Chapter 4

Shattered Dreams and Broken Spirit

Aria's pov

I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, tears streaming down my face. I couldn't take it anymore - the constant mocking, the rejection, the feeling of being worthless. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of despair, with no lifeline in sight.

I ran into the forest, straight to the only place that did not make me feel like an outcast ‘the lake’. I wept at the shores of the lake for the longest time till I was too weak to shed any more tears. I fell asleep by the shore, embracing the peace the calm water brought.

Laying there for God knows how long, I woke up to rustling of leaves. I became on high alert as rogues are known to roam this part of the forest. I listened carefully and could hear the footsteps. I tried to gather how many there were but I could only pick up one heartbeat.

“Who’s there?” I asked into the dark forest, “come out before I get you out myself” I threatened.

Nobody came out, I immediately brought forth vixen. My eyes turned golden and my claws protruded. I was ready for the fight and with Vixen, I got a fighting chance

“Calm down little wolf” a voice came from the dark

“Who are you and what do you want?” I asked still in my fighting stance.

“I’m a friend, Aria” the voice said again

“If you are a friend then you won’t hide. Show me your face”. I challenged the voice, it went silent for a few seconds and I saw the bushes move, creating a path as the person emerged from the darkness. A man stood before, his late twenties probably. He was tall and muscular, he wore an all black attire and a black fur cape.

“How are you, Aria” he greeted with a smile

“Who are you and how do you know my name?” I asked still in my fighting posture not giving him a chance to catch me slipping.

“Oh Aria. Everyone knows who you are!” He said as he walked slowly to me

“Don’t move close to me.” He Smiled and kept walking, he walked past me and stood by the beach.

“You are bold, I love that” he said as he stare out to the water

“I’m not going to ask again, who are you?” I asked fiercely

“I’m Darius” he looked at me with a side eye and my mouth dropped in surprise. Darius was a rogue Alpha, whose mate betrayed him like Karl did to her. He rained down hell on different packs who dared to cross him. He spread fear anywhere his name is mentioned. His nickname ‘The black death’ describes how his wolf is, black and deadly.

Fear gripped me, I couldn’t fend him off by myself. A lot of people tried and they met a glorious exit.

“Don’t be scared, Aria. I’m not here to hurt you. I’m here to help you” he said to me

“Help me?” I asked in confusion and he nodded, “how?”

“I have been watching you since you got rejected by your mate. I have seen how you’ve been treated by your family and your pack. I can see how you burn for revenge Aria and I can help you with that” he said in one breath

“Can you help me get revenge?” I asked him and he smirked

“What do you get in return?” I asked him again

“Nothing but you would have to follow me. I can train you Aria to reach your full potential. I have seen you fight, your wolf is not just an ordinary one, I can sense it. She might be weak but not for long. I can help you come to your full potential” he turned to face me

“I can’t leave the pack, it would make me a rogue” I replied to him

“Aria you really want to stay in a pack where you are not accepted? Where you get treated like trash?” He asked me as he closed the gap between us.

I looked at him in a dilemma. I don’t know him well enough to leave everything and follow him.

“I know you are conflicted and you don’t trust me. I will be at the border by 12 midnight tomorrow if you are still interested in my offer. Aria you can be so much more than you think” he then walked past me into the forest.

I looked on as I stared into the place he disappeared through.

“I should best get going,” I said to myself. I picked up my things and walked back to the pack.

——

I got home and the time was past 9. The house was empty with no sign of anyone being home.

“Where could they have possibly gone?” I asked myself

“Shit, the Alpha’s announcement” I immediately ran out and ran as fast as my legs could carry me to the town hall. When I got there I pushed the door open and everyone turned to look at me.

Embarrassed, I dropped my head down and slipped into the side. I could see my family seated, with their perfect daughter not bothered about me.

As I was about to walk towards them, vixen started to act up. She was reacting to her mate, she wanted him. When I looked up my eyes met with the Alpha’s. He glared at me obviously hating the fact that the mate bond was affecting him too.

He ignored me and began his speech.

“Good evening silver claw. I won’t keep y’all waiting and I would go straight to why we are here. Yesterday, the moon goddess revealed my mate to me and as you all know is someone who is not fit to be the Luna of how dear pack. She is not someone who has what it takes to lead a pack and therefore I must reject this gift from the goddess.” The pack whispered

“Don’t fret because the moon's goodness is also giving us the power of choice. I am here to let you all know who my handpicked Luna would be.” He paused and stared at the crowd

“My mate and your new Luna is no other than Diamond Moon” he said and my heart dropped to my stomach

My sister?? Diamond stood up as the hall was filled with claps and shouts of Joy. She waved to the crowd and gave her best smile.

“This is my chosen mate” he said to everyone, “Aria moon please step to the podium” he said and all eyes turned to me.

I walked to the podium as shame gripped me “I am going to reject you formally in front of the oracle of the moon goodness” he said and I bowed my head in shame as tears roll down my eyes

“I Alpha Kael, reject you forever as my mate” he said and I felt the bond snap into two. I held my chest as I was not able to breath well. I couldn’t take it any longer, I looked him in his eyes, my eyes filled with rage and tears.

“You are going to regret this, mark my words” i said it and bolted out of the hall