Aria’s POV
I stood there in silence, trying to make sense of everything that Erinne had just told me. My mind spun, barely able to process the revelation about my past-about my parents, about my birth. Was it even possible? Was I part witch, part werewolf? The thought made me feel almost physically sick, but I had no time to dwell on it, not in this miserable place.
I was still lying there, trying to piece together my shattered thoughts, when I heard footsteps outside the cell. A voice followed soon after, sharp and authoritative.
“Well, well, if it isn’t my precious Luna, groveling in the dirt where she belongs.”
My heart lurched at the sound of his voice. I didn’t need to turn to know who it was. Alpha Logan.
I scrambled to my feet, bracing myself. My eyes darted toward the gate, and sure enough, there he was. His presence filled the room like a dark shadow, his mouth twisting into a cruel smile. Even Erinne, who had been standing near the gate, immediately straightened and curtsied.
“I’ll be in your bedroom, Alpha,” she said sweetly, her voice filled with false affection. I couldn’t help but notice the way they exchanged looks, full of hidden meaning. It made my skin crawl.
The smugness in Erinne’s eyes only deepened as she walked past me, her shoulder deliberately brushing against mine. I didn’t flinch, but it took everything in me not to lash out.
Once Erinne was gone, Logan turned his full attention to me. He took a step closer, his boots clicking ominously against the stone floor.
“Enjoying your accommodations, Aria?” he mocked.
I tried to maintain some semblance of control, but inside, I was trembling. The recent revelations had already shaken me to my core, and now Logan was here, ready to make it all worse.
“I am sure you’ve been learning some interesting things about yourself,” he continued.
I swallowed hard, then finally spoke. “Did you know?”
Logan’s evil smile deepened. “Oh, Erinne recently told me the whole tragic tale. Quite the little secret you’ve been carrying around, haven’t you?” He leaned closer, his breath hot against my skin. “But I guess you didn’t even know it yourself.”
His words were meant to cut, and they did. Every cruel syllable dug deeper into my already raw emotions. I forced myself to meet his gaze, though it took all my strength not to look away.
“I’m sorry,” I said quietly. “I’m sorry for everything-for lying to you, for saying that Edward was yours. I… I didn’t know what else to do. I was running from a life of slavery, and I had to protect myself and my baby.”
Logan’s face immediately darkened. “You thought lying to me would save you?” His voice was icy. “You thought you could use me for protection, pretend Denderick’s child was mine?”
“I didn’t have a choice,” I replied, my voice breaking. “I was desperate. And you… you needed an heir.”
“And you thought you could give me one by lying?” Logan snapped. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”
“Please,” I begged. “I didn’t mean to hurt anyone. I just-”
“Spare me your pathetic excuses,” he spat venomously, cutting me off. “Do you think I care about your reasons? Every woman you helped to escape from that pit has been found. And do you know what’s going to happen to them, Aria?”
The blood drained from my face. “No,” I whispered. “Please, no.”
“They’re going to die,” Logan said, his voice cold and merciless. “Every single one of them will be hunted down and executed. And you will have no one but yourself to blame.”
I felt the world collapsing around me, suffocating me in guilt. “You can’t do this,” I cried, stepping toward him. “They’re innocent! They don’t deserve to die because of me.”
“Innocent?” Logan laughed bitterly. “Do you think I care about their innocence? They tried to flee. That’s all that matters to me.”
I shook my head, tears welling in my eyes. “Please, Logan. I’ll do anything. Just let them go. Don’t punish them for my mistakes.”
Logan’s eyes narrowed, and he took a step closer to me. All that stood between me and his rage was the small iron grate of my cell. “And what about you, Aria? Do you think you can escape punishment?”
I froze. “What… what are you going to do to me?”
Logan’s lips curled into a cruel smile. “You’ll suffer, just like they will. But in time…” His voice trailed off, his eyes gleaming with something dark and twisted. “In time, you’ll be reinstated as my Luna.”
I stared at him in disbelief. “What?” The word barely left my lips, my mind unable to comprehend what he’d just said.
“Oh yes,” Logan continued, his tone casual as if he was discussing the weather. “You’ll be my Luna again. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“No,” I whispered, shaking my head. “No, that’s not-”
“Of course, it is,” Logan said smoothly. “You came here, didn’t you? You lied about your child, hoping to gain power, to escape your past. Well, now you’ll have exactly what you wanted.”
I felt sick, my stomach twisting into knots. “And Erinne?”
Logan waved a hand dismissively. “Erinne? She’s nothing. A temporary amusement.”
My heart hammered in my chest. How could he be so cold, so heartless? Erinne had done everything for him, and now he was tossing her aside without a second thought. But then again, why was I surprised? This was Alpha Logan. This was who he was.
“Why are you doing this to me?” I demanded, my voice rising in desperation. “Why, Logan?”
Logan’s face twisted with rage. He reached through the iron bars and grabbed my chin roughly, forcing me to meet his gaze.
“You’re mine,” he snarled. “I own you, Aria. Your body, your soul, it all belongs to me. And I will do whatever I want with you.”
I felt my knees go weak, fear rushing through me like ice in my veins. His grip was painful, and his eyes burned with a sick obsession. I had no words, no fight left in me.
Then Logan released me with a shove, stepping back. He reached into his pocket and produced a key, jamming it into the lock of the cell.
“Get up,” he ordered.
I hesitated for a moment, then slowly rose to my feet, my body trembling. “Where are we going?”
Logan smiled again as he threw the door open. “Why, we’re going to meet your son.”