Jace’s Return

Aria's POV 

"Are you ready, Aria?"

I nodded at the face of my new assistant, Alice.  There was a lot of noise where we were so I didn't bother speaking.  

We were at an event hosted by my brothers.  Kael had themed it: UNVEILING BLOODMOON'S LEADER. 

I heard his speech as we waited backstage.  He had just finished telling the people gathered that he was relinquishing his position as Alpha leader and handing over to his sister,  Aria  Black.  

That was my cue so I walked out to a sea of faces that made my head giddy.  Good thing Kael took my hand when he did.  

I watched to see if anyone would recognize me. It was hard.  Most of the women there had smiles on their faces.  Probably happy their gender was taking charge.  

"I demand respect for her, just as you have accorded me throughout my time," he concluded.  

I stood at the podium.  A couple of questions came. 

"You're Bloodmoon's first female leader.  How do you feel?"

"Excited," I said.  And powerful.  

"What is your next step as a leader? Will you change things?"

"There is something that I would change.  And that is the way orphans are treated,  especially in Silverclaw. It is unjust. And it's time to do away with it, and punish the offenders."

Murmuring.  

"What do you have to say about you getting this position and Lana not getting it? She keeps saying that she's been cheated on."

"I am clearly not her boyfriend," I said,  and there was laughter. Wherever she was,  Lana would feel it.  

Alice came up.  "No more questions!"  We walked off the stage.  

"You are going to create an enemy of Lana, sister," Rafe,  who was waiting at the exit, told me.  "We all love you but be careful."

**

She was the only one who refused to acknowledge my new position. Well,  we'd come to settle that score sooner or later.

Two days later,  I went to my training ground.  Found Mason.  A well-built muscular man with a scarred jaw.  Rafe told me he was almost ten times older than I was and had a daughter for an only child.  

He was busy cleaning a blade when I walked in. 

"Is that yours?" I asked.  

He got to his feet,  dropped the blade,  and bowed.  "My lady.  It is an honor to train  you."

"I'm pretty sure you trained my brother,  Kael?" 

"Kael learned from his father," Mason said.  "You happen to be my first  royal."

I wondered if that had any significance.  

"Where do we start?" I asked anxiously.  

"Your brother told me that you were exposed to brutal circumstances all your life.  Your training will encompass both the psychological and the physical parts as well.  You're training to defend your people,  my lady.  The people Bloodmoon Pack.  Not for revenge."

Our eyes held for some moments until I looked away.  I had a feeling he had read some part of me.  Revenge was already at the top of my list.  

"Do you tell me what to do with my knowledge,  Mason?" I arrogantly asked.  

He smiled.  "No.  But I can refuse to train you, my lady.  And there's nothing your brothers can do about that. Oh,  there is.  Get you another trainer."

I looked around.  The place was empty save the two of us. "Don't you have other students?" 

"The ones who stayed passed out months ago."

"Months ago, huh? I thought you were responsible for training our fighters."

"I am.  But we aren't at war.  And based on what I have learned about Silverclaw, seems like every day  is a celebration."

"Ha ha,"  I said.  "Let's begin."

He fitted me with body armor and gave me a wooden blade.  Said some things about my connection with that weapon. Overall,  I took a lot of hits and never touched him for once.  Then he gave me a mannequin to slice at for the rest of the day in a peculiar series of moves that felt more like a dance than combat.  

I got tired a couple of times, and with Mason prowling around like a wild cat, he didn't fail to urge me to continue.  

By the time he finally told me to stop,  my hands and legs were heavy.  I flopped on the bare floor and dozed off.  When I woke up, Mason came outside and asked, "Breakfast?" 

**

Mason's training ground was some ways from the palace and I didn't leave with any escort.  

On my way back, after a meal of soft scrambled eggs and lemon water,  just as I moved around some trees, someone grabbed me and put a hand around my mouth.  

"Don't scream!" said the male voice behind me.  "It's Jace."

I stopped struggling at once.  He came to stand in front of me, hands on my arms, smiling from ear to ear. "Aria."

"Don't say my name."

"Yes, yes.  I know.  And I am sorry for the words  I said to you. But that's all in the past now."

"All in the past now? You expect me to forget every word, Jace? Just like that?" 

He sighed.  "I know I messed up,  all right? I was way in over my head.  I couldn't see you for what you were worth.  I... I was drunk."

I didn't believe him.  He sounded very sober that night. "Why are you apologizing,  Jace?"

"Isn't it obvious?"  he asked.  

"No," I told him.  "I have no idea. Sneaking up on me right  now is a punishable  offence."

He laughed. "Oh, is that it now? Alpha  leader untouchable?" 

I said nothing.  

"That's good." He nodded letting his hands drop from my shoulders.  "Table  turned pretty well for you."

"I thought you were the one who took me to the hospital but the doctor told me it wasn't you.  You just left me there.  To rot!" 

"That's why I came back, alright! I came back for you, Aria."

"Came back for me? What are you talking about?"

"What I am saying is,  I am here to claim you.  As my mate."