ARIA'S POV.“I'm right here, Aria.” I heard his voice from a distance and turned to look in that direction.As I turned to look at him, I also glanced at the direction in which the soothsayer walked away, but she was nowhere to be found.She had walked out of sight before Aoden came in sight. I waited until Aiden got close to me with a smile on his face.“Are you missing me already?” Aiden teased, with a grin.I smiled awkwardly and clutched my fingers unto his clothes. “There's something I haven't told you.” I said to him, and his smile faded away, replaced by a look of seriousness. “What's that, Aria?” He asked, out of concern and then I glanced at the maid who was patiently waiting for us.Aiden understood what I meant, so he told her to move a bit far from where we were. Then we sat.Aiden held my hand, and focused his attention on me, but I wasn't feeling the same enthusiasm I was feeling to tell him, earlier on.So, I decided to reveal a little, instead. “Talk to me, Aria. A

ALPHA AIDEN'S POV.“I'm sure she has gotten the cake and letter by now.” Jamaison said, with a slight smile.“Of course. I just decided to send that letter to her to keep her on her toes. She'll be so excited and her thoughts would be filled with guesses on what plans I have for her.” I spoke, feeling the excitement myself.“It seems to me that you really love her, Alpha.” Jamaison uttered, and I looked at him.“Why did you say so?” I questioned, wondering what could have given it away.“You've never been this excited to do something for a woman before. And right now, it feels like you'll do anything for her.” Jamaison noted.I smacked my lips and let out a sharp breath.“Well, isn't it too early to be so certain?” I spoke, not wanting him to so sure about his assumption.Even just speaking about her, and letting me know his assumptions about the way I feel for Aria, made me feel goosebumps, and more love for her in my heart.“It's just because you've never acted this way to the othe

ARIA’S POV.The next morning, I had my bath and got ready to head out. Since Aiden has decided he wouldn’t tell me whatever is going on, I will mind my business as well. I needed to know more about myself and how to work out my powers, and control it as well.There’s no way I’m going to tell Aiden about this because I need someone I can trust fully, someone who will always be there for me and never give me the cold shoulder. I rose to my feet, and walked out of my room, heading to the kitchen, in search of Portia or the other maid who escorted me to the Open Mouths.Fortunately, I bumped into the other maid.“Hey, you. See me at the garden.” I said to her, and headed to the garden.I didn’t want it to look suspicious as I called her over to follow me out to the garden. On getting to the garden, I turned back to face her.“What’s your name?” I questioned her.“I’m Pauline, miss.” She responded respectfully and I nodded my head in satisfaction of her respect.Studying her, she seemed

ARIA'S POV.My eyes widened at his words, but he didn't seem to notice. He simply patted my shoulder twice, still with that poker look on his face. What could I do? What could I say? I watched him walk away, unable to take any line of action.Even if I was to call out to him, what was I to say? I had no excuse for wanting to go outside. When he was long gone, without finishing his meal, I turned around, and made my way back to my room, feeling a little disappointed. I got to my room, and sat on my bed.No, I couldn't just stay home because he asked me to. Punishment or not, I could not afford to spend the next day inside.What about the soothsayer who I needed to visit?No one else would and could go for me. It had to be me. I got up, and began to pace around my room, with one arm folded underneath my breasts, my elbow from the other arm leaning on it, and my thumb nail in my mouth.My thumb nail got chewed mercilessly, as I continued my journey back and forth the length of my roo

ARIA'S POV.For the second time that day, I was stuck in my position—unable to move, not even a little finger. Their eyes flashed dangerously in the dark—the ominous color of blood. They had ears that looked like bats, but short legs and really lean tummies that showed off the bones in their skeletons. Their arms were also long and sagged to the floor, but wait…Those weren't arms. They were claws! Their hands stopped short of their thighs, and the rest were black claws that made my eyes double their size. Their feet also had claws on them, and I wondered just how deep those claws could tear. They stared at me like I had trespassed, and it was then I noticed the forest was silent. There was no single sound anymore. No animal calls, supposed love songs, annoying insect tunes, or hidden birds…It was just me, them and the moon watching from above. One of them opened its mouth, and I squinted my eyes to see sharp teeth that looked like silver needles. Although they were short, and were