ARIA
It wasn't right.
I learned that only when rejection was mutually accepted between two parties would you feel this much agony.
Was it due to my wolf's silence? No!
My entire body gave a forceful shudder. A searing pain sliced through my heart rapidly, severing the last bit of bond I held onto into a million pieces that would be impossible to fix.
My vision dimmed, and my arm shot out, reaching for him, but Kaiden took two steps away from me.
"Take her out of my sight, now," He ordered, his voice stripped of warmth.
"No!" I howled through the pain.
Rough hands yanked me upright, barely concerned about what I was feeling.
They didn't care that I was just rejected and humiliated in the presence of the whole pack and foreigners. No one in the room cared. They all stared at me with open disgust and fury. I knew if they had as much power as Kaiden, I'd be long dead.
"Kaiden," I mewled, reaching out for him again with tears streaming down my cheeks profusely.
I managed to break free from the guards' hold and ran to him. My trembling fingers clutched the lapel of his jacket.
The room had gone quieter, the air colder, the atmosphere even more tense. But I didn't care about anything. All my focus was on Kaiden.
Kaiden's gaze was flat and unreadable. I cupped his cheeks, standing on tiptoes, I brushed my lips against his. He didn't kiss me back.
"Don't you feel this?" I sighed, pressing my body into his, reveling in his warmth. My shoulders shook intensely. Kaiden was stiff in my arms, but I didn't relent. I pushed harder.
I brought his palm to my pounding chest, peering up at him with hope shining in my eyes. His forehead creased, his jaw clenched, and his lips parted as he started to speak, but all I could hear was Lyra's voice.
"My stomach, it hurts!" Lyra suddenly cried out. She doubled over, falling to the floor in a thud.
"To the hospital, quick. I think it's the poison that Aria gave to her that's still working in her system." Selene said, running towards an unmoving Lyra.
Kaiden took a step back away from me, his upper lip curled slightly. "Your offense keeps piling up. You tried to kill my mate. How cruel can you be, Aria?"
"She's lying, Kaiden. I swear on Goddess Selene's name. Hear me out." I forced out, my voice breaking and desperate.
His eyes thinned into slits. Kaiden wrapped his hand around my wrist, tugging me. I sucked in a breath, my chest slamming into his. Instantly, his heat and scent wrapped around me, making me giddy. Every one of my senses was on alert, reacting to him.
I shot him a questioning look, wondering if he felt the same way, but the rage in his eyes made my cheek burn with shame.
"You're a liar, just like your mother!" Kaiden spat. Then he shoved me, his nose wrinkled like he smelled something foul.
I stumbled, my back smacked a guard's chest, and his hand shot out to steady me. I bit my lower quivering lip. Kaiden had never insulted my mother before. Why was he doing that now?
"Someone should take this bitch out of my sight. Do I need to yank off your hearts to take me seriously?!" he barked.
"Yes, sir!" The guards stuttered and began to drag me away.
"Please, don't let them take me away, Kaiden!" I cried, digging my heel on the ground, trying to resist their pull.
"Mother, father!" I searched the hall for them.
"Sick and tired of your scream," One of the guards grunted, then hoisted me off my feet, over his shoulder.
"Let me go, you shithead. Kaiden, please stop them!" I thumped his back several times, kicking the air and his gut. No matter how many times I cried and screamed, they didn't let me go until we were in prison.
—
I was bound with silver chains, both my hands and legs, like I was a criminal condemned for murder. Yet, my only offense was having a family that loathed me and a mate that, for some reason, couldn't stand the sight of me.
I stared unblinking at the cracked wall. I couldn't tell what time it was. I had stopped crying some while ago. I didn't think I was tired of crying; the tears just stopped coming, and only the pain of being unwanted remained in my heart.
"You know, he treats you way better than I'd have ever done." A familiar voice echoed in my cell.
"I'd have told them to cut off that ridiculous ginger hair you always flaunt in my face, thinking you're one special she-wolf," Lyra snickered as she came into view. Her eyes twinkled with mischief.
She looked as healthy as ever. Her makeup was redone in the same subtle manner; her dress was changed from the blue ballgown she had worn to a knee-length black dress that accentuated her curves.
I breathed in deeply, looking away from her to my restraint. I was slightly irritated. It'd be challenging to do what I had thought since she was outside. If only she were inside, I'd strangle her until she eventually died. At least, I'd know my punishment was well deserved.
"Cat got your tongue?" Her hands clenched the bars of the cage, immediately withdrawing her hand as it sizzled. She winced, her eyes bulging.
"A nice punishment for such an attention-seeking bitch," I snickered, tilting my head back to stare at the slate ceiling covered with cobwebs.
Another reason I couldn't go to the door was that it was doused with wolfsbane. They had done that so I wouldn't be able to escape even if I managed to free myself from the chain.
"You stinky little slut," Lyra growled.
I shrugged, rolling my eyes.
"Arrrrrgggg. Why didn't I smell it sooner?" She muttered under her breath, kicking the door.
For a brief second, she stared at her hand, shaken. I thought she'd leave after she was done, but unfortunately, she didn't. The annoyance on her face gave way to a bright, wide smile.
Lyra showed me her palms, which I believed should have scars; instead, she pulled them off, tossing them on the ground—artificial hands. "You wish I were burned. I'm not as stupid as you are, Aria. I was informed."
"Too bad," I muttered, leaning against the wall.
"I'm not here to see your ugly face. I want answers." Lyra said.
"And you think I am the right person to give you an answer? A war criminal who committed treason against her alpha and one who tried to poison his Luna?" I let out a mock gasp. "That's…shocking."
Lyra ignored my sarcastic tone and continued as if I hadn't spoken. "Kaiden rejected you, but what I didn't hear is you accepting his rejection. Why?"
"And what has that got to do with you?" I asked her.
"Because I am going to be his mate. I don't want him to be reminded about some stupid whore that doesn't know her place!"
I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. "Whore? You pushed him into accepting you, knowing he's mated to me." My voice shook. I paused, puffed out a deep breath before proceeding. "Why'd you lie? I did nothing wrong to you, Lyra. I only tried to be your sister, but all you ever did was make me look evil."
Lyra gave a half shrug, looking at me with a smug smile. "I did it because I can and I wanted to."
"Really?" I raised an eyebrow, my eyes widening slightly. That was the exact answer I expected, yet I was surprised. She just ruined my life for no reason but because she could.
Anger bubbled inside me, and I yanked the chains, gritting my teeth. "You…!"
Lyra cut me off, exclaiming. "Father!"