Aria’s POV

Waking up this early morning, I felt like stretching myself. The sun wasn’t even up properly, but I couldn’t sleep anymore. These past two weeks had been hell for me, emotionally and mentally. Everything seemed to turn against me, especially Damon.

He now left all pack duties to me while he spent every minute with Selene. At first, I tried to ignore it, but the more I tried, the heavier it sat on my chest. The pain of having my mate wrapped around another woman’s arms was enough to make me question my worth.

I sat on the bed for a while, looking at nothing in particular. The room felt colder than usual, or maybe it was just my heart.

My mother’s words echoed in my head again: “Mate bond is too strong, my Tom. But don’t allow it to break you.”

That name, Tom, always made me smile. I missed her voice, her warmth, everything about her. If she were still alive, maybe things wouldn’t have turned out like this. Maybe I wouldn’t be here, forcing myself to act strong every day.

And then there was my father. The man I once called my hero. His betrayal still stung deeper than any wound. I hadn’t spoken to him since the day he took another Luna, just months after my mother’s death. Even though he still credited money to my account every month, I couldn’t bring myself to forgive him.

So no matter what Damon did, I wouldn’t leave the pack. Not now. I had nowhere else to go, and I refused to go back home. I’d rather be invisible here than broken there.

I dragged myself into the bathroom, washed my face, brushed my teeth, and took a long warm bath. After stepping out, I tied my towel and reached for my phone. A notification blinked at the top, a newsletter from one of my favorite brands, Luxefit & Beyond.

They sold everything, clothes, workout gear, perfume, even motorbikes. I opened it lazily until I saw the red superbike displayed on the screen. It was bold, shiny, and beautiful. My eyes caught a silver version below it. My lips parted slightly. It was perfect, sleek and confident, just how I wanted to feel again.

I checked the price, then smiled. Expensive, yes, but not out of reach. Maybe I deserve something good this year.

That was when I remembered, my birthday. Just three days away. I had completely forgotten. Nobody in the pack knew, and Damon never cared. I sighed and clicked “Add to Cart.” I told them to hold the delivery for three days.

“I think I need to gift myself this year,” I whispered to my reflection in the mirror. “It’s not easy being strong.”

I dressed in my workout outfit, black leggings, a sports top, and my favorite running shoes. My hair was tied up neatly. The gym was calling my name.

The Silver Claw Gym wasn’t just any gym; it was mine. My little pride. I built it quietly two years ago, pouring in everything I had saved. No one really knew who the real owner was. I preferred it that way. I wanted people to use the place without judging the person behind it, an omega, the same omega who became their Luna.

I stepped out and headed toward the gym. The morning air was sharp, clean, and smelled faintly of dew. As I approached, I could already hear soft music playing inside and the clanking sound of weights hitting the floor.

The gym was half full. A few pack members, men and women, were already working out, laughing, and chatting. They didn’t even notice me at first, which was fine. I didn’t want attention.

I went to the back section, stretched my body, and started jogging lightly on the treadmill.

Then, slowly, the voices around me started to grow louder, whispers, giggles, and half-hidden laughter.

“Did you hear what happened yesterday?” a brunette girl said, her voice dripping with excitement. “Selene stayed in Alpha’s office for almost two hours.”

“No way!” another replied, pretending to lift a dumbbell. “I heard she’s practically living in the pack house now. The luna must be losing her mind.”

They laughed softly.

A cold smile tugged at my lips, but I kept my eyes fixed ahead. If only they knew who was listening.

“I feel bad for the Luna though,” someone else said. “Imagine being mated to the Alpha and still getting replaced by his ex.”

“Well, she’s an omega,” the brunette scoffed. “It was bound to happen. Omegas can’t keep high-ranked males for long. It’s nature.”

My hand tightened around the treadmill handle, but I didn’t react. I had learned how to hold pain in silence.

“I heard she’s weak too,” another whispered. “The Alpha barely touches her anymore.”

That one stung, but I didn’t flinch. I just increased my treadmill speed. Let them talk. Let them think whatever they wanted.

The door opened suddenly, and a familiar perfume filled the air, sweet but heavy. Everyone went quiet. I didn’t have to look to know who it was.

Selene.

Her heels clicked lightly as she walked in, her long hair bouncing with each step. She wore tight workout shorts and a tank top that hugged her body like a glove. She smiled like she owned the place.

“Morning, ladies,” she said cheerfully, waving.

The girls almost melted, greeting her in excitement. She had that kind of presence, charming but poisonous.

“Miss Selene, I didn’t know you worked out here,” one of the women said quickly.

Selene gave a dramatic laugh. “Well, I just heard about this gym recently. It’s beautiful. But I wonder…” , her eyes roamed around slowly “how an omega can even afford to work out here.”

Her tone was sweet, but her words burned like acid.

She smiled again and added, “Well, all thanks to Alpha Damon’s generosity, I guess.”

The girls burst into laughter, pretending it was just a joke, but I could feel the mockery in the air.

I switched off the treadmill, wiped my sweat with a towel, and turned slightly, just enough to see her reflection in the mirror.

Something about her aura felt wrong, darker, heavier than before. Her beauty seemed sharper, like a blade waiting to cut.

Elly, my wolf, stirred uneasily in my head.

“There’s something off about her scent,” she whispered. “It’s mixed… not pure. I can smell shadows around her.”

“I smell it too,” I replied quietly in my mind, keeping my expression calm.

Selene continued chatting and laughing with the women, her voice floating across the room like poison wrapped in honey. Then her eyes met mine through the mirror. For a split second, her smile froze.

Recognition flickered in her eyes, not of who I was, but something deeper. A strange tension filled the air.

She tilted her head slightly, her smile returning. “You have a beautiful body,” she said to me with fake admiration. “Do you train here often?”

I nodded. “Sometimes.”

She stepped closer, circling around me like a cat. “Good. Keep it up. You might need that body someday.”

Her tone was light, but her words carried a hidden meaning. My wolf growled softly, and I clenched my jaw.

Selene smirked and turned toward the others. “Ladies, I think this gym might be my new favorite spot. Oh, and tell the owner she’s done a great job. Whoever she is, she must have a good taste… for an omega.”

The laughter started again.

I stood still, forcing my heartbeat to slow down. Every muscle in my body screamed to attack, but I stayed calm. Not here. Not now.

As she walked toward the door, she paused and looked over her shoulder, her eyes locking with mine again, cold and knowing.

“I’ll be seeing you around,” she said, smiling that fake sweet smile. “And do tell Alpha Damon I said hi… if you ever get the chance.”

The door shut softly behind her.

The gym fell silent.

I stood there, gripping my towel tightly as my wolf whispered again.

“Aria… there’s something evil in her eyes. She’s not just here for Damon.”

I turned slowly toward the mirror. My reflection looked back, calm, strong, but with fire burning behind my eyes.

“I know,” I whispered. “And I’ll find out what she really wants.”

But deep down, I could already feel it, the beginning of something dark.

Something that was about to change everything.