Broken
Aria staggered back, her chest tight, breath coming in shallow, panicked gasps. The realization hit her like a thunderbolt: Dante wasn’t just the dangerous, alluring man who had claimed her last night—he was her mate. Her true mate. Every instinct, every fiber of her being screamed in shock and confusion. The fire that had burned within her, the pull she had mistaken for desire, was the bond—raw, unyielding, claiming her as fiercely as it had claimed him.
Her hands trembled as she pressed them to her chest, feeling the rhythm of her heartbeat align with Dante’s. The bond thrummed through her veins like a living thing. How… how can this be? Panic and disbelief warred with the heat pooling in her stomach. I’m supposed to be with Damien! I love Damien! This can’t be real…
Dante’s presence filled the space around her, magnetic and commanding. He stepped closer, silver eyes blazing, scanning her face as if he could see her soul—her confusion, her fear, her desire—all at once.
Across the hall, Damien’s chest tightened, his breath catching as he watched the unmistakable bond flare between Aria and Dante. His heart ached, raw and stabbing, freezing him in place. He had always hoped, always believed she was his—that their love could carry them through anything—but the sight of Dante claiming her shattered that illusion in an instant. Anger, heartbreak, and helplessness warred inside him, yet a stubborn part refused to let go.
He wanted to run to her, to hold her and remind her of the love they shared—but every instinct told him this bond was different, primal, untouchable. Damien’s fists clenched at his sides as tears burned his eyes. She was no longer his to claim—but he wasn’t giving up. He would return for her, for their love, no matter the odds, even if he was an omega, the “weakest link” in the pack.
In the corner, Mandy’s hand froze mid-air, the elegant dress she had been adjusting suddenly feeling like a cage. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she watched Dante claim Aria, silver eyes blazing with possessive fire. Envy, frustration, and heartbreak collided within her. She had admired Dante quietly, longed for him in secret, and now he had taken Aria as his mate, crushing her unspoken desires. Yet beneath the jealousy, a flicker of relief burned faintly—her sister was safe, wrapped in the strength of a powerful mate. Mandy’s gaze hardened as her sisterly affection slid into resentment.
The applause of the gathered pack lingered in the hall as Aria and Dante stepped forward, hands entwined, their bond radiating in the moonlight. Dante’s father, tall and imposing, approached first, a rare smile softening his usually stern features.
“Congratulations, son,” he said, voice deep and resonant. “The Goddess has chosen wisely. May your Luna bring you the strength and balance you need.”
Beside him, Dante’s mother added a graceful nod, her silver eyes gleaming with approval. Aria’s parents exchanged a glance—there was no warmth in it, only stiff politeness.
“We… congratulate you both,” her mother said carefully, tone measured, as if to remind Aria that acceptance came slowly, if at all. Yet even in their formality, there was recognition of the bond, and for the first time, Aria felt a spark of relief—some part of her family honored what the Moon Goddess had decreed, though her heart still ached as she thought of Damien leaving earlier.
“You are mine now, Aria,” Dante whispered, brushing a kiss across her knuckles. “You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this day.”
Aria looked at him, their eyes locking in tension and fire. She could feel the depth of his desire, the claim he had longed to make, and a mixture of fear, guilt, and something forbidden stirring within her. She had always known Dante wanted her—but now, with the bond blazing between them, she understood just how unstoppable and consuming that desire could be.