CHAPTER 80: CHAPTER 80

Aria’s POV.

I slipped out of the throne chamber, my heart pounding, my gold dress trailing behind me, the Lunar Festival’s music and cheers fading as I stepped into the cool night air.

The courtyard was quiet, the moonlight bright, the stone path cold under my shoes, my breath shaky. Seraphina’s signal, her angry eyes, her hand waving me outside, burned in my mind, her hate clear, her love for Kael, her foster brother, a threat I couldn’t ignore.

My wolf, Kyra, growled, her worry loud, sensing danger, urging me to stay strong. My chest tightened, my hands trembling, my fear of her spilling my secret, that I was Aria, not Luna Celeste, mixing with my anger at her constant threats.

I walked further, my eyes scanning the shadows, spotting Seraphina near the garden, her red dress bright, her blonde hair loose, her face twisted with rage.

She stepped forward, her eyes glaring, her voice sharp. "Trying to make me jealous?" she snarled, her hands clenched, her body tense.

"Just because Kael disciplined me doesn’t mean you can stay with him and be his Luna forever!" Her words cut, her slap from weeks ago, her hate for me, flashing in my mind, my heart racing, my anger rising.

I smiled, my lips tight, my eyes steady, hiding my fear, my strength growing, Kyra purring, her courage pushing me.

"Don’t dance with him again," Seraphina said, her voice low, her eyes burning, her finger pointing at me.

My heart jumped, my anger hot, her control over me, her jealousy, too much.

I scoffed, my smile sharp, stepping closer, my hand reaching out, stroking her blonde hair slow, mockingly, my voice calm but fierce.

"Aren’t you tired of saying the same thing, Sera?" I said, my eyes locked on hers, my heart pounding, my fear buried under my boldness.

Her face twisted, her eyes wide, her anger exploding, her hand pulling back, her voice loud.

"I’ll tell the whole pack who you are!" she shouted, her words sharp, her fist shaking, her threat clear. "You’re not Celeste, you..." My heart stopped, my breath catching, her words hitting my secret, my fear spiking, but my anger was stronger, my patience gone. I cut her off, my voice hard, my eyes burning.

"Go ahead," I said, my tone sharp, my hands clenching, my heart racing. "I can’t wait. Why don’t you go inside and tell them now?" My words were bold, my fear hidden, my strength surprising even me.

Seraphina’s eyes widened, her mouth open, her shock clear, used to my fear, my silence, not this fight. My chest heaved, my love for Kael, my role as Luna, pushing me to stand tall, Kyra growling, her pride loud.

Seraphina’s fist tightened, her face red, her voice spitting. "What are you trying to prove?" she said, her eyes fierce, her body shaking. "That you’re strong? Your sister was right, you’re not worth any pity." My heart sank, my anger flaring, her words about Celeste, my twin, hitting hard, their secret talks, their hate for me, clear.

My chest tightened, my fear of Celeste’s schemes, her plan with Seraphina, growing, but my strength held, my eyes narrowing.

"You’re meeting with Celeste now?" I said, my voice low, my hands steady, my warning sharp. "Mind your steps, Seraphina." My heart raced, my anger hot, my fear of their plot loud, Kyra urging me to fight, to protect my place.

Seraphina’s eyes flashed, her face furious, her boots stomping as she turned, storming away, her red dress fading into the dark, her anger loud, her threat lingering.

My heart pounded, my breath short, my hands trembling, my boldness fading, my fear creeping back, the weight of my secret heavy.

I stood alone, the courtyard quiet, the moonlight cold, the festival’s music faint from inside, my heart racing, my mind spinning. Kyra stirred, her voice soft but firm, her words clear in my head.

"Tell Kael the truth before it’s too late, Aria," Kyra urged, her voice low but insistent, trembling with urgency. "He loves you—for who you really are. I see it in every look he gives you, every time he reaches for your hand like he’s afraid you’ll vanish."

Her words struck deep, cracking through the fragile shell I’d built around my heart. I turned slowly toward the throne chamber. The massive golden doors stood open, pouring warm light into the corridor like liquid fire. And there he was—Kael.

He stood tall and regal beneath the flickering torches, dressed in midnight black, his tailored suit hugging his powerful frame. He spoke to a guard with ease, but his laughter—soft, rare, beautiful—floated through the air like music meant only for me.

My breath caught. My chest ached with the weight of everything I hadn’t said. Everything I wasn’t.

I wasn’t Celeste. I wasn’t the Luna this pack thought they were hailing.

I was just Aria. A nobody. A lie in silk and moonlight.

And yet... I loved him. Gods, I loved him.

The cheers of the pack outside echoed like ghosts, celebrating a Luna who didn’t exist. Their faith, their loyalty, their blind trust, it all pressed down on me like chains.

My lie wasn’t just a secret anymore. It was a dagger poised at Kael’s back. At mine. At everyone’s.

I staggered back a step, leaning hard against the cold stone pillar. The marble chilled my spine, but it couldn’t quiet the fire in my blood or the pounding of my heart.

My hands trembled against the fabric of my dress, the silky white skirts fluttering in the breeze coming through the corridor arches. I stared at Kael, my pulse in my throat, watching the way he smiled with such ease. That smile... it was meant for Celeste. And yet he gave it to me.

He loved me.

And I was about to break him.

My throat tightened, the words too painful to speak. But somehow, I found the strength to whisper, "Tonight."

Kyra’s ears flicked, and her tail brushed my leg in reassurance. Her presence, steady and unwavering, wrapped around me like a shield.

"After the Lunar Festival," I said more firmly, blinking back the tears that threatened to fall. "I’ll tell him everything, Kyra. Even if it ruins me."

Even if it ruins us.

My heart thundered like war drums, but it beat for him. Always for him.

And tonight... the truth would break the silence.