ARIA’S POV
The cabin was warm and intimate, like a world away from the chaos of my life.
Zane’s hands were gentle but firm as he pulled me closer, and his silver eyes burned into mine like he was trying to memorize every part of me.
“You are so beautiful,” he whispered, as his thumb traced my jawline.
“Has anyone ever told you that?”
I laughed bitterly and shook my head.
“Not really.”
“Then they are blind,” he said sincerely.
“Because you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but he silenced me with a kiss, which was slow and deep, and I felt every wall I had ever built come crumbling down.
That night, he worshipped every inch of me, and his touch was both gentle and consuming.
He whispered promises in my ear, telling me I was perfect and that I deserved to be happy.
For the first time in my life, I felt cherished, wanted, like I actually mattered to someone.
Afterwards, we lay tangled together in the quiet darkness.
He held me close, and wrapped his arms around me like he was afraid I would disappear.
“You are safe here,” he murmured against my hair.
“No one can hurt you.”
Then he asked softly, “When can I see you again?”
I shook my head.
“You do not even know who I am.”
“I know enough,” he said.
“And I will find you.
No matter what.”
I wanted to tell him that it was not that simple, but I did not want to ruin the moment.
So I just let myself pretend, just for a little while, that I was someone worth loving.
When I woke up the next morning, the bed was empty and cold.
Then I reached out and found nothing but wrinkled sheets, and my heart sank.
I stood up amd looked around the cabin, hoping he was still there, but there was no sign of him.
Then I saw it.
A folded piece of paper on the pillow beside me, written in strong, bold handwriting….
“You are mine now.
I will find you.”
I read the note three times, with my heart beating nervously in my chest.
He was gone, and I did not even know his full name.
I did not know where he lived or where he was from.
All I had was a note and the memory of his silver eyes.
I quickly dressed, left the cabin, and sneaked back to the house before anyone could see me.
I made it to my room and collapsed on my bed, with my mind still spinning from the night before.
Then my phone buzzed and I picked it up to see Mira’s name on the blurred screen.
“Hello,” I answered, trying to sound normal.
“Where did you disappear to?” Mira demanded.
“I turned around and you were gone!”
“I let early because I was tired,” I replied wearily.
“Do not lie to me, Aria.” She snapped.
“Something happened.
I could feel it.”
I hesitated for a moment, but then reasoned that Mira had been my best friend, and she had never judged me.
“I met someone.
A man approached me at the bar, and then he took me somewhere.”
Mira squealed excitedly.
“Who is he?”
“I do not know.
He did not tell me his full name.”
“What does he look like?”
“Tall, with long dark hair and silver eyes.”
Mira was silent for a moment.
Then she asked, “Silver eyes?
That is unusual.”
“I know.
But he made me feel like I mattered,” I muttered under my breath.
“Aria, that is actually very romantic,” She said happily.
“Do you think you will see him again?”
I thought about the note.
You are mine now.
I will find you.
And replied hopefully, “He said he would find me.”
“Then enjoy it for what it was.
A perfect night with a mysterious stranger.
If you see him again, wonderful.
If not, at least you had one night of happiness.”
I nodded.
“You are right.”
“Now go take a shower and stop thinking about him.”
We said our goodbyes and I hung up.
I was then about to go to the bathroom when Mother’s voice echoed though the house.
“Aria!
Aurora!
Come here now!”
My stomach dropped instantly.
I inhaled deeply and walked to the living room where Mother was standing with a pleased expression on her face.
Aurora was already there, sitting gracefully on the couch, looking perfect as always.
“I have news,” Mother announced, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
“The Alpha Prince has returned to the pack.
He will be crowned soon amd he will be looking for a Luna.”
Aurora sat up straight immediately and asked with a serious look in her eyes.
“When will he arrive?”
“Very soon,” Mother said, her gaze fixed on Aurora.
“This is our chance, Aurora.
The pack expects the Alpha Prince to choose his mate before his Alpha coronation and you are the most beautiful wolf in this pack.
He would be a fool not to notice you.
I have heard he is powerful, strong, and from a very distinguished bloodline.
A man like that needs a Luna who can match his status.
Someone graceful, charming and beautiful.”
Aurora smirked and tossed her hair.
“Do not worry, Mother.
I have already made arrangements.”
I stared at her in confusion, and asked, “what arrangements?”
Aurora turned to me and smiled sharply in a condescending manner, and replied mockingly, “Do not trouble yourself with things you do not understand, Aria.
Some of us know how to secure our future.
You would not know anything about that.”
Mother nodded approvingly.
“That is my daughter.
Always thinking ahead.
You will make a wonderful Luna, Aurora.
I can see it already.
The pack will adore you.”
“And what about me?” I asked quietly.
“Do I not get a say in any of this?”
Mother turned to look at me, and hissed coldly and dismissive.
“You?
Aria, be realistic.
Do you honestly think the Alpha prince would look twice at you when he has Aurora standing beside him?
You are not the type of woman an Alpha chooses and you need to accept your place.”
Aurora laughed cruelly and said, “Do not be hard on her, Mother.
She can not help the way she was born.
Some of us are destined for greatness.
While others are just destined to watch from the shadows.”
I felt a familiar sting of her words but said nothing.
Aurora stood up and walked towards me, her eyes glinting with cruel amusement.
“I heard Gavin dumped you,” she said mockingly.
“He told me everything, you know?
He said he could not stop thinking about me.
He said I was better than you in every way.
He also said that when he was with you, he was imagining me.”
I felt my face burn with anger.
“That is not true.”
“Ofcourse it is very true.
Why would any man in his right senses, choose you over me?” She laughed coldly.
“Look at you.
Dark hair, plain face and no confidence.
You have nothing to offer anyone.
That is why you are always alone.
Gavin could not even pretend to love you anymore.
He told me he stayed with you out of pity.”
Mother chuckled softly from the couch.
“Aurora darling, do not be so harsh.
But she is right, Aria.
You need to be realistic about your place in this family.
Aurora is destined for great things.
While you are destined for…..mediocrity.
That is just the way it is.”
I stood there, unable to speak, with my eyes burning with tears.
They were both looking at me like I was an inconvenience, like I was a joke.
Aurora leaned closer to me and dropped her voice to whisper.
“Do you really think the Alpha prince would choose someone like you?
Someone who has never been chosen for anything?
He will take one look at me and forget you even exist.
Because I am better than you, Aria.
I have always been and always will be.
You are nothing.
Do you understand?”
She smiled victoriously and walked away.
I stood there, feeling the familiar weight of her cruelty settle on my shoulders.
That night, I lay in bed, unable to sleep.
Then I touched the spot where Zane had kissed me and wondered if he was real.
I replayed every moment, every word, and every touch.
I told myself it was just one night, and I would never see him again.
But deep down, I knew I was lying to myself.
Somewhere in one of the rooms, Aurora was probably dreaming of becoming Luna, while I was lying here, chasing the ghost of a stranger who had already forgotten me.
Or so I thought.