Escaping the truth

My heart skipped a beat as Kaine nodded, confirming that he was my mate.

"Yes, Aria, I am indeed your mate."

Everything seemed to spin around me and I lost my balance, almost falling to the ground. Luckily, strong arms caught me before I could hit the hard surface. The familiar warmth of his touch spread through my body, calming me instantly.

"No," I gasped, shame flooding me as I realized Kaine's magic was flowing into me again. "Stop. Enough."

The warmth receded immediately. I stumbled back, unable to look at him. My cheeks burned as I turned and fled, my feet carrying me swiftly away from the garden. I half-expected Kaine to follow, but when I glanced back, he remained rooted in place, the color drained from his face.

I wandered aimlessly through the winding corridors of the pack house, my mind reeling. How could the werewolf King be my mate? It didn't make sense. None of this made sense.

Hushed voices caught my attention and I paused, ducking behind a corner. Two nurses walked by, deep in conversation.

"...we have hardly any time for all these tests on the new students," one complained. "And that orphan the king wants extra tests on? It's too much."

My breath caught. They had to be talking about me. But why would Kaine order extra tests? What was he looking for again? More weakness? A way to make me more redeemable towards him?

I let them pass before slipping out a side door, desperate for fresh air. The sunlight was almost painfully bright after the dimness of the pack house.

I searched within myself for Davina, but she did not respond. Perhaps she was unable to, as I was currently separated from Kaine.

"Don't worry, Davina. I will find a way for us to be together forever, without his interference."

I caught a glimpse of a white werewolf image, Davina, with a sad smile on her face.

"It will be okay," she reassured me. "You just need to be patient and strengthen your abilities at the castle."

I turned to look at the other side of the garden, where a massive castle stood before me. It was the Banes Academy for Supernatural Creatures, founded by Kaine's ancestors, the Silverbane.

In one week's time, I would begin my studies here, under Kaine's control.

I blinked, spotting a familiar figure on a nearby bench.

"There you are!" Sage called, waving a paper bag. "I got us some food. I swear, the pack house makes the best burgers ever. And the cook is a friend of mine."

I managed a weak smile as I joined her. "Thanks. I'm starving."

Sage studied me with concern. "Where were you? You look like you've seen a ghost."

I hesitated, then gave her an abbreviated version of what happened with Scarlet, carefully omitting any mention of Kaine beside the obvious. Just thinking about our encounter in the garden made my cheeks flush.

"That girl is trouble," Sage growled, " But at least he didn't kill her on the spot.Come on, let's get out of here."

We were halfway to Sage's car when the screech of tires made us both jump. A sleek black vehicle came to an abrupt stop nearby. My stomach dropped as I recognized Darian's car.

He climbed out, followed by an elegant woman I knew to be Scarlet's mother, Madam Mariana, and her husband Otto. Before I could react, Mariana rushed over and engulfed me in a hug.

"Oh, Aria," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm so sorry for what Scarlett did. Can you ever forgive us?"

I stood stiffly in her embrace, unsure how to respond. "I... it's not your fault," I managed.

Mariana pulled back, her eyes searching mine. "Is she alright? After... after her suicide attempt?"

My throat tightened. "I don't know," I admitted. "I haven't seen her since it happened but they are taking care of her."

"We'll compensate you for the prejudice Scarlet has inflicted on you," Otto stated matter-of-factly, his cold blue eyes appraising me as if I were an inconvenience. "I've already reached out to my lawyers in Chicago, so there's no need to worry." He spoke as if he were negotiating a business deal.

Mariana nodded, her face drawn with worry. She and Otto hurried into the pack house, leaving me alone with Sage and Darian.

I couldn't bring myself to look at him. The betrayal was still too raw, too painful. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him take a hesitant step forward.

"Aria," he said softly. "Can we talk? Please? Just for a few minutes in the forest."

Sage let out a low growl beside me. I took a deep breath, steeling myself.

" Two minutes," I said flatly. "That's all."

-------------

The forest seemed to close in around us. I stared at Darian, the man I thought I knew, searching his face for any hint of the love I'd believed was there. My heart pounded as I forced out the question that had been burning inside me.

"Did you ever truly love me, Darian?" My voice quivered, betraying the fear I tried to hide.

He hesitated, running a hand through his chestnut hair. "Aria, I... I care about you. I really do."

"That's not what I asked," I pressed, steeling myself. "Did you ever love me?"

Darian sighed, his green eyes looking everywhere but at me. "No," he finally admitted. "I never loved you. Not in the way you deserve."

The words hit me like a physical blow. I stumbled back, steadying myself against a rough tree trunk. "Then why?" I whispered. "Why choose me? Why pretend all this time?"

"My parents," he explained, his smooth voice taking on an edge of frustration. "They pressured me to find a nice, pure girl. Someone who'd make a suitable mate for the future alpha. When I visited the orphanage, you were perfect on paper."

Bile rose in my throat. "So I was just... convenient? A tick in a box?"

"It wasn't like that," Darian insisted, reaching for me. I jerked away from his touch. "I genuinely liked you, Aria. You're kind, sweet..."

"But not enough," I finished for him, bitterness seeping into my words.

He had the decency to look ashamed. "When I met Scarlet... it was different. Immediate. Like nothing I'd ever felt before."

The name of my best friend – my sister in all but blood – pierced my heart anew. "How long?" I managed to ask.

"More than a year," Darian admitted. "I wanted to tell you so many times, but..."

"But what?" I snapped, anger finally breaking through my shock.

He ran a hand over his face. "I was afraid you might do something... drastic. You've always been so fragile, Aria. And with your inability to shift, I didn't want to burden you further."

His words, meant to sound caring, only twisted the knife deeper. "So you lied. For months. Out of pity?"

"I never meant to hurt you," Darian insisted, his charm slipping back into place. "Sweetheart, you have to understand..."

"Don't," I cut him off, my voice low and dangerous. "Don't you dare try to manipulate me now."

For a moment, genuine surprise flashed across his face. I'd never stood up to him like this before. The realization gave me a flicker of strength.

"You made a choice, Darian," I said, fighting to keep my voice steady. "You chose to lie. You chose Scarlet. And now... now I'm choosing to walk away."

I turned, ready to flee into the depths of the forest that had always been my sanctuary. Darian's hand caught my arm.

"Aria, wait," he pleaded. "We can work this out. Think about what people will say if you leave now."

I looked back at him, seeing for the first time the selfishness behind his handsome facade. "Let them talk," I said, wrenching my arm free. "I'm done living for other people's expectations."

With that, I ran, leaving Darian and the shattered remains of my old life behind. The forest embraced me as tears streamed down my face. I didn't know what the future held, but for the first time in my life, I was determined to face it on my own terms.