Never let go
A shadow stretched over the moon, casting a strange imbalance across the Blackwood gardens. Damien stood at the edge, heart pounding, waiting for the man who had stolen the love of his life—his cousin Dante. Every step Dante took toward him radiated pride and power, that unreadable expression on his face only making Damien’s chest tighten further.
“To what do I owe this visit, cousin?” Dante asked, stopping directly in front of Damien, towering over him like a predator.
“Reject your mate, Aria,” Damien said, his voice cold and steady, every word sharp with authority.
Dante laughed, dark and mocking. “And why would I do that?” His silver eyes glinted dangerously.
“Because she’s mine, Dante,” Damien snapped. “I know you’ve always wanted her, but she belongs to me. Reject her, or—”
“Or what?” Dante took a step closer, his presence suffocating.
“I’ll tell the pack everything,” Damien said, his jaw tight. “The blood on your hands… your secrets. Everyone will know.”
Dante’s laugh was low, terrifyingly confident. “You think that scares me, Damien? Face it—the Moon Goddess chose her for me. And don’t worry… I’ll make sure you see how I claim her.”
Damien’s fists clenched at his sides. “I’ve already seen enough. But know this—I will never give up on her.” He turned and walked away, leaving Dante’s cold, calculating gaze on him.
⸻
Morning came at Aria’s home. She sat on the edge of her bed, fingers twisting nervously, while Lila perched beside her.
“I don’t… I don’t know what’s happening,” Aria admitted, voice trembling. “Last night, Dante… the bond—it’s real. It’s like he’s part of me now. Pulling at my heart, my mind, my body. I feel it everywhere, and I can’t ignore it. It’s beautiful, and terrifying, all at once.”
Lila squeezed her hand gently. “That’s the mating bond, Aria. Once it awakens, it doesn’t just touch your heart—it touches your soul. The Moon Goddess pairs mates for a reason. You can fight it, but the pull only grows stronger. You have to figure out what your heart really wants… before it’s too late.”
Aria bit her lip, staring at her hands. “I love Damien… but I can’t deny it—I feel something for Dante. I can feel it, Lila. And I’m scared.”
“Come here,” Lila said, pulling her into a hug. “It’ll be okay. What about Mandy?”
“She hasn’t spoken to me since last night,” Aria murmured, rubbing her eyes.
“And Dante?”
“He just texted me, saying he loves me. But he’s avoiding the fact that we’re not mates… yet.”
“I know he’s heartbroken. This bond—you’ve both waited years for it,” Lila said softly.
“It hurts,” Aria whispered. “I can’t be with him, and at the same time, I feel guilty for Mandy. She’s always had a crush on Dante.”
“She must be heartbroken,” Lila said, rolling her eyes. “But honestly, can you blame her? Dante is… tempting.”
A knock at the door made them both jump.
“Come in,” Aria called.
“Miss, Master Dante is here to see you,” the maid announced. Aria and Lila exchanged a nervous glance.
Aria found Dante sitting in the lounge, relaxed but commanding, dressed all in black, radiating power.
“What do you want, Dante?” she asked, trying to keep her tone steady.
“I’m here to see my Luna,” he said, rising, towering over her effortlessly.
Aria rolled her eyes. “Be specific.”
“I want to take you out on a date,” he said.
“Of course you do. I’m not interested,” she replied sharply, stepping back. “And don’t think that what happened between us that night… changes anything. It was a mistake.”
Dante’s smirk was dangerous, knowing. “A mistake? When you moaned my name? When you asked me to go deeper?”
“What?!” a voice shouted. Both turned to see Mandy standing in the doorway.
“Fuck…” Aria muttered under her breath, while Dante only smirked, clearly enjoying her panic. Aria’s heart sank—she knew Mandy might tell Damien, and she wasn’t ready to face him, not yet.