CHAPTER 3: The Pack Welcomes

Mira’s POV

Everything became silent for a while, and even the wind froze. I felt as though someone had grabbed into my chest and squeezed my heart till it broke, at which point I took a step back.

"Kael, don't do this."

He didn't even blink.

"It's finished."

I swallowed hard as my eyes burned.

"Consider Magnus. He needs us both. He requires...

"Mira, I won't take it back."

I was devastated far more by the calm finality in his words than by any yelling.

I felt insignificant. Not Luna-small, but woman-small. Rejection-small and mate-small.

The mate link wasn't completely broken, but something within of me shattered at that very instant. Not until I had finished speaking.

Even though I knew I had no wings, it seemed like I was being pushed off the edge of a cliff. My voice was shaky.

"After that, I, Mira of Evergreen Pack, accept your rejection."

Something inside of me snapped as soon as I finished speaking a chord, a tie, and a warmth I had no idea was encircling my chest. It tore and recoiled, leaving a hollow, frigid anguish in its wake.

Without turning around, Kael turned and left. Suddenly, as if I were nothing more than a closed chapter that he had grown tired of.

My legs felt like jelly and my heart felt like wet sand as I collapsed onto the closest stone seat in the yard. simultaneously slick and hefty. How would I tell my dad about this?

"Hello, Dad. Do you recall the marital partnership you arranged when I was 10 years old? Yes, because my spouse favours my maid, I unintentionally damaged it.

I let out a moan into my palms.

The moon, which was beaming too brilliantly as if the moon goddess was making fun of me, wasn't helping either. Moon Goddess, please dim the lights a woman is in mourning!

I stood and headed back inside once the numbness had subsided like frost beneath my skin for a considerable amount of time.

I felt like I was walking on shattered glass as I ascended the stairs, and when I got to the bedroom, my eyes were still wet and I froze.

There were noises coming from there. Not soft ones, nor little ones.

The noises of skin slapping against skin and moaning were loud, damp, and breathless. There was no mistaking Aria's voice.

"Ah... Kael... yes... don't stop... oh, yes..."

They were in my bed our bed when I forced myself to push the door slightly open despite my upset stomach.

Completely nude, Aria straddled Kael and moved on him as if she had practiced it a hundred times. With her hands clutching his chest and her hair flying, her back arched. With his voice raspy with want, Kael's hands tightened around her waist and pulled her closer to him.

They were so engrossed in one another in love, fire, and betrayal that it seemed as though I didn't exist. As if I had already passed away. Once more, Aria flung back her head and groaned so loudly that the whole wing must have heard her.

I let out a little, broken sound that none of them heard. I softly closed the door without arguing, yelling, or crying. Just nothingness.

I turned and walked away slowly, attempting to keep my heart in place before it entirely fell out of me by putting a palm over my chest.

I walked to one of the guest rooms, put my arms about myself, and curled up on the bed's edge.

As I closed my eyes, I was plagued with a straightforward question. Tomorrow, what should I do?

Go? Take Magnus and vanish?

Hold off till Kael grows weary of Aria? Admit to my family that I've lost everything?

I will not let another woman to raise my son, was my final thought before I fell asleep.

***

Aria’s POV

It is now a pretty calm night.

Kael lay next to me, gasping for air and unconscious. He appeared calm, kind, and even naive. which, if he hadn't been pleading for me like a starving wolf an hour before, would have been adorable.

I grinned.

Alpha, poor thing. When you know just how to move your hips, they all crack.

Three times. He had come undone three times, and each time he fired out his load, he moaned like a kid. Not a leader, not an alpha, just a man yearning for the pleasure he never received from his beloved Luna.

With my body still humming from all the activity and my muscles still heated, I stretched idly before sitting up. I needed to get to work.

In order to avoid waking him, I cautiously slid out of bed. Even though Kael is fiery and powerful during the day, he slept like a rock at night after I handled him, and I wanted him to sleep tonight.

I snuck out of the room after pulling on a thin robe and tying it loosely. I stayed away from the east wing. It's likely that Mira was hiding there because she felt hurt. Excellent. She ought to be offended.

She truly didn't deserve the man, even though she had everything the title, the ring, and the respect.

With my pulse pounding with anticipation, I walked silently down the rear corridor past the dusty paintings of former Lunas and the ancient wooden bookcases.

The garden door was located at the far end of the hallway. The secret was hidden beneath the statue of the first Alpha of Evergreen, who stood strong and proud outside with his stone sword aimed towards the sky.

I knelt behind the statue and rubbed my fingers over the dirt, grass, and smooth stone foundation before coming across a little metal button.

"I understood," I muttered.

A heavy voice rumbled behind me before I could press it.

"Who is present?"

With his eyes squinted and his hand on his sword, a guard came around the corner.

"Aria? Why are you out here at this late hour?

I gave a charming smile.

"Oh, I was just taking a breather."

"At midnight?" His eyebrows raised doubtfully.

I naively blinked.

"I was unable to fall asleep."

He moved in closer.

"I must report this. Move away from the...

He paused as I swiftly moved towards him men usually did.

With a slight trembling in my voice, I said, "Please don't report me." "I'll be in danger. I don't want any hassle.

He became a little softer.

"Go inside, Aria. It's not secure.

I pulled the little blade from my robe sleeve and smashed it into his neck as my smile grew sharper.

His eyes became wide with horror, and suddenly he collapsed, his neck bleeding profusely.

I let out a breath, freed the blade, and wiped it on the grass.

"Men," I said as I finally hit the hidden button.

With a moaning rumble, the statue moved aside, exposing the shadowy entrance to the subterranean corridor.

He led a little army that was disciplined, silent, and lethal as torches were ignited and bootsteps resounded.

With black hair, a sharp jaw, and dark eyes that promise trouble, he is tall, slim, and attractive in a vicious and sharp way.

His lips curved into a sneer as he glanced at the dead guard, then at me. Then he seized my face and kissed me so hard that I melted into him.

"You did well," he said as he withdrew.

It was sheer evil delight that made me smile.

"Killian, welcome to Evergreen Pack." I muttered.