ARIA’S POV
I woke up the next morning with a strange feeling in my chest, which was something I had not felt in a very long time.
It was not fear or sadness or the familiar weight of shame that usually settled over me when ever I opened my eyes.
It was something different, something that felt almost like hope.
I lay in bed for a moment, staring at the ceiling, and I remembered Mira’s words from the night before.
She had told me that if I wanted to keep my pup and raise it, I could not afford to be weak anymore.
She had told me I had to be strong and wilful.
She had told me I had to stop running.
I pressed my hand against my stomach and whispered to my pup.
“I am going to do this.
I am going to be strong for you.
I am not going to hide anymore.”
I got out of bed and walked to the kitchen, where Mira was already making breakfast.
She looked up at me with a bright smile on her face and said, “Well, look who is up early.
You seem different today.
What changed?”
I sat down at the table and took a deep breath, and said calmly, “I want to find a job, Mira.
I want to start building a life.
I cannot keep hiding in your house forever.
I need to do something.”
Mira widened her eyes with surprise, and then she smiled warmly and said, “That is a wonderful idea, Aria.
I am so proud of you.
What do you want to do?”
“I do not know yet,” I admitted.
“But I will figure it out.
I have to try.”
I walked through the pack territory that morning, with my heart pounding with every step.
I had not been out in public like this since the coronation, and I could feel eyes on me, whispers following me wherever I went.
But I kept my head high and forced myself to keep walking.
I would not let them see me shrink.
I would not let them see me break.
I passed by a small café on the corner of the main street, and I saw a sign in the window.
“Help Wanted.” I stopped and stared at it for a long moment, with my heart racing.
This was it.
This was my chance.
Without much thought, I took a deep breath and walked inside.
The café was warm and cozy, with the smell of fresh bread and coffee filling the air.
An older woman with kind eyes and grey hair stood behind the counter, and she looked up at me with a welcoming smile.
“Good morning, dear.
How can I help you?” She greeted me warmly.
I swallowed my nerves and spoke, with a steady voice.
“I saw the sign in the window.
I am looking for a job.”
She studied me for a moment, her eyes soft and curious, and asked, “Have you ever worked in a café before?”
“No ma’am,” I admitted.
“But I am a hard worker, and I am willing to learn.
I will do my best.”
“That is all I need to hear.
When can you start?”
I felt a wave of relief wash over me.
“Today, if that is possible.” I replied quickly.
“Perfect,” she said.
“I am Martha, by the way.
Welcome to the team.”
My first day at the café was busy, but I found myself enjoying it.
There was something satisfying about keeping my hands busy and serving customers with a smile.
For the first time in weeks, I felt like I had a purpose, like I was doing something meaningful.
I was not just hiding anymore.
I was building something.
But then the door swung open, and a group of girls walked in, laughing and chatting loudly, and my heart sank when I recognized them.
They were Aurora’s friends, the same girls who had always looked down on me, who had always whispered behind my back.
I had hoped they would not notice me, but I was not that lucky.
One of them spotted me first, and her eyes lit up with cruel amusement.
Then she nudged her friends and pointed, with mockery in her voice.
“Well, well, well.
Look who is here.
The forgotten twin.”
Another one stepped forward, with a smirk on her face and asked disdainfully, “How does it feel to be such a disappointment, Aria?
Your sister is about to marry the Alpha Prince, and you are serving coffee.
Talk about a fall from grace.”
A third girl joined in, her voice dripping with mock sympathy.
“Oh, do not be too hard on her.
She must be so ashamed of herself.
First, her boyfriend dumps her because he realized she was not worth his time.
And now she is here, working like a common servant while Aurora is about to be Luna.
It must be so hard being the sister who is nothing.
And who will ever be nothing.”
I felt the familiar sting of shame, as the heat of embarrassment rose up to my cheeks.
I wanted to shrink, to disappear, to run away and hide.
But then I remembered my pup.
I remembered Mira’s words.
I remembered that I was not the same person I had been before.
“Did you see the way she looked at the coronation?” one of the girls said, laughing loudly for othee people seated to hear.
“She ran out crying like a little baby.
How pathetic is that?
Aurora was standing there, glowing, and Aria could not even handle watching her sister succeed.”
I lifted my head and looked them straight in the eyes.
“You need to leave.
I am working, and I will not let you come in here and bully me.” I hissed.
They stared at me, stunned.
For a moment, there was silence.
And then they laughed, louder than before.
You really think you can tell us what to do?
You are nothing.
You have always been nothing.” One of them mocked.
“I do not care what you think of me,” I said, in a steady voice even though my hands were shaking.
“I am done letting people like you tear me down.
You can say whatever you want, but you are not going to stop me from living my life.”
One of the girls stepped closer, her voice dripping with contempt.
“You must be really ashamed of yourself now that you have been dumped.
Now, Aurora is about to get married to the crown prince, and you are here, working in this little café, alone and pathetic.
You think standing up to us makes you strong?
It just makes you look even more desperate and sad.”
Another girl giggled.
“She is probably hoping one of the customers will notice her.
Maybe she thinks she can trap some poor man like she tried to trap Gavin.
But we all know that did not work out for her, did it?”
I felt my blood boil, but I forced myself to stay calm.
“You do not know anything about me.
You do not know what I have been through or what I am capable of.
And I do not care what you think.
Now, please leave.” I snapped at them and pointed at the door.
They laughed one last time and walked out slowly, mocking me with every step.
The door swung shut behind them, and I stood there, my heart pounding, my hands still trembling.
I had not broken.
I had not cried.
I had stood up for myself.
Martha came out from the back, with a worried expression on her face and asked, “Are you okay, dear?”
I nodded, with a small smile forming on my lips and beamed at her.
“I am fine.
I am better than fine.
I did it.”
I worked the rest of my shift with a newfound confidence, and when I finally left the café, I felt lighter than I had in weeks.
The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the pack territory, and I allowed myself to feel a small spark of pride.
I had done something today.
I had stood up for myself.
But as I walked down the street, I felt a chill run down my spine.
I had the sudden feeling that someone was watching me.
I turned my head and looked across the street, and my blood ran cold.
A man was standing in the shadows, staring at me.
I recognized him immediately.
It was Derek, Aurora’s ally.
I had seen him with her many times before, always lurking in the background, always doing her dirty work.
He did not move.
He just stood there, watching me with that same cold expression on his face, that he always wore, and I felt my heart race, but I forced myself to keep walking.
I would not let him see me run.
I would not let him see me break.
But as I walked away, I could still feel his eyes on my back, and I knew with absolute certainty that Aurora was watching me.