Aria sat by the small fire she had made, gaping into the fluttering dears. The cold wind whispered through the trees, reminding her that she was truly alone. She pulled her worn cloak tighter around herself, trying to fight off the bite.
" How did it come to this?" Aria whispered to herself, her voice breaking." How did I lose everything?"
She flashed back the treason, the way Damon had looked at her, so cold and distant. The way Selena had smiled, was full of malignancy. It still hurt, like a crack that refused to heal.
" Why did they do this to me?" she murmured, her hands clinging into fists." I gave them everything. I was their Luna. I loved them."
The grief was still fresh, but something different was growing inside her — a hard, unyielding resoluteness. She was not going to give up. She wasn't going to let them win.
" I'll survive this," she said, her voice stronger now." I'll find a way to come back."
As she sat there, gaping into the fire, she began to feel something she hadn't felt before. A presence, gentle yet important, watching over her. It was as if the moon itself was assuring her, giving her strength.
" The Moon Goddess," Aria breathed, looking up at the sky. The moon shone brightly, its light piercing through the darkness." Are you watching over me?"
She felt a strange peace marshland over her, and for the first time in days, Aria allowed herself to hope.
" I'll survive," she repeated, her voice establishment." And I'll return."
The days passed sluggishly; each one filled with struggle.
Aria hunted for food, erected harbors, and kept moving, always staying one step ahead of the troubles in nature. But she was growing weaker, her energy draining with each passing day.
One evening, as she was gathering wood, Aria tasted something was wrong. The timber was too quiet, the usual sounds of wildlife absent. Her heart pounded in her casket as she looked around, her senses on high alert.
" Who is there?" she called out, her voice echoing through the trees.
There was no answer, but Aria knew she was not alone. She dropped the wood and reached for the small cutter she had kept hidden in her charge.
Suddenly, numbers surfaced from the murk — three of them, their faces covered, weapons drawn. Aria's heart contended as she realised who they were.
"Cutthroats," she whispered, her voice barely audible as she took a slow step back, her instincts screaming to retreat. Her heart hammered in her chest. Why are they here? Cutthroats were the pack's deadliest, most skilled hunters—trained to track, to kill, to vanish without a trace. So what in the hell were they doing in a place like this?
Her gaze flickered across their cold, calculating eyes, and a sudden, chilling thought pierced her mind.
"Damon sent you, didn't he?" She didn't ask it; she stated it, her voice carrying the weight of a certainty that could not be ignored.
One of the cutthroats stepped forward, his voice cold and impassive." He doesn't want to take any chances. You're a trouble to his rule, Aria. It's time to end this."
Aria gripped her cutter tightly, her hands pulsing." I won't go down without a fight."
The cutthroats moved by snappily, their attacks precise and deadly. Aria fought back with everything she had, slashing and dodging, her survival instincts remonstrating in. But she was outnumbered and weakened, her energy nearly gone.
One of the cutthroats knocked the cutter from her hand, transferring it flying into the backwoods. Another struck her in the side, pain firing through her body. Aria heaved, stumbling back, her vision blurring.
" This can't be the end," she allowed desperately, trying to stay on her bases." I can't let them win."
But the cutthroats were grim. They attacked again, and this time, Aria couldn't defend herself. She fell to the ground, her body too weak to move, her strength fading.
The lead cutthroat stood over her, his weapon raised." Goodbye, Aria."
He struck, and everything went dark.
Aria drifted in darkness, the pain fading down. She was light, floating in a void, her consciousness fading. Was this the end? Was this how it all ended?
But also, a soft light began to grow in the darkness, warm and gentle. Aria felt herself being pulled toward it; her heart filled with a strange sense of peace.
" Aria," a voice called out, soft and lyrical.
Aria opened her eyes and set up herself standing in a beautiful meadow, bathed in moonlight. The pain was gone, replaced by a soothing warmth. In front of her stood a woman, radiant and glowing, her presence both comforting and important.
" The Moon Goddess," Aria whispered, falling to her knees." You've come to me."
The goddess smiled; her eyes filled with kindness." Yes, Aria. I've watched over you, and I've seen your suffering. You have been betrayed, but this isn't your end."
Aria felt gashes well up in her eyes." I'm dying. I fought as hard as I could, but I wasn't strong enough."
The Moon Goddess knelt beside her, placing a gentle hand on Aria's shoulder." You have fought bravely, but your trip isn't over. I'm giving you an alternate chance, Aria. A chance to right the wrongs done to you."
Aria looked up, hope fluttering in her heart." An alternate chance? How?"
The goddess's smile grew wider." I'll grant you a new life, in a new body. You'll be stronger, briskly, and more important than ever ahead. With my guidance, you'll return to your pack and reclaim what's rightfully yours."
Aria's heart swelled with determination." I swear, I'll take this chance. I'll seek justice for what was done to me."
The goddess jounced." also rises, Aria. Rise and become the wolf you were always meant to be."
The goddess touched Aria's forehead, and a brilliant light enveloped her. Aria felt a swell of energy, her spirit lifting. She could see a vision of herself in a new body stronger, fiercer, with eyes that burned with determination.
" I'll return," Aria pledged, her voice filled with resoluteness." And I'll reclaim my place."
Aria awoke with a launch, her senses sharp and alert. She was no longer, no longer in her old, weakened body. She was in a new place, in a new body. Her mind contended as she looked around, taking in her surroundings.
" I'm alive," she whispered, touching her face, feeling the strength in her branches." I'm alive!"
She stood up, her movements fluid and important. Her senses were heightened, every sound and scent sharp and clear. She felt the power coursing through her modes, the strength of a true legionnaire.
The Moon Goddess's voice echoed in her mind." You're now Lyra, a member of the White Claw pack, a neighbouring pack. Use this new life wisely, Aria."
Aria no, Lyra nodded, a fierce determination settling in her heart." I will, Moon Goddess. I will."
She tested her new capacities, running through the timber with inconceivable speed, her senses guiding her painlessly. She was stronger, briskly, more important than she had ever been ahead.
As she stopped to catch her breath, Lyra looked up at the sky, the moon shining brightly above her." I'll return to the Moonlight Pack," she pledged, her voice strong and unvarying." I'll take back what's mine. And those who betrayed me will pay."
The wind whispered through the trees, carrying her words far and wide. Lyra stood tall, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
The Moonlight Pack hadn't seen the last of her.
And this time, she'd not fail.