Chapter Nine – Died Four Months Ago
Aria gets down from the cab and hands the man a bill, she stole money from Kael, because he keeps his wallet on the couch, it was right there, how could she ignore the money, and she needs it. Boston is the way she remembers it, it feels really odd being back, she was supposed to apologize to them, until she heard Ryker and Elara were getting married, they got engaged and are throwing a party for their engagement, do people even remember her or has she just been forgotten that easily?
She knows where she is going to, so she heads in the direction, first, she walks to her apartment. In her old life – she lived few minutes away from Alpha's mansion, she does not live in an apartment building, she lived in a house, a house she inherited from her Aunty who died a while ago, Aria does not know who her parents are, according to her Aunt Chappell, her parents died when she was just three and ever since, she has lived with her Aunt, until she died when Aria was nineteen.
Life really has been tough for her, she was able to keep the house and lived alone until she started dating Ryker, the only person she had was Elara, they had been friends for over fifteen years, and yet, Elara did not hesitate to stab her in the back. She exhales and walks closer to the house, this is the last thing she has from her family and it is filled with dust, fading away into time, and this pierces her soul. Her initial plan was to get in, take some of her things and leave, but now, she does not even want to, anymore, none of her evidence of Kael being the Alpha's son will be here anyway.
She steps backward and hears someone, she turns and smiles when she sees her neighbor, Mrs. Crown.
"Hi." She says, with a small smile, because she can't be too familiar or people will start to get suspicious of her, they don't know who she is, despite her knowing them, that is an advantage she has, it can either make or break her.
"Hello dear. Are you looking for someone? The person who used to live here died four months ago, she drowned, sadly. Cassandra was such a sweet girl; drowning was not a way for her to go." Mrs. Crown says sadly and Aria frowns, freezing.
"Four months ago?" She asks, heart pounding, it has been less than a week since she came back, how was she dead four months ago, it happened less than a week ago.
"Yes, four months ago, the Pack tried to save her, but the currents are stronger than we are, why are you here, did you know her?" She asks and Aria exhales, choosing her words carefully, it has been four months since she was murdered, what happened all those months, why is she awake now, what is going on?
"Yes, I am Aria Wilder, I'm Cassandra's distant cousin. Forgive my brief amnesia about her time of death, I'm just a bit shocked and still mourning, Cassy was an amazing woman, and her death still feels like a week ago. I've been trying to work through the grief, thank you, but I have to go." She rushes out and practically runs out, her head pounding, she does not see the person until she bumps into him.
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"Aria." Kael gasps, holding her steady, she looks at him shocked, how is he here? She steps back, letting his hand fall away.
"What the hell were you thinking, don't you know you can be killed, and you didn't even have the guts to leave an actual note, you left, an Irish exit, shame on you." Luna snaps and she exhales, frowning.
"An Irish what?" She puzzles.
"Forget that. What are you doing here, Aria?" Gideon asks.
"I heard about their engagement and I had to see myself. It is not like I was planning on storming the Alpha's mansion and unleashing hell on them." She says sheepishly and Gideon narrows his gaze on her, and she shrugs.
"You are in over your head, let's go back to the Manor." Luna states and Aria shakes her head.
"How did you find me?" She asks, curious.
"Contrary to what you chose to believe, we are connected, Mates are connected." Kael declares and she ignores him, and that word.
"Look, you don't have to be here, I'm fine, also, I'm not going back to the Manor. I –I just need to be here, to see, can you blame me? While I am here, I discovered that I was murdered a week ago, but four months ago, four months, can you believe it? It is maddening, but also enlightening. One way or the other, I am going to get into the engagement party, and I need to see them." She asserts, passionately and they look at her.
"Okay. We get you into the party, but not alone, the four of us go. We need to at least put on a dress, the boys look alright, let's get some dress. Your debit card, Kael." Luna exhales, agreeing.
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Luna went a little overboard, Aria feel a bit uncomfortable in her satin long dress, but at least, Luna is wearing a satin dress, too. She tries not to be hyperaware of Kael's hand on her back, leading her in, this is the perfect cover, she has a new face and body, she and Kael are mate, so they are going as that, while Luna and Gideon are pretending to be mates. Gideon is able to let them get in, unstopped, everything is going fine and well.
Aria tries not to freak out at the fact that she is here, after so long. She is quite familiar with every aspect of this mansion, they are led in, and sandwiched amongst the crowd.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome Alpha Jacob and Queen Helena." Someone announces and Aria holds her breathe as they come into view.