Chapter 4 4

Finn's POV

The trees whispered around me as I walked deeper into the forest, their branches clawing at the sky like skeletal fingers. The encounter had gone exactly as I'd planned, though Lucas showing up earlier than expected had been a minor annoyance. His overprotectiveness was laughable, really. Did he honestly think he could keep her safe from what was coming?

I chuckled to myself, the sound sharp and bitter. Aria. The Alpha's precious mate. She didn't even remember who she was, let alone what she'd done. That was the real tragedy, wasn't it?

She'd played her part beautifully, and now she was back in the fold, oblivious to the chaos she'd left behind.

I reached a clearing and stopped, tilting my head back to look at the sliver of sky visible through the dense canopy. The air here felt heavier, saturated with the remnants of the curse that had been woven into the land. It clung to everything, invisible but inescapable, a reminder of the witch's wrath.

And Aria was the key to it all.

The memory of her wide, confused eyes made me grin. She had no idea who I was, no idea how closely our paths were intertwined. That was the beauty of it.

"You seem pleased with yourself," a voice drawled behind me.

I didn't flinch, didn't turn. I knew who it was before she even spoke. Morgana always made her presence known in the most theatrical ways.

"What's not to be pleased about?" I said, my tone light. "The prodigal mate returns, and the mighty Alpha is already on edge. It's almost too easy."

Morgana stepped into view, her dark robes blending seamlessly with the shadows. Her eyes were cold, calculating, as they raked over me.

"Don't underestimate them," she said sharply. "Lucas may be predictable, but Aria... she's more dangerous than you think."

"Dangerous?" I repeated, raising an eyebrow. "She can barely remember her own name. What threat could she possibly pose?"

Morgana's lips curved into a humorless smile. "You'd be surprised. Memory or not, the power she carries hasn't disappeared. It's only dormant, waiting for the right moment to awaken."

Her words sent a shiver down my spine, though I masked it with a smirk. "And you're so sure it'll awaken?"

"Oh, it will," Morgana said, her voice laced with certainty. "And when it does, we'll be ready. Won't we?"

I inclined my head, though the weight of her gaze made me uneasy. Working with Morgana had been a necessary evil, but there were moments-like now-when I wondered if I'd made a mistake.

"What's the next move?" I asked, changing the subject.

Morgana's expression darkened. "For now, we watch. Let her settle in, let Lucas believe he has the upper hand. But keep close. When the time comes, you'll know what to do."

I nodded, though the thought of waiting didn't sit well with me. Patience had never been my strong suit, but Morgana's plans required precision.

"What about the pack?" I asked. "The curse is spreading faster than expected. If it overtakes them too soon, Aria won't have a pack left to fight for."

Morgana waved a hand dismissively. "That's their problem, not ours. The weaker they are, the easier they'll fall when the time comes. Don't concern yourself with their survival, Finn. Focus on the task at hand."

Her words were cold, calculated, and utterly devoid of empathy. It was a reminder of who she was-and who I was becoming by working with her.

As she turned to leave, I couldn't help but ask, "Why her? Why not just destroy the pack outright and be done with it?"

Morgana paused, her back to me. "Because destroying them is too simple," she said, her voice almost wistful. "Suffering is so much more satisfying."

With that, she disappeared into the shadows, leaving me alone in the clearing.

I stayed there for a while, the weight of her words settling over me like a second skin. I wasn't a fool-I knew Morgana was using me just as much as I was using her. But the difference was, I had my own agenda.

Aria wasn't just a pawn in Morgana's game. She was the reason I'd joined forces with the witch in the first place.

The memories of that night still haunted me. The screams, the blood, the betrayal. Aria had been at the center of it all, whether she remembered it or not. And now, she was back, as if nothing had happened.

But I remembered.

I clenched my fists, the familiar anger rising in my chest. Lucas thought he could protect her, thought he could shield her from the truth. But the truth had a way of coming out, no matter how deeply it was buried.

And when it did, Aria would finally understand the price of her choices.

The wind shifted, carrying the faintest hint of her scent. It was intoxicating, even now, and it only fueled my resolve.

"You won't escape this time, Aria," I muttered, turning away from the clearing. "Not from me. Not from the truth."

As I made my way back through the forest, my mind raced with possibilities. Morgana wanted revenge, Lucas wanted salvation, and Aria wanted answers.

But me?

I just wanted justice.