Chapter 8

The morning light felt softer when it slipped through the curtains.

I stretched a little, my body surprisingly light. The ache that tore through me last night was gone replaced by a calm I couldn’t explain.

I got dressed quietly, brushed my hair, and stepped into the hallway. The air felt different, crisp against my skin.

Halfway down the stairs, I stopped.

I could hear voices

Faint at first, then clearer too clear.

I looked around and saw no one

"what the hell is wrong with me ".

"You can hear them because you’re becoming stronger, Amiela’s voice suddenly echoed in my mind calm and steady."

" what ", but she was silent.

I frowned, glancing around, but no one was near. Yet I could hear every word being said from the far end of the house.

It was Derick.

“…the coronation’s tomorrow,” a deep voice said, calm and teasing. “You should be excited, man. It’s your big day.”

Derick’s reply was low, cold. “Excitement isn’t exactly what I’m feeling right now, Gerald.”

So that was his Beta Gerald. His tone carried familiarity, loyalty, and the kind of ease only close friends shared.

“You’re about to become Alpha,” Gerald said. “The pack’s been waiting for this for years.”

“I know,” Derick replied shortly. “That’s the problem.”

“Problem?” Gerald laughed. “You finally get the power, the title, andoh wait.” His voice dropped teasingly. “Is this about your mate?”

My heart skipped.

Derick didn’t answer immediately. Then, in that deep, controlled tone, he said, “There’s nothing to talk about.”

“Nothing?” Gerald pressed, clearly unconvinced. “You haven’t even introduced her to me, man. Who is she?”

Derick’s jaw tightened audibly in his silence before he muttered, “She’s human.”

There was a pause, then Gerald chuckled softly. “A human? That’s… unexpected.”

Derick gave a bitter laugh. “Unexpected? It’s a fucking joke.”

The words hit me like a slap.

I stood frozen on the stairs, my stomach twisting painfully.

You can hear them because you’re becoming stronger, Amiela’s voice suddenly echoed in my mind — calm and steady.

But her voice faded as quickly as it came, leaving only the sound of my heartbeat pounding in my ears.

Below, Gerald spoke again, trying to keep the conversation light.

“Well… the Moon Goddess doesn’t make mistakes. There’s probably a reason for it.”

“There’s no reason,” Derick snapped quietly. “She’s not meant for this world. She’s weak. I rejected her.”

I froze completely.

Gerald’s tone shifted in disbelief. “You… rejected her?”

Derick gave a bitter smirk. “Yeah. I’ll find a replacement before the coronation.”

That was it. Something in me snapped.

Before either of them could say another word, I walked straight down the stairs, each step sharp and deliberate.

They both turned at the sound.

Gerald’s eyes widened slightly when he saw me. “Oh damn,” he muttered under his breath, his surprise almost slipping into admiration. “You didn’t tell me humans could be this beautiful. She’s… fucking gorgeous.”

Derick’s expression darkened instantly, but I didn’t stop.

I kept walking until I reached the last step and turned toward one of the guards standing by the hall. “Please,” I said, my voice calm but tight, “can you take me to Alpha Andrew’s office?”

The guard blinked, nodded, and quickly led the way.

Behind me, silence filled the room — but I didn’t care. I was done caring.

When we reached the Alpha’s office, I knocked once before stepping in.

Alpha Andrew looked up from his desk. His sharp eyes softened when he saw me. “Aria,” he said with a kind smile. “You look much better today.”

I gave a small nod. “Thank you, Alpha. I… came to thank you for your kindness, but I think it’s time I go home.”

He tilted his head slightly. “Home? The coronation is tomorrow. You’d be safe and comfortable here until then.”

“I know,” I said softly, “but I can’t stay. I have a family people who’ll be worried sick about me. I can’t just disappear on them.”

Andrew studied me quietly for a moment, then sighed. “You have a good heart, Aria. I see that.”

He leaned back in his chair. “If that’s what you wish, I won’t stop you. I’ll have someone escort you safely.”

Relief loosened the knot in my chest. “Thank you, Alpha.”

He nodded once, his tone thoughtful. “The Moon Goddess’s choices often seem cruel, but they’re never without purpose. Remember that.”

I forced a small smile. “I’ll try.”

Andrew’s eyes flickered for a moment, and then he mind-linked someone. “Derick, come to my office.”

My stomach dropped.

The door opened a minute later, and Derick walked in — composed, unreadable, every inch the Alpha-to-be.

But when his gaze landed on me, he froze.

“Alpha,” he greeted, his voice stiff.

“Aria wishes to return home,” Andrew said. “Assign one of your guards to take her there safely. No harm must come to her.”

Derick’s jaw flexed slightly. “Understood.”

Andrew turned to me again. “You’ll always have a place here, Aria.”

I nodded quietly. “Thank you.”

Then I turned toward the door.

As I walked past Derick, our eyes met only for a moment but it was enough. His face stayed cold, but his eyes… they weren’t. Beneath that hard mask, there was something else. Something that almost looked like pain.

I looked away first and kept walking.

The hall was silent except for the sound of my footsteps.

When I passed him, I could feel it, that same invisible pull, faint but alive, tugging at the part of me I wished I could silence.

But I didn’t look back. Not this time.

I was done being weak.

***

Derick’s POV

She walked past me like I didn’t exist.

And maybe I deserved that.

The moment her scent hit me, something inside twisted that same ache I’d been trying to bury since the night I rejected her.

Even though I ended the bond, I could still feel her. Not as strong as before, but still there especially when I remembered the way she kissed me.

When her eyes met mine, it hit again that spark. Faint, but alive. The connection that refused to die no matter how much I tried to kill it.

Jasper had been silent since that night. And I knew why. He hated me for what I did to her.

My father’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

“Derick, make sure she’s protected. I trust you with this.”

“Yes, Alpha,” I said quietly, lowering my head.

When we stepped out of the office, silence stretched between us like a blade.

Aria didn’t look back. Not once.

She just kept walking with her shoulders straight, head high, like she was holding herself together with pure strength.

I watched her until she disappeared around the corner, my fists clenching at my sides.

Then I called one of my most trusted guards over, my voice cold and firm.

“Follow her. Don’t let her out of your sight. I want to know exactly where she goes.”

The guard nodded and left without a word.

And I stood there, staring down the empty hall, pretending I didn’t care when deep down, every part of me wanted to run after her.