Ariella's POV
ARIELLA'S ROOM
Night settled over the pack house like a warning. The halls were quiet, too quiet, like even the walls knew something was about to happen. I sat on the edge of Lysa's bed, my fingers locked together as I stared at the floor, my thoughts heavy and restless.
Sky had been uneasy for a while now, shifting in and out of my mind like she wanted to say something but didn't know how.
"She's coming," she finally said.
Before I could respond, a soft knock came at the door.
My heart tightened. "Come in."
The door creaked open, and Lysa stepped inside. She looked completely worn out. Her long black hair was loose and tangled, her eyes red and swollen from crying, and her face looked pale under the dim light. She wore a dark fitted top and simple trousers, something practical, something that told me she had already made her decision.
She closed the door slowly and stood there, just staring at me like she didn't know where to start.
"Ariella…" her voice broke.
I stood up slowly. "You're leaving tonight."
She nodded, then suddenly dropped to her knees in front of me, gripping my hands tightly.
"Please," she whispered, her voice shaking badly. "Come with me."
My chest tightened painfully.
"I can't do this alone," she continued, tears spilling down her face. "I thought I could, but I can't. I'm scared, Ariella. I'm really scared."
Sky softened instantly.
"She means it."
I swallowed hard, looking down at her.
"I told you not to go," I said quietly, my voice steady but firm.
"I know," she said quickly, almost desperately. "I know you did. But I can't just sit there and watch him die. I feel him, Ariella. Every second… I feel him slipping away from me."
Her grip tightened.
"You don't understand what that feels like."
Her words stung, but I didn't step back.
"I understand enough," I replied. "That place is dangerous. People don't come back from there."
"I will," she said immediately.
"You don't know that," I snapped slightly, my emotions rising. "You're not thinking clearly."
Her expression changed instantly.
"So now I'm not thinking?" she shot back.
"I'm saying you're desperate," I replied, my voice firm. "And desperation will get you killed."
Silence filled the room.
Her eyes hardened.
"I'd rather die trying to save him than sit here doing nothing," she said.
That hit deep.
But I didn't back down.
"Then you're choosing death," I said quietly.
Her face fell for a second, then anger replaced it completely.
"Fine," she said sharply, standing up. "Then stay here."
I clenched my hands but said nothing.
She walked to the door, then paused.
"I thought you were on my side," she added, her voice lower now, hurt slipping through.
Then she left.
The door closed.
And just like that…
She was gone.
Sky spoke softly.
"She's really going."
I closed my eyes.
"I know."
And this time…
I didn't stop her.
Third Person's POV
FOREST EDGE
The forest was dark, silent, but not empty.
Four rogues stood hidden between the trees, their bodies blending into the shadows as they watched the path ahead. They looked rough and dangerous, each of them carrying the marks of a life spent fighting. Torn clothes, hardened expressions, and eyes that held no mercy.
One was tall with dark skin and deep scars across his arms, wearing a sleeveless torn shirt and loose trousers. Another had pale skin, messy brown hair, and a crooked nose, dressed in a dark jacket that hung loosely over his frame. The other two were just as intimidating, their boots worn, their movements sharp and alert.
"They're coming," one muttered.
They all focused.
Through the dim light, two figures moved through the forest.
Ariella and Lysa.
"Which one?" another asked.
"The Alpha's mate," the first replied.
They watched carefully.
Then one of them scoffed. "That one?" he pointed at Ariella. "She looks weak."
"An omega as an Alpha's mate?" another laughed. "Impossible."
Their eyes shifted to Lysa.
"She's stronger," the tall one said. "That's the one."
They all nodded.
Decision made.
"Take them."
Ariella's POV
FOREST
The deeper we went into the forest, the colder it became. The moon hung high above us, its light faint but enough to guide our steps. The silence around us felt unnatural, like the forest itself was watching.
Sky was alert.
"Something is wrong."
I felt it too.
Before I could speak—
They appeared.
Four rogues stepped out from the shadows, surrounding us before we could react.
My heart jumped.
Lysa moved slightly in front of me. "Who are you?"
They didn't answer.
One of them moved fast.
Before I could even react, a strong arm wrapped around me from behind, holding me tightly in place.
I gasped, struggling immediately. "Let me go!"
Lysa turned sharply. "Ariella!"
Two of them rushed toward her.
She fought.
But they were stronger.
The first hit landed hard.
The sound echoed.
My heart stopped.
"STOP!" I screamed.
They didn't listen.
Another hit.
Then another.
Lysa stumbled, but she tried to fight back, her movements slower now.
"Leave her!" I cried, struggling harder, but the rogue holding me tightened his grip painfully.
"She's getting hurt," Sky said, panic rising in her voice.
"I know!" I cried.
Another blow.
Lysa fell to the ground this time.
But they didn't stop.
They kept hitting her.
My vision blurred with tears.
"Please… stop…" my voice broke completely.
I couldn't move.
I couldn't help her.
I could only watch.
And that hurt more than anything.
"Please…" I whispered, my body shaking. "Moon goddess… please…"
My voice cracked as I cried harder.
"Help her… please… I'll do anything… just help her…"
Something shifted.
The wind picked up slightly.
The moon above seemed brighter.
Sky suddenly went still.
Then—
Power.
It rushed through me suddenly, violently, like something had been awakened.
"What is happening?" Sky gasped.
My body felt different.
My chest burned.
My eyes—
They changed.
I could feel it.
White.
Everything around me sharpened.
The rogue holding me froze.
"What the hell—"
My body moved on its own.
Sky surged forward.
Not just present.
Fully there.
Taking over.
My voice echoed, louder than it should have been.
"STOP!"
The sound carried power.
Raw.
Commanding.
The rogue holding me let go instantly, stumbling back.
The others froze, fear flashing across their faces.
The air around us felt heavy, almost crushing.
The moon above shone brighter.
One of the rogues turned to run, but he tripped, falling hard against a rock with a sharp cry as his leg twisted unnaturally.
"Run!" another shouted.
Panic spread among them.
They fled.
All of them.
Leaving everything behind.
Silence fell.
My breathing was heavy.
My body shaking.
Sky stood strong for a moment longer.
Then suddenly—
She was gone.
Like she had been pulled away.
Everything returned to normal.
Too normal.
I staggered slightly.
"What… was that…" I whispered.
No answer came.
FOREST CONTINUED
I rushed to Lysa immediately, dropping beside her.
"Lysa!" I cried, lifting her carefully.
Her face was bruised, her breathing uneven, her body weak.
She blinked slowly, trying to focus on me.
"They… ran…" she whispered.
I nodded, tears still in my eyes. "I'm here."
She stared at me, confusion clear in her expression.
"What did you do?"
I shook my head slowly.
"I don't know."
But I knew one thing.
Something inside me had changed.
And it wasn't normal.
Lysa winced slightly, but then her expression hardened again.
"We keep going," she said weakly.
I hesitated.
Then nodded.
Because now…
There was no turning back.