Something wet and red clouded my vision, I tried reaching my face to touch it, but I felt nothing, I could neither feel my arms nor legs. 

My entire body ached, the sounds of footsteps approaching filled my ears, this time a black shoe followed, almost like a male’s shoe, I couldn't see it clearly.

“Tch tch, poor Aria, to think that even till your last breath you were so stupid and naive” Vanessa's cold voice boomed in my already pounding head, which was threatening to explode

My lips moved but no sound came out, instead I felt blood trickling down my mouth.

“You didn't tell me it was the Luna” the male said in a fearful tone, I couldn't recognize his voice “Alpha is going to kill me” he said shakily 

“Don't worry, Ady wouldn't even notice she's gone, you're safe”

I couldn't even laugh at myself even if I wanted to, after all, it was true. She was right, Adrian, my supposed mate who I had grown up with would barely notice my absence, not to mention harming anyone for my sake.

Something turned me over and a sharp object pressed against my ribs, it felt like heels, I struggled to lift my eyes.

My eyes locked with Vanessa's, she looked at me smugly, “oh, how the mighty have fallen” She smirked.

“I would like to have a word with hers,”

“Alright, be fast, I would love to leave here” the figure said, looking around.

“How does it feel? Being under my foot?” She chuckled, “so sorry, I forgot you can't speak. You look so awful and dirty” her voice was filled with disgust the more he spoke.

“I knew you were gullible, but drinking wolfsbane, that's next level” my eyes widened on it's own, finally I understood, why Luna was unusually weak, why I was losing my baby

“P…p.please” I forced my hands up, muscles trembling, I gripped her leg, “my… baby” I said with difficulty.

“Get those filthy hands off me” she screeched, irritation bubbling in her face, I latched onto her tightly, she was my last bit of hope

“Nessa, he's your nephew. Please” I pleaded stubbornly, holding onto her tightly.

“Fucking let go of me your bitch” she kicked my hand with her heels, but I tightened my hold, she stomped down on my hands, 

I winced from, but still held on stubbornly, “pleas…e.. ne..ssa.. I do..n’t..know..wh..y..you..hate…me…, b..b..but he's innocent” I managed to say with difficulty 

By now, my arms just like the rest of my body had completely lost sensation, with one final stomp from her, it fell to the ground,

“What makes you think I would ever help you save your bastard” she snarled, her heels digging into my palms

“He's not a bastard” I said through clenched teeth, groaning, my body shook uncontrollably from the pain, she looked at me with a crazed expression.

She crunched down beside me, “poor Aria, if your son is not a bastard what then do you call a child born of an affair”

I made to retort, to tell her it was all a misunderstanding, I have never had an affair ever since I got married to Ady

“Ady couldn't bear the thought of sleeping with you, an adopted bastard, unworthy of his status.” she laughed softly,

I looked at her in disbelief, Adrian had promised that I would always be his beloved sister even though we were not related by blood, there's no way he would think of me as such.

Especially not since we found out we were mates.

“You don't believe it” she giggled, “I can still remember the way his eyes lit up when I suggested letting someone else sleep with you, I never knew he would actually consent to it”

My face snapped to her, my gaze turned cold, “stop spewing such lies” 

“Shut up, you bitch” she kicked my squarely on my stomach, i clutched it tightly,  Luna hasn't said a word to me, but I could feel her, channelling all her strength to our pup, keeping him safe.

“You don't believe me” she chuckled, low but certain, in a way that made my stomach churn

“ Remember all the times he slept with you in the dark, because he couldn't have the lights on during sex, or how every morning you wake after sex your head felt foggy,” 

My heart beat quickened, how does she know the details, she leaned in closer, “it was all a lie, Ady would always make sure you were high and pass you off to a servant, that's the father of your baby, a Servant. Every single one of those night, he spent it with me” she finished wickedly

Time seemed to stop, everything came rushing back, how I thought he was particularly gentle and even felt different in bed, the glares I got from him the following mornings. And the undeniably, hatred in his eyes when I broke the news of my pregnancy to him.

“Hahahahahah,” I burst into bouts of laughter, they really got me, they got me real good, 

“You must have lost it” Vanessa said in disgust 

Looking at her fake face a sudden surge of adrenaline surged through me, and I clawed aggressively at her.

“You bitchhh” she shrieked in a high pitch tone, “How” she stomped her heels into my stomach, “dare” she stomped again “you” and again.

My body quaked from the impact, “baby” a tear slipped from my eye.

Finally satisfied she stopped, “Make sure to not cross me in your next miserable life” she scoffed and turned to leave.

“I'm sorry” I heard Luna's silent whispers 

Warm blood flowed out of me, I could feel it, my pup, my vision blurred as I fought, desperate to stay awake, to survive.

“Aria, Aria, fuck. Don't fall asleep, Aria” a panicky voice I never thought I'd hear again, called out. 

Would things have turned out differently if I had chosen you, Darken? I asked no one in particular.

And with that everything went blank.

“Aria darling, what do you say about the arrangement, that way you'll still be in the family and we can all still care for you” mum's sweet voice cut through the air, as she spoke to me softly.

What's going on? Did mum follow me to the after life? But that's impossible.

“Honey, don't keep your mother waiting,” Father added, in that very soft toned that felt so unfamiliar now.

Wait, why do these words sound so familiar, my eyes fell to my arms, it was smooth, lacking the bruises I had often spent hours covering under layers of makeup.

What in the word is happening, I had died, my eyes caught my reflection in the mirror and a gasp slipped through my lips, my hand flew to my face

“Impossible” I muttered, touching my smooth and unbattered skin.

“What's impossible” mum asked.

“Nothing,” I quickly said, “what day is it?” I asked, trying to confirm my suspicions.

“Why are you acting all weird,” her eyes narrowed at me, “are you alright” she raised her hand trying to reach for my face

Instinctively, I shrunk back, dodging her touch, her hands froze mid air, a look look of shock and pain passing across her face. 

“Ari” she called me by the very pet name they had all given me, “are you angry at mother? I told you nessa is your sister now, we can't throw her out” she said with an aggreieved expression.

I sneered inwardly, if I hadn't known any better I would have fallen for this same act that once cost me my baby and life. 

“No mum, Nessa is your only daughter. I would never ask you to throw her out on my behalf,” I said with fake sweetness.

I couldn't let them suspect my awareness of their plan until I was fully aware of what was going on, could it be that I was reborn? That seemed to be the only reasonable explanation.

“What are you rambling about? You better not be thinking of accepting that bastard's proposal” Luna's sarcastic voice rang loudly in my head

“Luna” I called in surprise, “I never thought I'd be so happy to hear your voice again,”

“Are you sick in the head?” She asked

I froze, “you don't remember what we just experienced few minutes ago?” I asked in shock

“I only remember you acting like a child who was given a lollipop in a platter of gold, I don't like Adrian’s aura, you can't accept to be his chosen mate”

“It's exactly the same” I muttered, tears pooling in my eyes, her words were exactly the same as the warnings she had given me five years ago, before I stubbornly fell for my family's lies, and married Adrian against Luna's warnings before we found out we were fated mates. 

“Stop crying dummy, of course I remember everything” she rolled her eyes. “I'm sorry I couldn't protect him,” her voice turned sad.

I shook my head, “it's not your fault,” I smiled bitterly, my eyes fell on my supposed family, and an ironical laugh threatened to spill from my lips. 

“Aria Honey, have you considered it? Adrian is not only your adopted brother but also the Alpha, he's in a better place to protect you” Mother—No, Luna Casey said. 

My gaze turned cold, “And why would I do that?” She froze mid sentence, disbelief spread across her face, clearly not expecting such from me.

“What? He's your brother” 

“Exactly why I can't be mated to him, he's my brother, have you thought of it, which brother mates his sister?” I retorted stubbornly 

“It doesn't matter, who cares what anyone says, as long you're not related by blood, nothing stops you from marrying him” she said stubbornly 

“I'm sorry, but I can't marry him. I see him as my brother and nothing more, if he's in desperate need of a mate, I'm sure Vanessa would be glad to mate him” I bit back sarcastically 

The crack in her expression finally showed, “It's not the same thing, Nessa is different. She's…Family” 

“Family? Then what am I? Thought you just said I'll always be family” I mocked.

She stared at me, stunned to speechlessness, clearly not expecting such response from me. 

“Don't speak to your mother like that” Alpha Kreig growled, trying to salvage the situation. “You know she didn't mean it that way" he said in a stern but soft voice, one I had forgotten what it sounded like. 

Thinking back to it, how was I so blind not to see the ridiculousness of it all back then, naively falling for their sweet words and promises. 

“Oh…Then how did she mean it?” I crossed my arms beneath my breast, “she just said I should marry the same brother I grew up with because I'm not your real daughter?” 

Guilt flickered across their eyes, “no, I just meant that remaining in the family without a status would be disadvantageous to you” her voice softened.

Anyone who heard them would probably think they were probably being generous and having my best interest at heart.

I sneered inwardly, the revealed their true colours after almost draining my blood completely to save their dearest Vanessa who someone had been had and lost 3 pregnancies before 18, my blood was the best and stronger than most for some reason.

What better way to get it, than from your mate and Luna, bound by duty to protect.

“If lacking a status means not being a part of this family, then maybe I should just leave” I shot back

“No” they exclaimed, their eyes went wide with panic, “you can't,” 

“I have no status” I threw her words back at her 

“You…” the words seemed to dry up in her mouth, the fake kindness spread across her face. 

“You're mother is just trying to look out for you, we’ve raised you for the past 15 years, blood or not we can't just throw you out into the street. You'll forever remain our daughter” Alpha Kreig quickly broke the awkward air. 

“Daughter indeed” I muttered under my breath.

“They won't let us leave so easily” Luna scoffed, “not until they've saved their precious daughter”

A bitter smile spread across my lips, “who said anything about leaving? An eye for an eye,” my hands clutched my stomach, “they took my child, this time I'm going to take away everything they hold dear.”

Draken's Pov

My eyes flung open, my head felt like it was about to be torn into a million pieces, my body was drenched in sweat.

“Why are you up so early” the figure on the bed stirred and purred softly, 

“Get out” I said softly, 

Her pupils dilated, she opened her mouth to protest but a look from me and she went quiet instantly. Gathering the bits of scattered clothes she had, rushing out with her head on her tail.

“Good, I was in no mood to spill blood now, didn't mean I wouldn't if I needed to” 

I headed to the shower letting the water wash away the stench and smell of sex that lingered on my body. 

My mind wandered to the brown eyes that hunted my dreams every night. 

I sighed in exasperation, I was getting no where with this, the dreams just kept getting worser.

Last night she had actually died in a very brutal way, I couldn't see her face clearly, but those eyes, those eyes were ones I would never forget easily.

Water dripped down my body as I got dressed, I sighed at the sound of l ppmy door bursting open, only one person had such audacity.

“Drakenn—Fuck man, you should have warned me, ohh my Virgin eyes” Xenos, my beta, groaned dramatically, covering his eyes.

“Maybe if you didn't go around barging into rooms, you won't have to corrupt your virgin eyes” I said, my voice laced with sarcasm.

“No need to sound so sarcastic about it, if you'd stopped being a manwhore I won't be stuck with such unholy sights so early in the morning” he retorted

I threw a glance at him to find his gaze already fixed elsewhere, a chuckle escaped my lips, he would never change, "don't see why you're bothered by naked ass, except your gay” I teased 

“Eww” his face contorted in disgust, a sight I found quite amusing

“I'm done” I simply said walking past him and into my bedroom.

“You look like shit” he commented.

“Glad you noticed, what would I do without your detective skills such as yours” 

“Nothing” he bowed, biting back a smile, “but seriously, the dream again?”

“Yes”

“You barely slept for an hour, your insomnia’s getting worse”

“Thanks Sherlock, I didn't notice” 

“I'm serious,” his face turned stern, “you need to do something about it, you can't function properly if you're sleep deprived.

“Sigh, stop nagging. You're going to give me a fucking migraine” I groaned pinching my forehead with two fingers

“I wouldn't need to, if you'd just take better care of yourself”

“I'm his fiancée, you can't stop me from seeing him” a high pitched voice pierced through our conversation.

“Witch alert” Xenos whistled 

“Make her leave” I ordered

“Hell no, that ball of fire outside is your problem Alpha, I would rather not get involved” he shrank back, amusement clearly written on his face.

“I wasn't asking” I glared at him.

“How long do you think they'd last with her out there?” 

I ignored him, gathering the paperworks and reports from the packs under me, being a lycan king came with responsibilities, one that has obviously piled up

“you’re no fun” he rolled his eyes and stepped out.

Soon the sound of arguments and orders followed by Cassidy’s screeching and frustrated growl. I tuned them out, and focused on the work at hand.

“Fuck, she's a handful,” Xenos spat, re-entering the room with a furious expression.

“I know” I nodded, “which is why you handled her”

“You really need to start taking care of your own fiancee Alpha, I can't do this anymore.”

“If I didn't know any better, I would have thought you didn't enjoy it,” I said flatly

“Putting those peacock feathers of hers in their place felt quite satisfying,” he chuckled, “speaking of, there's new progress on the person you've been searching for”

That quickly caught my interest, “oh?” 

“She's the adopted daughter of the Alpha Kreig”

“Who's that?”

“One of the lower Alpha's under you” 

“Oh, explains why I had never heard of him” I nodded 

“How's she?” I asked the only question that I had been meaning to ask for a very long while

“Fine, I guess, she was raised in a happy home, never had a reason to be worried nor lacked anything.” 

“Noted, which pack?”

"Nightfang” 

“I sent the details to your email” 

“Okay” 

“Any info on the Ironclaw lycans lost princess?” 

“Nothing yet, but I believe they extended their search to some packs under us, some of there members were spotted within our borders”

A murderous energy swept through me “How dare Eros” my fingers dug into my palms, “Any member of that Kingdom found within my borders should be brought to me. They'll face martial punishment”

“Noted, Got to run alpha, and for crying out loud pay more attention to your health, especially now that dash is in hibernation” he muttered and soon the sound of his receding footsteps was all I could hear before the room was plunged into silence.

Great, he just had to remind me of the absence of Dash—my lycan. The haughty bastard decided now was the best to fall into one of his deep sleeps.

“I can hear you asshole” his annoying voice filled my head, 

“Good to know you’re still alive” I replied 

“Whatever,” he rolled his eyes before tuning me out.

I picked up my phone, scrolling through the details and pictures Xenos sent, committing every single one of it to memory.

A smile tugged at my lips, as I went through the details, a particular picture caught my eyes.

Her eyes, why did they look so oddly familiar?