3#03

3

Aria's Perspective

Nicho's inquisitive tone faded as my cool, detached response silenced him. His breathing faltered, but I didn't wait for an answer. Ending the conversation, I reclined in the passenger seat, gazing out at the shadowy woods as the vehicle raced towards my pack's domain.

The instant I exited the car, my wolf stirred uneasily. The moon hung high, its radiance casting a silvery glow over the treetops. It felt as if it was observing me, aware of the inner turmoil I was experiencing. My phone vibrated in my pocket, snapping me back to reality. Nicho's work group chat had exploded with activity. The number of unread messages had soared.

Unable to resist, I opened it. The first thing that caught my eye was an image Selena had shared—a picture of Nicho crouching to repair her cabin's electrical wiring, his shirt clinging to his body from exertion. My wolf emitted a low growl within me.

"Is there any Alpha as thoughtful as ours?" Selena's caption inquired. "I'd dedicate my life to the pack's success! Can I sign up for a lifetime commitment?"

Beneath her message was a deluge of responses from the pack's enforcers and betas.

"I've never witnessed Alpha Nicho like this. The tales of his perfectionism seem unfounded here!"

"Look at that physique. I bet he could fix much more than just wiring."

"Selena, stop flaunting. We all know you're destined to be the future Luna!"

I gripped my phone so tightly it made a creaking sound. She was expertly weaving her web, connecting Nicho to her in every visible way. When I had been at his side, Nicho had done the same—sharing snippets of us training, patrolling, or enjoying laughter around the campfire. Back then, our bond had felt unbreakable. Now, I was merely a shadow in his past, and Selena occupied the place where I once stood, basking in the warmth of his attention.

I closed the chat and blocked the notifications. My decision to move forward felt right, despite the pang of loss that clawed at my heart. Shaking off the ache, I entered the cabin that had been my home for so long. Eight years—an eternity in werewolf terms—was contained within these walls. Memories clung to every nook and cranny, every fissure in the wood. But tonight, I would leave them behind.

My wolf whimpered softly as I began packing my belongings, and my eyes fell upon the large leather-bound book resting on the coffee table. It was our "album," a tradition Nicho had insisted upon. Each photograph inside captured a moment from our years together—his vow to give me 9,999 memories before making me his Luna. He'd said he wanted me to choose him, not because of the mate bond, but due to his devotion.

The album was nearly complete, with just one blank page remaining. But all those promises now felt empty, shattered by the way he had drifted into Selena's embrace. My wolf growled again, a mixture of melancholy and rage that mirrored my own emotions.

I lifted the album and carried it outside to the clearing where the pack often held bonfires. The moonlight illuminated the open area as I knelt to build a small fire. When the flames took hold, I placed the album on the kindling and watched it burn, the edges curling and blackening. Smoke rose into the air, carrying away years of love, promises, and heartache.

Nicho appeared moments later, his scent reaching me before I saw him—pine and something uniquely his. He halted at the edge of the clearing, his eyes fixed on the burning album. Panic instantly etched itself on his face as he sprinted forward.

"What are you doing?" he roared, his Alpha command reverberating through the night air.

I didn't flinch. His authority no longer held sway over me.

He lunged toward the fire, attempting to retrieve the album, but the flames were too intense. He hissed as the heat seared his hands, the skin reddening immediately. Despite the pain, he stomped on the remains, trying to extinguish the blaze that consumed our past.

"You're out of your mind!" he shouted, turning on me, his amber eyes glowing with fury. "Do you even comprehend what you've done? Years of memories, gone! Why, Aria? Why would you do this?"

I met his gaze, my wolf rising within me. "Because memories are meaningless if the promises tied to them are broken. You wanted to give me 9,999 reasons to choose you, but you allowed Selena to take over before we even reached the conclusion."

His jaw clenched, his wolf flickering in his expression. "You don't understand. Selena—"

"Selena," I interrupted, my voice steady. "Has claimed what you've permitted her to. You think I'm blind to her actions? The photo in the group chat, the comments, the way she clings to you—it's all calculated. And you've allowed it to happen."

He took a step closer, his voice softening. "Ellie, it's not what you think. She's part of the pack, and as Alpha, I have a responsibility to—"

"Stop." I raised a hand to silence him. "Don't insult me by pretending this is merely pack business. You've made your choice, Nicho. Now, I'm making mine."