Chapter 8 Puppy’s Promise

The dawn came heavy and gray, as if the sky itself mourned what had happened the night before. Aiden hadn’t slept. The echo of Damian’s voice still rang in his ears—mocking, powerful, cruel.

“Too late for that, little Omega.”

Even after Selena had dismissed him in fury and shame, Aiden couldn’t leave the thought of her standing between two worlds—one ruled by duty, the other by her heart.

He was the lowest of them all, yet somehow, he had found himself in the middle of their storm.

The pack grounds were alive with whispers when he emerged from his quarters. Eyes followed him, some with scorn, others with thinly veiled amusement. The Omega who dared to stand near the Luna. The boy who thought he mattered.

He tried to ignore them. Tried to hold his head high. But their voices slithered through the air.

“Did you see him? Following her around like a lost pup.”

“Maybe she likes pets.”

“He’ll be lucky if he’s not exiled for it.”

Each word bit deeper than the last. Still, he didn’t stop walking—not until he reached the training grounds where Selena stood, surrounded by high-ranking wolves.

Her silver hair glimmered like moonlight against the dull morning. She was calm, collected, the perfect Luna once more. Not the woman who had trembled beside him hours ago.

When she saw him approach, her eyes flicked toward him for only a second before she turned away.

That second, however, was enough.

He bowed low. “Luna.”

Her expression didn’t change. “Aiden,” she said quietly. “You shouldn’t be here.”

“I know.” He kept his head down. “But I need to speak with you.”

Damian, standing nearby with a knowing smirk, chuckled. “Let the little Omega speak. Perhaps he wants to pledge his puppy love before everyone.”

Laughter rippled through the ranks.

Selena’s jaw tightened. “Enough.”

Her tone silenced them instantly. Then, turning to Aiden, she added under her breath, “Not here.”

Later, in the quiet of the Luna’s chamber, she stood facing the window, the soft hum of tension between them almost tangible.

“You shouldn’t have come,” she said without turning.

“I couldn’t stay away.”

Her reflection in the glass looked distant, almost ghostly. “Aiden… last night was a mistake.”

He flinched. “Do you regret it?”

“I regret that you’re caught in this,” she whispered. “That I let my loneliness become your burden.”

He stepped closer. “You didn’t use me, Selena. You needed someone to believe in you—and I do.”

Her eyes flicked to his in the reflection, uncertain, almost pained. “Belief doesn’t protect you. Damian could have had you punished.”

“I don’t care what he does.”

“You should.”

“I can’t,” he said simply. “Not when it’s about you.”

Finally, she turned to face him fully, her gaze sharp and shining. “You’re an Omega. You don’t understand what loyalty costs.”

“Then teach me,” he said, voice trembling but steady. “Because I’m not giving it up.”

She opened her mouth to argue, but the words never came. Something in his eyes silenced her—something pure and fierce all at once.

Then, he dropped to one knee.

Selena froze. “Aiden—”

He bowed his head, his hands pressed to his chest. “I, Aiden of the Silver Moon Pack, swear eternal loyalty to you, Luna Selena. No matter what they call me, no matter what I lose, I will stand by you. Even if it breaks me.”

Her breath caught.

“You can’t mean that,” she whispered.

“I do.”

Tears glimmered in her eyes, though she quickly blinked them away. “Why would you do this?”

“Because no one ever stood for me,” he said quietly. “But I’ll stand for you. Always.”

Her lips parted, trembling slightly, but she didn’t speak. Instead, she stepped forward, her hand hesitating in the air before resting on his hair.

“Get up,” she said, her voice soft as moonlight. “Before someone sees.”

When he rose, her eyes lingered on him—conflicted, fragile, almost afraid. “You don’t know what you’ve promised,” she whispered. “There are wolves who would tear you apart just for saying it.”

“Let them try,” he said. “I meant every word.”

A faint, broken smile touched her lips. “You’re too loyal for this world, Aiden.”

He shook his head. “No. Just loyal to the wrong people… until now.”

Her smile faded. For a moment, he thought she might step closer—but instead, she turned away, her hands trembling at her sides.

“You should go,” she said quietly. “Before someone misunderstands again.”

He nodded slowly, though his heart resisted every step away from her.

Outside, the world felt colder. The whispers hadn’t stopped—they never would—but they no longer mattered.

He had made his promise, and no one could take it back.

But as he crossed the courtyard, a shadow stepped into his path.

Damian.

The Alpha’s dark eyes glinted with amusement. “You think you’re clever, Omega?” he drawled. “That vow you just made—it’s going to be your undoing.”

Aiden met his gaze, silent.

Damian leaned in, his voice a low growl. “You want to protect her? Then be ready to bleed for it.”

Then he smiled, the kind that made the air turn to ice. “Because I always break what she tries to love.”

Aiden didn’t flinch. “Then maybe this time, you’ll fail.”

Damian’s smirk faltered, just for a second.

“Brave words,” he said softly. “Let’s see how long they last.”

As Damian walked away, the echo of his boots lingered like a threat.

Aiden stood alone beneath the gray sky, his heart pounding, his vow burning in his chest like fire.

He didn’t know what storm he had just called down upon himself—only that he would never take it back.