CHAPTER 64: CHAPTER 64

Aria’s POV.

The moment I walked into my room, a heavy sigh escaped my lips. I was worried. Worried about the elders’ remarks, worried about their judgement. I wasn’t sure what they’d come up with, but one thing made me understand that it wasn’t going to be good.

"Where do I drop the bags, Luna?" a maid’s voice echoed from behind me, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I turned to her, "Over there, beside the bed," I pointed as I instructed her. With a bow, she carried the bags to the spot.

She bowed her head soon and left the room, leaving just me to unpack my dress. Slowly, I walked over to the bedside, wanting to start unpacking, but just then, a knock at the door stopped me.

Did she forget something? I thought to myself as I walked over to the door. "Did you..." I began as I opened the door but stopped the moment I saw who it was.

"Beta Brian?" I mumbled. He stood before me with Liam in his grip.

"It’s not a good situation down there. Please, can he stay here with you, Luna?"

I paused for a second, Liam’s eyes staring into mine. With a soft smile, I nodded, letting him stay with me.

Before Brian could leave, I stopped him, "What are the elders saying?" I asked.

He looked worried before he finally opened up, "They want Sonia killed and Liam made a slave. I don’t have the full details now, but I’m sure to give that to you soon," he assured with a whisper.

I nodded, sadness filling my eyes as I turned to Liam already on my bed. I walked over to my bag.

I knelt on the floor of my room in the Shadow Claw packhouse, the air cool, the stone walls dim under the flickering torchlight.

My bag was open, clothes spilling out as I unpacked from the Eastern Island trip, my hands moving slowly, my heart heavy.

Liam sat on my bed, his small legs swinging, his brown curls bouncing, his giggles bright as he held a wooden toy wolf I’d given him.

My blue dress brushed the floor, my silver hair loose, my wolf, Kyra, purring softly, her warmth urging me to comfort him, to make him feel safe after all he’d lost.

Elijah’s death, Sonia’s tears, Kael’s guilt, and the elders’ cruel demands, kill Sonia, enslave Liam, still weighed on me, my chest aching with their pain, my worry for Kael’s fight with the elders growing. I smiled at Liam, my voice gentle, my heart racing with care.

"Tell me about your toy wolf," I said, my eyes meeting his, my hands folding a shirt, my smile warm.

"Does he have a name?" My words were soft, my heart set on making him feel at home, on chasing away his fear, his sadness for a father he never knew.

Liam’s eyes lit up, his giggle loud, his small hands waving the toy. "His name’s Fang!" he said, his voice bright, his smile wide.

"He’s strong, like Alpha Kael!" My heart lifted, his joy easing my worry, my love for him growing, my promise to Kael, to be Sonia’s friend, Liam’s friend, stronger.

I laughed, my voice light, asking about Fang’s adventures, his favorite games, our talk flowing easy, his giggles filling the room, the air warm, the bed creaking under his bounces.

Just then, the door burst open, the wood slamming against the wall, and my heart jumped, my breath catching, Kyra growling, sensing trouble.

Seraphina stood there, her red dress bright, her blonde hair glowing, her green eyes burning with anger, her lips curled in a sneer.

My heart raced, my hands freezing on a shirt, my fear spiking. I knew she’d come for trouble, her hate for me clear since she’d blocked my path, threatened to expose my identity as the fake Luna Celeste, the name I hid behind.

"Sera," I said, my voice shaky, my eyes meeting hers, my body tensing. "What do you want?" My words were calm, but my chest tightened, my worry loud, Liam’s giggles fading, his eyes wide, watching her.

Seraphina stepped closer, her boots loud, her voice harsh, her words sharp. "You think you’re special, don’t you, Luna?" she spat, her eyes glaring, her hands fisted.

"Parading around with the Alpha, and having sex with him, acting like you own the pack." Her vulgar words cut, her anger hot, her sneer cruel, and my heart pounded, my fear mixing with anger, Kyra roaring, urging me to stand up, to fight back.

Liam shrank back, his toy wolf clutched tight, his face pale, his eyes scared, and my heart broke, my protectiveness fierce.

"Stop it, Sera," I said, my voice firm, my eyes narrowing, standing up, my dress swishing. "Let’s talk outside. There’s a child here." My words were sharp, my hand gesturing to Liam, my heart racing, wanting to shield him from her hate, her curses.

But Seraphina laughed, her voice cold, her eyes fierce, stepping closer, her presence heavy.

"I’m not going anywhere," she said, her words loud, her finger jabbing at me. "You don’t tell me what to do, you wrong Luna." Her insults stung, her knowledge of my secret, my true identity, burning, my fear spiking, my hands trembling.

I glanced at Liam, his eyes wet, his lip trembling, and my anger grew, my chest heaving, my patience gone.

"Enough!" I shouted, my voice booming, my eyes burning into hers, my fists clenching.

"You’re just mad because Kael didn’t take you!" My words were sharp, my anger hot, my heart pounding, Kyra roaring, her strength surging.

"He chose me, not you, and you can’t stand it!" My voice shook, my body trembling, my fury matching hers, my fear of her threat forgotten in the heat of the moment.

Seraphina’s face twisted, her eyes wild, her hand swinging fast, slapping my cheek, the sting sharp, my head snapping to the side as I fell to the ground, my breath catching, shock hitting hard.

My hand flew to my face, my eyes wide, tears burning, my heart racing, Liam gasping, his small voice whimpering, "Luna!" My chest ached, my anger boiling, my fear mixing with hurt, Kyra growling, urging me to fight back, but before I could move, the door burst open again, the sound loud, the air tense.

Kael stood there, his ash-gray shirt tight, his dark hair messy, his onyx eyes fierce, his fists clenched, his presence overwhelming.

"What just happened?" he growled, his voice deep, his anger sharp, his eyes burning into Seraphina, then me, his wolf, Zeus, roaring in his gaze.