Episode 17

Aria

I feel someone knocking on the door insistently, How annoying!! Just this once, I would like to sleep a little longer and I hear a familiar voice, it's Azula, who says behind the door.

Azula- Aria, Aria!! Wake up, you need to get ready or we'll be late for the ceremony.

My eyes open wide and I remember what day it is today. I look at the clock on the nightstand next to my bed - Damn it!! It's 10 in the morning, I can't believe I overslept.

I hastily open the door to find Azula already showered.

Azula- For the Goddess, Aria, you chose a bad day to oversleep.

Aria- Why didn't you wake me up earlier?

Azula- What are you talking about? The person in charge of the service came to wake you up over an hour ago, but then went downstairs to tell us that you weren't answering, so I came up. I also knocked on your door for almost half an hour but couldn't get you to wake up. I was about to break the door down.

Now hurry up. Before I forget, take this package. Mom gave it to me for you. It's a dress for you to wear at today's ceremony. Get dressed, and I'll be back in a moment to help you with your makeup.

Aria takes the package and places it on her bed, then heads to the bathroom to take a shower and relax her body, telling herself that going out the previous night was a bad idea.

Serena- Well, I think the opposite and I still think we should find him.

Aria ignores Serena's voice in her head.

Serena - Even if you ignore me, I won't stop repeating it.

Aria- Enough, Serena! I have more important things to worry about.

Without waiting for her response, I disconnect the link.

I bathe as quickly as I can, wrap myself in a towel, and head to the bed where the package my aunt sent me is. I open it and take out a beautiful black dress with cap sleeves, matching shoes, and a handbag. There's no doubt my aunt has excellent taste.

I put on the dress, and it fits me perfectly, hugging my body and reaching just above my knees. As I am putting on the shoes, I see Azula entering through the door. She looks stunning in a black and white princess-cut dress, her blonde hair flowing in waves, and light makeup.

Azula- I think I arrived just in time. Come, sit here so I can fix your hair and do your makeup.

Aria- I don't think you can do much with me. You know I'm not used to wearing makeup.

Azula- Relax, Aria. Leave everything to me.

Aria feels Azula pulling her hair up into a high ponytail and then creating waves with a curling iron. Once she finishes with the hairstyle, she applies makeup to Aria's face.

After a while, she tells me I can look and brings me closer to a mirror. I can't believe what I see. Although my hair and eyes are a different color, the hairstyle and makeup look beautiful.

"When will you stop using that appearance, Aria?" I hear Azula asking me, to which I respond, "Today will be the last day. Once my identity is revealed, I can use my real appearance."

At that moment, I hear Vlad's voice breaking through the half-closed door.

Vlad- Are you ready? It's time to go...

(Astonished) You look stunning, Aria!

Aria (blushing)- Thank you, Vlad. You look handsome too.

Vlad is dressed in a tailor-made black suit, a white shirt, and a long black tie with his hair slicked back.

Azula (smiling)- Well, we're ready now, so let's go.

Vlad- Well, if you ladies allow me (offering his arms to his sisters), it would be an honor to escort you.

Both- (smiling) Of course, sir.

And the three of them leave and get into one of the cars waiting at the mansion's door.

Armand and Amaranth get into another car and head to the cemetery.

Upon arrival, Vlad steps out of the vehicle, opens the car door, and helps his sisters out, offering his hand to each of them.

Aria (thinking and nervous)- Oh Goddess! Everyone is staring at me.

Here are approximately 30 people, all very elegant, and two handsome young men with brown hair, one in a dark gray suit and the other in a brown one, both wearing dark sunglasses, smiling and unable to take their eyes off us. Vlad leads us to them, but we are intercepted by two girls. One has sweet features, blond hair, and blue eyes, wearing a very beautiful dark gray dress that makes her look like a doll. The other girl has red hair, but she's wearing a black dress with a very pronounced neckline, which seems out of place for this type of ceremony.

The redhead girl is practically dragging the blonde one, who is blushing from ear to ear.

Vlad - (Kindly and smiling) Good afternoon, Clarisa, it's nice to see you.

Clarisa - (Embarrassed) Good afternoon, Mr. Vlad, it's also nice to see you.

Allow me to introduce my friend Margaret.

Margaret let go of Clarisa's arm and extended her hand to Vlad, but he simply nodded his head, saying:

Vlad (serious) - Good afternoon, Miss Margaret.

Margaret - (in a shrill voice) Please, call me Marg. And who are these two young ladies by your side? Are they your girlfriends?

Vlad was bothered by this girl's attitude, who was very impertinent, not to mention he disliked the way she was looking at him.

Aria, who had noticed Vlad's discomfort, said - Don't you think she's asking inappropriate questions for a first introduction?

Clarisa - (Embarrassed) Marg, why did you say that? Please, excuse my friend, she didn't mean to be impertinent.

Vlad - (soft tone) You don't have to apologize, Clarisa. (Looking coldly at the redhead) It should be someone else offering introductions. (Looking sweetly at Clarisa) Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll go say hello to some people.

Aria was intrigued by the way Vlad treated and looked at Clarisa, but it wasn't the right time to ask questions, so she let it go.

They continued on their way towards the two young men who were still smiling and murmuring to each other, until they reached their side.

Vlad released his sisters, approached the young men, hugged them, and showed a warm smile. Then, Azula also approached them and greeted them in the same way, and both young men praised her, telling her how beautiful she looked. Then, both of them turned their gaze towards me. Vlad took my hand and brought me closer to them, introducing me.

Vlad - Magnus - Jace, let me introduce you to Aria.

Aria (thinking) - Both young men took off their sunglasses, and I could see those eyes identical to mine reflecting warmth. Without warning, both of them approached and hugged me. I returned the embrace, my heart filled with warmth.

Even though it was the first time we met and they still didn't know my identity, our hearts knew it, and the bond given to us by the Moon Goddess three generations ago is stronger today.

We separated and laughed at the same time, and it was at that moment that the scent of wood and pine filled my nostrils, and a voice behind me shocked me.

Alexander - I think they've excluded you from the family gathering, Aaron.

The five of us turned to look at the man from whom that voice came, and there he was, a very handsome young man in a perfectly tailored suit that fit his toned body perfectly. He had blond hair and eyes as blue as the sea. I could barely keep Serena under control; that man was my Mate.

Next to him stood a young man almost as tall as him, with brown hair, also wearing a dark suit. He had an athletic build, and his eyes were hazel. Goddess! The other man called him Aaron, which meant he was my brother.

I couldn't contain the impulse and hugged him, tears escaping from my eyes. I lifted my gaze and saw a mix of conflicting emotions in his eyes - confusion, concern, warmth. Then, he asked me:

Aaron - (Kindly) Are you okay?

Before I could respond, I heard a faint growl, followed by a cough.

It was then that I separated from Aaron to look at my cousins, Magnus and Jace. They had a bewildered expression, while Vlad and Azula had a smile on their lips. Then, the four of them slightly tilted their heads towards the man and said in unison, "Alpha King!! It can't be, this man is the Alpha King!"

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