Shadows Of The Pack (Aria and Knox)
Chapter Twenty Eight: The Mark of a Mating
Aria stood at the edge of the Moonlight Territory Border, her gaze fixed on the wolf stationed before her. The moon cast a gentle glow, illuminating the tense scene. She shot a piercing glare at the wolf, frustration evident in her expression.
"For the last time, I'm here to see Alpha Randy," she declared firmly, her voice laced with determination.
The wolf in front of her frowned even more, "Why are you here to see him?"
Aria let out an exasperated sigh, her patience wearing thin. "Are you kidding me right now? I've already told you at least five times. I want to join his pack," she responded, her voice tinged with annoyance.
The wolf's frown deepened as he continued to scrutinize her. "What happened to your previous pack?" he inquired, a note of suspicion in his voice.
Aria clicked her tongue in irritation, her eyes flashing with a hint of defiance. "I left," she retorted tersely.
"Why?" the wolf persisted, his curiosity bordering on intrusion.
"I fail to see how that is any of your business," Aria snapped, her frustration reaching its peak. "I swear on the name of the moon goddess, if you don't let me in this instant, I'm going to..."
Before Aria could finish her threat, a voice interrupted her. "Aria?"
Both Aria and the wolf turned their heads to see JB approaching them. Relief washed over her, evident in the softening of her features. "JB," she acknowledged, her voice filled with gratitude. "What are you doing here?" He asked her.
JB's eyes flickered between Aria and the wolf at the border. He then addressed the wolf, his voice calm yet authoritative. "Tom, it's okay. I'll take it from here."
Aria couldn't help but inject a touch of sarcasm into her words. "Yes, Tommmm. JB has got it from here," she remarked, her tone dripping with irony.
Tom shot her a disdainful look, his eyes narrowing, but he complied and stepped aside as JB led Aria away. A wave of relief washed over her, and she cast a grateful smile in JB's direction.
As they walked in silence, Aria followed JB's lead, allowing him to guide her towards the pack house. After a few minutes, JB broke the silence, his voice laced with concern. "What brings you here, Aria? Did something happen to Knox?"
At the mention of her mate's name, Aria's wolf growled softly, a mixture of emotions bubbling within her. Acknowledging Knox as her mate still felt foreign and unsettling. Lost in her thoughts, Aria momentarily failed to register JB's question.
"Aria?" JB's voice snapped her out of her reverie, prompting her to refocus her attention. "Did you hear me?"
"Yes, sorry," Aria responded, her voice tinged with a hint of distraction. "No, nothing happened to Knox."
Curiosity tinged JB's voice as he pressed further. "Then why are you here?"
Upon their arrival, Lilian was tidying up her hands with a towel. Her gaze shifted from her son to the beautiful she-wolf at his side, surprise evident in her eyes. "Aria? We weren't expecting you. Has something happened to Knox?"
Aria clenched her fists, suppressing the growl that threatened to escape her throat. She wished everyone would stop asking about Knox. She forced a smile onto her face, concealing the turmoil within her. "No, he's fine. I actually came here to see Alpha Randy and ask if I could join the pack," she replied, her tone composed.
Lilian observed her for a moment, a hint of skepticism in her eyes. However, she eventually let out a sigh, releasing the tension in the air. "You're Maria's daughter. You've always had a place in the Moonlight pack," she reassured Aria, her voice warm and welcoming. Turning to JB, she added, "Take Aria to one of the spare rooms, JB. She's part of the family."
Aria nodded gratefully, a glimmer of relief washing over her. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice laced with genuine appreciation.
"Of course, Aria," Lilian replied with a kind smile. "But once you're settled, we'll have a talk about this."
With JB leading the way, they traversed the hallways of the pack house. Unlike the Nightshade pack, where each wolf had their separate rooms, the Moonlight pack's chambers were interconnected. Aria's wolf growled in protest, expressing its discontent. Unfortunately for her, she was going to have to suck it up because they were never going back to the Nightshade pack. Her wolf paced in resistance that she wanted to be with their mate.
Aria let out a weary sigh, silently communicating with her wolf, urging it to understand. Their mate, Knox, had made it clear that he didn't want them. The sooner they accepted that painful truth, the better it would be for their own well-being.
As they continued their journey through the interconnected rooms, Aria took in the surroundings. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries, depicting ancient legends of werewolf history. Soft lighting emanated from delicate chandeliers, casting a warm ambiance throughout the pack house. The scent of fresh pine mingled with the subtle aroma of wildflowers, creating a comforting and inviting atmosphere.
A touch of homeliness Aria knew was of Lilian's doing.
Finally, they arrived at a spacious spare room, decorated with a blend of rustic charm and modern elegance. The wooden furniture exuded a sense of warmth, while plush cushions and soft bedding added a touch of luxury. A large window overlooked a serene courtyard, where moonlight spilled through the leaves of towering trees, creating a dance of shadows on the ground.
Aria stepped into the room, her eyes taking in every detail. She felt a glimmer of hope ignite within her. Maybe this new chapter in her life held the opportunity for growth, healing, and finding her place among the Moonlight pack. She turned to JB, gratitude evident in her eyes.
"Thank you."
JB smiled back. He gave her a gentle pat on her shoulder. A touch of affection that did not sit well with her wolf.
But she placed a smile on her face.
"Okay. I will head out now. If you need anything at all just let me know." He stopped, "I'm really sorry for whatever made you leave the Nightshade pack but I'm really glad you are here."
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Knox sat at the edge of the border, his eyes fixed upon the glowing moon that hung high in the darkened sky. A low growl escaped his wolf's throat, filled with irritation and impatience, questioning why they were simply staying put instead of actively seeking out their mate. Knox's mind was clouded with thoughts, haunted by the memories of a love betrayed and a heartbroken past.
That night, he had felt something he had never get before, the pull was strong. He wanted to claim her as his mate right in that moment but he was scared.
The wounds inflicted by Rebecca, to whom he had given his heart only to be betrayed without remorse, were still fresh. He had been left scarred, both emotionally and physically, with no desire to expose himself to further pain. And then there was Melody.
Speaking of the she-wolf, Melody suddenly appeared, halting in her steps as she noticed Knox's presence. "Knox," she acknowledged him with a respectful bow of her head, contemplating whether to approach him or not. A glimmer of gratitude flickered across her face when Knox gestured for her to join him, patting the spot next to him. With hesitant steps, she took her place beside him, and they both directed their gazes towards the serene moon above.
Melody broke the silence, her voice tinged with curiosity. "Do you think the moon goddess resides up there, in the moon?"
Knox chuckled softly. "Where else would she live? Perhaps in the sun?" The playful banter brought a brief moment of levity to their conversation. "But honestly, I wouldn't know. I've never had the privilege of meeting her."
The atmosphere shifted as Knox's expression turned serious, his eyes searching Melody's face for answers. "Why did you go along with it, Mel? Why didn't you come to me when Julian first approached you?"
Melody let out a weary sigh, her gaze dropping momentarily before meeting his again. "Honestly, I don't know. I was at the border when I saw her. I couldn't believe my eyes. I didn't think anyone had survived the brutal attack, yet there she was, alive. Julian appeared out of nowhere and snatched her away. I have no idea how she managed to survive. Since we returned, she has been in a deep slumber but all I wanted to do was get her back so I stupidly went along with him. I wanted to come to you, but with everything that happened regarding your mother—"
Her words were abruptly halted as Knox sucked in a sharp breath, the mention of his mother striking a painful chord within him. "It has been two months, Mel. You should have at least said something. Anything."
Melody's voice trembled with regret as she wiped away tears that welled up in her eyes. "I know, and I'm truly sorry. I hated every minute of it. I didn't know how much damage the crystal would cause, but when Julian asked me to poison your wolf, I realized I couldn't bear to hurt you any longer."
Knox's features softened as he wrapped his hands around her. Blood or not, she was his little sister. Siblings mess up all the time and he was honestly tired of all the anger. They stayed like that.
Melody's voice broke the silence once more, her tone filled with curiosity and concern. "Do you think the moon goddess is as beautiful as they say?"
Knox smiled, "I think she has to be."
Melody hummed thoughtfully, her gaze still fixed upon the moon. "As beautiful as Aria," she murmured, her words barely audible.