Chapter 67
Aria’s POV.
I stood in my room, my hands trembling as I dressed, pulling on a simple blue dress, its fabric soft against my skin, my silver hair tied back, my heart racing with worry.
The Shadow Claw packhouse was quiet, the morning light dim through the window, the air cool, the stone walls heavy around me. My wolf, Kyra, whined, her unease sharp, sensing my fear, my anger, my dread.
Yesterday, Brian had come to me, his brown eyes serious, his voice low, explaining the Lunar Festival, the pack’s sacred celebration of the moon, where I, as Luna Celeste, had to lead the preparations.
The elders’ demand, Kael’s reluctant nod, weighed on me, my chest tight, my mind spinning with the task’s enormity, banners, feasts, rituals, every detail judged by the pack.
Beta Brian had promised a maid to help, the best one, he said, but he hadn’t told me who, and the unknown gnawed at me, my patience thin, my worry loud.
I slipped on my boots, their leather creaking, my hands smoothing the dress, my heart pounding. Kael’s protectiveness, his anger at Seraphina for slapping me, his warm kiss on my forehead, gave me strength, but his absence now, his duty pulling him to the throne chamber, left me alone, my fear growing.
Seraphina’s punishment, twenty strokes, her tears, her threat to expose my true identity as Aria, not Celest, burned in my mind, her hate a shadow over me.
Elijah’s death, Sonia’s grief, Liam’s trust, added to my burden, my heart aching for them, my role as Luna heavier than ever.
I grabbed my shawl, my hands shaky, my eyes burning, Kyra urging me to stay strong, to face the day.