Episode 19

Aria - The Ceremony has just been announced to begin, and they ask us to take our seats. Vlad looks at me confused and speaks to me through our link.

Vlad - (inquisitive tone) Can you tell me what just happened, Aria? Did you know the Alpha King?

Aria - (Nervously) Of course not! This is the first time I see him.

Vlad - Why did he behave that way towards you?

Aria - I don't know, Vlad. (Thinking) I truly didn't know the reason behind his behavior. He has no way of knowing that I am his mate because he cannot sense my Scent, all thanks to the magic of the medallion.

Serena - Of course he doesn't sense it, but his wolf can sense the bond that connects us, even if he is not certain. Besides, this is no ordinary Alpha, he is the Alpha King. His instincts are powerful.

Serena's words resonate in my mind. I don't think I can hide this secret for much longer. It doesn't matter; soon I won't have to rely on the medallion anymore, and that's when I'll reject him and end this game.

Serena - (frustrated) You're so stubborn, Aria. Why don't you give Alexander a chance? He's not Kiran.

Without allowing Serena to continue speaking, I cut off the link.

We find ourselves in our seats. The ceremony has begun with words of welcome, offered by my brother. He looks really handsome in that suit. But I feel a piercing gaze. I search for its source and am surprised to find it's the Alpha King himself, who has his eyes fixed on me. Out of instinct, I touch the back of my hand where he placed that kiss when we were introduced. An electric current runs through my spine. What is happening to me? What is this strange sensation? Unintentionally, I whisper his name: Alexander.

Vlad - (whispering) What did you just say, Aria?

Aria - (Nervously) Nothing important.

The applause brings me back to reality, and my brother announces that now the Alpha King, Alexander, will take the floor. I watch as he ascends the podium to deliver his speech. His presence is so captivating, his body well-sculpted. My eyes fixate on his lips, wondering what flavor they might have. Goddess! What am I thinking? I scold myself silently, when suddenly I feel a gentle squeeze on my hand. And I sense Vlad leaning closer to my ear, nodding his head in a certain direction.

Vlad - Aria, look, it's Uncle Albert, your father.

Without saying anything else, I fix my gaze in the direction he's pointing, and there I see a man about 50 years old, dressed in a dark suit, with brown hair and eyes the same color as mine. Vlad is right; Aaron bears a striking resemblance to Dad. I continue observing his eyes and can see the pain reflected in them. He's listening to the Alpha King's speech when suddenly he turns and leaves the hall.

I can't help but stand up from my seat and follow him. Vlad contacts me through our link.

Vlad - Where are you going, Aria?

Aria - Don't worry, Vlad, I have something to do, I'll be back in a moment. I close the link.

I follow my father, and I see him moving through the corridors of the cemetery until he reaches a tombstone adorned with white and pale pink flowers. He approaches it, kneeling in front of it. I stand a few meters away, and suddenly I hear sobbing.

Albert - (broken voice) My beloved Ariadne, I have failed you. All these years, I couldn't find our little Aria. I have lost her just like I lost you. I don't deserve to be called a guardian, let alone a protector when I couldn't even take care of and protect you. I have failed our son; I haven't been the father he needs. I have failed in the promise I made the day you arrived in Moonlight.

Aria - My tears cover my face as I hear my father's words of pain. I feel my heart ache. I can't let him continue suffering like this, especially because of me. I take the medallion, close my eyes, and reveal my true appearance.

Slowly, I approached him, embraced him from behind, and said, "Please don't suffer anymore, I'm here by your side." Feeling my presence, he turned around, wide-eyed.

Albert - (Surprised) Ariadne! (Gently holding Aria's face in his hands) No, but your eyes, you're my...

Aria - (crying) Yes, dad, I'm your little Aria. I could finally come back to you.

Albert - (crying, smiling, and hugging her) Aria!! My girl, it's you!! By the Goddess!! You're the spitting image of your mother, except for the eyes...

Aria - (crying and smiling) They are yours, dad.

Albert - You have no idea how much I've searched for you, my little girl. But how is all this possible? Where have you been all this time?

Aria - It's a very long story, dad, which I'll tell you later. The important thing is that we're together now.

Albert - Yes, my beautiful girl, and we'll never be separated again.

While Albert embraced Aria, Alexander, Aaron, and the ceremony attendees appeared, witnessing the scene. Aaron realized that his father was crying while embracing a stranger. He quickly approached and grabbed her arm, asking gruffly.

Aaron - Who are you? Why is my father crying?

As he looked at her face, he was in shock. It was like seeing his mother, but with different eye color. "This can't be," he thought.

Vlad, who noticed his cousin's surprised expression, placed a hand on his shoulder and said, "Yes, Aaron, it's her, your sister."

Aaron turned to look at his father, who nodded, and then turned back to the young woman who had approached him. However, he didn't know how to react, and it was Aria who took the first step, throwing herself into his arms again, saying, "Brother."

Tears began to flow from Aaron's eyes as he returned the embrace to his little sister, who kept crying on his chest. Their father approached them and enveloped them both in his arms, saying, "Finally, my two children are together."

Murmurs started to spread among the onlookers, who were surprised by what had transpired.

Alexander (In a commanding voice) - Silence. It's best if we continue with the ceremony and give them the privacy they deserve.

Everyone present nodded and without making any comments, they proceeded to leave, leaving Albert and his family alone. Before departing, Alexander said, "I'm sure you have a lot to talk about, but I would appreciate it if you could attend the Torch Ceremony at sunset."

Albert - Thank you, Alexander. We'll be there.

Without saying anything else, Alexander left to continue with the ceremony.

"Let's go home, children. We have a lot to discuss."

Before they left, Aria turned to her mother's tombstone, placing a hand on it and the other over her heart, saying, "Mom, I'm finally back with dad and my brother."

She rejoined her father and brother, walking towards the cemetery's exit, and boarded their father's car, heading home.

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