Aria's POV

"What was that display outside there?" Damon's voice echoed through the room the moment we entered. His tone was sharp, his jaw tight.

I sat on the bed, folded my arms, and tried to hold myself together. "What are you talking about?"

"Don't act dumb, Aria," he snapped. "You were rude to my guest, and you know it."

My heart twisted. "Damon, how exactly was I rude?" I asked softly, trying hard to stop the tremble in my voice.

He scoffed and turned to face me fully. "Look, I never forced you into this marriage. If you're tired of it, just say it. Of course, you won't, unless you want to end up sleeping on the street where you belong."

That cut deep. The words hit harder than a slap.

"Is that all that matters to you?" I whispered. "What about my heart?"

He gave a cold laugh, lit a cigarette, and blew the first puff in my face. "Your heart? What business do I have with that? The only thing that matters is how your body responds to my touch."

His hand slid to my breast.

I flinched and pushed it away. I once craved that touch, every bit of it. But not anymore, not from a man who doesn't see me, doesn't love me, doesn't even respect me.

His eyes darkened. "Don't you dare remove my hand again," he growled, gripping my neck.

I gasped, struggling to breathe as smoke brushed against my face again. My mind screamed for air, but he didn't care. Damon loved control, loved the way fear danced in my eyes.

He pressed his lips against mine, rough, possessive, trying to remind me who held the power. I turned my head, but he forced the kiss harder. My chest tightened.

And then I bit his lip, hard.

He cursed, stepping back in anger. "You dare..."

But before he could finish, a voice came from the door.

"Dam, I have something to tell you," Selene's voice floated in.

Damon shot me a deadly glare. He wiped the blood from his lip, straightened his shirt, and hissed, "You've grown wings, Aria. Don't worry, I'll show you why I'm called Alpha Damon."

He stormed out before I could reply.

The door slammed.

My knees gave way, and I sat on the edge of the bed, trembling.

"I've been telling you to leave him," Elly, my wolf, growled inside me. "He doesn't love us at all."

"I know," I whispered, my throat tight. "I thought he would change. I thought after everything, after all my sacrifices, maybe he'd see me differently."

Elly hissed in anger. "He never will. We should have left the moment he made us his Luna only by name."

She was right. Damon never saw me as his Luna. I was just a shadow in his life, a bed he visited when his ego needed warmth.

From now on, I promised myself, I'd stop caring. I'd focus on my duties, not my heart.

My phone rang, breaking the silence.

"Hello?" I answered, forcing my voice steady.

"Luna, sorry to disturb you," Beta Liam's calm voice came through. "There's an emergency in the office."

"I'll be there in a jiff," I replied and hung up.

I walked to the mirror. My eyes were red, but my face had to look strong. A Luna should never show weakness. I changed into a soft lavender dress that gave me a little confidence, brushed my hair, and left the room.

The late afternoon sun burned gently against my skin as I walked through the hallway toward the office. The golden light fell through the windows, to but nothing could warm the coldness inside me.

Then, I heard laughter behind me.

"Omega will always be omega," Ruth's voice rang out. "No matter how she tries to act high and mighty."

Her friends laughed along.

I clenched my jaw and kept walking. Their voices didn't sting like they used to. I had grown used to the mockery.

"Her reign as Luna is almost over," another girl sneered. "The real Luna is already here to take what's hers."

I didn't turn around. I wouldn't give them the satisfaction.

I reached the office entrance and stood quietly, waiting for Liam. My phone buzzed again,a message from him.

Wait for me at the hallway entrance. On my way.

Their laughter continued, louder this time.

"She's nothing but a bed warmer," Ruth said.

That one stung.

Elly stirred within me, restless. "Let me out, Aria. Just once. Let me show them who we really are."

"No," I whispered in my mind. "Not here. Not now."

Ever since I joined this pack, I'd never shifted in front of anyone. When the pain of rejection became too heavy, I ran deep into the woods and shifted alone. There, I could breathe without judgment.

"Enough!" Liam's voice boomed behind me. "All of you, out. Now!"

The girls froze, then scurried away, mumbling under their breaths.

Liam approached, giving me a sympathetic smile. "I'm sorry about that, Luna."

I nodded, pretending not to care. "What's the emergency?"

He cleared his throat. "There are rogues spotted at the northern border."

My eyes widened slightly. "And what did the Alpha say?"

"He said we can handle it," Liam replied, hesitation in his voice. "He has... something important to discuss with Selene."

I swallowed my bitterness. "Of course he does."

Liam tried to avoid my eyes. "I've already gathered a few warriors. We're ready to move."

"Good," I said, my tone clipped.

We walked down the corridor toward the training field where the warriors waited. I could feel Liam's gaze on me.

"By the way," he said lightly, "you look stunning today. You should dress like this more often. It fits your Luna title."

I gave a small, humorless smile. "Thank you, Liam. But titles don't mean much if no one respects them."

He sighed, looking at me with something like pity, or maybe admiration. I couldn't tell.

Within minutes, we reached the field. The warriors were ready, weapons in hand, tension thick in the air. The late afternoon light was dimming now, streaks of orange brushing the clouds.

"Let's move," I commanded. My voice was firm, the voice of a Luna, even if my heart was breaking inside.

We began the journey toward the border. The air grew colder, and the forest ahead was strangely silent.

"Elly, you feel that?" I whispered in my mind.

"Yes," she growled. "Something's off. The scent isn't just rogues. It's stronger... darker."

Then came the growls. Low, deep, spreading from the shadows.

"Positions!" I ordered.

The rogues lunged out, fast and wild. I ducked, grabbed a fallen branch, and swung hard, straight to the ribs of the first attacker. It dropped, whining.

Another came from the left. I turned sharply, kicked it hard in the jaw, then used my momentum to strike another from behind. My body moved on instinct.

Liam fought beside me, his claws out, while the warriors formed a tight circle.

It wasn't easy, but I never once let my wolf out. I didn't need her strength to win. Every strike, every move, was mine.

By the time the last rogue fell, my hands were bloodied, my breath heavy.

The woods fell silent again.

Liam wiped his arm. "That was too organized to be random."

"Yeah," I said slowly. "They weren't here to kill. They were testing us."

"Testing us for what?"

I looked toward the thick forest beyond the clearing. "I don't know."

The air grew strangely still. Not a leaf moved. The kind of silence that comes only when something, or someone, is watching.

Elly's voice came quietly in my mind. "We're not alone."

A chill crawled up my spine.

I turned slowly, scanning the shadows. The forest was dark now, the last of the sunlight dying behind the hills.

"Let's move out," I said quietly. "No one stays behind."

Liam nodded, signaling the warriors to pull back.

We walked away from the border, but I could still feel it, eyes on me, watching from the darkness.

I didn't look back.

I didn't need to.

Whatever was out there, it wasn't done with me yet.

Damon's POV

The bite Aria gave me still stung. Every time my tongue brushed the torn skin on my lip, I could taste the faint copper of blood mixed with her defiance.

That woman had grown wings, sharp, proud, and untamed. She was no longer the quiet omega I once brought into this house. She looked at me differently now, not as her mate or her Alpha, but like someone she was ready to fight.

Why does she act like I forced her into this? She should be grateful. Any omega would be. But Aria isn't any omega. She's bold. She challenges me with her silence, with her eyes, with that stubborn pride that makes me question everything.

If not for my father, I would have rejected her a long time ago.

But my father believed in her. He said she carried something rare, strength wrapped in humility. He said she was chosen for the pack, not for me. And maybe he was right.

Over these past two years, I've learned something. Aria might not be the mate I wanted, but she is the Luna this pack needs. Strong, calm, and painfully loyal. She runs things smoothly, even when I'm gone for weeks. She never complains, never lets the pack see her weakness.

Maybe that's why I can't reject her. She completes the pack... just not me.

Love? I don't think I understand that word anymore, not since Selene.

Selene...

The name alone brings a rush of bitterness to my throat. My first love. My curse.

Her father was my father's gamma before he left to start his own pack. Even after that, Selene stayed here. We were inseparable. I thought I'd found the one person who truly saw me, not as an Alpha's son, but as Damon.

Until the night I caught her with a rogue.

Her hands on him. Her lips.

She didn't deny it. She just looked at me with those same beautiful eyes and said, "You're overreacting."

I almost killed the rogue that night. But I didn't.

She manipulated me into forgiving her. And weeks later, she disappeared,vanished into thin air.

I searched for her for months, thinking maybe she'd been taken. But no... she left on her own.

And now she's back.

The same smile. The same scent.

But something about her feels darker now. Different.

A knock on my office door pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Come in," I said.

Liam, my beta, stepped in and closed the door behind him. His clothes were still dusty from patrol.

"How was it?" I asked without looking up from my desk.

"It went well, with the help of the Luna," he said, brushing a hand through his hair. "But I think not all the rogues died. Some escaped into the woods. There's something strange about their fighting pattern, though. Their formation... it felt familiar."

I looked up then. "Familiar how?"

"I don't know," he admitted, frowning. "They fought like trained wolves, not wild ones. Their speed and coordination, it wasn't normal."

My brows furrowed. Rogues rarely fought with order. They attacked like savages. But what Liam described sounded like military formation.

"Find out everything," I said, my voice low. "Who trained them. Where they came from. Report to me once you know."

"Yes, Alpha." Liam nodded, then hesitated. "Aria fought well. Really well. If she hadn't been there, we'd have lost men."

I froze at that.

Aria.

Even after everything that happened between us today, she still went to battle.

Still fought for my pack.

A strange mix of pride and guilt tugged at me, but I pushed it down. "That's her duty," I said flatly. "You can go."

He nodded once and turned to leave.

But before he reached the door, it burst open without a knock.

"Dam, you're here," Selene said, stepping in like she owned the place.

I clenched my jaw. "I told you to knock before coming in."

She gave a playful pout. "Why are you being mean to me? You were so nice earlier, in front of Aria."

She sauntered closer, her perfume filling the air, a sweet scent that used to drive me crazy but now made me uneasy.

"I'll take my leave," Liam muttered quickly, slipping out before I could stop him.

Selene smiled as she moved closer, her long lashes fluttering. "I know you still love me," she whispered, cupping my jaw. Her touch was soft, calculated. "I'm sorry for what happened, Dam. My father needed me. I lost my phone. I couldn't contact you."

Her lies slid easily off her tongue. I could hear the false sweetness in every word.

"You expect me to believe that?" I asked, my voice low.

She tilted her head. "You don't have to believe me. Just feel me again."

She leaned in, her body pressing against mine. I should have pushed her away. I wanted to. But something about her pull... it still worked like poison.

"Do you really love me?" I asked quietly, half-hoping she'd tell me the truth this time.

Her lips curved into a smirk. "You already know I do."

I stepped back, breaking her touch. "Then give me space. We'll talk later."

Her eyes glimmered with amusement instead of hurt. "At least have dinner with me, Damon. Just dinner." She moved closer again, voice dropping to a whisper. "If you do, maybe I'll show you how much I missed your rough, sweet touch."

Her words hit me like fire.

Damn it, she knew my weakness. She always did.

"Fine," I muttered. "Go ahead. I'll be right behind you."

She grinned like a cat that just caught its prey. "I can't move. My ankle hurts," she said, her voice dripping with false innocence. "Can you carry me to the dinner table?"

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. She was playing games again. The same games she used to play before breaking my heart.

"Selene..." I warned.

"Oh, come on, Alpha," she teased. "You wouldn't want your guest limping through the hallway, would you?"

I hesitated for a moment before crouching slightly. "Fine. Just this once."

Her laughter was soft and triumphant as she wrapped her arms around my neck. I could feel her breath on my skin, and for a brief second, I hated how familiar it felt.

As I carried her down the hall, a few pack members turned their heads in surprise. Their Luna's mate carrying another woman, it would definitely stir gossip.

But I didn't care. Or at least, that's what I told myself.

When we reached the dining hall, I gently lowered Selene into her seat. She smiled up at me, that same smile that once had me wrapped around her finger.

"Thank you, Alpha," she said sweetly.

I didn't reply. I simply took my seat beside her, forcing my expression to remain unreadable.

Moments later, the door opened, and Aria walked in.

She wore a simple navy gown, her hair loosely tied back. No jewels, no attempt to impress. Yet she drew every gaze in the room. Calm. Composed. Regal without trying.

She bowed her head slightly. "Alpha. Selene."

Selene's lips curved into a mocking smile. "Join us, Luna," she said, dragging out the title like it was a joke. "You must be exhausted from pretending to be a warrior."

Aria didn't respond. She just took her seat at the far end of the table and began to serve herself quietly, as though Selene's words meant nothing.

That silence, it stung worse than any insult could.

Selene laughed softly. "Oh, come on, Aria. No words for me? Or are you afraid your Alpha might notice which one of us he truly wants beside him?"

Aria finally looked up, her eyes meeting Selene's with a faint, icy smile. "The Alpha has always known what he wants," she said simply, then went back to her meal.

Selene's smirk faltered for a moment, and I felt my chest tighten, pride, guilt, and frustration all mixed into one.

Selene reached for my goblet, took a slow sip, and whispered, "Still the same taste. Strong. Familiar. Unforgettable."

Aria didn't even flinch. She finished her food, placed her cutlery neatly, and rose. "If you'll excuse me, Alpha," she said calmly, her voice smooth as glass. "It's been a long day."

"Aria...."

She paused at the doorway, not turning around. "You don't owe me an explanation," she said, her tone steady, controlled. "Good night, Alpha. Selene."

Then she was gone.

The silence she left behind was heavier than any argument.

Selene leaned back, twirling her hair between her fingers. "She's cold," she murmured. "Are you sure she's even capable of being your Luna?"

"Enough, Selene."

She laughed softly, leaning closer. "Fine, Alpha. But when you're ready for warmth..." She stood, letting her hand trail along my arm, "...you know where to find me."

Her perfume lingered as she left the hall, and her last words echoed through my head like a dangerous whisper.

"See me in my room."

I sat there for a long while, staring at the empty doorway, Aria's calm voice still echoing in my mind, fighting against Selene's temptation.

For the first time in years, I didn't know which woman truly held power over me.

Aria's POV

Waking up this early morning, I felt like stretching myself. The sun wasn't even up properly, but I couldn't sleep anymore. These past two weeks had been hell for me, emotionally and mentally. Everything seemed to turn against me, especially Damon.

He now left all pack duties to me while he spent every minute with Selene. At first, I tried to ignore it, but the more I tried, the heavier it sat on my chest. The pain of having my mate wrapped around another woman's arms was enough to make me question my worth.

I sat on the bed for a while, looking at nothing in particular. The room felt colder than usual, or maybe it was just my heart.

My mother's words echoed in my head again: "Mate bond is too strong, my Tom. But don't allow it to break you."

That name, Tom, always made me smile. I missed her voice, her warmth, everything about her. If she were still alive, maybe things wouldn't have turned out like this. Maybe I wouldn't be here, forcing myself to act strong every day.

And then there was my father. The man I once called my hero. His betrayal still stung deeper than any wound. I hadn't spoken to him since the day he took another Luna, just months after my mother's death. Even though he still credited money to my account every month, I couldn't bring myself to forgive him.

So no matter what Damon did, I wouldn't leave the pack. Not now. I had nowhere else to go, and I refused to go back home. I'd rather be invisible here than broken there.

I dragged myself into the bathroom, washed my face, brushed my teeth, and took a long warm bath. After stepping out, I tied my towel and reached for my phone. A notification blinked at the top, a newsletter from one of my favorite brands, Luxefit & Beyond.

They sold everything, clothes, workout gear, perfume, even motorbikes. I opened it lazily until I saw the red superbike displayed on the screen. It was bold, shiny, and beautiful. My eyes caught a silver version below it. My lips parted slightly. It was perfect, sleek and confident, just how I wanted to feel again.

I checked the price, then smiled. Expensive, yes, but not out of reach. Maybe I deserve something good this year.

That was when I remembered, my birthday. Just three days away. I had completely forgotten. Nobody in the pack knew, and Damon never cared. I sighed and clicked "Add to Cart." I told them to hold the delivery for three days.

"I think I need to gift myself this year," I whispered to my reflection in the mirror. "It's not easy being strong."

I dressed in my workout outfit, black leggings, a sports top, and my favorite running shoes. My hair was tied up neatly. The gym was calling my name.

The Silver Claw Gym wasn't just any gym; it was mine. My little pride. I built it quietly two years ago, pouring in everything I had saved. No one really knew who the real owner was. I preferred it that way. I wanted people to use the place without judging the person behind it, an omega, the same omega who became their Luna.

I stepped out and headed toward the gym. The morning air was sharp, clean, and smelled faintly of dew. As I approached, I could already hear soft music playing inside and the clanking sound of weights hitting the floor.

The gym was half full. A few pack members, men and women, were already working out, laughing, and chatting. They didn't even notice me at first, which was fine. I didn't want attention.

I went to the back section, stretched my body, and started jogging lightly on the treadmill.

Then, slowly, the voices around me started to grow louder, whispers, giggles, and half-hidden laughter.

"Did you hear what happened yesterday?" a brunette girl said, her voice dripping with excitement. "Selene stayed in Alpha's office for almost two hours."

"No way!" another replied, pretending to lift a dumbbell. "I heard she's practically living in the pack house now. The luna must be losing her mind."

They laughed softly.

A cold smile tugged at my lips, but I kept my eyes fixed ahead. If only they knew who was listening.

"I feel bad for the Luna though," someone else said. "Imagine being mated to the Alpha and still getting replaced by his ex."

"Well, she's an omega," the brunette scoffed. "It was bound to happen. Omegas can't keep high-ranked males for long. It's nature."

My hand tightened around the treadmill handle, but I didn't react. I had learned how to hold pain in silence.

"I heard she's weak too," another whispered. "The Alpha barely touches her anymore."

That one stung, but I didn't flinch. I just increased my treadmill speed. Let them talk. Let them think whatever they wanted.

The door opened suddenly, and a familiar perfume filled the air, sweet but heavy. Everyone went quiet. I didn't have to look to know who it was.

Selene.

Her heels clicked lightly as she walked in, her long hair bouncing with each step. She wore tight workout shorts and a tank top that hugged her body like a glove. She smiled like she owned the place.

"Morning, ladies," she said cheerfully, waving.

The girls almost melted, greeting her in excitement. She had that kind of presence, charming but poisonous.

"Miss Selene, I didn't know you worked out here," one of the women said quickly.

Selene gave a dramatic laugh. "Well, I just heard about this gym recently. It's beautiful. But I wonder..." , her eyes roamed around slowly "how an omega can even afford to work out here."

Her tone was sweet, but her words burned like acid.

She smiled again and added, "Well, all thanks to Alpha Damon's generosity, I guess."

The girls burst into laughter, pretending it was just a joke, but I could feel the mockery in the air.

I switched off the treadmill, wiped my sweat with a towel, and turned slightly, just enough to see her reflection in the mirror.

Something about her aura felt wrong, darker, heavier than before. Her beauty seemed sharper, like a blade waiting to cut.

Elly, my wolf, stirred uneasily in my head.

"There's something off about her scent," she whispered. "It's mixed... not pure. I can smell shadows around her."

"I smell it too," I replied quietly in my mind, keeping my expression calm.

Selene continued chatting and laughing with the women, her voice floating across the room like poison wrapped in honey. Then her eyes met mine through the mirror. For a split second, her smile froze.

Recognition flickered in her eyes, not of who I was, but something deeper. A strange tension filled the air.

She tilted her head slightly, her smile returning. "You have a beautiful body," she said to me with fake admiration. "Do you train here often?"

I nodded. "Sometimes."

She stepped closer, circling around me like a cat. "Good. Keep it up. You might need that body someday."

Her tone was light, but her words carried a hidden meaning. My wolf growled softly, and I clenched my jaw.

Selene smirked and turned toward the others. "Ladies, I think this gym might be my new favorite spot. Oh, and tell the owner she's done a great job. Whoever she is, she must have a good taste... for an omega."

The laughter started again.

I stood still, forcing my heartbeat to slow down. Every muscle in my body screamed to attack, but I stayed calm. Not here. Not now.

As she walked toward the door, she paused and looked over her shoulder, her eyes locking with mine again, cold and knowing.

"I'll be seeing you around," she said, smiling that fake sweet smile. "And do tell Alpha Damon I said hi... if you ever get the chance."

The door shut softly behind her.

The gym fell silent.

I stood there, gripping my towel tightly as my wolf whispered again.

"Aria... there's something evil in her eyes. She's not just here for Damon."

I turned slowly toward the mirror. My reflection looked back, calm, strong, but with fire burning behind my eyes.

"I know," I whispered. "And I'll find out what she really wants."

But deep down, I could already feel it, the beginning of something dark.

Something that was about to change everything.