Episode 11

Aria

I wiped my tears. I had to go back to Sunshine to find out how I ended up there. Alpha Markus was no longer there to answer my questions, but that woman... I'm sure she knows something.

"I must go back to Sunshine!!!" I said as I stood up from the chair where I was sitting.

"Wait dear, before you make a hasty decision. There is something else you need to know about the attack you received on your way here. It wasn't a coincidence. The arrows you were hit with were coated with aconite." Amaranth stopped me.

"Aria, we need to properly organize your return to Sunshine because we are certain that whoever orchestrated the ambush that ended the lives of the kings and your mother fifteen years ago is connected to the attack you received a month ago." Armand said.

I was surprised, "A month? I've been here for a month?"

"Yes, dear. You've been in a coma all this time. When Vlad found you at the territory's gates, you were severely injured and delirious from the silver and aconite contamination in your blood, which was extremely high. It didn't allow you to heal like any ordinary wolf would. The doctor who treated you didn't give much hope for your survival. We're truly surprised that you woke up." Amaranth said.

"Aria, it's best if we end here. It has been too many emotions for one day. Until recently, you were teetering between life and death, so it's better for you to rest. I'll take you back to your room, and I'll ask for some food to be brought to you. Tomorrow, we'll decide how we'll proceed." Armand comforted me.

"I can't just rest, not when the person who can clarify what happened and give me those answers is crossing the river." I was excited.

What I remember is very little. My name and that I arrived in Sunshine with Alpha Markus. He told his Luna, Solange, that he found me on his way back from his trip. He said I was an orphan whose mother had died from an illness, and they didn't know anything about my father. He said he felt sorry for me and that's why he brought me. But she never believed him. The arguments between Alpha Markus and that woman were almost daily. She wanted him to get me out of their house and leave me in the pack's orphanage, but he refused. She always asked why he never gave her a reason, and that's when she asked if I was his daughter. He denied it, and every time that topic came up, he denied it and would disappear for a few days. I was the one who suffered because of that argument. That woman took out her frustration on me. I have to confess that at some point, I thought I was the illegitimate daughter of the Alpha with some Omega. But I dismissed that idea from my head for two reasons. Firstly, I didn't resemble him at all. Secondly, and most importantly, no father would look at his daughter the way he looked at me. In his eyes, I could feel love and hatred at the same time.

"That damn bitch Solange. I never liked her, and now I know why." Amaranth was angry with clenched fists.

"She will have to give many explanations because it was no secret to anyone in the whole continent that Albert was searching for his missing daughter. And I assure you, she knew your identity, but for some strange reason, she stayed silent. Not only that, she also mistreated you all these years."

"Aria, my dear, I know you have conflicting emotions right now, but if you act impulsively, you won't achieve anything." Amaranth said in a patronizing tone.

"I can defend myself, and if necessary, I will fight." I felt sad.

"And do you think in the state you're in now, you're capable of defending yourself? You're no match for anyone. You'll only end up dead, and the sacrifice your mother made and everything your father went through will have been in vain." Armand sounded serious.

"I... At that moment, I could hear Serena in my head."

"Aria, they're right. We are no match for anyone at this moment. If we go to Sunshine now, we won't get any answers, and most likely, we'll end up locked in some cell or, worse, dead." Serena answered me.

"But Caleb taught us how to defend ourselves, to fight. We defeated the two Rogues who attacked us."

"Aria, don't be stubborn. Fighting two rogues is not the same as fighting a pack of warriors. Besides, we got lucky. Please listen to them and let's go rest."

I became aware of Serena and my uncles' words. It was true, even though my body showed no marks, I felt drained of energy and emotionally exhausted. Everything I had heard had taken a toll on me. Caleb had taught me how to defend herself, but I knew that it wasn't enough to achieve my goal.

At that moment, I remembered my mother's words. I needed to train, strengthen my body. This was the only way to not depend on others, to search for the answers I needed, and to make the culprit pay for my mother's death and the years of suffering my father and brother had endured.

"Aria, my dear, are you alright?" Amaranth was a bit worried.

"I apologize for my behavior, Your Majesties. And if it's not too audacious of me, I would like to ask if Lord Armand could be my mentor and teacher, so that I can become a worthy guardian and not embarrass my father, please."

The Queen stood up from her chair at her desk, approached Aria, and gently took her hands. In that moment, her eyes changed from gold to white, and she seemed to be in a trance that lasted only a few minutes. Then, her eyes returned to their original color and a small tear slid down her cheek.

She raised her hand to Aria's face and, with tenderness in her words, said, "My little girl, you have suffered so much during these years. That bitch's cruelty knew no bounds, and yet I sense no evil in your heart."

"I don't know what Armand's decision will be, but I will make you a strong woman so that you never have to hide again. But I just want to ask for one thing in return... Call me by my name and treat me as the family we are."

Aria was perplexed at how her aunt had known everything she had suffered, just by touching her. And she never thought that the vampire queen herself would offer to train her and asked to be treated like family. A feeling of happiness was blossoming in her heart; finally, she could feel the love of family.

"Ladies, please don't exclude me." He then approached Aria and took her hand. "My little Aria, of course I will be your mentor and teacher, but I don't want you to treat me with such formality."

Aria couldn't contain herself any longer and hugged them, thanking them for accepting her and for everything.

At that moment, someone knocked on the office door. Armand granted permission for them to enter.

It was a woman, who bowed her head and said, "Master, you sent for me. How may I serve you?"

"Agatha, I want you to meet Miss Aria, my niece. Take her to her room, have some food brought up for her, and also buy her clothes, shoes, and whatever she needs to be comfortable."

"My Majesty.. I mean, Uncle, that's not necessary. A bed, food, and some clothes that no one is using are more than enough. I don't want to be a bother."

"Dear, you are a member of our family, and everything we have is yours. So don't think of it as a bother."

Then she turned to Agatha, "I'll take care of the clothes."

Agatha simply nodded her head in agreement.

Then she turned to Aria, "I'll have Azula take you to the mall tomorrow so you can choose the clothes you like. She'll be thrilled; she loves shopping. Plus, it will give you a chance to get to know each other, and she can show you around the city. Now, go with Agatha to your room, have some food, and rest. Tomorrow, we'll organize everything we discussed."

"Miss, this way, please."

Aria thanked her uncles again and followed Agatha out, closing the door behind her.

Once the door was closed, Amaranth fell back onto one of the armchairs, clutching her chest and gasping for air.

Armand quickly approached her, concern evident in his eyes. "Sweetheart, what did you see? What left you in such a state?"

Amaranth, slowly catching her breath, replied, "The suffering Aria endured was terrible. She was treated worse than a slave. But that's not all. When I touched her, I could feel a dormant power within her. The energy she possesses is so great that if she doesn't strengthen her body, it will eventually kill her."

"We must begin her training as soon as possible. And then we will take her to Albert and the Alpha King for further strengthening," Amaranth continued.

Armand nodded, a knowing look on his face. "It seems that this little one has inherited her mother's gifts. And we both know what that means. Her Destiny has just begun."

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