubbing my back up and down.

“The Moon Goddess never make mistakes.” The Priestess spoke. “But If you want to know if it true or not, on your making ceremony, when he mark you there on the altar, the temple walls will grow, signifying that you both are truly fated.”

“And if it doesn't glow?” Kade questioned.

“That would mean what you both felt is mistake, but I highly doubt that. As l said, the Moon Goddess can never make a mistake.”

So this is it. My Liam is gone forever.

“I–I want to be alone. I–I need to be….” I couldn't finish as I broke into sob again.

“You shouldn't be alone at this moment.” Kade said with concern look on his face.

“I can't stay here. I want to go, Isaac.” I turned to Isaac.

“Of course, let's go to your room.” Isaac wrapped his hand around me as we turned to leave. Aiden looked like he wanted to say something but stopped himself.

I crouched to the ground and bursted into bitter tears as soon as we got to my room. “He left me, Isaac.”I whispered, my voice cracking as I talked. “I can't believe he's gone.”

Isaac bent down to pick me up and took me to the bed. He embraced me. “I know. I can't either.” We stayed in to room together, grieving over Liam. I cried myself to sleep.

Isaac was no longer in the room when I woke up. I looked at myself in the mirror that was hung on the wall. My eyes were red and puffy from crying.

“Sof, you're awake.”Isaac opened the door and entered. "You want something to eat?” He came to sit beside me on the bed.

“No.” I laid back on the bed.

“Sofia, I have something to tell you.” I turned to look at him but he looked away, eyes flickering across the room in a suspicious manner.

“What do you want to tell me?” I sat upright.

I hope it not a bad news. I can't take anymore.

“Isaac, look at me.” I turned his face to look at me. “What is it?”

He took both of my hands in his. He always do that anytime something was going on or whenever he wants to encourage me. I don't know what to expect now.

“Sof,” He took in a breath before he continued. “They are planning to do the marking ceremony tomorrow.”

WHAT! They can't– They can't do that.”

What is he saying? I can't do it.

“I'm not doing it. I didn't agree to it. Why will he make such a decision without my opinion?” I shouted, jumping out of the bed.

Isaac lowered his gaze to the floor. “They did ask me to tell you first before they start with the preparations but I told them that there was no need to do that and go on with the preparations.”

“How could you, Isaac?” I muttered in a low voice. He didn't say anything. “How could you decide for me? I yelled, my voice laced with disappointment.

“Because I want what is best for you.” He yelled back. Isaac has never yelled at me before.

“By sending me off to someone else.”

“By making you start a new life with someone else.” He muttered. “You think I'm happy with the way you cried all these years? You think I'm happy with the way I'm watching my best friend break down before my eyes eyes every single day because of my brother.” Tears fell from his eyes.

“I–Isaac.” My voice cracked.

He came close to me and hugged me.“I want you to be with someone again. The Moon Goddess have blessed you again and I don't want you to loose it. I want you to start a fresh life again and forget about my brother.”

“It not that easy.” I cried in his arms.

He pulled back and looked at me. “I know. But you will try. Give Aiden a chance.” 

I sighed. “i will try.” I whispered.

“Really?” His face lit up in pure happiness.

“Yes.” 

“Oh my God, Sof" He hugged me tightly. I smiled hugging him back. He was the best friend I could ever wish for. I love him soo much. If it worked out tomorrow, and I end up staying in the Midnight pack, I was going to miss him terribly.

As if hearing my thoughts, “If you end up staying in the Midnight Pack, I'll always make time to visit you. Okay?” He mumbled quietly.

“Okay.”

Isaac and the others arranged for the ceremony that was happening tomorrow. I stayed in the rooom through the day.

*****************

Today is the d-day.

Different people from different packs were present. The Sunlight pack clan were also here.

I stood at the front of the altar of the temple, wearing a red silk gown. The whole body of the dress was embroidered with diamonds and golden necklace around my neck.

Isaac came to meet me at the temple and whispered in my ears. “You will be fine. Okay?”

I nodded at him nervously. He smiled and left to stay in the crowd. I clenched my hands tightly as we all waitied for Aiden to enter. I felt a tight knot in my chest, which made me looked at the door. And soon enough, the door opened, revealing Aiden. I felt him before I saw him. He wore a silver cloak that matches his wolf color. He was really beautiful.

But my Liam is more handsome. I knew I was being biased. 

My heart started beating loudly as I watched him reached me and stood beside me at the altar. 

The Priestess came to us. “It is time.” she said and turned to face Aiden. “Mark your mate.”

I bit my lower lips. My forehead glistered with sweat as he wrapped his hand around my waist and pulled me close to him. My heartbeat was so loud now that I was a little afraid he would feel it. 

Aiden used his index finger to moved my hair to the back, revealing the right side of my neck for him. He bent down slowly, looking at me as if asking me for permission. I blinked my eyes. 

He leaned close to my neck, sniffing it before he bared his fangs and sank it deep into my neck. A sharp pain shot through me, then slowly it began to change. 

I felt every part of my body began to rise. The current flowing through me was so overwhelming that when he finally pulled away, I could feel him in my sense, my soul, in every part of me. It hadn't been like that with Liam. I stared at him and he stared back. I knew he was feeling the samething I was feeling. 

The mark on my neck glowed.

The sound of applaud echoing the room made me break the eye contact. But his gaze didn't waver from me. I looked around, and just as the priestess had said, the walls of the temple glowed in Blue light.

But that wasn't what made my jaw dropped. My eyes widened when I saw little white wolves in a glow circling I and Aiden. A satisfied glint settled on Aiden face. 

Suddenly a moon crystal floated in the air inside the temple. 

Th Priestess looked in awe. “The Moon crystal hasn't moved in centuries” she muttered. “You two are a special couple.” she said with a smile.

Many Alphas and Lunas came to congratulate us. “Congratulations Alpha Aiden and luna.” they greeted. All this while, Aiden hand was still wrapped around my waist firmly. I was so conscious of his hand. Ever since he had marked me, my body was hyper aware of him and him unconsciously tracing small circles on my waist wasn't helping.

“Sofia!” Rebecca screamed in excitement as she and Alpha Valerian walked over to me.

We ambreced each other. “So this reason for your weird behavior the other day. Why didn't you tell me? I'm mad at you.” She pouted, pulling back from the hug. 

“I'm sorry." I smiled at her childishness. "This is all so sudden to me too.” I have never imagined In my life that I would be someone else mate other than Liam.

I'm so sorry Liam. I didn't mean to betray you.

I blinked back the tears threaten to escape my eyes. Aiden hands on my waist suddenly squeezed me tightly. 

“You didn't betray him. Don't be sorry.” I turned my head to him sharply. How did he know what I was–

Mind link. He could listen to my thought.

So the rumors were true. But how come I didn't experience it at all with Liam. 

Aiden didn't look at me but his gaze harden. He must be mad that I thought of Liam.

Isaac came to us. “Congratulations Alpha Aiden.” He shook hand with Aiden. "And congratulations, Sof." A bright smile spread across his face as he hugged me. 

“See? I told you that you'll be fine. I threatened him that if he ever makes you cry, Alpha or not I would kick his ass.” Isaac whispered my ear which made me smile. Did really he think he could kick Aiden ass? How funny.

“Alpha Aiden.” A lady walked towards us with a crown in her hands. She bowed her head and extended it to Aiden who took it. Isaac left us.

The temple hall became silent as everyone stood still to listen to the announcement.

“Today, at the altar of the Moon Goddess Temple, I, Alpha Aiden of the Midnight Pack, crown you the Luna of the Midnight Pack. My Luna” He placed the crown on my head.

The people of the Midnight Pack kneeled and bowed their heads, chanting Luna. 

This is it. I'm officially no longer of the sunlight pack.

Everybody was still chanting, when I felt the knot in my chest again. I look up to Aiden face but he didn't react. His didn't feel anything. 

What the hell is happening?

Why was I feeling the bond and Aiden wasn't? The crowd erupted in murmurs. Everybody gasped as

they look turned to look at the entrance of the temple.

What are they looking at? 

I glanced at the entrance to see what they were all looking at. What I saw at the entrance of the temple made my blood ran cold.

Liam?

The already faded mark on the left side of my neck suddenly began to glow again.