ARIA'S POV

When I woke, the world was silent, too silent.

I could hear the scent of herbs and smoke fill the air. My body ached everywhere, but the pain was nothing compared to the hollow weight inside my chest.

The last thing I remembered was blood, claws, and a stranger’s voice that cut through the night like thunder. “You’re safe now.”

But safe… where?

I blinked, trying to focus. I wasn’t in the Silverfang Pack anymore. The room was built from black stone, illuminated by faint blue flames flickering in wall sconces. It felt ancient, powerful, like a place that shouldn’t exist.

A door creaked open.

A woman entered, her dark hair braided tightly, wearing a leather uniform marked with the emblem of a crescent moon split in two. She froze when she saw me awake.

“You shouldn’t move yet,” she said sharply. “Alpha’s orders.”

Alpha.

My pulse quickened. “Where am I?”

“The Dark Moon Pack,” she replied. “You were found half-dead at our border.”

“The Dark Moon Pack?” I asked.

Even in Silverfang, we whispered their name like a curse. Their Alpha, Adrian Draven was said to have slaughtered entire rogue clans with his bare hands. A cursed wolf, one whose mate had died the moment he marked her.

I swallowed hard. “Who brought me here?”

The woman didn’t answer. She just gave a small, respectful bow toward the door.

“You can ask him yourself.” She said and left.

The air changed.

Power rolled through the room, cold, suffocating, commanding. The kind of dominance that made your wolf bow even if you didn’t want to.

He stepped through the doorway like a shadow came to life.

Tall. Broad shoulders. Black hair that caught the faint light. Silver eyes that gleamed like moonfire, the same eyes I’d seen before I lost consciousness.

Adrian Draven. The Cursed Alpha himself.

He said nothing at first, just watched me. His presence alone was enough to make my skin prickle.

“You’re awake,” he said finally, his voice low and deep enough to vibrate through my bones.

I pushed myself up on shaking arms. “Why did you save me?”

A flicker of something, confusion, crossed his face before disappearing. “You were bleeding out in my territory,” he said simply. “I don’t leave the dying to rot.”

His tone was detached, but his gaze lingered on my stomach for a moment longer than it should have.

“Your wounds were bad,” he added. “And you’re carrying a child.”

My heart clenched. “You know.”

“I do,” he said. “Who is the father?”

The question sliced deeper than I expected. “It doesn’t matter.”

He studied me for a long moment, then said quietly, “It matters more than you think.”

I looked away, my throat tightening. “If you’re planning to throw me out, do it now. I’ve already lost everything.”

Something dark flickered in his silver eyes, not pity, but something heavier. “No one leaves my pack until I say so.”

His voice had an edge that sent a chill down my spine, but there was something protective in it, too.

“I don’t need your help,” I said, my voice trembling. “I can survive on my own.”

He stepped closer, his scent, smoke, pine, and moonlight, filling the room.

“Then why were you dying alone in the forest?”

I froze. He was right. Yes, really right. But I hated it.

Adrian turned toward the door. “You’ll stay here until you heal. The healers will check on you twice a day. Don’t leave this wing without permission.”

“Why?” I demanded. “Afraid I’ll run?”

He paused, glancing over his shoulder. “No. I’m afraid you’ll find out what happens to those who do.”

And then he was gone, leaving me alone with the faint echo of his footsteps and the lingering scent of danger.

Days passed, but rest was impossible.

Every night, I dreamed of Rowan, his betrayal replaying like a cruel song. I’d wake gasping, clutching my belly, whispering promises to the unborn child I wasn’t sure I could protect.

The pack moved differently here. Warriors trained in silence, their discipline almost eerie. There was no laughter, no warmth, only order and obedience.

The Dark Moon Pack lived in shadows. And their Alpha ruled them like a ghost king.

But one thing was clear: no one dared speak against him.

Until one night, I wandered too far from my room.

I followed the sound of growling, sharp, brutal, animalistic. Through the courtyard, under the pale glow of the moon, Adrian was training alone.

His movements were lethal, precise, his wolf fighting just beneath the surface. I could feel his power thrumming through the ground.

Then he stopped, as if he could sense me. His gaze snapped up, finding me instantly.

“Couldn’t sleep?” he asked, voice low, dangerous.

“I didn’t mean to intrude,” I said quickly.

He tilted his head slightly. “You shouldn’t be here.”

“I just needed air.”

His eyes softened, just a fraction. “Nightmares?”

I hesitated, then nodded.

He didn’t speak again. Instead, he walked toward me slowly, each step deliberate. My wolf stirred inside me, restless, confused. When he stopped just inches away, the air crackled between us.

“Who hurt you?” he asked quietly.

I swallowed hard. “My mate.”

Something changed in his expression, a flicker of fury so deep it felt ancient. “He’ll regret it.”

I frowned. “Why would you care?”

His jaw tightened. “Because no wolf deserves to be betrayed by their bond.”

For a moment, the silence between us was electric, filled with words neither of us dared to say.

Then it happened.

He reached out, just barely, his fingers brushing mine.

A surge of energy exploded between us, hot and cold all at once. My wolf howled inside me, and his eyes flashed silver brighter than moonlight.

He jerked his hand back, breathing hard. “No…” he muttered. “Impossible.”

My heart raced. “What was that?”

Adrian turned away, his body tense, his voice rough with disbelief.

“The Goddess wouldn’t do this to me again,” he said. “Not after what happened last time.”

I took a step forward. “What do you mean?”

He looked over his shoulder, and for the first time, I saw fear in his eyes.

“Because if I’m right…” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “You’re my mate.”