Aria's departure from the One Order was a silent rebellion. Her decision to leave wasn't made lightly, she had weighed every consequence, every oath she had sworn to the Order.
Her betrayal was unforgivable in the eyes of the One Order. To forsake her duty as a lieutenant, a rank achieved through years of sacrifice and loyalty, was an act punishable by death. But for Aria, being a mother meant more than being a soldier. She sought a life of freedom for her daughter, away from the endless wars and political machinations that defined the supernatural world.
Aria fled to England. She settled in a quiet countryside village, choosing a modest cottage hidden amidst rolling hills and ancient forests. Life here was simple, almost idyllic. It was a stark contrast to the world she had left behind, a world of combat, power struggles, and unrelenting discipline. Here, she could be nothing more than a mother, a storyteller, and a guardian to her child.
In those early years, Aria dedicated herself to raising Celestial with a blend of human traditions and the wisdom she had gathered in her supernatural life. By the fireplace, she would sing lullabies. She wove stories of mythical creatures, both real and imagined, painting a world of wonder for her wide-eyed daughter. Celestial's laughter filled the cottage, a sound that gave Aria hope even as she wrestled with the knowledge that her past might one day catch up with her.
Celestial's father, Marcus, visited often, though his appearances were fleeting. As an alpha of the Everscent pack, his responsibilities weighed heavily on him. Yet he made time to see his daughter, ensuring she knew his presence and love. Their bond grew steadily with each visit, as he played with Celestial in the garden or told her tales of his pack's history. For a brief time, their little family seemed untouched by the dangers lurking beyond their secluded haven.
When Celestial turned two, Aria began to show signs of illness. But as weeks turned into months, her condition worsened. Her once-vibrant complexion grew pale, her strength waning with each passing day. By the time Marcus arrived for one of his visits, the illness had taken a visible toll.
"Aria, you need help," Marcus said, his voice thick with concern as he crouched by her bedside.
She managed a weak smile. "It's nothing... I've faced worse."
But Marcus wasn't convinced. He summoned the best healers he could find, both human and supernatural. They tried everything, herbs, spells, even ancient rituals whispered about in his pack's lore. Yet nothing worked. Aria's condition defied explanation, as if the illness was tied to something deeper.
Despite her declining health, Aria refused to let her illness dampen her time with Celestial. She spent her remaining strength teaching her daughter the songs of her people, the stories of her ancestors, and the values she held dear. Celestial, too young to understand the gravity of her mother's condition, simply reveled in her presence, clinging to every moment of joy they shared.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Aria called Marcus to her side.
"She's special, Marcus," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Promise me... you'll protect her. No matter what."
Marcus nodded, his throat tight with emotion. "I swear it."
The next morning, Aria passed away, her hand resting gently on Celestial's tiny fingers. Her death left a void that neither Marcus nor Celestial could fully comprehend. For Celestial, the loss was a crushing blow, one that reignited old wounds from battles fought and loved ones lost.
Marcus carried Aria's body back to the Everscent pack, her lifeless form wrapped in a shroud of white linen. The journey was somber, each step heavy with grief. As he approached the pack's territory, whispers spread among the werewolves who recognized him. The sight of the alpha carrying the body of his mate stirred a mix of sorrow and unease.
News of Aria's death reached the One Order soon after. Despite her betrayal, the council decreed that she be buried with the honor and dignity befitting a lieutenant. It was an unprecedented act of mercy, one that shocked even Marcus.
A messenger arrived at the pack's borders, bearing the One Order's directive. Marcus initially resisted, unwilling to surrender Aria's body to the very organization that had condemned her. But after much deliberation, he relented. Deep down, he knew Aria would have wanted her death to bring some semblance of peace between the factions she had tried to escape.
The burial was held at the One Order's sacred grounds, a secluded forest where fallen warriors were laid to rest. Celestial was too young to understand the significance of the ceremony, but she clung to Marcus's hand, sensing the somber atmosphere.
As the council members recited the rites, Marcus stood apart, his heart torn between anger and sorrow. He couldn't ignore the hypocrisy of the One Order honoring Aria in death after branding her a traitor in life. Yet, as her body was lowered into the earth, he felt a flicker of solace, knowing she would not be forgotten.
After the ceremony, Marcus returned to the Everscent pack with Celestial. The loss of Aria marked a turning point in their lives, one that would shape Celestial's destiny in ways neither of them could foresee. For Marcus, the promise he made to Aria became his guiding principle—a vow to protect their daughter, no matter the cost.
Celestial, though too young to grasp the magnitude of her mother's death, carried the memory of Aria's love deep within her. It would become a source of strength in the years to come, a reminder of the sacrifices made for her survival.
And so, as the world continued to shift around them, Marcus and Celestial began a new chapter. But the shadow of the past lingered, a silent reminder that peace was never permanent, and the scars of loss would shape the warrior Celestial was destined to become.