Chapter 2: The Child Must Remain Secret Until Aria Leaves
Aria's POV
Morning light hasn't even fully crept into my room when Maya bursts through the door. She's clutching files and photos, her face pale.
"I contacted friends in packs down south." She throws the documents onto my bed. "Nobody knows her."
"What do you mean?" My voice comes out flat as I pick up the top photo.
"I mean the name Serena Knox doesn't exist in any southern pack records. That abusive ex-boyfriend she claims she ran from? Total bullshit."
My fingers grip the photo tight. Maya paces the room, barely containing her rage. I spread out the documents. Security footage screenshots. Damien's car parked outside a small cottage on pack territory. Multiple times.
"Past two months. Damien visits Serena's place at least three times a week. Late night. Stays one to two hours each time." Maya points at the timestamps. "Look. Two AM. Three AM."
Each photo stings, but I'm past bleeding. Yesterday killed something in me. What's left is cold fury.
"Aria, maybe there's another explanation..."
"Another explanation?" I let out a harsh laugh. "Like he's delivering midnight snacks three times a week?"
Maya goes quiet, then grinds her teeth. "That bitch has a prenatal checkup at the pack hospital this afternoon."
I lift my head. "I'm going."
"Aria..."
"I need to hear it from his mouth. All of it."
I change into plain workout clothes. Maya helps me tie my hair back. We go over the plan like we're prepping for a mission.
"The appointment is at three. Marcus will escort her." Maya pauses. "Damien might show up too."
"Good."
"What if we're caught?"
"Then they see what happens when you betray a warrior."
The hospital sits at the center of pack territory. Maya and I split up. She keeps watch outside while I slip inside. The smell of disinfectant hits my nostrils. The hallway is quiet except for occasional footsteps.
I hide in a storage closet across from the exam room, leaving the door cracked just enough. I can see everything and hear every word. My back presses against the wall as I control my breathing. Phone on silent, gripped in my hand. Every muscle ready.
The exam room door opens. Marcus Collins walks out holding a file. Then Damien, his hand supporting Serena's waist, guiding her carefully.
Seeing that nearly makes me bolt. But training kicks in. I stay still. I need to hear this.
"Miss Serena's doing well. Baby's developing normally, all indicators healthy," Marcus says.
"Good." Damien sounds relieved.
Marcus hesitates. "Alpha, how long are we keeping this quiet?"
The silence that follows is suffocating. I can hear my own heartbeat.
"The child stays secret until Aria leaves." Damien's voice is low but clear. "Father said the pack can't be without an heir. Aria's situation is too unstable."
I bite down hard. Unstable? I bled for this pack, and now I'm unstable?
"Alpha, with respect, this isn't fair to Miss Storm. She got injured fighting for the pack, which caused..."
"I know!" Damien's voice rises. "You think I don't know?" A pause. His tone turns exhausted. "But I don't have a choice. If the pack has no heir, the Elders won't let me inherit the Alpha position."
Marcus sighs. "Then what about Miss Storm? How are you gonna handle this?"
Long silence. "She'll understand." His voice drops to almost a murmur. "Or better yet, she won't find out."
That moment, I finally get it. I was never his choice. Just a temporary solution. A spare part he can toss aside.
Then that sickly sweet voice pipes up.
"Damien, you really think she'll understand?" Serena's tone is cloying. "Whatever. Doesn't matter anyway. Once the full moon ceremony passes, Aria will leave on her own when she finds out about the baby."
Damien's body stiffens, but he says nothing. Just stands there.
"She's too proud to be the second woman. Then you can marry me for real." Serena pauses. "And the Elders already agreed, right? They said as long as I give birth to the heir, they'll give me the Luna position."
Damien doesn't contradict her. Doesn't deny it. Silent.
My hand grips the closet door handle, veins bulging. But I force myself to keep listening. Need to hear everything.
"We proceed as planned. I'll complete the marking with Aria at the full moon ceremony so pack members won't suspect. After that..." He pauses. "We deal with it later."
So that's it. Mark me first, bind me, then tell me the truth. By then even if I want to leave I can't. A rejected mate dies from the soul bond breaking. Perfect plan. Perfect calculation.
But they got one thing wrong.
Aria Storm never follows anyone else's script.
I slip out like a ghost. Maya waits outside. Seeing my face, she rushes over.
"How'd it go?"
"I heard enough." My voice is eerily calm. "Get the car. We're going to see the Elders."
"What?!" Maya looks shocked. "Aria, you can't..."
I turn, eyes sharp. "I can't what? Stand by while they play me? Let them mark me first, then tell me the truth, trap me in that bond?"
"But confronting the Elders directly... they'll..."
"They'll what? Kick me out?" My voice gets colder. "I'm leaving anyway. But before I go, I'll make sure everyone knows Aria Storm is nobody's pawn."
I stride toward Maya's car. Phone off, tossed in my bag. I straighten my clothes like I'm gearing up for battle.
Maya catches up, grabbing my arm. "Fine. Then I'm coming with you."
I look at her. "This will destroy your standing here."
"Screw the pack." She grinds her teeth. "You're my sister."
The Council chamber door is heavy oak. Portraits of past Alphas line the walls, their eyes seeming to judge everyone who enters.
I push open the door. Don't knock. Don't ask.
The slam makes everyone turn.
Six Elders sit around the long table, faces frozen. Damien's father, current Alpha Alexander Blackwood, sits at the head. His expression darkens instantly.
"I have something to say." My voice rings out clear, filled with authority. "About Serena Knox, about that so-called heir, and about your lies."
An Elder speaks up. "Miss Storm, this is the Council chamber, you cannot simply..."
"Simply what? Simply expose your conspiracy? Simply ruin your perfect scheme?" I cut him off with a cold laugh.
Alpha Alexander rises, Alpha pressure rolling out. "Watch your attitude, Storm."
I don't back down. My wolf roars inside. "My attitude?" I laugh. "You should watch your own faces."
Urgent footsteps echo down the hall.
The door bursts open.
Damien rushes in, clearly straight from the hospital. His hair is messy, panic written all over him.
Our eyes collide.
His eyes hold panic, guilt, pleading.
