Kael stood by the window, arms crossed, eyes locked towards the left wings. The moon was high, full, and cold just like the emptiness in his eyes.

He closed the window, heading towards a painting that hung across the wall of his room. He trailed his hands round the painting, slowly, as if to feel every part of the painting.

"Mine." He whispered, placing a soft kiss on the painting.

It was a portrait painting of Aria.

"She is mine" he muttered.

His Beta, Tharren stood nearby, watching in silence.

"Tharren! I hurt her, now i plan to make it up to her." Kael said, voice low and tight. He continued to shower the painting with kisses. "I rejected her, but now I will do anything to claim her back.

"Did her bonding with Alpha Cain make you realize that you want her."

"Cain stole from me." Kael said, turning sharply, "She is just a wolfless omega, I had thought then that the moon goddess made a huge mistake by giving her to me, but seeing Cain claim her, made me realize it wasn't a mistake."

Tharren frowned. "She belongs to Cain now. The moon goddess gave her to him, after you crushed her.

Kael stepped closer and in a whisper, "I crushed her, and I will be the one to strengthen her, not Cain. I'm taking her back. I don't care if they're bound now.

"And Luna Aria?" Tharren asked. "What if she doesn't want to come? What is she doesn't want you?"

Kael's eyes darkened. "Then I'll make her. I will definitely make her crave all of me, I don't mind going extra miles for that.

He leaned closer to Tharren, placing a hand on his shoulder

"She was mine first... and I always get what's mine."

*********

Cain stood under the shade of a tree, his arms crossed, his gaze soft as he spoke with Maida a visiting childhood friend.

"It so good to see you, Cain." she whispered, biting her lower lips. "I must say, you grown more handsome, being an Alpha looks good on you."

Cain smiled. "oh my thank you."

She moved closer, too close that it felt as if she did enter him. He stared at her, but she just smiled.

Just then, Aria who had been looking for him for a while, saw him and heading toward them with calm steps. But the moment her eyes landed on how close they stood, she boiled in mad jealousy.

Her jaw clenched and with hastened steps she got to them.

Without a word, she walked right between them, using her shoulder to brush Maida away. She inserted herself into the space, Maida had once been, locking her hands to Cain's.

Maida stumbled a little, looking so startled. Cain's brows lifted, but he didn't say anything.

Aria didn't look at Cain. She stood there, straight and tall, pulling him closer, her eyes telling Maida that he is mine.

Maida adjusted her posture, confusion flashing in her eyes. She glared hard at Aria, who returned it effortlessly and unrelenting.

Cain simply watched with a cunning smile playing on his lips.

The silence was heavy until Aria broke it, releasing a sweet smile.

"I'm Aria. Cain's mate." she smiled. "Woman to woman, going after another person's mate to do, is an undignified thing to do."

Cain chuckled under his breath.

Maida looked at Cain for help but he didn't say anything.

~~~~~~~~~

Aria walked through the path behind the warriors' hall, still a little flushed from her bold move with Maida. The cool breeze helped steady her breath. She wasn't sure where she was going– just walking. Cain had a meeting, so she was left alone.

And Maida? She left angrily.

A small yelp broke her thoughts.

She turned quickly and saw a little girl sitting on the ground, brushing dirt off her scraped knee. Her wooden toy lay beside her, broken in two.

She sniffled, trying not to cry.

Without thinking, Aria knelt beside him. "Hey little one." she said softly, helping her up. "That looks like a tough fall."

She nodded, lower lip trembling. "My toy is broken."

Aria smiled, "You shouldn't cry over that. What's your name?"

"Hayami." the girl looked up at her, her eyes wide. "You're the Luna, right?"

Aria placed her hand on her chest, "you know me?"

Hayami nodded cutely, "I want to be like you when I grow up."

Aria blinked. "That's a beautiful dream, but you know what? Luna's are strong and they don't cry over little things."

"Are you strong?" Hayami blinked.

"Do you want me to show you how strong I am?" Aria whispered lifting her up.

Hayami soft laughter filled the surroundings.

~~~~~~~~~~

Aria stepped out of the bathroom, her hair soaking wet as she had just finished having her bath. She cladded herself in a soft red gown.

Her thought went back to Hayami and she laughed.

Lynn walked in with a small towel. "Sit, let me dry your hair."

Aria gave a small nod and sat in front of her friend. Lynn moved behind her, gently towel-drying her hair in soft circles.

Then suddenly, Aria's wrist began to itch.

She frowned, lifting her left arm slowly. "It inches." she whispered.

As she rubbed it lightly, a faint glow appeared on her skin. Slowly, a wolf mark came into view- its eyes soft but wild, its body curled like a protective symbol.

Lynn gasped, grabbing her wrist as she stared at the faded mark. "Aria..."

Aria glanced at her . "What... do you recognize it?"

"It's a wolf awakening mark." Lynn muttered. "But, only those with powerful bloodline get the mark."

Aria's eyes widened.

*********

Kael stook fast strides towards the Left wing of New moon pack, with the hope of seeing Aria.

"Alpha, you can't do this. You can't covet another Alpha's mate." Beta Tharren said, standing in his way with the hope of stopping him.

"Get out." Kael snarled, pushing him away.

"Alpha-" Tharren called and sighed. "It's hopeless."

--

"Aria," Kael called, upon seeing her.

She was just on her way to see Cain at the courtyard when she unknowingly bumped into her ex mate.

She frown, "What are you doing here? Cain is not around." she demanded.

"I'm here to see you." he muttered.

She raised a brow.

"I want you back Aria. I made a mistake and I regret it."

"Too late EX - MATE." she spelled out. "I'm on my way to see my mate, please excuse me."

She made to leave, but Kael grabbed her hand.

"Aria-

At that moment, her eyes glowed, her body reacted in a way she couldn't understand. She felt her moving resurfacing from within her, it stirred- like it wanted to burst out.

Kael kept talking but she wasn't hearing anything, as he felt heat erupt from within her, her head spinning.

Just when she thought she was going to shift, her wolf pulled back forcefully, going back into it hiding place. Aria yelped in pain and fell- fell into Kael's arm.

One word escaped her mouth. "Mate!"

At that moment, Cain walked into the scene, hearing what Aria had said before she passed out.

Cain froze.

The word still rang in his ears.

Mate.

Aria's body went slack in Kael's arms, her head lolling against his chest as her breathing turned shallow. Her body began to burn up rapidly and sweat began to cover her.

Kael caught her fully now, his grip tightening instinctively. "Aria," he called, shaking her slightly. "Aria, wake up."

Cain was already moving.

He walked the remaining distance towards taking fast strides that it felt like he was flying and within seconds he was with them.

"Let her go." he growled, his voice husky.

Kael looked up slowly.

"She collapsed," he said, his voice laced with concern. "She's burning up–"

Cain didn't let him finish as anger got the better of him.

His fist connected with Kael's jaw, sending him staggering back. Aria slipped from Kael's grasp, but Cain caught her instantly, pulling her against his chest.

A low, dangerous growl rumbled from Cain's throat as he pressed his forehead to Aria's.

"She's mine," he snarled. "You don't touch her. Ever."

Kael wiped blood from his lip, eyes dark, conflicted. "You heard it too, didn't you?" he said hoarsely. "Her wolf stirred. She reacted to me. She called me mate.

"I might have rejected her, but her wolf recognizes me and want me."

Cain stiffened, his jaw tightened, his fist clenched– but only for half a second.

"You said it yourself, you rejected her so that doesn't give you a right," he snapped. "You lost that right the moment you rejected her."

"Her wolf wants me!" Kael yelled. "You can't stop her."

"I don't care. She's mine now." Cain growled.

Some pack members and warriors of the left wing watched, whispers swing amongst them as they observed the tension arising from the two Alphas.

Lynn pushed past the crowd, and her eyes widened in horror as she saw Aria's unconscious figure.

"Aria, what happened to her?" she asked moving closer.

Cain turned sharply to her, "Get lady Mana. Now."

She didn't hesitate, not wasting another second she dashed towards the infirmary while Cain carried Aria heading towards his room in a fast but controlled speed.

Kael watched from behind, standing rooted to his spot, his eyes turning and burning with anger. His wolf pacing violently inside him.

"She called us mate," it growled. "Yet you allowed him take her away. You are a coward just like he said."

He clenched his fist. "I am not a coward. When I say she is mine, then she is." he muttered and stomped off.

*********

Aria's eyes fluttered open and was met with two pairs of worried eyes- Cain's eyes.

"Aria... Can you hear me?" he asked, placing his hands on her forehead to check her body temperature.

She smiled slightly, raising her hands to his face. "Cain..." she muttered. "I miss you."

"I'm here with you and will never leave you." he muttered, holding her hand to his face.

She sat upright. "I felt my wolf closer yesterday, but it retracted so suddenly which caused-"

He placed his index finger on her lips, cutting her off. "Don't say anything. I understand. I can feel it."

"I feel light headed and blank in my head. Did anything happen before I went unconscious?"

Cain stared at her, his thoughts flew back to when she called Kael "Mate" and also to what Lady Mana said while she treated her.

He smiled amidst the confusion, the pain and the worry. "Don't you worry Mama, nothing happened. Just focus on gaining your strength.

"It's all for the better that you don't remember." he thought.

~~~~~~~

Cain stood alone on the balcony of his room, the cold wind of the cool afternoon biting into his skin as his mind wandered and travelled to the event.

Mate.

The word clawed at him again.

He knew Aria didn't mean it, but he would be lying if he says the word hadn't torn through him, inflicting pain across his chest.

His wolf stirred uneasily. "She is ours. No one is changing that." it encouraged.

Cain closed his eyes and let out a tired sigh, wishing he was the one Aria had called mate. "Ohh, the word he had been opened to hear for a while now."

"I will not lose her," he whispered. "Not to him. Not to fate. Not to the Moon Goddess herself and not to any circumstances."

He remembered what Lady Mana had told him, as she stepped back from the bed slowly after having treated Aria. Her brows slightly drawn together.

Flash back.

"She will be fine. She needs sufficient rest and also avoid any action that will cause pain." Lady Mana said carefully, staring out the unconscious Luna.

Cain stiffened. "What do you mean by that?"

"Like the one with Alpha Kael." Lady Mana lowered her voice. "Her interaction with Alpha Kael caused her pain as her wolf carried the residue of his rejection. Her wolf is not rejecting you, Alpha. It's... confused."

Aria frowned weakly. "Confused how?"

Lady Mana hesitated, then sighed. "Her wolf recognizes two bonds. One broken and one claimed. As I said, the pain of the rejection, still lingers in the heart of her wolf. The wolf has forgotten even though it has been fated to yours because it was a rare instant second binding mate to another after rejection."

Cain's fingers tightened into a fist.

"Any more contact with Alpha Kael might make her wolf forcefully come out which is very dangerous. If her wolf awakens fully without balance and without calmness," Lady Mana continued, "it could tear her apart from the inside or worse kill her."

Silence fell.

"So what do I do?" Cain asked.

Lady Mana met his gaze. "You protect her from stress, fear and especially–"

She paused

"– from Alpha Kael."

Cain nodded.

__

Cain let out a soft sigh. At that moment, he perceived a familiar scent and began to sense someone approaching.

"Kael." he hissed, leaving the balcony.

Aria sat in bed, as Lynn fed her some porridge so she could take the tonic prepared by Lady Mana.

She smiled upon seeing Cain, but he wasn't paying attention as he walked towards the door, disappearing behind it.

She frowned.

--

"What are you doing here Kael?" Cain whispered, not wanting to shout as he didn't want Aria to hear their conversation.

"What do you think? I'm here to see my mate." Kael replied. "And why are you standing in my way?"

"She is no mate of yours." Cain growled lowly.

Kael smirked. "I'm sure you heard so well, she called me her mate."

"Shut up." Cain muttered whisper yelled, raising his fist

But Aria voice stopped him.

"What do you mean by I called you mate?" Aria asked, her question targeted at Kael.