Episode 5

Aria

The story that the Goddess Moon has just told me was incredible; I couldn't believe it. That meant that I was the descendant of the four brothers.

"My dear child, you are a descendant of William, my eldest son. You are his great-granddaughter and the great guardian and defender of the wolf packs."

"But if he was by the side of the Alpha King, how did I end up in Sunshine?"

"Aria, it's not yet time to reveal that truth, but sooner than you think, you'll know what happened."

"And believe me, everyone who has made you suffer will get what they deserve, including the one who was supposed to protect you but failed."

"What do you mean, my lady? Who is the one who was supposed to protect me??"

"You will find out today, my daughter, and it will be your decision whether you forgive him or choose to push him away from your life."

"Now we have been here for a long time, and it's almost time for you to return. But before that, I want to introduce you to Serena, your Wolf. From today onwards, she will be by your side as your protector and companion."

I was very excited. Finally, I could meet my Wolf, and she was beautiful, as white as snow. This definitely convinced me that I was a descendant of the four brothers (not that I didn't believe what the Goddess Moon had said). That's when Serena walked beside me, rubbed her snout against my shoulder, and then, like a burst of light, entered inside me. It was then that the Goddess Moon took my hands, looked into my eyes, and said,

"My child, your true destiny begins today. Return to Sunshine to confront a part of it, and based on the decision you make today (which I believe it is), you'll have to go south, cross into vampire territory, seek the king, and show him this mark. He will know who you are and help you."

I felt a slight burning sensation on my wrist, and when I looked, there was a tattoo of the Moon and four stars surrounding it.

Without saying anything more, everything began to shine. But before losing my vision completely due to the blinding light, I heard the Goddess Moon say that whenever I needed her, I just had to close my eyes, ask with my heart, and she would come to me.

As I opened my eyes, I realized I was in the same cave where I had taken refuge when I fled from Kiran. I must have fallen asleep. I thought, could it all have been a dream??? But a voice in my mind snapped me out of my doubt.

Serena said, "No, Aria, it was all real. If you don't believe me, look at your wrist."

I raised my hand, and there was the tattoo of the moon and its four stars.

It was all real, and it was time to confront my destiny.

"Happy birthday, Aria!!"

"But my birthday is still two days away, Serena."

"No, Aria, in these past two days, you've been in this cave. Though for you, it may have felt like hours, time in the Goddess' realm passes differently. Remember, it is a sacred place. Now, come on, get up. We need to go back for your belongings and start the journey to vampire territory in search of the king."

Without a second thought, I got up and quickly left the cave, beginning my way back to Sunshine. Now I had to be cautious because they must think I've escaped during all this time. If they capture me, they'll lock me up in the castle's cells, and I couldn't allow that.

I arrived at the castle carefully and sneaked through the back until reaching my room. I grabbed a small bag and put some clothes and belongings inside before leaving again.

As I was about to enter the forest again, I caught a sweet scent. At that moment, my senses, my Wolf, became alert. Serena said in my mind, MATE!!

I followed that scent, and it led us to the back of the castle, where in a room, I could hear strange noises. I approached silently, and to my surprise, I saw a woman on a table, and behind her was Kiran, his eyes closed, and his pants unbuttoned, penetrating her again and again, while she moaned loudly.

I was perplexed, it couldn't be that sweet scent coming from Kiran. That meant he was My Mate. Now the words of the Moon Goddess came to my mind: the one who was supposed to protect me hadn't done it! She was referring to Kiran, my Mate, the one who was supposed to take care of me, love me. But nothing could be further from the truth. He was practically one of my tormentors, reminding me every day of my life that I was an orphan. He never missed an opportunity to make me feel miserable whenever he saw me. Worse yet, he allowed his witch of a mother to humiliate and beat me whenever she pleased.

I wanted to leave, but I also remembered that if I didn't confront this, I wouldn't be able to be free and fulfill my destiny.

So, I gathered my courage and spoke loudly and clearly.

"Kiran, I need to talk to you!

At that moment, he opened his eyes and, as if he couldn't believe it, quickly pulled up his pants, leaving the woman lying on the table, and approached me with the intention of grabbing my shoulders. But I didn't let him. I was disgusted by the thought of him touching me with the same hands that were just on that woman moments ago.

I could see a hint of sadness in his eyes when he saw my rejection, but I didn't care and said to him again: I need to talk to you now, so tell your "girlfriend" to leave us alone.

The woman, who was adjusting her dress, tried to say something, but Kiran didn't allow it. With his Alpha voice, he ordered her to leave the room, leaving us alone.

He tried to approach me again, but stopped in his tracks. He simply asked,

"Where were you, Aria? They were looking for you for two days. Even I searched for you all day today, but couldn't find you."

"Well, it's obvious that you were really concerned about me, right? So concerned that I just found you fucking someone."

"I don't have to explain my actions to you. I am the Alpha of this pack. It is you who should tell me where you were and with whom."

"I'm not asking for explanations. I just want to know one thing. Did you know? Did you know that you and I were Mates?"

Kiran was perplexed, then he said with a grim look, "Yes, I found out six years ago, and you have no idea how disappointed I've been. As a great Alpha, having an orphan as a partner. I've been waiting for this day to do this."

"I, Kiran Brown, Alpha of the Sunshine pack, reject you, Aria, as my Mate and Luna."

Upon hearing those words, I felt a great pressure in my chest. The pain was unbearable. Is this how it feels to be rejected? I fell to my knees, clutching my chest with my hands, feeling like I couldn't breathe. And then I saw him kneeling, trying to help me. Was that possible? He had just rejected me.

After taking a deep breath, I uttered the words: "I, Aria, accept your rejection, Alpha Kiran Brown, and free us both."

After speaking those words, I felt a great sense of relief. The pressure started to ease, and I stood up, while I saw him still on his knees, clutching his chest.

Without saying another word, I turned around and left that room, leaving behind the one who should have protected me but never did.

I grabbed the bag with my belongings and was about to enter the forest when two figures appeared from behind the trees. It was Cala and Caleb. I ran towards them to hug them, and they returned the embrace.

Caleb asked, "Where have you been, Aria? We've been worried about you. We searched for you throughout the pack, with Cala, but couldn't find you. We thought you had already fled, but we sensed a different presence recently and came here. And here we are, surprised to find it's you."

"My dear friends, at this moment I do not have the time to tell you what has happened. I have to leave before someone else realizes my presence. I promise we will meet again in the not-so-distant future, and I will tell you what has happened in my life these past few days. I just want to ask you to take care of yourselves."

I cannot help but shed a tear as I say goodbye to them. They are the only thing I will miss from Sunshine, after a tight embrace between the three of us and leaving Cala in a sea of tears, I run off into the forest heading South, toward vampire territory.

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