Aria's Pov
I stood in front of the house Darian had rented for me. My heart felt like it would burst from my chest. This place had been my home for the past year, and now I had to leave it behind. Davina, my inner wolf, whispered, "Stay calm, Aria. You're doing the right thing. The man slut doesn't deserve you, anyway."
"Goodbye, house," I sighed, shifting back into my human form. I was completely naked and vulnerable. The large garden around the house looked peaceful, but my emotions were anything but.
As I cautiously stepped onto the porch, I noticed a dozen werewolves and a few human orphans sprawled out, fully asleep. They were all friends from the orphanage who had come for my birthday last night. I had to be careful not to wake them as I crossed between their sleeping forms.
"Something's not right, there is a weird smell in the house," Davina murmured inside me.
"Don't worry, we won't be here long," I reassured her. "Just need to get some clothes, cash and an old phone to call Sage."
When I reached the staircase, I glanced at the kitchen. The huge white and pink cake Darian had ordered for me was cut in half, probably shared among the guests last night. But what caught my eye was the big jar of lemonade drink that Scarlett always insisted on offering me each time we saw each other. It was almost empty.
"Good riddance," I thought, but shook it off and headed upstairs.
I quietly opened my bedroom door, only to find Darian and Scarlett, completely naked and entwined in each other's arms on my bed. My heart shattered into pieces. They were fully asleep.
The faint scent of sex clung to the air, reminding me that they had spent the entire night in my bedroom. It seemed like the walls on the left side of the room were also tainted with their presence.
My room was wretched.
"Why?" I whispered, feeling the betrayal hit me hard.
"Aria, he was never meant to be with you," Davina consoled me.
A tear slid down my cheek as I gathered my things—some clothes, cash, and the old phone that didn't seem to work. I couldn't bear to look at them any longer.
I hurried back downstairs, trying to keep my composure. As I reached the bottom, I saw Tom waiting for me. He was a year younger than me and one of the orphans from the same home.
His eyes widened when he saw me.
"Aria, are you okay?" Tom asked, concern evident in his voice.
"Tom, I need to leave," I said firmly, fighting back more tears.
"Alright, I'm with you," Tom assured me, squeezing my hand. Is everything okay, Aria?" His voice was soft, full of concern.
I hugged him tightly, feeling his warmth and the steady beat of his heart against mine. "No, it's not," I whispered.
"Last night was a disaster," he said, pulling back to look at me. "When you fled from your birthday, Scarlet came down and told everyone you're not Darian's true mate."
"She what?" My voice trembled with anger and disbelief.
"She started insulting you, saying you cheated on Darian with another man." He sighed heavily. "But we all heard them upstairs, they were having a huge fight, then sex. It was awful to hear her so most of us went to sleep on the patio or in the garden. We know they were the real cheaters."
"Thank you for defending me, Tom." I noticed the red mark on his cheek. "What happened to your face?"
"Scarlet threw a fit. She tried to crush your birthday cake, but we stopped her. She slapped me when I called her a cheater and the worst best friend in the universe.'"
"Tom, you didn't have to do that." I touched his cheek gently. Tom had always been a very loyal friend. "Don't create more problems with Scarlet again."
"Someone had to stand up for you."
I pulled up my old phone while thanking him but the screen was broken. Probably from Scarlet and Darian sex sessions last night. My room was in shambles upstairs.
Tom nodded, then handed me his phone. "Your old phone isn't working. Use mine."
"Thanks." I took the phone and dialed Sage's number. When she picked up, I quickly explained the events of last night, "Sage. Listen, I need you to come see me. I will be at the Ladder Hotel just outside of town."
"On my way," she assured me, "Sorry I was not here for you."
As I handed Tom his phone back, I stepped outside. The morning sun was rising, casting a golden glow over the landscape. Several werewolves were already awake, moving about the house ground. My heart skipped a beat when my eyes landed on him—Kaine. His presence always had a magnetic effect on me, and I couldn't resist sneaking a glance at him whenever possible.
A young werewolf was handing him some clothes, confirming my suspicion that Kaine had arrived naked.
Davina, my inner wolf, squealed with excitement. "He is here for us. The king is here for you, Aria," she whispered eagerly.
Kaine's arrival meant that things were about to change in our pack. He was the leader of one of the most powerful werewolf clans in the world, and his visit was not just a friendly reunion. It meant that he needed something from us, and I could only guess what it was.
His presence was commanding, his tall and strong frame even more impressive in the daylight. His piercing silver-grey eyes met mine, and he smirked, that insufferable expression that always made my heart race.
"Aria," he greeted, his voice deep and rich.
"Kaine," I replied curtly, refusing to call him King as I should. This was my first act of rebellion against him. There would be many others, I knew it, as my instinctual wolf side rebelled against his arrogant demeanor and domineering ways. But for now, I would play along and see what game he was playing.