Chapter Seven
Aria‘ s POV
Dad adjusted his glasses, his frown deepening as he paced the room. “Reported? For what reason? Did the Council reject it? This is ridiculous! I’m going to call the Enclave to ask about this.”
Suddenly, the weight of his words snapped me back to reality. I couldn’t afford for him to dig any deeper. “No need, Dad!” I interrupted, stepping in front of him.
“It’s probably nothing serious. Maybe someone was just jealous of the Moonlit Silk. You know how wolves can get over status and symbols. Let it go.
Mom, sitting on the edge of the sofa, looked at me sharply. “Jealous or not, who would dare undermine the Bloodstone
Pack like this? The wedding of our Alpha’s daughter isn’t a casual matter. Whoever did this-”
Chapter Seven
“It’s fine, Mom,” I cut her off, trying to soothe the growing tension in the room. I picked up her phone to see what had caused such a stir. Sure enough, there it was -a pack forum buzzing with rumors, fueled by none other than Nicho.
My phone buzzed, breaking the tense silence. To avoid alarming my parents
further, I slipped away into my bedroom to
answer.
“Aria,” Nicho’s growling voice hit me the moment I picked up. “What were you doing at the bridal shop? Why were you trying on a wedding dress? Were you alone?” His words came out like an interrogation, his tone sharp and filled with barely contained anger.
“I told you to come back to me, Aria. Do you not understand how serious I am? Do you really think you can walk away from me?!”
I clenched my fists, my wolf stirring under my skin in defiance of his overbearing
Chapter Seven
dominance. Taking a deep breath, I responded coldly. “Nicho, do you think you‘ re my Alpha? You‘ re not. I’m free to make my own choices. I already told
re over. You don’t have any
you, we‘
control over me!”
“Aria, don‘ t push me,” he snarled.
“Or what?” I shot back, my voice as icy as the mountain winds. “You‘ 11 come here and cause another scene? You‘ re nothing but an insecure pup who can’t handle. rejection. Don’t call me again, Nicho, or I’ll make sure my father knows you‘ ve been harassing me.”
Without waiting for a reply, I hung up and immediately blocked his number. My wolf hummed with approval at the decisive action, but my heart still ached. I wanted to move forward, but Nicho’s shadow loomed over me like a storm cloud, refusing to dissipate.
I tossed and turned in bed, haunted by memories of Nicho. My wolf was restless,
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Chapter Seven
pacing in the back of my mind. She didn‘ t like the idea of submitting to someone who had hurt us so deeply. But every time I closed. my eyes, his voice echoed in my head.
“You can’t leave me. You‘ re mine!”
“Who gave you permission to marry? You belong to me, Aria. I was wrong before, but I’ll fix it. Just come back to me.”
My dreams were vivid, the bond we once shared pulling at my soul like chains. My wolf growled, her hackles raised, but even she couldn’t fully sever the connection. I woke up crying, my body trembling.
When morning came, Mom’s gentle. touch pulled me from my tormented sleep. “Aria, sweetheart, what’s wrong? Were you dreaming about him again?” Her voice was laced with concern.
I wiped my tears quickly, sitting up. “It was just a bad dream, Mom. I’m okay, really.”
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Chapter Seven
“You don’t have to go through with this if you’re not ready,” she said softly. “Your father and I can postpone the ceremony. Your happiness is more important than any alliance.”
I shook my head firmly. “No, I want this. Taylor is a good match, and the Bloodstone Pack needs this union. I’ll be fine.”
She didn’t look convinced but nodded anyway. After a quick wash, I joined her to start the preparations for the day. My heart was heavy, but I steeled myself. I couldn’t afford to falter now.
While I was getting my hair braided into an intricate crown, my phone buzzed again. The caller ID flashed Selena. My wolf let out a low growl.
I ignored it, silencing the call, but Selena wasn’t deterred. Text after text came
through.
[Aria, I’m so sorry; it’s all my fault. Please forgive me. I know I messed up, but
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Chapter Seven
Nicho means nothing to me. Please don’t let this ruin my life.
The Council is threatening my position in the pack. They say I’ve broken the Mate Code. Aria, please! You‘ re the Alpha‘ s daughter–your word carries meaning and respect. Help me!]
I stared at the messages, my wolf bristling. Her audacity was infuriating. First, she‘ d stolen Nicho from under my nose, and now she wanted my help?
Another message came in.
[I swear on my life, Aria. Nicho doesn’t even answer my calls ar
anymore. He’s
obsessed with you. The other wolves say he’ll come for you during the ceremony. I don’t know what to do. Please help me.]
A chill ran down my spine. He’ll come for you during the ceremony.
My wolf growled protectively, the hair on the back of my neck standing up. Nicho was dangerous, and if he tried to disrupt
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Chapter Seven
my wedding, it could escalate into something deadly. My father would never tolerate such an insult to the pack.
I shut my phone off and took a deep breath. This day wasn‘ t just about me anymore; it was about my family, my pack, and my future. Nicho had no place in any of it.
As the day went on, I felt the weight of the impending ceremony pressing down on me. My wolf was uneasy, her instincts. screaming that something was wrong. But I pushed those feelings aside. I had to trust my family and Taylor to keep me safe.
When Aunt Mina arrived later that evening, her presence was a welcome distraction. She pulled me into a tight hug, her warmth soothing my frayed nerves.
“You look beautiful, Aria,” she said, her eyes shining with pride. “But don’t let anyone push you into something you don’t want. You‘ ve always had a strong spirit–don’t let that boy dim your light.
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Chapter Seven
Her words hit me harder than I expected, and I nodded, unable to speak.
to take the next step in my journey.
But deep in my heart, I knew this was only the calm before the storm.
