Chapter 3

Aria's pov

The moment Lucas walked away from me I felt something deep inside my chest cracked. This was unlike him. He hasn't for once show any affection to me since he started his training as an Alpha.

"Something is definitely wrong somewhere" I muttered. "Go home" his words replayed in my head.

I stood there for a few seconds, watching him disappear into the trees with his warriors, and I swear I can still feel his warmness in the air.

What was I expecting? He's the future Alpha and I'm no one. It's best I keep my distance from him. If he wants distance I'll give him that. I'm tired of begging for his attention.

*

Inside the pack's house, everywhere was silent which was normal because morning training has empty everyone outside.

My footsteps echoed loudly across the empty room. I headed straight to my room when someone walked into my path.

Mira!

She was wearing a smirk on her face with her arms crossed under her breasts.

"You look upset... Did Lucas finally let you out of his way?" She asked with a grin and I didn't say a word instead I continued with my walk.

She blocked me from moving any further by placing her hand on the way.

"Why are you even always with him? You're nothing but a weak wolf. You can't even shift" Those words hit like slap.

"Out of my way" I said sharply.

"No" She lowered her voice as she stepped closer.

"Girls like you don't deserve to go close to Alphas, you work is to serve them not the other way around " She said and I only heaved. "It's best you leave this place. Leave the sight of the Alpha. He doesn't want you, understood?"

"If you don't get the hell out of my way right now you'll regret what's going to happen to you in the next two seconds. It's best you respect yourself and get out of the way" I said with my fist clenched tightly beside me and for the first time in my life I saw fears in Mira's eyes.

The way she looked at me says it all. She was shocked. She didn't say a word instead she scoffed and murmuring some inaudibly words as she walked.

I watched her figure disappearing into thin air till she was out of sight completely and I pressed my shaking hands together, inhaling a deep breath.

I walked into my small space, my room. I collapsed on the bed and palmed my face with my palm and sobbed silently.

"Just take a deep breath, Aria. Don't let Mira words get to you. She means nothing" I reassured myself trying not to think deep about what she had said to me earlier.

On the other hand, Mira and everyone is right on this. The Lucas deserve a Strong Luna that they can rule the kingdom together forever and not a weak wolf that was cursed by the blood moon and can't even shift yet.

Before I know it tears started slipping from my eyes to the bed, I couldn't even wipe them off.

"Why does it has to be me? It should have been someone else." I hiccuped as more tears poured out.

All of a sudden a sharp pain hit my chest and before I could think of anything else blood spilled out of my mouth.

"What the hell?" I gasped as my hand went to my lip. I suddenly felt a strange energy around me. It felt like something in me was struggling to come out. I could feel the heat rushing down my body.

It hurts so much. My visions turned blurry. Everywhere turned red and it was as if I was in another world. My legs stayed glued to the ground.

"Argh!!! Make it stop. Someone help!" I shouted the moment I caught my fingers and veins glowing and all red.

The pain was unbearable. I bet that anyone could hear me because I couldn't even hear my own voice.

I heard a voice and my eyes snapped open at once and I looked around.

"Who's there?" I asked in shaking lips.

"Aria " the voice came again but this time around it came from inside me. "Finally" The voice came again and that was all I could remember before passing out on the cold floor.

*

I woke after a few minutes and the first thing I noticed was the sudden change of weight but I ignored it. I was drenched in sweats and for some seconds I thought all that happened was a dream.

I staggered to the small mirror on my dressing table and I picked it up and stared at myself. My heart left my chest the moment I saw my reflection on the mirror.

My eyes were no longer brow but instead they were glowing red like blood and I stumbled backward and flipped my eyes opened again and it was the same thing.

Fear gripped me at once and the mirror slipped out of my hands and shattered to the ground.

I grabbed my jacket and ran out of the room. My face was covered with the hoodie cap and a familiar scent hit my nose but I ignored it.

"Aria " Lucas called and I halted, holding the jacket tight.

He was at a distance leaning against a wall and he was covered in sweats like he just ran a Maranon.

He came closer to me. "Aria. You don't look good, Are you okay?" he tried to pull the hood up but I turned around sharply.

"Don't!" I whispered in fears.

"Don't do what?" He asked.

I turned sharply and pushed him out of the way and made to run again but I missed my steps and fell to the ground and my hood cap fell in the process, revealing my eyes.

"Aria!!" He gasped with wide eyes. "Your eyes... They looked so different!!"

"I know and I don't know what's happening to me" I said with a heavy breath, staring at the ground.

"Just look at me Aria..." He tried touching me but I slapped his hands off.

"I said don't come close, please. I'm a beast and you'll get hurt if you come close" I said but he didn't keep his distance.

"Stay put Aria let us figure this out..." He said with a small smile and I moved backward slowly while shaking my head sideways.

"You made it clear to me in the morning that we're nothing. You shun me off like I was nothing and now you're suddenly saying we will figure this out? Let's stop deceiving ourselves Lucas. I'll handle this myself " I said and he sighed loudly.

The pain I felt earlier came again and this time around it was unbearable. I couldn't even breath. I gasped for air.

I felt a burning sensation from my neck and my finger found it way to my neck but before I could touch the spot, something shone brightly from there.

"Your wolf is waking up, Aria " Lucas muttered.

"What are you spitting? I don't have a wolf!!" I shouted.

"And who the hell doesn't have one, Aria? It's waiting for the perfect time which is now" He said and he did the least I was expecting. He squatted to my level and held my arms. "Let it all out, Aria..."

My eyes glowed brighter and my fingers curled up as my heart was racing faster. Lucas never let me go instead he held my tightly to himself.

"Shift Aria... You can do this, I trust in you " He soothed me caressing my hair.

"Argh!!!" I screamed loudly as the moon turned blood red and I fell to the ground weakly.

CHAPTER FOUR

LUCAS POV

I caught Aria in my arms before she could reach the ground. For a moments everything stopped moving like it's just the both of us existing.

"What just happened?" I questioned no one in particular.

Some minutes ago,she was screaming at the top of her lungs and now she's unconscious in my hands. I stared at her fragile,pale face that was rest on my chest.

"Aria " I tapped her cheek but I didn't get any response.

Her eyelids were still and her eyes were still glowing red.

"Aria, please open your eyes" I tapped her cheeks but she didn't moved a finger.

I pressed my forehead on her hand and shut my eyes. I know here wolf is gradually waking up, I'm aware of that. I've studied Alpha manuals, how to awake your wolf and even people who got possessed for wolf but Aria own case is different.

I wasn't prepared for this. I started feeling her energy coming back. Her faint heartbeat could be heard. All of a sudden she jerked back to life. She pushed me out of the way with full force and I gasped.

"Aria..." I tried reaching her but she growled loudly and went on all fours and ran into the woods.

"Oh no" I gasped and ran after her.

*

Getting to the woods, I saw her lying on the floor. She has transformed into her normal self already and her clothes were off. I quickly ran to meet her, taking off my jacket and wrapping her up with it.

"Be safe, Aria... I beg you" I heaved and carried her into my arms and began leaving the woods.

I headed to my room keeping my eyes on the way I as walked. I came across Aria on the way. She was sweating profusely like someone who just ran a marathon.

She walked by my side. I could feel her eyes on me but I choosed to ignore.

"What happened to her?" She paused. "Is that your jacket around her body?" She seethed. "Why is that?" She questioned with a scoff rolling her eyes in the process.

"As you can see Mira, I'm not in the mood for long talk can you please go back to the field and continue with your training?" I said and I saw the hatred in her eyes but she covered it with a smile.

"I'm not returning to the field till evening. I have something to tell you. It's about the__"

"I'll be extremely busy today. Can you please send the message through my Beta?" I said.

"No, it's really important. The message is for you specially and I fear that if I don't deliver it sooner something terrible would happen" She replied.

"If you can't send it through my Beta tomorrow then forget about it" I continued with my walk, ignoring her totally.

Mira can be a pain in the ass most times and I can't stand to see her start behaving like she owns my life.

My eyes fell on Aria's face as she slept peacefully. Her eyelids shook a little and a small small curled up in my lips.

I got to my suite and headed for my room. The guards at the door opened up and I went in.

I placed her on the bed gently and went to the window and drew the curtains close. The moon was still glowing red. I exchanged a quick glance with Aria and inhaled shortly.

I walked to the bathroom and filled a bowl with enough water and picked a small napkin from the closet and then walked back to the bed and drenched it before placing it on Aria's forehead.

She must've been exhausted after shifting for the first time and I understand her perfectly well. She has been waiting for this day to come and it finally did.

The crescent moon on her neck was glowing and I swallowed hard and looked away.

A knock came on the door and I stood up and went to the door and turned the door knob and the messenger face came to view. He had a small note in his hand, with his head bowed he stretched out the note.

"From who?" I asked, taking the note.

"From Ethan Dreagor. He said he wants to speak with you but you have been busy these days so he sent a letter instead" He replied.

"Is that so?" I muttered, staring at the note all through.

"Yes Alpha" He said.

"You can go" I said and he bowed one last time before taking his leave. I shut the door behind and walked to the study table and turned on the small lamb.

*The glowing moon means that the cursed child is finally gaining her abilities and I'm sure you noticed it already. Something needs to be done before she changes completely. A meeting would be held tomorrow at the castle in two days time and at the same time you're getting crowned as the king. Be prepared because it's going to be messy*

I squeezed the note into tiny fold before dumping it into the trashcan beside me.

I clasped my hands together while staring at Aria. The book I read about marked and cursed children from the old library shouldn't be true.

I hope her fate gets change and she shouldn't suffer in the hands of those who wants her.

The unknown man earlier at the filed words replayed in my head. I dived my fingers into my hair, breathing hard. The exact moment they noticed she's starting to get her powers her enemies would start coming and she needs to be prepared for anything further.

"Lucas..." I turned to see her, sitting on the bed with her legs drew to her chest while staring at me with those ambers eyes since her eyes has gone back to normal and her hair is back to normal as well.

"What happened?" She added, her eyes locking with mine.

Chapter FIVE

Aria's POV

I opened my eyes weakly and stared around. I recognized the scent immediately. This wasn't my room. I looked down at my body to see myself covered up in Lucas's jacket.

His scent hovered over me like dew. How did I end up in Lucas bedroom?

I sat on the bed and drew my legs to my chest and ruffled my hair as the memories of all that had happened came rushing into my head like a volcano.

"Oh no" I could remember vividly that I was in my room when all of a sudden, I started having sharp pains in my body and I fell unconscious while trying to scream for help and as if that's not enough I woke up after some minutes and bumped into Lucas on the way.

Then I got triggered by the moon glow and after much struggles I transformed and flee into the woods and that was it.

I palmed my face and inhaled deeply and looked up at Lucas who is seated at the study table.

"Lucas" I called and he looked at me. He rose from the chair and walked to meet me. He sat on my side and touched my feet.

"Are you okay? Do you feel much better?" He asked and I only nodded.

"I hope you didn't get hurt when you were trying to help me in the woods?" I muttered and he sighed.

"The question should be directed to you instead. Your legs is full of bruises and scratches. You should visit the pack nurse after leaving here " He said without looking at me.

"Did my wolf awake? Why did I suddenly shifted?" I couldn't stop myself from asking this question.

"You need to rest, Aria." He stood up and took the bowl and walked into the bathroom. I watched him walked in till he was out of sight completely.

"Is he angry at me or something?" I pouted, wrapping my hands around my body.

*

I made way to my room. The hallway was quiet and only few maids and guards could be seen patrolling along the hallway. The burning candles made the way lively.

Lucas jacket feels heavy on my body and I can't wait to take it off but at the same time I admire him so much.

I wrapped my hands around my body mesmerizing about him.

"Here comes the pretender" Mira jumped out from one of the pillar and my heart almost flew out of my chest as I stepped backward.

"Mira!!. You scared me" I shouted and she gritted her teeth.

"What were you doing at the Alpha's suite? Did he finally fuck you?" She said shamelessly and I gasped.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Mira. Out of the way" I said and then she pushed me back with her index finger.

"Let me tell you something that would make you think through about your life" She said with a smirk. "You're leaving this pack in two days from now" She laughed and I blinked twice.

"Where did you hear this information? A magazine or you read it from a story book? Which one?" I asked and she stormed her feet on the ground.

"Keep on acting ignorance. I can't wait to see you getting chased out in two days from now. It would be the most happiest day of my life" She flaunt her hair on my face and chuckled before walking away.

"Wait... Was this the reason why Lucas was giving me cold shoulders?" I shrugged my shoulder not wanting to think deep in what she just say.

I continued my walk to the pack house. I hastened my steps not wanting to cross path with anyone again. I got the pack house and as usual everywhere was buzzing with noise.

At day, everywhere is calm because everyone is at the field training but at night everywhere is noisy. I held my breath and find way to my suite.

I didn't want any to interrogate me. I have had enough today. Getting into my room, I fell on the bed and stared at the ceiling. I shut my eyes slowly, drifting off into sleep.

*Next morning*

The heavy knock on the door was enough for a dead man to wake up from the dead. My eyes flung open at once as I stared at the door.

I was still on the jacket. I haven't take it off since yesterday. My stomach made an annoying sound and I stood up and proceed to the door.

The moment I opened the door angry mobsters launched at me and before I could think of what to do they already pulled me out.

"Here she is. She's the cursed child "

"Your parents made a mistake of bringing you into this world while they know you would cause nothing but destruction!!"

"Don't go close to her else she would harm you!"

I tried to process everything that was being said but I couldn't put one or two together. They dragged me to the middle of battlefield and there I ment more than thousand crowds all waiting there and cheering at me.

In the midst of the crowd I saw Mira and she smirked. Everything she told me last night replayed in my head and my eyes widened. This can't be happening,right? Where's Lucas? He should come here and address everyone. This can't be my fate!. Never!.

"He's here!"

"The Alpha is here!"

"It's time for her to be executed!"

I felt chills ran over me as I stared at Lucas. His eyes were on the ground as he walked.

They created a space for him and he walked past me, his robe touched my face.

This is strange. He wasn't like this yesterday. What happened? Why did he suddenly change. I shouldn't have gotten too attached.

I shouldn't have mistake his kindness for love.

Another figure walked in. Ethan Dreagor. He had a smile on his face as he past the spot I was kneeling on. He stepped on my finger and my eyes grew wide as I screamed in horror.

"Oh no, sorry dear... I didn't see you" He chuckled as he continued his walk.

"Now let the execution begin!"

I stared at Lucas wondering what was going on. I'm getting confused as it stands right now. Who's getting executed and why?

Ethan stepped forward and opened a big book and started reading aloud and the place went silent.

"As the law says... For the alpha to get into position and rule the kingdom, the cursed child need to leave. We agree to have this meeting tomorrow but we're running out of time and if care isn't taken the cursed child would be a threat to our lives" Ethan read out and everyone exchanged glances at each other.

I ain't believing any shit that's going on here. Lucas needs to stand up for his self and say something too. As expected, he stood up tall and parted his lips to talk and he didn't look at my direction the whole time.

"I have no right over this. Her destiny is already seen beforehand. She has to leave for peace to reign" He said.

Tears slipped out of eyes the moment he said those words. Everything happened so fast and unexpected.

With glassy eyes, I turned around to the ground to see everyone staring at me like I was some kind of shit.

"It only just began" Mira mouthed from the crowd the moment our eyes met.