Aria’s POV
A month had passed since the birth of my son, and I felt like I’d successfully covered my tracks. I sat at the table with Alpha Logan, having breakfast. Erinne was in a corner, feeding my little son, Edward.
The entire pack house seemed to be teeming with happiness since I had Edward. Even Alpha Logan walked with an extra spring to his step, announcing to all that would listen that he had a new son. But somehow, the happiness never truly touched me. I was elated, but a part of me still felt frightened by it all.
Alpha Logan placed down his fork and looked at me. “The Council of Alphas will be having their meeting in our pack house this month.”
I frowned, caught off guard. “Okay? And when is this meeting supposed to take place?”
He didn’t look at me as he continued eating. “Today.”
I froze. “Why didn’t you inform me earlier?”
Alpha Logan’s expression darkened. “I didn’t think it was necessary. This is my pack house. I make the rules, and I can do whatever I please.”
His callous tone only fueled my anger. “But I am your Luna, am I not? I have the right to know about these things. You can’t just spring this on me at the last minute.”
Suddenly he slammed his hand on the table, making the dishes rattle. “Don’t raise your voice at me, woman! I don’t need to explain myself to you.”
Fear immediately gripped my heart. However, I stood up, my hands trembling with rage. “This isn’t just about you, Logan! This pack house is my home too. I deserve respect, and you should have told me.”
Logan stood as well, towering over me. “You forget your place, Aria. I am the Alpha. My word is law. If I decide to host the Council without informing you, that’s my prerogative.”
I shook my head in disagreement. “And you forget that as your Luna, I have responsibilities and duties. How am I supposed to fulfill them if you keep me in the dark?”
“Luna? That is just a title!” His eyes flashed with anger. “Your primary responsibility is to bear my son and ensure his well-being. Everything else is secondary.”
My chest tightened with frustration. “I am more than just a vessel for your heir. I am your partner, your equal. You cannot treat me like this.”
Logan’s jaw clenched, and he took a step closer, his voice dripping with venom. “Partner? Equal? You’re nothing more than a pretty decoration. You are only here to secure my lineage. Don’t delude yourself into thinking you have any real power here.”
“Logan!” I called in disbelief. “Don’t say that!”
Logan scoffed. “Watch me.”
The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife. Even Erinne looked up from her corner, her eyes wide with concern.
His words cut deep, but I held my ground. “I am your Luna, and you will respect me.”
He sneered. “I don’t take orders from you. Remember your place, Aria. You’re only here because you carry my son. Without that, you’re worthless. You’ve done nothing to earn any respect around here. You’re just a breeding machine, nothing more.”
I moved to stand up from the dining hall, intending to storm out. But as I was about to do this, Alpha Logan grabbed my hand and violently yanked me back. I stumbled, hitting my side against the table, the sharp pain causing a gasp to escape my lips.
Logan callously towered over me, his eyes dark with fury. “I didn’t give you permission to walk away. Who do you think you are to do such, anyway?”
I looked up at him, my breath hitching. His presence was menacing, and I could feel the venom in his words. Deep within me, hatred for this man was roiling. It felt like it would eat me up from inside.
“The Council of Alphas will want to see you,” he continued, his voice low and threatening. “My new Luna and the mother of my heir.”
I tried speak, but his hand slipped up towards my neck and held on.
He leaned closer, his face inches from mine. “You will eat well and get yourself prepared to meet them, or I will punish you in ways you can’t even begin to imagine.”
Hot tears streamed down my face as I nodded, the fear gripping my heart. I didn’t dare defy him now, not when he was in this state.
“Still have something to say, my dear Luna?” He snarled, pressing down on my neck. “Do you still want to openly defy me?”
I couldn’t say a single word in response to him. All I could do was stand there and have the defiance choked out of me. Tears gathered in my eyes, threatening to fall.
Slowly, I shook my head, letting him know I had nothing else to say. Alpha Logan smiled and straightened up, his gaze still fixed on me. “Very good.”
In that moment, a guard entered, bowing slightly. “Alpha Logan, you have a visitor.”
Logan’s grip tightened for a moment before he released me, shoving me away. “Go back to your food,” he ordered, his voice cold.
I staggered back to my side of the table, my body aching from the rough handling. The pain radiated from where I had hit the table, a dull throb that seemed to intensify with every breath. I lowered myself into my chair, my legs trembling. The food on my plate swam before my eyes, and the thought of eating turned my stomach. But the physical pain was nothing compared to the aching in my heart.
My side throbbed hard. I gingerly touched the sore spot, wincing at the tenderness. The ache seemed to seep into my bones, making every movement a challenge.
How much longer could I endure this? How many more days would I have to pretend to be the perfect Luna, all while suffering under his oppressive rule?
The door opened behind me, but I paid no heed to it. I was focused more on picking up the fork before me with trembling fingers.
Then, I heard the visitor’s voice. My heart skipped several beats. I quickly recognized it. Why did I recognise it so well?
The visitor stepped inside the dining hall, his footsteps echoing on the ground. Slowly, I turned to take in this mysterious visitor.
He was tall, a very dark and imposing figure, with shoulder length, sandy hair. His eyes were green and intense, framed by strong, handsome features. Then slowly, I looked up and met his gaze.
It was Alpha Denderick.