Chapter 3
At sixteen, I stood by the bridge, humming a melody under the moonlight. The crisp night air carried my voice, soft yet clear, as it mingled with the distant rustle of leaves.
When the last note faded, there he was—Isaac Garcia.
His presence was commanding, his aura unmistakably Alpha, though he carried himself with a casual grace. His eyes, sharp and piercing, locked onto mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat.
“Your voice,” he said, his tone low and smooth, “it’s like the howl of the wind through the mountains—haunting, unforgettable.” He stepped closer, his scent—a mix of pine and something uniquely his—washing over me. “I’m Isaac Garcia. And you, Aria Herrera, have captivated me.”
In that moment, the world seemed to shrink to just the two of us. My wolf stirred within me, a quiet whisper of recognition, but I pushed it aside. All I could think of was him, of the way his presence seemed to anchor me in a way I hadn’t felt since losing my parents.
But now, as I stood hidden behind the shadows of the packhouse, I watched him with Halle Crawford in his arms. Their kiss was deep, passionate, a display of intimacy that felt like a knife twisting in my chest. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms, as I fought to keep my breathing steady. My wolf whimpered, a sound of pain and betrayal that echoed in the recesses of my mind.
When they finally parted, Isaac’s voice was soft, almost tender. “It’s late, Halle. I should return to my mate.”
Halle’s laugh was light, but her eyes gleamed with triumph. “Of course, Alpha. Don’t keep her waiting.”
She didn’t leave, though. I knew she was waiting for me, and I stepped out from the shadows, my head bowed in a show of submission.
“Omega,” she said, her tone dripping with mockery. “It’s not polite to spy on your superiors.”
“My apologies, Luna,” I murmured, keeping my eyes downcast.
She smirked, her voice laced with venom. “Remember your place, Aria. He’s mine in every way that matters.”
I waited until her footsteps faded before I moved, my body trembling with a mix of anger and resolve. I returned to the room where Isaac and I were supposed to begin our life as mates. The air was heavy with the scent of pine and the faint trace of Halle’s wolf scent—sharp and commanding, like betrayal.
I picked up the discarded veil from the floor, the fabric dusty and forgotten, and placed it over my head. Moments later, Isaac entered, his presence filling the room. He moved to lift the veil, his expression soft, almost loving, as if the past hour hadn’t happened.
“Aria,” he whispered, his voice warm. “You’re mine now. I’ve waited so long for this.”
His fingers brushed under my chin, tilting my face up to meet his. His eyes, still as mesmerizing as the first time I’d seen him, searched mine. But this time, I saw beyond the charm, beyond the facade.
As he leaned in, his lips inches from mine, I pushed him back, my hands steady despite the turmoil inside me.
“Alpha,” I said, forcing a smile. “We haven’t had our marking ceremony yet.”
His lips curved into that familiar, charming grin. He reached for the glasses I’d prepared, his movements smooth and unhurried. He wrapped his arms around me from behind, his breath warm against my ear as he brought the glass to my lips. I drank, the liquid bitter on my tongue, and watched as he downed his own glass.
Within moments, his body slumped, the wine laced with a sedative taking effect. I struggled to drag him to the bed, my strength waning with every step. Beneath the sheets lay Halle, unconscious from the blow I’d delivered earlier.
I lit the incense, its scent heavy and cloying, filling the room with an artificial warmth. My hands trembled as I adjusted the blankets, my heart aching with every breath.
I took one last look at Isaac, the man I’d once thought would be my everything, and stepped out of the room. The night air hit me like a wave, cold and unforgiving, as I walked away from the life I’d thought I wanted.
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