Chapter 3 The Bond That Won't Let Me Be

- Aria

I woke up to a throbbing ache between my thighs, the kind of pain I hadn't experienced in years, and it felt shamefully real.

What have I done?

My head throbbed, and my chest felt heavy. His side of the bed was messed up and still warm, so it wasn't cold anymore. I sat up slowly, wrapping the sheet around myself.

"Great," I muttered into the pillow, wincing as I moved. "Exactly what I needed today."

The sunlight was barely creeping through the curtains when I dragged myself upright. The first thing I noticed was the silence. The twins never slept this late.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I headed for the nursery and found it empty. The cribs were made, and all the toys were gone.

"Oh, hell no-"

Panic surged. "Adrian? Aurora?" I called out, pushing myself over the cribs and holding onto the cabinet because every step hurt like hell.

A nanny stepped out from the hallway. "Oh, good morning, Luna. The Alpha asked us to take the twins early so you could rest. They're having breakfast."

I froze.

"The Alpha asked."

Luca. After a year of silence, he finally decides to act like a father now?

"Thank you," I murmured, forcing a nod.

The nanny left.

I gripped the crib railing so hard that my hands shook. The memory of last night hit me like a punch. I couldn't forget how Luca kissed me as my body leaned into him, and the bond screaming at me to love him and give up the fight.

I whispered to the empty room. "I asked for a divorce. so why did I let him touch me?"

When I returned to the bedroom, my phone buzzed on the dresser. A single message from Nova: "So. did you tell him?"

I typed slowly: "Not yet."

Nova: "Why?"

I stared at the screen, throat tight. Why? Because last night made everything harder. I didn't know which was worse. I wasn't sure if the divorce would kill me. or staying would.

And then I heard footsteps behind me, followed by Luca's voice, "The nanny gets them already."

I flinched before I turned. He was leaning on the doorframe like nothing had happened last night. Fully dressed, hair brushed, back to the emotionless Alpha facade.

"Yeah, the nanny told me."

"They needed feeding," he said flatly. "You were sleeping like the dead."

Feeling suddenly embarrassed, I quickly wrapped my arms around myself. "Right. Because that's all I'm good for, sleeping through my own children's cries."

Luca raked a hand through his hair. "I don't have time for this kind of chit chat. Magnus collapsed."

My breath caught. "Old Alpha Magnus? When?"

"Late last night." He walked past me, already heading out. "He's in the hospital."

I didn't know what to say. Magnus was the only Stormbourne who had ever treated me with warmth and kindness. He was the reason the Council mandate had even been approved. Otherwise, who would want a lowly orphan like me, whose wolf had been dormant for years, even though I reached an age when my wolf should be awakened?

It was because Old Alpha Magnus could see through me, and he knew that I was not just a lowly wolf but was born of an ancient lineage with hidden power. He never told me about it, but he commented once, "There's more to you than you know, child. Your lineage . your wolf. It's a legacy thought lost. The Moon Goddess has plans for you."

He was the one who told me the twins' births were destiny, not accidents. He called them "miracles."

I was confused, but honestly, I was thankful for him.

Wrecking the family structure made me feel bad-I knew he cared about it. But staying married to Luca? That was still unbearable.

I cleared my throat. "I'm coming with you."

Luca turned, eyebrow raised. "You're not invited."

I stared him down. "I'm their Luna and the mother of your children. He's my grandfather-in-law. Try and stop me."

For a second, I thought he might argue. Instead, he just scoffed with a small, bitter smile playing on his lips. "Fine. Get dressed. We leave in five minutes."

After I showered, I went to the closet. My hands lingered on a simple, dark blue dress. I pulled it out, feeling the soft fabric in my hands. I stared at my reflection. My eyes were wide, dark, and held a hint of sleepless nights I couldn't hide. I forced myself to meet my own gaze.

Today, I would tell the world I was done. I couldn't help but feel a small, treacherous part of me whispering, "What if you're wrong?"

Luca appeared at the door. "Come on. He's been asking for you."

I swallowed hard. "Why?"

He shot me a hard look over his shoulder. "He didn't tell you? He always says you're the heart of this pack." Then he turned his back without another word.

I stood there, confused. Luca's words were the last thing I expected to hear.

I grabbed my jacket and hurried after him. The pain was stabbing with every step, but I swallowed it down.

In the car, Luca started the engine in silence. We'd barely been on the road five minutes when his phone rang, and the display flashed Ivy Castemont.

I stiffened instantly.

"Hey," Luca answered, his voice suddenly softening. "Yeah, I'm on the way. Don't worry, I'm fine."

The sting was instant and ugly. He had a comforting tone in his voice for Ivy. For me? I got orders and cold words.

He ended the call with a low, "Thanks, Ivy," like she was some freaking angel saving his life.

I couldn't hide my snort. "Still pretending you don't have feelings for her?"

He didn't look at me. "This isn't the time."

"No," I said quietly, staring out the window, "it never is."

It seemed that no matter what happened between Luca and me, he would never forget Ivy, his long-time love, the pride of the Castemont family, the perfect princess everyone thought was destined to be Luna of StormRidge Pack.

Of course, he wouldn't forget a woman like that.

Ivy, with her flawless beauty, had always been by Luca's side since childhood. She never had to try hard to get anyone's attention. especially Luca.

And me? His legal wife, the woman he chose only because circumstances forced him to. The woman who raised his children. but who remained second in his heart.

Every time Ivy's name crossed my mind, it felt like something cold and heavy was pressing down on my chest as if I were just a shadow interfering with their love story.

The hospital parking lot was overflowing with Stormbourne warriors. Pack members bowed when they saw Luca and slid their eyes right past me like I was nothing but his shadow.

We walked toward the critical ward together, but not really together. There was a full yard of tension between us.

The moment we rounded the corner, his mother, Helena, shot to her feet.

The entire family has gathered outside the ward. All eyes are on us, especially accusing eyes on me as we walk closer.

"Luca, finally!" she rushed toward him. "It has been too long since we tried to reach you."

She then turned her eyes on me like knives. Her face was pinched with disapproval when she saw me.

"What a surprise," she said dryly. "The Luna finally graces us with her presence. If you hadn't delayed Alpha Luca, he would have been here earlier."

I ignored the jab. "How is Old Magnus?"

Helena's lips curled into a sneer. "Dying. And you're here because you think he's going to leave you something in his will?"

My stomach dropped. "I didn't-"

"Enough," Helena hissed. "Your selfishness knows no limits."

"She said it's my fault," I whispered to Luca, hoping he'd just defend me for once.

He didn't look at me. "This isn't the time for arguments."

So that was his answer.

The entire Stormbourne family filled the corridor: Brooke, Oliver, Helena, cousins, and the Elders. I could feel their judgment before any of them spoke. I stood at Luca's side like an outsider wearing a Luna's title I didn't deserve.

And then the doctor approached.

"Only Alpha Luca and his Luna can enter," he said.

Luca moved immediately.

Helena grabbed his arm. "Surely I go in first-"

"No," the doctor repeated. "He asked for his grandson and his granddaughter-in-law. No one else."

The hallway froze. Every head turned.

Luca and I exchanged a stunned look. Of all the people Magnus could have asked for, but me?

Silver stirred inside me, her voice low and wary.

"Be prepared, Aria. Something is coming."

I swallowed. "Yeah," I whispered back in my mind, "I can feel it too."

Because if Old Alpha Magnus wanted me right before he might die, then whatever he had to say could change everything.

And that terrified me more than anything that everyone ever could.

*****