Chapter 2 Love Beyond The Cosmos

Episode 2: the shadow within

Ryder's words hung in the air, leaving Aria's mind racing with possibilities. What did he mean? Who was he, really?

"I'm listening," Aria said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ryder's gaze seemed to bore into her soul before he spoke. "I'm the son of the former alpha, but I wasn't born with the alpha gene. I was...made."

Aria's eyes widened as understanding dawned. "You're a created alpha?"

Ryder nodded, his expression grim. "My father, the former alpha, he...he experimented on me. He wanted a stronger, more powerful alpha. And he succeeded."

Aria's heart went out to Ryder. She couldn't imagine what he must have endured.

"Why keep it a secret?" she asked, her voice soft.

Ryder's eyes flashed with anger. "Because the pack wouldn't accept me if they knew. I'm not a true alpha, Aria. I'm a monster."

Aria stepped closer, her hand reaching out. "You're not a monster, Ryder. You're strong, brave, and fiercely protective of your pack. That's what makes a true alpha."

Ryder's gaze met hers, and for a moment, Aria saw a glimmer of hope.

Ryder's expression softened, and he took Aria's hand in his. "Thank you, Aria. You're the first person to ever understand me."

Aria's heart skipped a beat as Ryder's fingers intertwined with hers. She felt a spark of electricity run through her body.

Just then, a loud growl echoed outside, breaking the moment. Ryder's head snapped towards the door, his eyes narrowing.

"What was that?" Aria asked, her senses on high alert.

Ryder's grip on her hand tightened. "That was no ordinary wolf. It's them. They've found us."

Aria's heart raced as Ryder pulled her towards the door. "Stay close to me," he growled, his eyes flashing with protectiveness.

As they stepped outside, Aria saw a group of shadowy figures emerging from the trees. Their eyes glowed with an unnatural light, and their growls sent shivers down her spine.

Ryder positioned himself in front of Aria, his body tense and ready to defend. "Let's show them what we're made of," he snarled.

The shadowy figures charged, and Ryder leapt forward to meet them. Aria followed close behind, her heart pounding in her chest.

The battle was intense, with snarls and growls filling the air. Ryder fought with precision and skill, taking down multiple attackers with ease. Aria fought alongside him, her movements swift and deadly.

But despite their best efforts, the shadowy figures seemed to keep coming. There were too many of them, and Ryder and Aria found themselves surrounded.

Just when it seemed like all was lost, a group of wolves burst from the trees, led by Liam and the Nightshade Pack. They launched themselves into the fray, turning the tide of the battle.

As the dust settled, Ryder and Aria stood victorious, but battered. Ryder's eyes met Aria's, and he smiled wearily.

"Thanks for watching my back," he said, his voice husky.

Aria smiled back, her heart racing with adrenaline. "Anytime, Ryder."

But as they caught their breath, Aria noticed something strange. The shadowy figures lay motionless on the ground, but they seemed to be...dissolving.

"What's going on?" Aria asked, her voice laced with unease.

Ryder's expression turned grim. "I don't know, but I think we're in for a whole lot more trouble."

And with that, the ground began to shake, and a loud rumbling noise filled the air...

The rumbling grew louder, and the ground trembled beneath their feet. Aria stumbled, and Ryder caught her, his eyes scanning the horizon.

"What's happening?" Aria shouted above the din.

Ryder's face was set in a grim mask. "I don't know, but it's not natural!"

Suddenly, a massive crack split the earth, and a dark chasm opened up before them. The shadowy figures' remains were sucked into the abyss, and a eerie glow emanated from the depths.

Aria's heart raced as Ryder pulled her back, his eyes fixed on the chasm. "We need to get out of here, now!"

But it was too late. A dark tendril emerged from the depths, snaking towards them with sinister intent...

Ryder pushed Aria behind him, baring his teeth at the tendril. But as it wrapped around his arm, he felt a strange sensation - a pull towards the chasm.

Aria screamed as Ryder was dragged towards the abyss. She grabbed his other arm, holding tight.

"Ryder, no!" she shouted, but he was being pulled away.

In a desperate bid to save him, Aria reached for the mysterious power within her. It surged to the surface, and she felt a blast of energy course through her veins.

The tendril released Ryder, and he stumbled back, gasping. But Aria's eyes were fixed on the chasm, where a figure was rising from the depths...

A figure with piercing eyes and skin like dark marble. A figure who spoke in a voice that echoed in Aria's mind.

"Welcome, Aria," it said. "I have been waiting for you.

The figure rose higher, its presence filling the air with an otherworldly energy. Aria felt Ryder's hand on her shoulder, but her gaze was fixed on the being before her.

"Who are you?" Aria demanded, trying to keep her voice steady.

The figure's eyes seemed to bore into her soul. "I am the guardian of the shadows," it replied, its voice like a gentle breeze in her mind. "And you, Aria, are the key to unlocking the secrets of the ancient ones."

Aria's mind reeled as the guardian began to circle around her. "What do you mean?" she asked, trying to keep up with its movements.

"The ancient ones," the guardian repeated, "who possessed powers beyond your wildest dreams. Powers that have been hidden for centuries, waiting for the right vessel to come along."

Ryder growled, his eyes fixed on the guardian. "What do you want with Aria?"

The guardian's gaze flicked to Ryder, and for a moment, Aria saw a glimmer of amusement. "Oh, Ryder," it said. "You are so protective of your mate. But you do not understand the true nature of her power."

Aria felt a surge of energy within her, as if her powers were responding to the guardian's words. "What do you mean?" she asked again, her voice barely above a whisper.

The guardian's eyes locked onto hers. "You have the potential to wield the ancient powers, Aria. But are you willing to pay the price?"

Aria hesitated, unsure of what to say. Ryder's grip on her shoulder tightened, as if urging her to refuse. But Aria's curiosity got the better of her.

"What price?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

The guardian's smile grew wider. "The price of your humanity," it said. "To wield the ancient powers, you must surrender your mortal form. Are you willing to become something more?"

Aria felt Ryder's growl rumble through her, but she stood transfixed by the guardian's words. Become something more? What did that even mean?

As she hesitated, the guardian began to chant in a language Aria couldn't understand. The air around her began to shimmer, and she felt a strange energy building up inside her.

Ryder's voice cut through the chanting. "Aria, no! Don't do it!"

But it was too late. The energy surged through her, and Aria felt herself being lifted off the ground. She was surrounded by a blinding light, and everything went white...

Aria hesitated, unsure of what to say. Ryder's grip on her shoulder tightened, as if urging her to refuse. But Aria's curiosity got the better of her.

"What price?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

The guardian's smile grew wider. "The price of your humanity," it said. "To wield the ancient powers, you must surrender your mortal form. Are you willing to become something more?"

Aria felt Ryder's growl rumble through her, but she stood transfixed by the guardian's words. Become something more? What did that even mean?

As she hesitated, the guardian began to chant in a language Aria couldn't understand. The air around her began to shimmer, and she felt a strange energy building up inside her.

Ryder's voice cut through the chanting. "Aria, no! Don't do it!"

But it was too late. The energy surged through her, and Aria felt herself being lifted off the ground. She was surrounded by a blinding light, and everything went white...

When the light faded, Aria found herself standing in a vast, empty space. The guardian floated before her, its eyes gleaming with an otherworldly intensity.

"It is done," it said, its voice echoing off the walls. "You have taken the first step towards becoming something more."

Aria looked down at her hands, and gasped. They were no longer human. Her skin was now a shimmering silver, and her fingers ended in razor-sharp claws.

Ryder's voice echoed through the space, his roar of despair and anger making Aria's heart ache.

"Aria, no! Come back to me!"

But Aria felt herself being drawn towards the guardian, as if by an unseen force.

"You must come with me now," it said, its voice growing fainter. "The ancient ones await."

And with that, everything went black.